Page:A voice from the signal-box.djvu/13

9 moreover, frequently become fractured when the trains of which they form part are started and afterwards snap completely asunder whilst they are proceeding on their journey. In this way a number of vehicles often break loose, and remain on the line to be run into by the following train.

With regard to the hours of labour of railway servants, he recommends that enginemen, and passenger and goods guards be not allowed to remain on duty longer than ten hours per diem; also that pointsmen, signalmen, and shunter’s hours be limited to eight per diem. All other classes of railway employesemployees [sic] he considers may safely be kept on duty ten hours daily. He suggests that relief men be kept at certain stations, so that in cases where trains have been much delayed, the officials in charge thereof may be relieved as soon as they have completed their full term of duty, instead of, as at present, being compelled to work forward to their journey’s end, regardless of the length of time it may occupy.

In concluding my brief remarks on, and summary of, this interesting work, I would observe that many of the suggested improvements referred to above, have been also recommended at various times by other railway officials of long experience, and being fully convinced of their utility, I have taken occasion