The “Brown-Turner” Automatic Level Crossing Gate.

Much interest was taken in a large model of the “Brown-Turner” level crossing automatic gate, a demonstration of which was given before a number of leading railway officers recently. The model which, together with working plans, had been submitted to the Railway Suggestions and Inventions Committee, consists of a gate or boom suspended between uprights and balanced by means of cables and balance weights. At a distance from each side of the level crossing the rails were insulated (as for electric signalling) and the approaching miniature train operated a relay. This in turn operated a warning bell and red danger lights, at the same time bringing down a boom or gate which closed the crossing against road traffic. The boom remained down until the train was clear and then automatically returned to its normal position above the crossing.

The device as put forward was excellently designed and evidently much skill and care had been expended on its manufacture. In effect, however, it did not differ from many level crossing safety or warning devices, which have been submitted in the past.

In view of the possible waste of mechanical genius on further inventions of a similar nature, it may be opportune to point out that the operation of descending gates or booms at level crossings in other countries has been considered to constitute a serious danger to road vehicles, owing to the possibility of such vehicles being struck by descending booms or barriers, and also to the risk of road vehicles being trapped on the line between the gates.