Canadian Pacific Staff Bulletin - September, 1946
Right - Visual education makes the subject in question considerably easier to grasp. Here N.R. Crump, general manager for Eastern Lines, describes the operation of the instruction panels. Shown from left are, H.J. Main general superintendent of transportation, C.E. Stockdill assistant to the vice-president, Mr. Crump, H.B. Bowen chief of motive power and rolling stock, H.H. Boyd assistant chief of motive power and rolling stock.
Canada's most modern "safety theatre" on rails, designed to give more than 20,000 men of the
Canadian Pacific Railway on Eastern Lines a visual education in general train, interlocking rules, and safe
practices, recently made its debut on the Company's lines.
Formerly one of the Company's ten hospital cars which carried more than 5,700 war wounded from seaboard to military hospitals across Canada, it contains the latest in sound-movie equipment, a two-way public address system, three sources of electric power, and seating accommodation for 60 people. It will be in year-round service with morning, afternoon, and early evening classes where necessary.
Conceived by N.R. Crump, General Manager of Eastern Lines, with the general requirements worked out by J.C. Mc-Cuaig, general safety agent for Eastern Lines, the car was built under the direction of H.B. Bowen, C.B.E., chief of motive power and rolling stock, to the design of E.W. Morris, assistant engineer, (car). The work was done at the Company's Angus Shops in Montreal.
Completely self-contained for its travelling personnel, the car will be in charge of P.W. Raines, of Toronto, rules instructor for Eastern Lines. He will be assisted by each district safety agent while on his territory.
Flanking the translucent screen used for slides, are signal panels which give an accurate reproduction of automatic and interlocking signal indications. While the lecturer demonstrates the signal on the panel, the rule that governs the movement of the train will be flashed on the ground glass screen. These slides are projected from the office behind the screen.
In this manner there is no chance for misunderstanding, as the class member is given both the indication and the rule governing both at the same time. This method can be further extended to illustrate the various terminal and interlocking setups and routes governed by different indications.
Film slides on safety will be shown to employees in the various trade classifications. Every film considered of value in safety education is carried on the car.
If blackboard explanation is necessary, one is brought into use from above the lecturer where it forms part of the interior ceiling and operates on a counter-balance.
Loudspeakers are installed in the projection room, in the business office, and three are evenly spaced in the ceiling of the theatre section of the car, enabling everyone to hear the lecturer plainly. Jacks strung along the walls next the seats may be adapted for microphones for the benefit of class members.
Three sources of electric power are provided, one from an axle-driven generator in the usual 30-volt direct current, another by plug-in to permanent wires, and the third from a propane gas operated generator built in the car. A forced-draft ventilating system with a high powered exhaust fan ensures a change of air every two minutes in the classroom.
To perfect the sound effects acoustic materials have been installed between the car's roof and the perforated interior ceiling,, while special blinds black out the car and a bank of floodlights provides ample illumination.
In the compact projection room in the extreme end of the car sufficient space is provided for the projectors with shelves under the desk where slides, records, and films are indexed with additional space for the recording turntable. From his chair behind the projection machine, the projectionist may operate the lighting or public address system for the entire car.
School children from Schreiber, Ontario, to Kentville, Nova Scotia, will benefit from the railway's new school, which contains all the features of a modern theatre. Through the co-operation of the Board of Education they will be enlightened on safety through the media of sound films and lectures by CPR safety agents.
While men of the running trades will see sound films and slides on rules, safety, job instruction and first aid, children will be invited to see motion pictures which will teach them to avoid the hazards of trespassing on railways and help to prevent crossing accidents.
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