March 6, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 517 SOME NEW TYPES OF HAULAGE ENGINES. At no time during the history of coalmining has the efficiency of haulage plant received such attention as it does at present. A few years ago the most inefficient and imperfect plant was considered good enough to use where fuel was at its cheapest. To-day this state of things is rapidly giving way to plant and methods in which economy is the dominant factor. Engineers have become alive to these changed conditions, and their productions for use in the mining industry no longer give the impression of careless workmanship. We do not refer to elaborate outer polish—this can usually be dispensed with, especially for outside and underground work—but to the improvement in design, the liberality in proportioning the working parts, the care bestowed on the details and the exactness of the workmanship in the vital parts of the machinery. II Ml Fig. 1.—Semi-portable Main-and-tail Haulage Engine. * . 4 % , 4 IF/; ft Fig. 2.—Single-drum Haulage Engine. As an example of the improvement, we may note two sets of small hauling engines made by Messrs. T. and R. Lees, of the Park Foundry and Engineering Works, Hollinwood, Manchester. Fig. 1 shows this firm’s 8 in. by 14 in. improved type self-contained semi- portable engines, with two drums for main and tail haulage. The specification to which this set is built would meet the requirements of the most fastidious consulting engineer. Every detail seems to have received due attention, the cylinder, piston and valves receiving, as they should, special consideration. The cylinders are in all cases tested hydraulically to a pressure of 150 lb. per square inch, in addition to a final test under steam before leaving the works. All parts requiring strength are made of high-grade steel, and parts in which greatest wear takes place are made of gunmetal, and are in most cases adjustable for wear. An excellent arrangement of double post brakes has been devised, and all operating levers are brought together for the convenience of the engineman. Fig. 2 shows the same firm’s 6 in. by 10 in. single-drum hauling set, and the remarks on the other set apply equally to this set. One of their customers who has installed about 12 of the smaller sets writes them as follows:—“ I timed a trip down by a pair of the 6 in. hauling engines made by you, winding up our No. 2 brow on the south side at Oak Colliery. Time to pull trip up brow 240 yards, dip one in seven, eight tubs of coal, 10 cwt. in each tub—three minutes. Air pressure 50 lb. per square inch.” Messrs. T. and R. Lees inform us that this is not the maximum power obtainable from these sets, but it shows that they are made for real working conditions. It must be satisfactory to the makers to have 12 repeat orders from one firm. We are also able to state that this firm are now making heavy electrical haulage gear; they have just completed two sets consisting of 50 brake horse-power motors of the polyphase type, connected for endless rope haulage by means of cut-gearing and double helical gears. THE “ADNIL” MINE SHAFT SIGNALLING SYSTEM. General Regulation 95, which comes into force on July 1 next, provides that “in connection with every winding engine there shall be provided an appliance which shall automatically indicate in a visible manner to the winding engineman (in addition to the ordinary signal) the nature of the signal until the signal is complied with.” Amongst others, Messrs. Adnil Electric Company Limited, of Adnil Building, Artillery- lane, E.C., who are specialists in the manufacture of mine telephone and signalling apparatus, have recently designed a system, founded upon their existing luminous and automatic systems, which is adapted to work in conjunction with existing electric bell or mechanical rapper installations. The system is thus “ all-electric ” or “ electro-mechanical.” In the former the visual indicator (fig. 1) in the engine room comprises a numbered dial mounted in metal casing, gas and water proof if required. The dial is normally arranged for 14 signals, but this number may be increased up to 20 if necessary. The indicator is furnished with a pointer which denotes the winding signals and a luminous indicator to denote when men are being carried. The apparatus may be fixed to the wall or mounted on a cast iron pedestal, on which may also be mounted the audible signalling instruments— electric bells or hooter. In the case of mines working more than one level, it is necessary for a level indicator (fig. 2) to be provided. This comprises a metal casing (also watertight and gas- tight if required) divided up into a number of small compartments, with ground glass fronts, on each of which is painted the name or number of a level. These names or numbers are only visible when the lamp in the compartment is caused to glow by a signal having been given. A resetting contact, single-stroke bell, electric hooter and junction box, all in gas- and water-tight casing, complete the engine-room equipment. The level indicator may be furnished with pushes to enable the banksman or engineman to signal back if necessary. The apparatus at bank is similar to that in the engine room, except that the dial indicator (fig. 3) is furnished with three mining type pushes, viz.: “ Men ” signal push, “ Ordinary ” signal push, and “ Carry Out” push, whilst no resetting contact is provided. The level indicator, the bell and hooter are mounted separately. Fig. 1.—Visual Indicator in Engineroom. If a visual indication of the signals is not required at bank, it is usual to separately instal a mining pull for “ Men ” signals and mining pushes for “ Ordinary ” and “ Carry out ” signals. To meet special requirements, the signalling keys are occasionally mounted separately In this case a circular dial indicator, similar to fig. 1, is used at banks and levels. Similar apparatus to that at bank is provided at the various levels, but with only two pushes, viz.: “ Men ” signal and “ Ordinary ” signal. The all-electric system—according to requirements— may be operated from a primary or secondary battery of from 12 to 24 volts. When a person is about to descend, the banksman depresses the “Men’’signal push (d.s.p.) three times. This causes the single-stroke bells at bank and levels to sound three times. The onsetter replies by pressing three times the “ Men ” signal push. The signal “Men” will thereupon be displayed on all the dial indicators and the bells will give three strokes. At the same time the lamps in one compartment of the level indicators will light up and display the number of the level from which the signal “ Men” is given. When the person is in the cage and ready to descend, the banksman depresses twice his “Ordinary” signal push, which causes the pointers of the dial indicators to move on to signal No. 2 (“ Lower ”) and all bells to ring twice. Fig. 2.—Level Indicator with Compartments for 10 Levels. Simultaneously the level indicator lamp corresponding with bank will glow, thereby informing the engine- driver that the signal “ Lower ” has been sent by the proper person. When the engine-driver carries out the signal, the pointer of the dial indicator is automatically