Story: Wairarapa places

Tablet machines

Tablet machines

These tablet machines were used to stop Fell engine trains from colliding on the single railway track over the Rimutaka Range. The line was divided into sections, each controlled by a tablet operator. When a train wanted to travel over a section, the operator sent a signal to the next operator through the machine. If it was safe to proceed, a tablet was released from the machine and given to the train driver.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photograph by Shirley Williams

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How to cite this page:

Ben Schrader, 'Wairarapa places - Featherston', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/12032/tablet-machines (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Ben Schrader, updated 11 Jun 2015