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A railway detonator (torpedo in North America) is a coin-sized device that is used to make a loud sound as a warning signal to train drivers. It is placed on the top of the rail, usually secured with two lead straps, one on each side. When the wheel of the train passes over, it explodes emitting a loud bang. It was invented in 1841 by English inventor Edward Alfred Cowper.〔http://www.springerlink.com/content/nu87265716156781/〕 == Uses == Typical uses of detonators include * a warning, caution or stop signal in dense fog, when signals are difficult to see; * a warning of a train stopped on the line ahead by an incident or accident — the train crew are usually responsible for placing the detonators; * a warning of ongoing engineering works ahead; or * when a signaller or other railway employee requires to stop approaching trains in an emergency. * to alert crews working on the rails if a silent, runaway train or train carriage is approaching. On a high-speed line, detonators may need to be placed on both rails. As with all explosives, detonators can become unstable over time and must therefore be replaced regularly. They are triggered by pressure rather than impact. This makes them safe during transport, as they normally cannot detonate in a bag or storage container. Detonating them by striking with a hammer does work. An incident involving the explosion of detonators in the cab of an Irish train in March 2012 is currently under investigation.〔http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0306/breaking28.html〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Detonator (railway)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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