The Natural History Society

The signals mainly in use are the three and four multi-aspect colour light type : the old familiar semaphore signal has been superseded. From Clifton to the North End of Dringhouses, point operation is electro-pneumatic. From this point to Chaloners Whin points are operated electrically.

Electric power for general signal purposes is obtained from two separate dynamos giving 600 volts at the Foss Islands Generating Station. A third dynamo supplying energy at 400 volts operates the two main air compressors. In the event of failure of the mains supply, a diesel-driven alternator comes into operation within 9 seconds.

The box, which is air-conditioned, also houses the public address equipment for the platforms.

The visit was both interesting and instructive and we are grateful to S. W. Jesper, Esq., for arranging the visit and to Messrs. Christian and Smith for acting as our guides.

It is interesting that York, which has been an important centre of travel for nearly two thousand years, now has one of the most modern railway signalling control systems.

G.W.R., J.B.C.

Chairman: D. K. CREWS, ESQ., T.D., M.A.

Committee:

P. SMITH, J. 0. WALTON, J. FORD, M. W. BOLTON, A. D. G. STAINES. Secretary: R. D. WHEATLEY. Treasurer: J. FORD.

It is always very difficult to assess the amount of success which this Society achieves during its short existence of one term during the School year. The Natural History Society is always hindered by obstacles which do not affect the two scientific societies of the Winter terms. The weather must be kind to us to enable "out-door" meetings; time is short for we only have one hour for our activities on Saturday evenings; and other attractions of the Summer evening whittle down the number of members at our meetings. However, we can claim to have enjoyed some success this term.

At the beginning of term we recruited sixty-five members, but the number of active members dwindled as the term proceeded. There was the inevitable difficulty of making the programme attractive to our members, and everything was done to encourage the boys to choose what they wanted to do. We held eight meetings during the term. The first took the form of the usual business meeting and the election of officials. Mr. Crews invited all the members to use the equipment in the Biology "Lab.", which was always at their disposal. Of the 40