Every company operating a railroad shall have a bell, gong or whistle on the locomotive with a rope or strong cord attached thereto leading through every baggage, express and passenger car and through or over every other car in the train. Such rope or cord shall be within easy and convenient reach of the employees of the train and the other end shall be attached to the rear end of the rear car of said train.
In lieu thereof the company shall use on its passenger or mixed passenger and freight trains any device, approved by its general manager or general superintendent, using air, steam or electricity whereby signals may be surely, quickly and conveniently given to the engineer upon the engine drawing the train by an employee in any car of the train.
Any company violating this section shall be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars for each offense, to be recovered by any inhabitant of this state who may sue for the same in any court having cognizance thereof. One-fifth of the fine shall go to the plaintiff and four-fifths to the state.
N.J.S. § 48:12-161