Hi All,
Was doing some research…
The following link is to a photo of the China/Russia border. The left track is Chinese. The track on the right is the slightly wider Russian gauge. Note the “derail switches”… Quite unusual. Anything like these ever exist in North America[?]
http://www.hkrs.org.hk/members/wytang/Dongbei/DSC06445.JPG
Incidentally, here’s a pic of a turntable using both gauges:
http://www.hkrs.org.hk/members/wytang/Dongbei/DSC06475.JPG
Donno about North America, but these are common in the UK and Europe.
It looks like an interesting variation on split switch derails found in the United States often guarding approaches to movable bridges. In the United States, such a derail usually has only one movable point.
Power split point derails…becoming familiar part of TOFC/COFC yards in conjunction with power blue flags. (power “alligators”[tup][tup][tup])
Picture taken at the Jonquiere (Quebec) yard, Lac-St-Jean Sub of the Canadian National Railway.
Yah, they are all over. Popular in CTC for entrances/exits to yards from main lines to prevent “lose” cars from rolling out of yard and fowling the main tracks.
In frequent use through out the US. More positive derailing than the one that fits on top of the rail…sometime with the rail top derails cars can ‘jump’ the derail and continue to the point of danger…not often but it does occur.
We have derails in the US, but I’ve never seen one like that. On the shortline near my house they have this derail:
There are derails such as the Russian one on the UP Phoenix Line, McQueen siding east end is an example.
Lancaster, Pa Dillerville yard uses on exactly like it.
In any language, “gravity works”…In some places more effectively than others.
The West Virginia Central has a split rail derail at High Falls in the mountains near Elkins, West Virginia. It is to prevent a reproduction Edwards rail bus from occupying the same tracks as the diesel trains. It’s a one way only derail.
The New Haven had those protecting moving bridge spans…
There was a picture online but I can’t find it.
This type of derail is common at interlockings here in Australia, as is dual gauge, either 3’6"-std, or 5’3"-std. Not so long ago we had triple gauge yards at a number of South Australian stations, but the plague of standardisation and “rationalisation” has eradicated such curiosities, and to see triple gauge track now you need to see the National Rail Museum in Adelaide. Loco depots in Melbourne and Adelaide still use dual gauge turntables, however, for 5’3’'-std.
We call those type of switch derails "alligator derails " here on the Pocahontas Division of the NS.Because if you get thru one,they will [xx(] BITE YOU ! We have them at locations where you are going from double to single main.And at most wye’s.Of course it is to prevent head-on’s and failure to stop before entering a main line.I have known of several cases where crews have gone thru them,turned over engines,and walked away with [B)]minor injuries.But they did the main purpuse,and that was to save lives[^].
There is one on 3 track at CPW 511 at the west end of Cheyenne…it looks just like this one (powered, controlled by dispatcher, etc.)
There is a manual, single point derail protecting the yard lead at Essex, Montana on the BNSF, at the foot of Walton Hill in Marias Pass.
Hi everyone! This is the first time I’ve replied to one of these subjects so I’ll quickly introduce myself… Trevor from Sydney, Australia, also lived in L.A. - an expat of sorts, driver for Railcorp, fireman/secondperson for Lachlan Valley Rail Freight.
This type of derail device is commonly refered to as a set of “catchpoints” here,down under. The other type which sits on top of the rail is nicknamed a “frog” because it jumps up onto the rail.
Thanks everyone!
Wow, I’m 39… Always a railfan in the US… Sorta grew up with the RI and especially Milwaukee Road, where relatives worked in the corporate office and shops. Never seen anything like those before. I had seen the “frog” types. I’m stunned and rather humbled that everyone but me knew what they were. [
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Hey Trevor… its interesting how a subject like this one will inspire people who have never written a reply before to say something. I have a few more subjects that I’ll post later. I have questions that could only be answered here. I’m so impressed with the knowledge. [bow]
=)
We call them catch points and as stated in other posts they protect the mainline from runaway trains. We have two sets of them coming off our depot, see picture.
