Just curious about this type of switch.
Looks like there’s no place on one side of the track–and probably both sides–to install a standard switch stand. That’s probably the only reason for this.
Between the rail or flush mounted switch stand.
Used in places where having the stand on the side presents a danger.
Down on the city docks, all of our tracks are imbedded in the road/ wharf surface, because road trucks and container pups drive all over the place, the entire wharf surface is the road.
We have the same style of switch stand down there, enclosed in a flush mount box.
Only a guess, but as Carl pointed out, there may not be room for a standard headblock, it is quite possible the switch is located inside a industry where the foot paths on either side have close clearence…
Agreed Ed - Submarine switch stand…Amusing looking #1 switch rod to accomodate the submarine switch stand between the rails. (hardly standard and wonder what an FRA Inspector’s reaction to this was -they tend to take a dim view towards jury rigged track appliances and this looks like it was cobbled together to avoid concrete paving that did not allow for a pair of regular headblock ties.)
No kidding, and I bet that one is a lot of fun to throw…wonder where they sta***he 2x4…
Blow the photo up, view it full screen, and look at the top right hand corner…thats why they installed this, raised concrete walkway above the rail head, bet it is on both sides.