On page 27, photo 2-14, in Jeff WIlson’s book Industries Along the Tracks, there is a sign saying “Rigid Switch”. This is on the Milwaukee
Electric at Hales Corners, Wis. Is this a type of switch that only electric railroads use? How does it differ from a stub switch or a regular turnout?
Danny
meandmrd@sbcglobal.net
Rigid switch ----switch stand is manually or electrically thrown. NOT a variable switch that can be run through without destroying some part of the switch stand or switch rod/gage rod assembly.
You CAN run through a rigid switch, but you only do it once…unless the mudchicken’s boss owes you money, you can also count on being out of work for 30 days, 60 to 90 if your dumb enough to back up once you ran through it!
Ed
Geez Ed, almost sounds like you answered this one from experience.[swg]
The Milwaukee electric was a big user of spring switches, I would imagine motormen would need a reminder not to run through this particular switch.
I’m also trying to recall where on the Hales Corners line there was a switch and the only place I can think of would be Greenwood Jct. where the Lakeside belt line went East. A rigid switch there would make sense in that it was seldom used anyhow.
Randy
In addition to spring switches (which automatically go back to their normal position after being run through, which is why you want to be SURE you get your entire train or cut through before backing) there are(were) “rubber” switches that can be trailed through w/o damage and remain in that position. The BN had a bunch in Yardley (Spokane) but took them all out and replaced them w/ rigids in the 80s