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posted: 19 Aug 2013 01:19 from: Porta-gage click the date to link to this post click member name to view archived images |
Martin (and all the rest), Back on 24 March, 2011, you cited this Swiss high speed swing-nose turnout: (http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=240339), and stated: "But the crossing in the first link above does seem to have check rails. I'm a bit puzzled by that. Anyone?" Let me add to that 'puzzle' by referring to this video: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z9kDupsd5A). Starting after hour 2, minute 54 and 55 seconds and then more frequently beyond that, shows a 'cab view' through the back power car of an ICE train running along TGV tracks. The high speed turnouts have swing-nose crossings AND check rails. Seems to be 'de rigueur' on 250-300 kph TVG trackage. Similar videos also exist on YouTube. Additionally, this Vossloh Cogifer advertisement: (http://vossloh-innotrans.com/media/downloads/pdfs/vco/Vossloh_Cogifer_multimoteur_GB.pdf), page 4, last image, shows another example of this type of seemingly prophylactic design. Yet it could to be more than an over engineered situation. Considerations of wear reduction by reducing stress on components seems a rational possibility. This would be particularly so with the example Martin gave, as it was a symmetrical 'wye' type turnout where a wheel set would be biased toward one point rail or the other, in any direction taken. And the portions of wear concern may not apply much, if at all, to the very face of the point rail, instead being further along those quite lengthy high speed points. Maintenance, costs, durability...the usual concerns. Attempts are also made in less dynamic situations. Consider this Swiss image of a dual gauge turnout, meter and standard, using the common rail design. (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/Worblaufen_Dreischienengleis_2008.jpg). Observe the obtuse crossing. No check rail on the diverting common rail, needed for meter gauge trailing movements from that side . The very abridged looking check/joggle rail. Activation equipment in the vicinity. Yes, that obtuse crossing is half swing-nose and half fixed. Probably for similar reasons as the high speed turnouts but in a lower energy environment, although the accumulation of tonnage over time would take its toll, thus the effort made. Half movable point...half fixed point...you have to love it. As has been observed here by others, some of the most interesting elements of an image are often overlooked, including by the author of the upload. That is so very true of many images and videos seen on the net. That's why for trackwork and railway infrastructure generally its such a treat visiting this site. And the interesting reality that 'modeling' sites provide more prototype information that most other sources. |
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| Last edited on 19 Aug 2013 23:00 by Porta-gage |
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