Templot Club Archive 2007-2020                             

topic: 3797Bullhead fishplates
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posted: 11 Oct 2020 23:37

from:

Rob Manchester
 
Manchester - United Kingdom

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Hello,

Is there any pattern or reason behind the use of short 2-bolt fishplates for joining bullhead rails ? I remember them being mentioned in a topic a while back but a quick search didn't find it. Were there regional variations in their use ? I am guessing they would not have been used in faster main line settings or in more recent times. "British Railway Track" does mention the use of these shorter 9 inch fishplates and comments that 4 bolt fishplates were the best option.

Here is a poor quality pic ( of GWR origin ? )

2001_111830_180000000.jpg2001_111830_180000000.jpg

Should we be putting these on a few lightly used sidings ?

Rob


posted: 12 Oct 2020 00:08

from:

Matt M.
 
Australia

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Hi Rob.

These were popular pre WW2. The Idea is they leave a shorter
unsupported length of rail at the ends of the panels.
This was supposed to counteract dip which is an issue
at rail joins which collect excessive wear and damage as
the wheels pass over.

Yes they were seen on main lines. Which companies and
where would require research.
They passed out of favour in the 1950's.

Regards, Matt M.

posted: 12 Oct 2020 00:32

from:

Matt M.
 
Australia

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And I forgot to mention rail creep. That was another reason
these were used. The deflection at the ends of panels and the
striking of wheels on the receiving rail end has an effect of
inducing rail creep. That was, till the development a a mechanical
rail puller in the early 1950's, an very labour intensive repair
operation.

Matt M.

posted: 12 Oct 2020 09:32

from:

Godfrey Earnshaw
 
Crawley - United Kingdom

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Hi,

They can still be seen on the preserved Bluebell Railway at Horsted Keynes in West Sussex. They are on the main, through, lines.

I cannot say if they are left over from BR or relatively new.

Somewhere, I think I have photos. If I can find them, I will post.

Cheers

Godders

posted: 12 Oct 2020 13:13

from:

Phil O
 
Plymouth - United Kingdom

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There are/were about 20, 60ft panels with 2 bolt fishplates still on the ESR, starting just after Cranmore West Platform and ending near Cranmore fixed distant.

Cheers

Phil.

posted: 23 Oct 2020 21:06

from:

DM
 
United Kingdom

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2314_231610_580000000.jpg2314_231610_580000000.jpg

There was a section of two hole plated track beside the box at Bearley West Junction on the route to Hatton until a few years ago. I have also read of the existence of but never seen three hole fishplates.
Last edited on 23 Oct 2020 21:12 by DM


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