Conrail (former PRR) street trackage in Baltimore used "plugs" to hold the switch point(s) in position. Plugs were steel blocks about an inch thick, maybe an inch and a half wide and three or four inches long that went in the flangeways next to the point. The trainmen used a pry bar (switch iron) to pry out the plug and pry the point over and then dropped the plug back in to hold the point over. There was at least one double point switch, where each point had to be thrown separately, but most were single point switches.
Some of the switches had at one time been set up with a sort of toggle mechanism where the point would be pried part way and then it would snap over into position, but by the Conrail era these were broken and used plugs.
Paved trackage at the Dundalk Marine Terminal, which was shifted by Conrail, but owned by the Maryland Port Authority used regular switch throws in vaults with hinged covers. Sometimes they would be filled with water, or in the winter, ice.
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
Cool.
And now, since I'm a slifght idiot, the scond question I alluded to in the title. How were station stops handled. Would they still nestle up to a platform (possibly faciing the wrong way into a lane of traffic) or would special arrangements be made?
-Morgan
You are quite correct, obviously, above ground switchstands are pointless. All true street trackage employed a below ground switch throw, a lockable steel/cast iron or concrete cover was provided to seal the vault and also provide security. This cover was set flush or slightly below the pavement. A visual inspection was required to assure the cover was secured so as not to hazzard pedestrians or traffic, The Pacific Electric mandated that crew members log the position of the switch as well, signal installation somtimes being impossible to incorporate. As for switch construction, the single point was the clear winner, as opposed to the traditional switch, only point rail moved. Hope this helps.
Dave
The control for each switch would be in a box under the pavement accessable through a hinged or removeable lid.
The control is under the pavement at the bottom of this photo. One example:
Photo from
http://chicagoswitching.com/chicago/former-milwaukee-road-cp-rail-chicago-terminal/c-e-lakewood-branch/the-lakewood-branch/
So, I used a search, didn't find my answers.
For my layout, Half Moon has a mainline running through town cocked at an angle. Town wanted it moved, buisnesses liked having the accsess. But the railroad had one problem.
How does one go about switches? the switchstand can't stabd up in the road, lest they get hit by idiot driver #465, and then there's the teensage hoodlums that would want to pull said switch.