Not dual sets of tracks...but like in the pic below -
Seems like it is mostly on bridges that I see it.
What is the theory exactly.?
Thank You
Your picture didn't go through, but you are looking probably at guard rails to keep wheels of a derailed cars from wandering off the top of the ties. Get off the ties and the derailed cars will either dig into the ballast or ram the car into the bridge structure causing much more havoc than just a derailed car. The pointed ends off the bridge for the guardrail are parts of a recycled old rigid frog with a new purpose.
Hmm...am I the only one that can see the pic.?
I can't see the image either. It is either on a web site that you have to belong to in order to view images (and they block using Links) or the URL has an error.
Assuming it is a photo of two sets of tracks crossing a bridge, one set inside the other set, it could be "Guard rails" as previously stated, or it could be a Gauntlet Track (two sets of tracks that overlap but have no switching to direct a train from either track to the other). Gauntets are rare, but useful where a narrow bridge needs to carry two different tracks, obviously trains cannot occupy both tracks at the same time, but it is a cheap alternative to switching two tracks to a single track to cross a bridge (there being no switches reduces initial and on-going maintenance costs, and the bridge only needs to be slightly wider than a single track bridge).
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
I copied the URL from the Properties of the embedded image that shows up as a "Not" symbol and can see the image in a new window when I paste the URL into it,
Unfortunately, the image does not show where the inner rails of the set begin or end so it is not possible to determine if it is a set of guard rails or a Gauntlet (or possibly two EXTREMELY NARROW gauge tracks crossing a bridge )
It looks like the bridge between Happaranda, Sweden and Tornio, Finland. The bridge has 2 tracks: one for standard gauge and one for the Finish broad gauge.
Looking at the picture, rail 1 and 3 are for standard gauge and rail 2 and 4 are broad gauge.
That makes it a gauntlet track, with the added feature of being 2 rail gauges.
Yeah...that is the pic.....but I sure picked the WRONG picture.
But OK...what I am thinking of looks like that picture, but the rails start and stop right at the bridge approaches...they are not continuous, and are not there to accommodate different gauge of trains.
If you understand what I am saying.....let me see if I can find a better pic of what I am talking about.
Sorry about all this mix-up.
looking now.....
Can you guys see this.?
I can see it, and it looks like a normal guard rail installation on a single track to me.
Yes.
Guard rails for certain.
Norm
they are known as Gaurd Rails, and are there to keep derailments from destroying the bridge.
Original picture
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
OK...Finally.!
Sorry about all that.....
So "Guard Rails".
I guess they have had it happen once too often.?
At any rate, I suppose it is cheap insurance compared to what a couple of heavy cars can do to a bridge.
Thanks Again
Guard rails are set by railroad chief engineer's instruction. Usually you will find them anywhere you have a truss bridge or thru plate girder plus any other bridge higher than 15+ feet (ATSF standard was 16.5 Ft.)
Standard precaution (Surfacing gangs/tie gangs on ballast deck bridges hated the things along with dealing with ballast curbs.)
Typical:
http://prr.railfan.net/standards/standards.cgi?plan=61324-D&frame=YES Hasn't changed much in 100+ years.
Catch 'em in advance , guide 'em over, let 'em self destruct off the bridge.
The "next" PRR Standard MOW Plan in that set is for a "Malleable Iron NOSE FOR BRIDGE GUARD RAILS" "for use on the Running Tracks on the Main Line Divisions", per the NOTE; on other tracks, old frog points are to be used as mudchicken says (or wooden blocks on Sidings).
http://prr.railfan.net/standards/standards.cgi?plan=61325-B&frame=YES
- Paul North.
Any cast "nose" for a bridge G/R out there that I've ever seen was incredibly ancient.
Most any new application you see these days is a single guardrail protecting a sharp curve or bridge pier for an overhead structure. Instead of a casting or used rigid frog component, roadmasters and their welders get creative with the torch. Some of those transitions are simple, others are amazing feats of workmanship.
Back in the fifties, I noticed a guard rail on a siding in Sweetwater, Tennessee.
The comments about guard rails reminds me of the anecdote about a newly hired official who noticed the short lengths of rail placed here and there--and discerned that wheels never touched them. His thought was that they be taken up, the ends straightened, and be used as running rails. A long-time employee straightened him out as to their purpose.
Johnny
The most interesting guard rail arrangement that I've come across can be found on the L. On the sharpest curves, the guard rail is laid sideways and is much closer to the running rail, it appears to be leaving just enough space for the wheel flange plus a few inches.
http://www.akrailroad.com/products/frogs
These guys have all kinds of pre-fabbed rail stuff.
Never realized how much more there is to a railroad...than just those 2 // rails.
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