Thanks guys. Now I get it.
I was thinking that at the switch itself there is always a straight part and a curved part. But I guess I was thinking of a switch in model railroading where one route is always straight-on.
But in the real world, can you have a switch where neither route, right at the switch itself is straight? For example a perfecty symmetrical bifurcation, with equal curvature in each direction? (Maybe some switches in wyes are like this?)
"Two railroads diverged in a yellow wood ... "
Lithonia OperatorBut in the real world, can you have a switch where neither route, right at the switch itself is straight? For example a perfecty symmetrical bifurcation, with equal curvature in each direction? (Maybe some switches in wyes are like this!)
Yes.
http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/111/t/181850.aspx
Sorry, I can't get the stupid thing to light up.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
Thanks, zug.
I pasted the link and saw the pix.
Lithonia OperatorThanks guys. Now I get it. I was thinking that at the switch itself there is always a straight part and a curved part. But I guess I was thinking of a switch in model railroading where one route is always straight-on. But in the real world, can you have a switch where neither route, right at the switch itself is straight? For example a perfecty symmetrical bifurcation, with equal curvature in each direction? (Maybe some switches in wyes are like this?) "Two railroads diverged in a yellow wood ... "
High speed switch (200 KPH) - 8 switch machines move the points, 3 switch machines move the movable point frog. I don't know which side is normal or reverse.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
That certainly is a High Speed turnout; I wonder what number it is. It certainly can use a moveable frog.
Johnny
Thanks for the pic, Balt. That's one serious switch!
Are the multiple machines used to ensure the points are pressing super-hard to the rail? It doesn't seem like one would need so many machines to merely move it.
Lithonia OperatorThanks for the pic, Balt. That's one serious switch! Are the multiple machines used to ensure the points are pressing super-hard to the rail? It doesn't seem like one would need so many machines to merely move it.
I believe I read somewhere that the points on that switch are in the neighborhood of 160 feet long - that is a lot of steel to move in a reliable fashion. By the same token the movable point frog also has a lot of steel to move.
BaltACDI believe I read somewhere that the points on that switch are in the neighborhood of 160 feet long - that is a lot of steel to move in a reliable fashion.
That, and it has to be kept anchored against considerable shock, and perhaps lightly transition-spiraled, when it has moved.
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