guard rail?

[gwgardner]

Forgive my ignorance, but could someone explain what the inside rail is for in the attached screenshot. If it is some kind of safety feature, how does it work?

[arizonachris]

Is that electrified track? If so, that's a "third rail". Hmmm, then again, it should be shiny?

[mrennie]

Is that electrified track? If so, that's a "third rail". Hmmm, then again, it should be shiny?

I don't know about the US, but in Britain, these guard/guide/check rails are on tight curves and close to the gaps in turn-outs to guard against the flanged wheels slipping off the rails.

[FourEightFour]

They are there for use in case of derailment. These have the effect of keeping the wheels of trucks in alignment in case of derailment.


Edit: These are also called bull rails, a guard rail is the type which keeps the flanges from picking the points of a frog thru a turnout.

[gwgardner]

Thanks. The screenshot is from the Durango and Silverton.

[Toripony]

They are there for use in case of derailment. These have the effect of keeping the wheels of trucks in alignment in case of derailment.
Edit: These are also called bull rails, a guard rail is the type which keeps the flanges from picking the points of a frog thru a turnout.

Is that the same purpose (and name) for the double ones we see on bridges? I've always assumed they somehow helped keep a derailed car from flipping? If so, I wonder why we don't see these in tunnels?

[FourEightFour]

They are there for use in case of derailment. These have the effect of keeping the wheels of trucks in alignment in case of derailment.
Edit: These are also called bull rails, a guard rail is the type which keeps the flanges from picking the points of a frog thru a turnout.

Is that the same purpose (and name) for the double ones we see on bridges? I've always assumed they somehow helped keep a derailed car from flipping? If so, I wonder why we don't see these in tunnels?

As far as I know, the name remains the same for the double rails on bridges. When a train derails in a tunnel, there is little chance of catastrophic damage. If a car goes off the side of a bridge and knocks away a major support of the bridge, the whole bridge goes down. With that being said, I have seen some tunnels with them installed:

(click-able)




Also note that the bull rail on bridges can be on the outside of the gauge too, as seen in this 1927 photo of the Georgetown Loop:

(click-able)



This bridge was torn down in 1939, and rebuilt in 1984. When the bridge was rebuilt, the bull rails were put inside of the gauge:


http://www.westernsteamphoto.com/Recent ... w_stds.jpg

[arizonachris]

Thank y'all, I learn sumthin' new every day!

[1225fan5358]

Georgetown loop doesn't see anything but motorcars, right?

[buzz456]

Georgetown loop doesn't see anything but motorcars, right?

Nice to see that you are still alive.

[GLRX12]

Georgetown loop doesn't see anything but motorcars, right?

An 81 ton steam powered motorcar.....