GB1376890A - Transportation - Google Patents

Abstract

1376890 Railway junctions F C PERROTT 19 Oct 1971 14999/70 Heading E1G In a railway turnout junction for flangedwheel vehicles, all the running rails 1, 2, 3, 4 at the junction are fixed and a vehicle is switched on to the selected main or branch track at YY by laterally movable guide rails 8, 9 on the track engaging the backs of the wheel flanges at one or other side of the vehicle and so functioning as switchable check rails. As shown the guide rails 8, 9 are pivoted at 10, 12; are cross-linked at 16; are actuated by an overcentre cam 13; and can adopt a central neutral position. The movable guide rails 8, 9 are so shaped, Figs. 3-5 (not shown) that they provide lateral support for the tapered free ends of the fixed rails (3, 4). The junction shown also includes fixed guide rails 6, 7 engageable by selectively displaceable guide rollers on certain vehiclese.g. roller 40, Fig. 7-so that track selection can be confirmed from the vehicle. The specification suggests the use of various signalling systems and cam or electromagnetic track/vehicle interlock systems affording varying degrees of automatic vehicle control-e.g. Fig. 2 (not shown) illustrates a length of straight double track interposed at XX in the junction of Fig. 1 to allow automatic confirmation that all bogies are on the same track, while Fig. 6 (not shown) indicates how the switching cam (13) could be interlocked electrically with track selection mechanism on the approaching vehicles. None of the signalling, interlock or vehicle control systems suggested are described in detail.