Cofga Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 In Paul Karau’s “GWR Branch Line Termini” I found a number of photos of turnouts with what appear to be covers over the point mechanism. These appear to be either wood or metal devices placed between and parallel to the rails. They are about 1’ wide, several feet long, and are sloped at each end. My assumption is these were placed over the point mechanism to protect them from dragging chains and other low hanging appliances on cars and locos. My questions are (1) what was their purpose, (2) in what time period were they used, (3) which railways used them, and (4) what were the dimensions and construction? I would imagine they could be easily made from styrene or thin brass sheet, but does anyone offer them ready to use? Larry Puckett Contributing Editor, Model Railroader magazine www.dccguy.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 Without photos in front of me, I'd guess your' guess is perfectly correct ........ screw or three-link couplings SHOULDN'T hang that low - but there are always exceptions - moreover GWR & BR ATC/AWS ( call it what you will ) had low-slung fittings on the locos which could, theoretically come loose and dangle .............................. though the danger may be relatively low at your Branch Line Termini, damage cause to a facing turnout could have serious consequences ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted January 23, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 23, 2020 The covers were placed over facing point locks and were not usually found on trailing points (for obvious reasons when you think it through). their length and width variued between those c Companies/BR Regions which used them and later FPL mechanisms have an individual cover to keep them clean. I was told that the previous style of large cover was done away with for staff safety reasons as much as anything else although they obviously did provide some protection to the FPL mechanism. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yardman Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 They are available in 4mm in the Wills point rodding range. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cofga Posted January 23, 2020 Author Share Posted January 23, 2020 Of course I just happened to have an unopened package of the Wills point rodding kit with these deflector ramps included. Apparently they were installed over facing point locks. The instructions say that every set of points that a passenger train passed over had to have a facing point lock to firmly hold the point blades in place. Thanks—Larry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillCav Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Cofga said: Of course I just happened to have an unopened package of the Wills point rodding kit with these deflector ramps included. Apparently they were installed over facing point locks. The instructions say that every set of points that a passenger train passed over had to have a facing point lock to firmly hold the point blades in place. Thanks—Larry FPLs were only required if the passenger move was in the facing direction. Companies wouldn't spend extra fitting them where they didn't have to. A facing point traversed only by a passenger train running ECS (Empty Coaching Stock) say, to or from a carriage siding does not need FPLs. The same with Goods trains and light engines. Will Edited January 23, 2020 by WillCav Adding second paragraph Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted January 23, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 23, 2020 1 hour ago, WillCav said: FPLs were only required if the passenger move was in the facing direction. Companies wouldn't spend extra fitting them where they didn't have to. A facing point traversed only by a passenger train running ECS (Empty Coaching Stock) say, to or from a carriage siding does not need FPLs. The same with Goods trains and light engines. Will Obviously staff were a lower priority for safety than passengers? Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 14 hours ago, Enterprisingwestern said: Obviously staff were a lower priority for safety than passengers? Mike. Always the case .......... though non-passenger moves were generally at lower speed so the staff were in less danger if things went wrong. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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