What's This Platform Canopy Fitting ?

[Wickham Green too]

Anyone know what this device was ? ( photographed at Beckenham Junction in 1991 - but I remember others ) .............. I can only guess that it was some sort of ( experimental ? ) transponder for identifying a train to the station - or identifying the station to the train !!?! : clearly not compatible with OHLE !

 

[iands]

Can't be 100% certain, but it's probably a Train Mass Detector to turn on DOO CCTV screens and keeping the screens "on" until the train has departed the platform. Yes, the screens will come on if the train doesn't actually stop at the platform (non-stopper or freight). It was a very cheap solution to the alternative arrangement of using signalling interfaces with track circuits (signalling interfaces are very expensive in comparison to a TMD). Back in the day, the type of DOO CCTV screens were CRT monitors, and one significant problem they suffered from was "screen burn" whereby images were effectively etched on to the screen which gave misleading info to the driver (the driver could interpret that no passengers were boarding/alighting the train and therefore closed the doors when in fact people were still boarding/alighting). Not a problem these days with TFT screens, which is why DOO CCTV monitors are "on" all the time.

 

[Mark L Horstead]

Thanks for that photograph.

 

Memories...

 

What would the best available model(s) be for depicting the footbridge?

 

And of what material is the roof made?

[RFS]

6 minutes ago, Mark L Horstead said:

Thanks for that photograph.

 

Memories...

 

What would the best available model(s) be for depicting the footbridge?

 

And of what material is the roof made?

 

It's actually a Ratio covered footbridge - https://peco-uk.com/products/modular-covered-footbridge-2

[Mark L Horstead]

Thanks for the extremely speedy - and useful - reply.

 

The Ratio model. appeared to be a likely candidate, but I'd not yet got around to a detailed comparison.

 

Second question: What is the purpose of the two rails between the running rails on the down track?

 

Third question: When was the bullhead rail replaced by flat-bottomed rail?

[Ncarter2]

58 minutes ago, Mark L Horstead said:

 

Second question: What is the purpose of the two rails between the running rails on the down track?

Looks like new rails laid ready for install, or left over from a re-rail. 

[Mark L Horstead]

They seem to be very neatly aligned, though, and with ballast heaped up a bit between them.

[Ncarter2]

Not uncommon, still happens today. Looking at the photo, I’d say there’s been a ballast drop, if the rails are already laid out, it’s not unusual to drop over them and regulate it after. 
The cribs are lacking ballast, so not surprising there has been a drop, though, I would argue not enough. 

Edited April 27, 2021 by Ncarter2

[Mark L Horstead]

Roger.

 

Thanks.

[Wickham Green too]

The roof's corrugated iron - standard on those that remain around here.

 

The late evening sun's confused you - you're looking east to the near track is the UP line !

[Mark L Horstead]

Thanks.

 

Yes, oops. I shall ask one less question in penance.