This is the apparatus for the switch heater, found on mainline switches outside the southeast to keep the switches from freezing up in cold weather. These generally use propane, and you can see the propane tank off to the right. Multiple burners heat the large metal plate, which keeps the temp along the switch points above 32F. The metal conduit carries propane to the opposite Xover switch. Reinforcement of the stock rail at the points is done with thick steel anchors fixed in the ties. AFIK remote switches are all powered electromechanically, never pneumatically. Come to think of it, the switch heater apparatus would be easy to model and would look pretty nifty. Have any of you modelers on the list done this? Paul B this is the one with the three tank cars), you see the crossover from one track to another. Leading up to the switch on the crossover from the right, there is a pipe that appears to go to switch machine. Can anyone tells us (or provide reasonable informed speculation) as to what this was for? Was the switch pneumatically operated and this is an air line? Or was it electric and this is conduit for the electric line? Also, what is the large piece of steel on the outside of the rail with the angled side? Is it protecting something (e.g. the switch machine)? Or is it to reinforce the rail and keep its position true relative to the ties (i.e. to offset the forces of the cars rolling over the switch from the other track to keep the rail perpendicular to the surface of the ties and the track in gauge)? The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List Sponsored by the ELH&TS http://www.elhts.org ------------------------------
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