What is this added to running rails?

[SEPS]

What's the technical term and purpose?

Thx

 

[ffm]

They are check rails, fitted where there are sharp curves to prevent derailments as the wheel flange will be held in place

 

[hexagon789]

They are check rails, fitted where there are sharp curves to prevent derailments as the wheel flange will be held in place

Think they are also used on bridges/viaducts to reduce the risk of the train coming off the bridge if it were to derail.

 

[pdeaves]

Think they are also used on bridges/viaducts to reduce the risk of the train coming off the bridge if it were to derail.

In that instance, I think they are a bit further from the rail to catch the whole derailed wheel rather than just the flange (doesn't prevent the derailment but is extra insurance against the vehicle going over the bridge side).

 

[3973EXL]

Think they are also used on bridges/viaducts to reduce the risk of the train coming off the bridge if it were to derail.

You're thinking of guard rails and there would be two.

 

[hexagon789]

In that instance, I think they are a bit further from the rail to catch the whole derailed wheel rather than just the flange (doesn't prevent the derailment but is extra insurance against the vehicle going over the bridge side).

Yes that's what I was thinking of.

You're thinking of guard rails and there would be two.

Ah, I thought they were still "check rails" because they still "check" the wheels in a manner of speaking

 

[sharpley]

At Stratford station you can see check rails on the inside and outside of both running rails for a short distance. Whats the point of the outer one. Couldn't find a pic but you can see them on the video below at about 7:10. The video was filmed in 2012 and these same rails were there last time I was at Stratford about a year ago.

 

[6Gman]

At Stratford station you can see check rails on the inside and outside of both running rails for a short distance. Whats the point of the outer one. Couldn't find a pic but you can see them on the video below at about 7:10. The video was filmed in 2012 and these same rails were there last time I was at Stratford about a year ago.

Check rails protecting the subway beneath I would assume.

 

[edwin_m]

At Stratford station you can see check rails on the inside and outside of both running rails for a short distance. Whats the point of the outer one. Couldn't find a pic but you can see them on the video below at about 7:10. The video was filmed in 2012 and these same rails were there last time I was at Stratford about a year ago.

There is a bridge under the railway here - not sure if it's one of the subways or the DLR. It's a bit hard to tell but I think these are part of the bridge deck rather than check or guard rails. There are none on the other track but that deck may have been replaced with one that allows ballasted track to be laid on top of it, which is the preference where possible.

 

[sharpley]

There is a bridge under the railway here - not sure if it's one of the subways or the DLR. It's a bit hard to tell but I think these are part of the bridge deck rather than check or guard rails. There are none on the other track but that deck may have been replaced with one that allows ballasted track to be laid on top of it, which is the preference where possible.

Yes, its a subway underneath. Couldn't understand the point of a check rail on the outside of a running rail but I guess it could well be part of the deck below.

 

[pdeaves]

Check rails protecting the subway beneath I would assume.

or protecting the big protruding girder that forms the subway

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Check rails are designed to be in contact with the wheel backs, guard rails are placed further away from the running rail(s) and are there to manage the path of a derailed train.

It is completely possible to have one guard rail; this situation existed on the Down Oxford Road (P14 line) at Manchester Piccadilly until a couple of years ago, when it was relaid with a UIC33 check rail system. In that location, the risk presented by a derailed train falling off the curved viaduct only existed on one side, so only one guard rail was fitted.

Guard rails can be fitted inside or outside the running rails; inside is just more common (if you were very risk averse you could fit inside and outside guard rails ...)

 

[CJK64]

What's the technical term and purpose?

Thx

The second picture is Schwihag bolt less UIC33 checkrail. The first picture is more conventional pandrol check rail system.