UK trackside

[pfx]

Apart from signals, is there a good site that explains all the little bits and bobs attached to and beside the trackwork in the UK? I'm not talking about the likes of AWS but the more obscure items.

Examples of these thing include the large yellow cylinders that appear to be attached to the track. Do they have grease in them? I've seen them mostly on the ECML.

Small boxes on very short posts that seem to appear in pairs if my memory serves...

The various relay cabinets of which there is already a good one available from nexusdj.

Any pointers would be most welcome and if they exist for Trainz, even better! Thanks.

 

[Enkidoh]

Although I'm not too familiar with British prototype other than what I've read in books and seen on video, TV and film, it's a safe bet to assume what you're talking about is the myriad equipment associated with signalling found trackside, such as relay cabinets, train protection sensors and the like.

There is far too much to mention here, but a good place to start would be searching online for signalling equipment, such as here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_signal (at the bottom of the page are links of descriptions about different pieces of trackside equipment associated with signalling which should help).

 

[Euphod]

In addition to the signals, there has to be switch heaters in the UK. At least I would think so.

 

[nexusdj]

Not sure if there is a single page explaining all but you could start by searching for these terms and following any links from there , try google image as well as a picture paints a thousand words :

TPWS
ETCS
NRN
GSM-R
Interlocking
Solid State Interlocking
Track circuits
Axle counter
treadle
Lineside equipment
trackside equipment case
flange greaser

Try this website : http://www.railway-technology.com/

 

[pfx]

Thanks for the replies. As I said, it's not really signalling infrastructure I'm after but the other odds and ends that are less common.

@nexusdj - Flange greaser is one of them - like this http://www.flickr.com/photos/scruffulous/4336550919/ though generally a hell of a lot dirtier like this http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=ra...1&tbnw=187&start=0&ndsp=14&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0. I've been wondering about these for years!

You know I like the lineside to be all about the detail. Are you aware of one of these being on the DLS at all? Also, I'm sure I've seen some items in your own screenshots (will probably require me to go back through the thread) that I don't know what they are. I'll stick a link to the post if I can hunt them down.

I'll have a look at the other suggestions and may or may not be back!

Thanks again.
pfx

 

[Enkidoh]

Another item I remembered which I believe is almost as old as railways themselves is the use of detonators on the track by track gangs as an advance audio warning device. After they've been used (namely, detonated), the burnt detonator cylinders are usually left in situ along the line still attached to the rail (blackened and burnt though).

I know here in Australia it's quite common to see such used detonator canisters at various odd places along the line, so I presume it would also be commonplace in the UK too.