Reinventing Victorian Engineering
Just because something has been used for centuries, it doesn’t mean that modern engineers, technologists and designers can’t come up with something better.
Take the humble points or to the Americans, railroad switch, which are seen all over the world’s railways and tram systems.
According to Wikipedia, points were patented by Charles Fox in 1832.
So as the two-hundredth anniversary of the invention approaches, you’d think that points had reached their ultimate form.
But you could be wrong!
This article in Global Rail News is entitled Full-size prototype for innovative track switch and describes work at Loughborough University to create something better.
It would appear that the design could be more affordable to build and maintain, safer and much faster to operate.
I also feel, it could simplify trackwork and save a lot of space in places like terminal stations and depots, where there are a mass of points, so that trains can access the correct platform or siding.
You can read the full details on the Loughborough University web site. There’s also a video.
I also feel, it could simplify trackwork and save a lot of space in places like terminal stations and depots, where there are a mass of points, so that trains can access the correct platform or siding.
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