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What is this piece of trackside furniture used for? (not a datum plate)

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SteveLAmarron6

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What is/was this thing actually used for? It looks like its only function is to sweep stray animals off the roofs of the coaches, but I'm guessing that's not correct. Is it to check the height of loaded open goods wagons or something?

Thanks in advance!

(Picture taken from the Hornby accessories pack).
 

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RailUK Forums

lincolnshire

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Yes your right , its a loading gauge to make sure wagons was loaded within the height limits for loaded wagons etc.

A very common thing in Goods Yards so trains could be checked before been released on to the main line.

See there is also a water crane and a whistle board too in your picture.
 

rmt4ever

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They have something similar on LUL just before the tube tunnels which have glass pipes hanging down to stop full size surface trains reaching the tube tunnels. If a full size train breaks the glass it breaks a circuit (I think Mercury is involoved) and puts all the signals approaching the portal to danger.
 

kentuckytony

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They have something similar on LUL just before the tube tunnels which have glass pipes hanging down to stop full size surface trains reaching the tube tunnels. If a full size train breaks the glass it breaks a circuit (I think Mercury is involoved) and puts all the signals approaching the portal to danger.

I believe they have done away with actual mercury fill in this tubes if I remember my reading some time ago. Something similar used now but less toxic, I presume. I know there are some before the Piccadilly branches off from the District east of Baron's Court.
 

coppercapped

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I've never seen one before; no-one has, but I'm guessing it's a loading gauge.

I have - hundreds of them! They used to be installed at practically all goods depots and sidings across the country to ensure that goods carried on open wagons were in gauge as Post No. 3 stated. They disappeared with the end of wagon load goods.
 

trainmania100

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Does anyone know what the rectangular frame like things are on lines?
Don't have a picture to hand but they are like grids on the sleepers quite small, about same width as an AWS ramp but half the length.
Thanks
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Never mind I've identified its a over speed sensor system loop
 

Dstock7080

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Lillie Bridge LU depot, March 2013.
(foreground track have now been electrified)

Tube and surface gauges for engineering trains:
28602536014_009a642e54_c.jpg
 
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