What's this object?

My first post on here, so hello! :wave:

I wasn't sure which forum to post this on, but does anyone know what this is?



I've been wondering this since I was a kid, but have never found out! They're on every platform, placed on the brickwork at regular intervals and the slidey thing (in green on this one) usually appears to be level with the top of the rails.

Also, very occasionally you see these:



I'm guessing it's to assist workmen in getting back onto the platform, but it seems strange they're only on a very small proportion of stations, and if they're workmen, why don't they just jump or use a ladder? Does it really warrant a special structure?

thanks

Hi and welcome to the forum! I've moved this to Infrastructure

Welcome to the forums.

Looks like the first pic is a cant deficiency marker - that enables PW staff to set cant angle on curved rails

The second is quite simply a step to allow staff easy access from the ballast to the platform

Thanks for moving the thread, and thanks for the answer!

Could you tell me a bit more about the marker and how it's used? I can't find reference to them anywhere on the web. I'm sure I've seen them on completely straight pieces of track.

They can also be used for depth of ballast too I think.

I always thought those were markers on platform sides to indicate the height at which the top of the rail should be.

Dennis said:

I always thought those were markers on platform sides to indicate the height at which the top of the rail should be.

Click to expand...

This is the correct answer. It's to ensure that the rail top is maintained at the correct height relative to the platform after maintenance (eg tamping).

A pity that they don't have similar markers to ensure that rails are kept at the proper horizontal distance from platforms and all distances from bridges and other structures!

W14 isn't cant info also shown on curved platforms ????

Meld said:

W14 isn't cant info also shown on curved platforms ????

Click to expand...

It may well be, I can't say that I've ever looked at one on a curved platform. AFAIK, cant always has to be marked lineside to ensure that the proper cant is maintained, through platforms or not.