SOU preferred the point derail while most other roads preferred the cast block derail atop the rail. What are the advantages/disadvantages of each?
Interesting. I'd never thought of that. I'd guess that the point derail would be more reliable and better able to direct an errant car or train in the safest direction away from the main, but would cost more to install and maintain. In the case of the CNJ's Newark Bay wreck of 1958, the lead unit and train hit block derails, but the derailed train continued on without much change in direction. I think nearly 50 people, including the engine crew were killed.
I remember reading of that wreck, sadly. The block derail merely lifts the wheels up and, hopefully, over. Though not in this case. Whereas the point derail redirects the entire truck onto the ground. Unfortunately there was no room for a point derail escape route in this instance, unless it could have been installed far enough back with room for the entire train to stop as it dragged through the ground, maybe a half mile or more.
On vacation in the UP of Michigan a couple weeks ago. Pulling a camper saw this and had to pull in and get a couple pics.
Darn, stuck in traffic waiting for a train. Just wish I was closer to the front. Texas Highway 6 on the north side of Hearne.
It was a very long one, mostly auto racks. It took for ever to pass after I arrived and stopped way back in the line of traffic. Here is another one, this time a coal train. Just kept on coming.
And the rest of the locomotive consist looks pretty interesting too, some older EMD's towards the back??
Continuing on in my series of shots while waiting for a train, why did I get stuck behind a truck with a big load? Bellville, Texas in August 2014.
Russ, My cousin in NE Ohio gets stuck behind trains all the time. The NS Pittsburgh-Alliance -Cleveland line is plenty busy, and she's constantly posting photos for me about #anothertrain... This ancient Geep has a serious identity crisis going on. Clearly an elderly GP7 or 9, rebuilt with a second-gen EMD cab, and modern ditch lights.... "Highball Foxholm West" Westbound CP empty oil cans head back to the oil fields at track speed in Foxholm, ND.
Fortunately I am never in too big of a hurry that I get all bent out of shape when I happen to get stopped by a train. Now road construction where you have to wait for a "follow me" vehicle to guide you through one way, irritates me to where I............. well, anyway. Now that Geep looks to me to be an Illinois Central Paducah rebuilt with the ox bow air cleaner housing.
Photos from the tail end of the Southwest Chief on a July 2014 morning in western Kansas. Dodge City. An old reefer and some box cars.