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Looks like a three rail prototype RR is modeling Matt Jackson's frog.

 

Not sure if it is an electric feeder but note apparent center pick up rails down from top left and just at top right of frame.

 

In calculating the # of the frog I believe the movable point factor calls for using a theoretical fixed frog point position of the projected convergence of the flange edges which still makes this around a #24 frog.  tt

 

 

movable frog point

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Last edited by Tom Tee
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The bolted ties implies that's European, possibly Britain electrified. Definitely a moving frog as retaining a gap on a frog that large would cause some serious wheel/rail damage from sustained use.

 

There have been a couple of articles on building "flying wing" style turnouts where the closure rails and frog guard rails move with the points and close the frog. So it appears that switch frogs have been an issue in the past.

I have serious doubts about an electrified center rail. People and animals would be getting fried right and left with 600V so easily straddled.

 

As for the frog, it looks like a very low angle, high speed application. With such a low angle, the flangeway gap would be too long for the wheels to safely traverse. Having a movable frog point leaves no gap.

European right of ways are frequently very well fenced in. 

 

If not for electrification what purpose would a center rail be used for?  Any idea?

 

Early 1900s the Phila-A.C railroad used outside third rail for a large portion of it's run.  In limited areas they had to stop and raise a pole where the third rail would be a hazard.  No fence budget.

Actually, the way those tracks work is that the current flows between the center "third" rail and the outside "third" rail. You'd have to have a pretty wide stride to get across both of them. I also think the power is triggered by the presence of a train.

 

There's a trolley system back east (Washington DC, I believe) where they didn't want trolley poles and wires, so there's a slot in the pavement in the center of the running rails where the car's third rail shoe picks up the electricity.

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