Derailer - How does it work?

Matt, here's a little more info. on a 'Derai:'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaIQgNM_pMA

Ralph

Matt-

A derailer does just what the name says - it derails the train to prevent it moving into a place where it could cause a major accident. These are typically found at entrances to yards, passing sidings, and stub end tracks where cars are spotted and left. When set to the "tripping" position, the wheel would be guided off the railhead by the raised flange on the derailer, and thus stopping the errant train or cars.

Most derailers can be removed, usually by throwing a crank handle. Some are mechanically linked to the switch the derailer is protecting, so that the derailer automatically retracts when the switch is aligned properly.

-John

Happy Easter All

John,

That is a very good description of the 'Derail's' function.

Ralph

SP also had derails consisting of parts from a switch.  I don't have a picture of it, but when you through the switchstand, the points on one of the rails would move.  The truck of the car would then follow that rail away from the track.

On the other rail, there would be no switch parts.  Farther down the track, there would be ties and a rail reincorec in such a way to puch the truck wheels to the areea between the rails.