NR TWI 2S026 ISSUE 1 PDF

Introduction

This Track Work Instruction covers the maintenance of spring operated catchpoints and Spring Points. Catchpoints are a set of trailing switches that are set to derail any vehicles moving in the wrong direction. They are operated by a spring mechanism that always returns the switches to their ‘normal’ position. Catchpoints are not normally detected, i.e. connected to the signalling system, but they may be connected where a runaway vehicle could cause secondary operating problems.

Catchpoints are usually located on steep gradients where the consequences of a runaway vehicle continuing its journey could be catastrophic - either in terms of damage or injury to people. The consequences of a vehicle being derailed by a set of catch points would be much less and likely only to affect the runaway vehicle itself.

Catchpoints are sometimes known as Spring Points although true Spring Points are those which are often located at passing loops in single lines or at other trailing junctions for trailing movements only where the expense of connections to a signal box is not justified.