Derails

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DERAILS Derails are safety devices designed to limit the movement of a car or locomotive beyond a fixed point. They operate with the use of a “shoe” that sits on top of the rail and causes any wheels passing over it to derail. When travel into the restricted area is necessary, the shoe is removed. Derails are frequently used to protect areas where people are working, loading docks, or to prevent cars from rolling out of an industrial track onto the railway mainline. The two derails shown on this page are of welded steel construction and are the heaviest models available. Somewhat lighter models are also available, as well as portable derails, and derails equipped with blue warning flags. Most derails can be padlocked in position to protect against vandalism. Model EB Hinged Derail is a very common and economical derail. It has a steel base which is spiked to the ties. The shoe is on a hinge connected to the base. This derail is designed for hand throw only. The shoe is flopped over on its back in the center of the track when in the inactive position. A target stand may be used to indicate the position of the shoe. Weight - 146 lbs. Model HB Sliding Derail is a heavy-duty derail designed for durability and to minimize stress on wheels and derail. It is operated from the side of the track with a stand that slides the shoe from the base to the upper (active) position. Pictured at left is model HB with a standard two-tie operating stand. Other types of stands are available. The stands require a connecting rod, and must be ordered separately. Weight (w/o stand) - 277 lbs. Derail Wheel Crowder In special locations where it is absolutely necessary to derail to the inside rail of a curve or where higher speeds are anticipated, Harmer Steel recommends the use of the Derail Wheel Crowder, which assists derails by crowding the wheels into the throat or entering toe of the derail. This is significantly lower in cost than switch point and stock rail type derails. HB Derail Crowder Track 56-1/2” Gage Left Hand HB Derail IV – 14 (503) 286-3691 FAX (503) 286-2097 © 2007 www.HarmerSteel.com sales@harmersteel.com 15” 30”
DERAILS Derails are designed to derail to the right or the left. A right-hand or left-hand derail must be specified when ordering. Looking in the direction of movement of a car to be derailed, a right-hand derail goes on the right-hand rail and derails towards the right. A left-hand derail goes on the left-hand rail and derails toward the left. “Double End” derails are available and may be used as right or left hand. Left-hand derail Right-hand derail Model EB and HB derails come in five sizes (No. 4 through No. 8). The correct derail size is determined by the vertical distance in even inches from the top of the rail to the tie. (If tie plates are used, add the thickness of the plate under the rail to the height of the rail to determine the correct derail size. Crop the tie plate at the rail base so the derail is not partially mounted on the tie plate; the derail must sit level.) Adjustments to make the vertical distance correspond in even inches to the derail size should be made by adzing the tie under the derail or shimming up the derail with a steel shim. A derail may be used on rail 1/2” lower to 1/2” higher than the rail to which its size number refers, but the distance from the top of the rail to the surface on which the derail is secured must be even inches and must correspond to the size number of the derail. Model HRS-100 (with U.P. target) The High Rise Derail Operating Stand is primarily a one piece weldment and is shipped assembled ready for installation. The only replaceable parts are the targets, connecting rod, lamp tip (if used) and the adjustable 1 inch diameter eyebolt. Each HRS-100 is shipped in three pieces; the primary welded unit, one connecting rod complete with adjustable clevis ends and pins, and a protective carton for the target. Weight - 180 lbs. The standard units are equipped with red and white targets that are positioned 41-5/8” above the top of the ties. The model shown at left has the Union Pacific style purple target with white “D” which is positioned 58” above the ties. The standard unit comes with an 8’ 2” adjustable connecting rod which places the center of the target staff 8’ 10-1/4” from the center of the track. • • • • • Ergonomic design Allows movement of sliding derail without bending or stooping Handle: 34” above top of tie Stroke adjusts for any sliding derail Stand can be pad-locked in on and off-rail position When ordering specify: 1. Target colors if other than standard 2. Connecting rod length if other than standard 3. Lamp tip dimensions if other than AREMA standard www.HarmerSteel.com sales@harmersteel.com © 2007 (503) 286-3691 FAX (503) 286-2097 IV – 15