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What is Scotch Block, Detailing Switch and Sand Hump in Indian railways?  
1 Answers
Oct 16 2020 (12:28)
General

Entry# 2301     
VijaySai~
What is Scotch Block, Detailing Switch and Sand Hump in Indian railways?

★  Info Update
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Oct 11 2020 (15:43)
Blog Post# 4742524-0     
VijaySai~   Added by: VijaySai~  Oct 16 2020 (12:28)
It is normal practice to isolate a through running line from a siding so that a vehicle standing on the siding does not accidentally roll onto the running line and foul the same. A scotch block or derailing switch is provided on a siding or shunting neck to ensure that the vehicle does not go beyond a particular point and that if this happens, the vehicle gets derailed.

Scotch block: A scotch block (Fig. 27.9) is a wooden block placed on the rail and properly held in its place with the help
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of a device to form an obstruction. Once it is clamped in position, the scotch block does not allow a vehicle to move beyond it.


Derailing switch: A derailing switch (Fig. 27.10) consists of a half-switch, i.e., only a tongue rail, which in its open position faces away from the stock rail, leaving a gap in between, and this causes a discontinuity in the track. A vehicle cannot go beyond this point and gets automatically derailed if it does manage to do so. The switch can be closed with the help of a lever and a vehicle can then traverse it normally. This is also called a trap switch.


Sand hump: This is possibly the most improved method of isolating and stoping a moving vehicle without causing much damage to it. The sand hump (Fig .27.11) is normally provided on the loop line with the idea that in case an incoming train overshoots when being received on the loop line, the sand hump can make it stop while ensuring that there is least damage to it.


A sand hump consists of a mound of sand of a specified cross section that covers the track under the end of a dead end siding, which is laid on a rising gradient. A moving vehicle comes to a stop because of the combined resistance of the sand hump and the rising gradient.
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