Vae Nortrak North America Inc.

Cory O'Brien

Gary Click

Al Forshaw

Brian Charles

A modular tongue switch assembly comprises a tongue pivotally connected to a slide surface, held down by a pivot retainer. The slide surface consists of slide plate sections removably attached to corresponding bed plate sections, which are in turn welded onto a base plate. Floating brace blocks hold a non-integral stock rail in place on the base plate. When the tongue moves, a horizontal lever arm actuates an inner box assembly housed within an outer box and containing the conductor rail, allowing the passing train to maintain contact with the conductor rail, if necessary. A novel rodding and lever arrangement is used.

Tongue switch

A railroad switch assembly comprises a basket that directly actuates a torsional assist rod. The basket is located at a lower elevation than the assist rod, preferably in a hollow tie and preferably between the switch machine and the running rail.

Assist rod and basket assembly

A hollow tie assembly for rodding associated with moveable trackwork (such as in a switch or a moveable point frog) serves the function of a tie, houses and protects throw rods, lock rods and detector rods, is adapted to accommodate North American switch machines, and does not interfere with mechanical tampers. The rodding is housed within two elongated and spaced channels which are held in predetermined spaced relationship. Switch plates straddle the flanges of each channel and the moveable rails or points are mounted on the switch plates. Rod adapters and switch clip provide a sliding connection to the moveable rails or points. The rods are made of insulating material and the switch plates and associated components include insulation to avoid cross conduction between the rails.

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Coquitlam, Canada

Cory O'Brien