London Banter - View Single Post

Adam H. Kerman

wrote:

On US railroads, one problem with high platforms is that certain
freight cars are too big to pass a high platform. Sometimes guantlet
tracks are built to allow freights to pass.

Several examples on Chicago South Shore and South Bend:

East Chicago, Hammond

The through tracks spread to very wide track centers to get around these
two island platforms with wide loads. The gauntlet is more of a diverging
route to allow the passenger train to berth. Setting the passenger route is
triggered via energizing the catenary near the station.

It'll be a problem once the Little Joes return to freight service...

Gary, sigh. Historically there had been floor-height platforms here,
with pocket tracks, plus gauntlet tracks for freight on both sides. The
pocket tracks were important as trains turned back here. The modern
station has standard platforms and no pocket tracks, even though it's
one of the top three boarding stations.

Ogden Dunes has mini-high platforms for wheelchairs and automatic
platform extensions to bridge the gap, otherwise standard height
platforms. That was an extensive station replacement...