In article ,
Fossil wrote:
*Stupid question* Just wondering what they're for, normally one side has a
load of cables going along with two metal wires at the top and the other has
big fat cables.

The two metal wires are the emergancy signal phone (it has a proper
name, which I forget). Basically, in the cab of the train is a
telephone headset, which the driver can clip on to these wires to
talk to the signalman. Handy if the radio isn't working on that
bit of the track.

It can also be used to turn off the electricty to the rails in that
part of the track - again, handy if there is a problem.

--
You dont have to be illiterate to use the Internet, but it help's.