Conductor Rail Side Ramp
A conductor rail side ramp is used to minimize the risk of trains being "gapped", with no shoes in contact with the conductor rail. This could be a issue in areas with complex pointwork.
There are some disadvantages of side ramps, such as it can be used up to certain line speeds. In the above example, if a train is diverging on the points going from top right to bottom right, then the side ramp can be used at line speed.
But if a train is converging at the points going from bottom right to top right, then the maximum speed would be limited to 20mph, due to the angle of the ramp.
Another disadvantage is that it can be in very close proximity to point machines, especially if point rods passes under the conductor rail or to clamplocks.
Conductor Rail Side Ramp
A conductor rail side ramp is used to minimize the risk of trains being "gapped", with no shoes in contact with the conductor rail. This could be a issue in areas with complex pointwork.
There are some disadvantages of side ramps, such as it can be used up to certain line speeds. In the above example, if a train is diverging on the points going from top right to bottom right, then the side ramp can be used at line speed.
But if a train is converging at the points going from bottom right to top right, then the maximum speed would be limited to 20mph, due to the angle of the ramp.
Another disadvantage is that it can be in very close proximity to point machines, especially if point rods passes under the conductor rail or to clamplocks.