RAILWAY SWITCH PROTECTION BY A HIGH VELOCITY AIR CURTAIN

The background leading to the development of the "Horizontal Air Curtain Switch Protector" is outlined. A comparison of the energy necessary to protect a switch from snowfall and that required to melt and/or vaporize snow with a switch heater is discussed. The laboratory tests and the field tests on the first experimental air curtain in Ottawa and Montreal were sufficiently encouraging to extend the field tests. Following the second winter of field trials a more advanced design air curtain protector was installed in the CN Montreal classification yard. At the conclusion of the third winter of tests a decision was made by the CN to install ten units across the system for a more extensive evaluation of this switch protection system under different climatic conditions. The results from the field tests during the winter of 1975-76 are presented and some changes proposed as a result of this experience are outlined. This protection method offers economic advantages in terms of capital cost, energy operating cost and maintenance.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at 4th Annual Sectional Meeting, Association of American Railroads, Communications and Signal Section.
• Corporate Authors:

  National Research Council of Canada

  1200 Montreal Road
  Ottawa, Ontario  Canada  K1A 0R6
• Authors:
  • Ringer, T R
  • Dalton, C J
• Publication Date: 1976-12-31

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 1-10
• Serial:
  • Q Bull of Div of Mech Eng & Natl Aeronaut Estab
  • Publisher: National Research Council of Canada

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Compressed air; Energy consumption; Heating (Structures); Operating costs; Snow removal; Switches (Railroads); Tests
• Identifier Terms: Canadian National; Canadian National Railways
• Uncontrolled Terms: Switches
• Old TRIS Terms: Energy requirements; Switch heaters
• Subject Areas: Energy; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00156874
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Research Council of Canada
• Report/Paper Numbers: DME/NAE 1976(4)
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 4 1977 12:00AM