08-15-2016, 07:16 AM
(08-14-2016, 07:42 PM)danbrotherston Wrote:(08-14-2016, 04:23 PM)jamincan Wrote: Ah, I see. I wasn't sure if it came up level with the rail and then compressed under the wheel flange when trains went over. I suppose such a system might be possible but it would probably greatly increase the risk of derailment.
Such a system is marked by a number of companies, all of whom claim that their system works just fine, no risk of derailment, no excessive maintenance issues. How it actually functions, I cannot say, but such a system was not adopted here.
I’d be pretty surprised if there was a risk of derailment. Remember that trains can squash pennies flat, so the force available to depress the filler strip without affecting the movement of the train is enormous. I’d be more concerned about maintenance and reliability in terms of always springing back properly so that bicycles have a safe surface.
Where I would have liked to see a system like this used is on the Spur Line between King St. and Regina. Just embed the track and pave the entire space flat with filler strips. Officially the trail would close during train operating hours (although in practice only when the train inches its way through the space) while at all other times the entire space between the buildings would be the path.
Obviously not an appropriate solution for the main line, but equally obviously perfectly safe in this particular context.