Railway Track & Structures - November 2008 - (Page 30)

Switch on alike require equipment that provides predictive maintenance information. The M-23, M-3 and M-23E switch machines with the Electronic Circuit Controller (ECC) can provide an output that indicates that the points are beginning to drift before indication is lost, thereby allowing maintenance to be scheduled before it impacts train movement.” VAE Nortrak produces the RACOR line of manual switch stands. These machines come in trailable/non-trailable, low mast/high mast and ball handle/trihandle (ergonomic) conﬁgurations for yard or main line use. The line includes the 22 and 36 stands pioneered by RACOR and used worldwide. The AUTOMATER and AUTOMATER DERAILER are extensions of the RACOR line. The AUTOMATER converts a manual RACOR switch stand into a power-operated switch machine, while the AUTOMATER DERAILER provides power operation to a derailer. Both are available in 110 VAC with battery backup or DC with solar panel. VAE Nortrak “With increased regulator scrutiny on railway safety, the industry is moving very quickly to adopt new technologies such as PTC and systems to verify the status of switches in dark territory,” said Ken Ouelette, division manager switch control at VAE Nortrak. Ouelette points out that customers have expressed concern about the interoperability, ease of installation and overall cost (including ongoing troubleshooting, maintenance and regulatory test requirements) associated with any new systems they adopt. “We believe that our new 36-LH dark territory switch stand with the SwitchAlert™ module delivers on those criteria,” said Ouelette. The 36-LH is a 36-EH main line switch stand that also provides a dry contact indication when it has been locked in the normal or reverse position. It contains an integrated electronic lock cylinder that cannot be picked and can only be opened by speciﬁed keys. In addition to requiring no external power, the cylinder obtains all of its power directly from the key, the system can provide audit information with date and time stamped logs showing which key accessed which lock. The 36-LH is compatible with all signal systems capable of reading contact closures as input. Ouelette added, “Since SwitchAlert™ is not a switch circuit controller, it adds no components to the switch stand that require adjustment.” Western-Cullen-Hayes, Inc., manufactures the WCHT-72 switch machine, a trailable, electro-hydraulic machine that operates on 120 volts. The machine’s design remains unchanged, but it did receive an upgraded micro-processor. Carl Pambianco, sales manager at WCH, says the feedback from customers indicates that the WCHT-72 is an inexpensive machine to own and the minor sales ﬁgures from repair parts seems to back up that impression. “Orders continue to come in small numbers, so we are always looking for more,” said Pambianco. Western-Cullen-Hayes 30 Railway Track & Structures November 2008 www.rtands.com http://www.rtands.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Railway Track & Structures - November 2008

Railway Track and Structures Contents On Track Industry Today Supplier News AREMA News NRC News TTCI R&D TrainingVvital in Shaping Future of Railroad Industry Switch Stands, Switch Machines Automation Offers Improvements in M/W Planning AREMA 2008 Conference Report Products and Literature People Calendar Advertisers Index Sales Representatives Website Directory Professional Directory Classified Advertising Chicago Perspective

Railway Track & Structures - November 2008

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