If it was placed there deliberately, it's to prevent a runaway or otherwise unwanted train from continuing down the track.
The rails look moderately used but not really heavily used, could be there's maintenance or something on that line. It's easier to pick a car up on it's side with a rail crane than it is to try and fish it out of a hole, or pick it up out of the dirt if the rails cease to exist farther down.
it's to prevent a runaway or otherwise unwanted train from continuing down the track.
It sounded ridiculous at first but it makes sense. Rather than gain momentum and hit something important at the end of the track, better to derail it sooner. A big barrier in the middle wouldn't necessarily stop the cars, but a derailer certainly will.
And it may sound strange, but it's probably cheaper and less dangerous to knock cars off the track than to let them hit whatever is at the end of the track. Assuming they're going slow down the siding, you're probably just going to get one or two derailed and then the rest stop - assuming there are more than a few to start with.
Makes sense, thanks. Was wondering why the tracks showed signs of recent-ish use but those bolts (as far as one can tell from the video) have that even coat of rust.
Looking at it a little more, it looks like the derailer head itself flips up so you can allow a train to pass. The unit was probably placed there some time ago. It actually goes under the rail, whereas a temp unit would probably just bolt on to the rail itself.
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