Split Rail Derail Question

[NW Mailing List]

Hi everyone. 

In this Virginia Tech collection photo, there is a split rail derail on the westbound main, protecting the crossing with the Zanesville Branch (C&MV) of the PRR in Circleville, Ohio. The photo is dated 1918.

Were these types of derails common on main lines at some point?  Later photos of the area, and ROW maps don’t indicate the derail, nor does the tower model board - which makes me wonder if they became obsolete.  

Just curious,

Matt Goodman
Columbus, Ohio, US

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