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Private train cars are the most interesting part. I wonder how signaling works? Does each house/"station" have its own fork in the tracks for getting their priv

Private train cars are the most interesting part. I wonder how signaling works? Does each house/"station" have its own fork in the tracks for getting their private train car home?

TylerE 8y ago
There are only a few houses (approx 15 residents) on the island.
Someone 8y ago
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lüttmoorsiel-Nordstrandischmoor_island_railway https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lüttmoorsiel-Nordstrandischm... has a schematic of the track. Looking at the map, it seems there are only two endpoints to the line on the island. On the other hand, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordstrandischmoor https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordstrandischmoor claims there are only 4 households on the island, so even assuming each has its separate fork, “each house” isn’t that much. I wonder what system they have to prevent the two locomotives from meeting each other half-way through and to get one of the locomotives to a home when needed.
- woodpanel 8y ago
  I've seen a couple of documentaries about how the inhabitants use that system. Though I forgot wether they have some signaling system, they do have passing loops (which they operate by driving there, getting out and manually perform the switch). Also since the area is 100% flat eyesight should be enough.
- jacquesm 8y ago
  Even without passing loops you could do it by simply swapping trains when you meet.
- jancs 8y ago
  They use a marker in between the runarounds, and whoever reaches it first can pass while the other car needs to turn back.
jancs 8y ago
There is no signalling, except for one marker in the middle of the longest stretch of single track rail between turnouts. Whoever reaches it first can continue, the other party has to go back. Though apparently, you can see whether the other car will be first, and wait. Also, you don't really need forks, because are light enough to be lifted off the tracks. Some pull them up on special car trailers.

Private train cars are the most interesting part. I wonder how signaling works? Does each house/"station" have its own fork in the tracks for getting their private train car home?

TylerE 8y ago

There are only a few houses (approx 15 residents) on the island.

Someone 8y ago

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lüttmoorsiel-Nordstrandischmoor_island_railway https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lüttmoorsiel-Nordstrandischm... has a schematic of the track. Looking at the map, it seems there are only two endpoints to the line on the island. On the other hand, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordstrandischmoor https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordstrandischmoor claims there are only 4 households on the island, so even assuming each has its separate fork, “each house” isn’t that much. I wonder what system they have to prevent the two locomotives from meeting each other half-way through and to get one of the locomotives to a home when needed.

woodpanel 8y ago
I've seen a couple of documentaries about how the inhabitants use that system. Though I forgot wether they have some signaling system, they do have passing loops (which they operate by driving there, getting out and manually perform the switch). Also since the area is 100% flat eyesight should be enough.
jacquesm 8y ago
Even without passing loops you could do it by simply swapping trains when you meet.
jancs 8y ago
They use a marker in between the runarounds, and whoever reaches it first can pass while the other car needs to turn back.

jancs 8y ago

There is no signalling, except for one marker in the middle of the longest stretch of single track rail between turnouts. Whoever reaches it first can continue, the other party has to go back. Though apparently, you can see whether the other car will be first, and wait. Also, you don't really need forks, because are light enough to be lifted off the tracks. Some pull them up on special car trailers.