Interlaced or Gauntlet Railway Lines

[AndyMac1707817969]

I was wondering if anyone had come across the use of interlaced railway lines. I know they were used on several tramways in the UK but the only place I have ever seen them used on main lines is on the Boyne Viaduct at Drogheda in the Republic of Ireland. The bridge was rebuilt in the 1930s (my Great Grandfather was a forename during the rebuild). Originally it was a double track but the bridge was rebuilt in such a way trains could keep running over it during the reconstruction. This left it too narrow for double track so to save having to use points etc, the twin racks were interleaved with one another. Was thinking it might be a good feather to model on something a bit smaller scale

[AndyMac1707817969]

PS I guess I should point out before someone else does, the interlaced track was removed on this bridge back in 1997 (I think)

[LCDR]

Although extremely rare Gauntletted Standard Gauge was occasionally used where bridges or tunnels were being repaired. Some form of single line safety requirements was necessary, as though the line was singled.

 

 

On rope worked inclines occasionally the tracks shared a running rail above and below the passing loop.

 

Interlacing of two different gauges was also to be found occasionally.

 

There used to be interlaced track between Ravenglass and Murthwaite Quarry, 4' 8 1/2" outside, 15" inside, on the R & E R so Standard Gauge wagons of granite could be taken out and exchanged with the main line.

 

There were places on the various Welsh narrow gauge railways where sidings were interlaced so goods, mostly slate, could be transhipped. 

[steamy]

 I believe they were used on the Clachnaharry swing bridge on the Highland Railway prior to WW1 and removed sometime bfore 1930.

 

I recall attending a lecture on "The Caledonian Railway's bread and butter " on the Caley's branches in Lanarkshire around Lesmahagow/ Brocketsbrae and Douglasdale where the speaker showed photos of the gauntleting and I think the dates were later than the 1930s.

 

I can sort of understand their use on a bridge, but callot see any advantage in them over single track. Apart from the shared running line and use in  rope hauled wagonways as per LC&DR above.

 

Good luck researching!

[81F]

 If you are including the interlacing of tracks where different gauges diverge from sections of mixed gauge track, there is always Didcot Railway centre which has recreated a section of GWR Broad Gauge and mixed gauge track. 

 

Although I think this uses Brunel's Bridge Rail and timber baulks throughout.

[96RAF]

I initially thought this methodology was for running dual gauge past each other, but internet research shows it is used for transiting totally separate tracks past each other without any common track.

[LCDR]

The advantage, if there is one, is that it obviates the use of moving point work. BUT it still requires some protection against head on collisions. This is why gauntletted track is normally limited to tramways whre 'drive on sight' rules apply,  or occasioaly in sidings. I seem to remember some gauntletted track was provided occasionally on train ferry link spans.