Gapless points for safer railways

Gapless railway points that could ensure the safe rollout of high-speed trains are being developed by a former Oxford University tutor in collaboration with ISIS Innovation.

The gapless rail arrangement has been designed to replace existing points used to route railway traffic. Developer John Lucas claims that his design will reduce wear on the railway track, allowing trains to travel at much higher speeds while minimising jolts to improve passenger comfort.

His concept is based on the pivoting movement of railway flanges to the side of the fixed rail and along the railway track. This movement causes the whole rail to move forward and engage at the apex of the crossing where the two inner lines join. The top of the moving blade goes over the sharp apex to form a firm join with the fixed rail going out.

Conventional points systems in the UK only move sideways, leaving a gap between the blade and the fixed rail. Lucas explained that this gap, which can be as wide as 4in (10cm), restricts the maximum speed of the train.