Mechanical Points Operating Equipment

We are an approved manufacturer and supplier of CEN56E1 (113LB) Full Depth & CEN56E1/CEN54E1A1 Shallow Depth mechanical points operating equipment to the UK rail network through the full suite of BRS-SM drawings.


We supply full frontdrive and backdrive kits to be utilised with HW, RCPL, FPL, IBCL MKii and IBCL MKiii layouts. We can also aid in design and configuration of equipment for other types of point machine such as the Fenix Pinmovio, common in rail depots.


We have the ability to react quickly to customer needs by keeping a large stock of spares and offer competitive lead times on specialised parts.



Frontdrive Kits

These kits are most commonly deployed when layouts utilise HW point machines. They can also be used on Facing Point Lock (FPL) layouts, although these are less common. They can be deployed on concrete, timber and composite bearers. All front drives are mounted within the 4ft and are distinctive due to the use of the ‘Lock Stretcher’ bar which locks the switch rails at the tip to ensure uniform movement when the point machine ‘throws’ the switch rails. The frontdrive components transfer the internal movement of the point machine through a ‘Drive’ rod to the ‘Track Stretcher’ bar and various rod connections to the ‘Lock Stretcher’ bar. To ensure switch detection is maintained, all the steel components are insulated with various electrical insulation materials. 


A frontdrive can be deployed on both CEN56E1 (113LB) Full Depth & CEN56E1/CEN54E1A1 Shallow Depth switches and is located between Bearer No 0 and Bearer No 2.


Backdrive Channel Rodding Kits

These kits are deployed on any CEN56E1 (113LB) Full Depth & CEN56E1/CEN54E1A1 Shallow Depth switch of a length equal to or greater than BV(s) (8245mm moveable length) up to and including GV(s) (21035mm moveable length)


The kits are used with HW, FPL, RCPL and IBCL switch configurations.


As the name suggests the ‘Back’ behind the switch toe and ‘Drive’ movement of the switch rail.


The kits consist of connection rods, which connect to the ‘Track Stretcher’ bar. These rods connect to cranks at the front and rear of the backdrive that provide mechanical advantage and transfer the actuation energy front to back through the backdrive by a central connection called Channel Rodding. On longer switch lengths (generally EV(s) and above) a supplementary motorised unit is required to supplement the initial force from the point machine. 


The backdrive is located between Bearer No 2 and Bearer No 17. It can be located within the 4ft track or external to the track in the 6ft.


The channel rodding type of backdrive is now considered a ‘non-preferred’ option on CEN56E1/CEN54E1A1 Shallow Depth switches and customers should upgrade via maintenance retrofit or renewal to the Tubular Backdrive.


Tubular Backdrive Kits

These kits are currently solely deployed on CEN56E1/CEN54E1A1 Shallow Depth switches of a length equal to or greater than BVS (8245mm moveable length) up to and including GVS (21035mm moveable length).


The kits are used with HW, RCPL and IBCL switch configurations.


They behave in the same way as a channel rodding type backdrive and can be deployed in the same manner. However, there are three main advantages:


  1. The channel rodding used to connect the cranks can become damaged, twisted or fatigued over time due to persons standing on and/or overloading the rodding. The rodding can significantly ‘sag’ over a long distance and adversely affect switch performance. This has been replaced with 48.3mm diameter galvanised tubing which offers a more rigid solution and transfers the actuation force in a more uniform manner through the backdrive. This in turn offers increased switch reliability.
  2. Connection rod ‘Handing’ at the front of the backdrive is no longer essential for manufacture. The new tubular backdrive uses a universal offset lug at the front, which can be orientated Left Hand or Right Hand while onsite.
  3. All the fixings within the tubular backdrive are metric, which as well as being cost effective, adds uniformity to the UK railway. 


Direct Fix Tubular Backdrive Kits

These kits are currently solely deployed on CEN60E2/CEN60E1A1 switches and share many components with the tubular backdrive. 


The backdrive is primarily used with IBCL MKiii and on BVS – EVS switch lengths.


The main differences from standard tubular backdrives are:


  1. The crank bases are direct fix to the bearer, using a bespoke bolting system.
  2. The backdrive is suitable for concrete bearers only.
  3. The maximum switch length for a mechanical backdrive under this configuration is an EVS (13090mm moveable length).



Spares

All components included in the mechanical kits are also available as spare parts. As with any equipment, wear rates vary depending on usage and applied forces. We stock a wide range of components and fixings for Frontdrives, Backdrives (both Channel Rod and Tubular variants) and supplementary drives. Additionally, we offer custom manufacturing for specialised parts as needed.