Stretcher Bars

Fixed Stretcher Bars

Fixed stretcher bars (which can be supplied insulated or non-insulated) are generally fitted to: 

  • Full Depth Vertical & Inclined S&C layouts of BR109, BS110A, BS113A & CEN56 rail section running lines.
  • 95RBH running rail.
  • Non running rail, such as that found in depots.


There are 3 types of Fixed stretcher bar:

  1. Fixed Yellow (yellow bar and brackets)


These were introduced in 2008. They incorporate metric Hardlock fastenings and can be installed to Full Depth running rails using CEN56, 109/110A plain leads, switch diamonds and slip switches. 

  2.  Fixed Yellow & Orange (yellow bar and orange brackets)


These are commonly found on 95RBH S&C layouts on running and non-running rail and have metric fastenings.

  3.  Fixed Black


These can be installed on any S&C on non-running rails but are commonly used with 95RBH. Imperial fastenings are used.




Fixed Stretcher bars are generally supplied as: 

  • No.1 type which is installed at the 1st position within the switch and is generally longer than subsequent stretcher bars. 
  • No. 2 type which is installed in all subsequent positions within the switch and is shorter than a No.1. 
  • No.3 type and No.4 type within switch diamond layouts.



The interface between the points operating equipment within a switch and the stretcher bar is usually through the use of drive connection lugs:


  • BRS-SM336 (Yellow lug) Used in electromechanical point motor drives, the front lug in 6’ mounted supplementary drives and the rear lug in all type of mechanical supplementary drive. 


  • BRS-SM522 (Clamplock only) Used at the front with both 4’ and 6’ mounted supplementary drives. 


  • BRS-SM2503 Used in 4’ mounted electromechanical supplementary drives at the No. 1 position. 


For advice on your project or requirement please contact our team.

info@directtracksolutions.co.uk.

Tubular Stretcher bars

Developed to replace ‘fixed’ and ‘adjustable’ track stretcher bars on UK railway.

The Tubular Stretcher Bar offers improved performance, greater safety and a reduced whole life cost. 

The TSB consists of:

  • 2 x Drive connection Brackets
  • 2 x Motion units
  • 1 x tube
  • 2 x Switch rail brackets

Similar to the image below.

The 1st TSB within a switch is noticeable different as it includes kicking straps which prevent the switch rails from rising with respect to the stock rails. Similar to the image below.

The Tubular Stretcher bar is compatible with most :

  • rail section
  • BR109lb, BS110A, BS113A, CEN56, UIC54, CEN60 
  • switch designs
  • BR Inclined, Vertical full depth, Vertical shallow depth, Switch Diamonds, NR60 MKii (Plain leads)
  • POE.
  • RCPL (MKi, MKii and IBCL), HW, M63.

There are some Switch and POE designs that are not suitable for TSB’s. If in doubt, please contact info@directtracksolutions.co.uk.

Motion Units

The motion units on the TSB are colour coded and denote the type of rail section and POE to which the stretcher bar can be fitted.

Tubes

There are 5 different variants of tube, that vary in length and position within the switch. They are donated by a number of stripes and or colour of stripe. As per below.

For advice on your project or requirement please contact info@directtracksolutions.co.uk.