Stephen Sprunk wrote:
> jimmygeldburg@gmail.com wrote:
> > If the vast majority of trains are passenger trains (or freight
> > trains that clear high platforms), and a wide freight is a rarity,
> > they can leave the flip-down high platform edges deployed most of the
> > time, and only retract them before a freight comes through.
>
> A bridge plate needs support at both ends; it doesn't just hang out in
> space by itself.  What you're describing is more like a retractable gap
> filler, which would extend on arrival and retract before departure; you
> wouldn't want to leave it extended between passenger trains and count on
> it being retracting remotely before the next freight passed through.

No, I was referring to a flip-down platform edge.  They have to be flipped
manually, which is why they only make sense where the vast majority of traffic
is passenger trains and narrow freights.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Reading_MBTA_
tation_mini-high_platform.JPG

> Now that the old South Ferry is closed, I'm not sure there are any
> remaining examples of such gap fillers in the US.

Union Square on the Lexington Avenue IRT.

http://www.citytransport.info/NotMine/NYCS_IRT_LexAve_14Sta.jpg

Jimmy

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