Hankyu 3 way switch

[bikkuri bahn]

A little excursion on the Hankyu Takarazuka Line this Monday yielded this discovery- a three way switch at the “down” end of Shounai Station.  These type of switches are relatively rare due to their expense of construction and maintenance, but Hankyu saw it fit to construct one at this location, possibly to keep conflicting movements to a minimum should a turnback service be required.  

View from an “up” direction train:

 

From the end of the up platform:

 

Apparently, in addition to this location, there are six other places on the Hankyu system where three way switches are in use.  Given that there are only 4 other known locations of this type of switch elsewhere on other railways in the nation, it can be said that Hankyu is the “Mecca” of the three way switch.  

 

[marknewton]

Judging by your photos, Hankyu maintain their track to the same high standard that they maintain their trains. Nice find!

 

Cheers, 

 

Mark.

[kvp]

1 hour ago, bikkuri bahn said:

but Hankyu saw it fit to construct one at this location, possibly to keep conflicting movements to a minimum should a turnback service be required.  

Nice find! I think the lack of space between the crossing and the end of the platforms made this type of turnout the ideal solution.

 

This arrangement is easily modelable with Tomix tracks: (the 1st is the most compact, the 2nd looks more like the actual layout)

[bill937ca]

A Hankyu 3 way switch being used for a turnback.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 29, 2018 by bill937ca