Scotch or scotch block?

[Deleted]

Can someone help me sort out a silly row I had with my colleague last night. When securing points with a scotch and clip, is it called a scotch or a scotch block? I thought it was just called a scotch, and a scotch block is used under the wheels of a train, but he reckoned it's called a scotch block. Can someone clear this up?! Or there'll be blood on the carpet at Cobourg St tonight and either the Northern or the Vic will be missing a line controller ;D

[Deleted]

"The wheels have been scotched"

"The points have been scotched and clipped"

I guess it works both ways...

[Tubeboy]

Well it is a block shape, so it could indeed be a Scotch block, but eveyone refers to it as a "Scotch".

[Deleted]

Mmm well I just found this on Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clip_and_scotch which would suggest that I am correct. But I won't be too smug ;D

[Deleted]

Just leave a print out of the wiki extract for the person who queried your knowledge...

[Tom]

My understanding is that scotches are for points, and scotch blocks are for wheels.

[trainopd78]

I've actually heard both for both wheel and points. I suppose They're both bits of wood to stop appropriate things moving so I don't suppose it really matters - er, I hope. ;D

[railtechnician]

It's scotch for points and scotch block for braking where I come from. In fact a scotch block could be almost anything that arrested motion including the stones and pebbles we used to use to stop track trolleys running away in the days before they were routinely fitted with brakes.

[Deleted]

tfc said:

Can someone help me sort out a silly row I had with my colleague last night. When securing points with a scotch and clip, is it called a scotch or a scotch block? I thought it was just called a scotch, and a scotch block is used under the wheels of a train, but he reckoned it's called a scotch block. Can someone clear this up?! Or there'll be blood on the carpet at Cobourg St tonight and either the Northern or the Vic will be missing a line controller ;D

Whilst not professing to be an expert, I've always used a scotch (and clip!) to secure points and a scotch block to secure a train.

If the other controller is who I think it is, don't tell him I disagreed with him

ttr

[Deleted]

tunnelrat said:

Whilst not professing to be an expert, I've always used a scotch (and clip!) to secure points and a scotch block to secure a train.

If the other controller is who I think it is, don't tell him I disagreed with him

ttr

LOL OK I won't grass you up to Light Blue Leader ;D Think I'll just be quietly smug instead

[mrfs42]

tunnelrat said:

Whilst not professing to be an expert, I've always used a scotch (and clip!) to secure points and a scotch block to secure a train.

Both points and vehicles can be scotched (there's a completely different argument to be had between clipping and clamping points ;D ;D).

AIUI [1] you insert a scotch, which may be a block to secure points; but you secure vehicles with a scotch block (which has a handle). Rail scotches may also be moveable and lockable as opposed to point scotches that are just insertable.

[1] As I Understand It.

[Deleted]

Why, on the equipment boxes, is it always "Scotch" (singular) and "Clips" (plural)?

[citysig]

Oh dear, wandered in here thinking it was a thread concerning the other type of scotch ;D (someone had to say it).

At the end of the day, one rule always runs through procedures, and that is to ensure what is communicated is understood. Therefore, on instructing a Station Supervisor to secure the route using scotch and clip, you should make sure he/she knows they are not about to inhibit the free movement of a train ;D

pmrnortheren, it is one of those few "honest" signs on the underground, as occasionally one may open the cupboard to find you have more than enough clips, but not enough (or the wrong type) of scotch blocks.

[Deleted]

citysig said:

pmrnorthern, it is one of those few "honest" signs on the underground, as occasionally one may open the cupboard to find you have more than enough clips, but not enough (or the wrong type) of scotch blocks.

How on earth does that situation arise?

[c5]

pmrnorthern said:

citysig said:

pmrnorthern, it is one of those few "honest" signs on the underground, as occasionally one may open the cupboard to find you have more than enough clips, but not enough (or the wrong type) of scotch blocks.

How on earth does that situation arise?

I've known it to happen a few time. Either they have been removed, and not put back in the right place or have been nicked!

[Deleted]

c5 said:

I've known it to happen a few time. Either they have been removed, and not put back in the right place or have been nicked!

I bet it causes some significant delays when it does happen!

[railtechnician]

citysig said:

Oh dear, wandered in here thinking it was a thread concerning the other type of scotch ;D (someone had to say it).

You know back in the 1970s we used to "Pass de Scotchy 'pon de lef' han' side", of course I am talking about the Scotch insulating tape that we used. At the time " Pass the Dutchy" was in the charts! I think one or two people used to do that as well!

[railtechnician]

c5 said:

pmrnorthern said:

How on earth does that situation arise?

I've known it to happen a few time. Either they have been removed, and not put back in the right place or have been nicked!

Sometimes the scotch has been carelessly left in the points by the station supervisor! I recall this happening more than once on the Picc.
Attending point failures that were due entirely to scotches having been left in when the clips were removed! Perhaps the training is better these days!

[Deleted]

i think clips look more like clamps, they should rename them

[citysig]

Yeh and trains look a bit like buses on rails, so let's rename them too while we're about it.

No, let's at least keep something "railway" and make people who don't know what they are learn what they are.

Clamps are used in woodwork, you know with things like that one which makes holes and stuff. Hole maker they should rename it I think ;D

[Deleted]

maybe we could just agree that its a speciallty clamp!