What is the infrastructure shown in the photo?

[Wexford70]

Hi folks,

Can anyone advise what the piece of infrastructure is, outlined in green?

I am guessing it is a platform for the signalman to hand over the ETS token to a driver?

Are there any other photos of such infrastructure or plans? It is nit very clear in the photo.

 

https://scontent.fdub2-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/277728921_10220063211387483_467474855476735848_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p180x540&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=0f5592&_nc_ohc=DP5gYmzHUZAAX8SOurA&_nc_ht=scontent.fdub2-3.fna&oh=00_AfBwEYn5LzXCWsVF_UICZ0hPeacZP_TKNdWFjN-mVJxA0g&oe=64DD641D

From facebook.

[Gabhal Luimnigh]

I actually think it's a chair pushed against a sign!

[Flying Snail]

I think it's too big to be a chair.  It's wooden platform of some type - you can see the steps up to it on the bridge side of it. There's also what looks to be a post or pipe to the rear by the wall.

I don't know whats it's for, but given that tablets/tokens could be passed just as well by the signalman from the platform, so I don't think its for that.

I'd guess it could be for one of either ..

• Hanging mail bags for snatching by a TPO.
• Providing water to a loco.

Those are just wild guesses - I'd say one of the more learned forum members will be able to solve the mystery. 

EDIT: perhaps its just a platform for engine crew to mount and dismount?? I can't actually see in the picture how a mail snatching device (don't know the technical term) or a water pipe would swing out closer to the track ... so perhaps not either of those after all

 

Edited August 13, 2023 by Flying Snail
Edit: refining my guess

[Gabhal Luimnigh]

1 hour ago, Flying Snail said:

I think it's too big to be a chair.  It's wooden platform of some type - you can see the steps up to it on the bridge side of it. There's also what looks to be a post or pipe to the rear by the wall.

I don't know whats it's for, but given that tablets/tokens could be passed just as well by the signalman from the platform, so I don't think its for that.

I'd guess it could be for one of either ..

• Hanging mail bags for snatching by a TPO.
• Providing water to a loco.

Those are just wild guesses - I'd say one of the more learned forum members will be able to solve the mystery. 

EDIT: perhaps its just a platform for engine crew to mount and dismount?? I can't actually see in the picture how a mail snatching device (don't know the technical term) or a water pipe would swing out closer to the track ... so perhaps not either of those after all

 

It's a big chair

[minister_for_hardship]

It's a platform for token exchange, overlooked by an oil lamp for illumination by night.

[Flying Snail]

46 minutes ago, minister_for_hardship said:

It's a platform for token exchange, overlooked by an oil lamp for illumination by night.

Shows what I know 

Every day's a school day!

[flowcoach]

Why would a platform for token exchange be built so much further back from the line than the platform edge is?

[Wexford70]

Interestingly, there was a semaphore signal placed in that location some time later.

Am not sure if that has any connection to the item shown.

 

Edited August 13, 2023 by Wexford70

[Bob49]

Those little platforms are actually quite common one lines around the world were tokens or staffs had to be exchanged. 

Marc 

[Mayner]

20 hours ago, Wexford70 said:

Hi folks,

Can anyone advise what the piece of infrastructure is, outlined in green?

I am guessing it is a platform for the signalman to hand over the ETS token to a driver?

Are there any other photos of such infrastructure or plans? It is nit very clear in the photo.

 

https://scontent.fdub2-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/277728921_10220063211387483_467474855476735848_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p180x540&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=0f5592&_nc_ohc=DP5gYmzHUZAAX8SOurA&_nc_ht=scontent.fdub2-3.fna&oh=00_AfBwEYn5LzXCWsVF_UICZ0hPeacZP_TKNdWFjN-mVJxA0g&oe=64DD641D

From facebook.

There is a July 39 photo of Kilmeadan looking West  in "Lost Railways of Co Dublin and the South East.

The striped post in the background is part of the system for exchanging the electric train staff at speed. The striped post is fitted with a hoop apparently for picking up the staff from trains arriving at speed, staffs appear to have been picked up from a mechanism mounted on a shorter post.

It looks like the GSR operated "up and down" running through crossing loops on the "Boat Train Route" at this stage with both roads of equal importance, this was unlike the Dublin-Galway line and the NCC North of Ballymena where one road through single line crossing places was aligned for high speed non-stop running and designated the main line, the other road designated the loop.

Its possible the small platform was provided for manually exchanging staffs on  trains held in the loop with the loco stopped past the end of the platform, starting signal for Waterford West? likely to be on the Waterford side of the bridge.

Current signals likely to be cosmetic to provide atmosphere, signal cabin, crossing loop and sidings likely to have been removed following the closure of the Waterford-Mallow Line, staff sections became ETS Waterford West-Kilmacthomas, one engine in steam/train on line Kilmacthomas-Ballinacourtney

[minister_for_hardship]

16 hours ago, Wexford70 said:

Interestingly, there was a semaphore signal placed in that location some time later.

Am not sure if that has any connection to the item shown.

 

That signal is there for decoration, no counterweight, no pulleys, no wires running to it.

[jhb171achill]

On 13/8/2023 at 8:20 AM, Wexford70 said:

Hi folks,

Can anyone advise what the piece of infrastructure is, outlined in green?

I am guessing it is a platform for the signalman to hand over the ETS token to a driver?

Are there any other photos of such infrastructure or plans? It is nit very clear in the photo.

 

https://scontent.fdub2-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/277728921_10220063211387483_467474855476735848_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p180x540&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=0f5592&_nc_ohc=DP5gYmzHUZAAX8SOurA&_nc_ht=scontent.fdub2-3.fna&oh=00_AfBwEYn5LzXCWsVF_UICZ0hPeacZP_TKNdWFjN-mVJxA0g&oe=64DD641D

From facebook.

Correct - that's exactly what it is.

[Wexford70]

9 hours ago, minister_for_hardship said:

That signal is there for decoration, no counterweight, no pulleys, no wires running to it.

Am unsure if WSVR pit it there or it was in situ when CIE abandoned the station. 

[jhb171achill]

19 hours ago, Wexford70 said:

Am unsure if WSVR pit it there or it was in situ when CIE abandoned the station. 

I’d say WSVR put it there.