Plastic Rail

It's called a frog because it enables one rail to "hop" over the other.

In message , ":::Jerry::::" writes

Aren't they called "elbows". That's what the GWR called them, according to that recently-published book on their trackwork.

On 03/02/2005 18:49, John Sullivan wrote,

I would go along with that.

Frog is the North American term for what in Britain is known as a common crossing.

These are large detailed files in .pdf format. And all clearly refer to the frog.

Alex. W. Stirrat

On 03/02/2005 20:15, AlStirrat wrote,

Ah - but this group refers to UK railway practise, but it does answer the question of where the term "frog" comes from, perhaps.

Could be a GWRism, I've never heard BR (SR) people calling them that and I can't remember that term being used in the various P4 track building articles I read back in the mid 80's.

In message , AlStirrat may have written...

C&O, Callander and Oban? Didn't know they had much influence in these matters....

:-)

You've been Jerry-d - no coherent arguments, just some abuse. :-/

"mutley"

HMI, see they also refer to "switches", a North Americanism, and not "turnouts" nor even "points".

Interesting.

So, I guess I can continue to hand lay my switches with frogs filled with soldier?

-- Cheers Roger T.

Home of the Great Eastern Railway

When did the French military become cannibals???

Let me make this clear, if I catch you hand switching frogs filled with solder I shall contact the RSPCA upon the instant. :-)

Just to add to my confusion:

In addition, a frog is the hollow in a brick ..... those bricks that have hollows that is.

Steve

"Greg.P."

Rats. Bloody spill chukka.

-- Cheers Roger T.

Home of the Great Eastern Railway

MartinS wrote: [...]

It's called a frog 'cuz it looks the thing on a hrose's hoof that's called a frog. And that's called a frog 'cuz someone thunk it looked like a pair a frog's legs. Ahy he thunk that is lost in the msits of history. Or 80 proof whisky. Or summat like that.

----- Original Message ----- From: ":::Jerry::::"

Jerry, I really don't know why you've assumed this rather billigerant attitude. I know a crossing is called a crossing, but most modellers and many professional railwaymen, on this side of the pond at least, call them "frogs", which I why, as I stated above, I put "frog" in quotation marks.

Great to hear that you are building a model railway and especially to the more difficult P4 standards.

As for 12 inches to the foot scale, I too have spent many an hour laying track with a shovel, lining bar, 25 ton jacks, spike maul, and my back.

I have also spend countless hours as a locomotive engineer switching (shunting) with 1000 to 1750hp diesels and as a passenger train engineer at a Canadian museum, running both diesel and steam.

Cheers Roger T.

Home of the Great Eastern Railway

Note that 'frog' also describes the fitting on a soldier's belt from which the scabbard of a bayonet or sword is suspended, and it is also the depression in the lower face of a house brick. More confusion! Regards, Bill.

Further confusion -the Frogs call them 'Couer de aiguilles' (literally 'Heart of the Points') Brian

Ignorance is bliss, I also expect that you can't (or couldn't) see much need in attending skhool.....

Arh, NOW I see, you are from across the 'pond', were turnouts are switches and crossing vee's are frogs, rec.model.railroad is next door - otherwise accept British terminology !

and he also wrote

Pots, kettles and a very dark colour come to mind . . . .

Jerry - perhaps you should heed a few biblical words of wisdom. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"

If you don't understand that, try "Go forth and multiply".

T O S