Abstract: A railroad head block switching installation having a safety cover secured to the track ties between which extend the connecting rod of the rail switching mechanism, so as to overlie such rod in spaced relationship therewith and protect persons from tripping over the rod. The safety cover is preferably of plate formation molded from a weight-supporting structural plastic material to provide opposing ramp sections and a central section in common therewith and spaced above the rod. Longitudinal and transverse reinforcing ribs are advantageously provided on the undersurface of the cover, with lag-bolt-accommodating bosses formed at the intersections of such ribs.

Abstract: A system for collecting liquid spillage at rail facilities comprises relatively small and lightweight collector pan modules supported by the ties of a railroad track and sealingly joined together so as to extend alongside and between the rails of the track. The pans are individually formed to rest on the ties and for drainage empty into drain conduits provided between the ties.

Abstract: The exposed ends of railroad grade crossing platforms are protectively capped with elongate devices which provide ramps sloping downwardly and away from the surface of the platforms along the ends of the grade crossing. The ramps deflect air hoses, chains, etc. which occasionally hang downwardly from railroad cars and locomotives passing over the grade crossing, and, thus, prevent the free ends of such items from being caught on or damaged by the otherwise exposed ends of the grade crossing platforms. Ramp-supporting members extend in mutually spaced relationship from the underside of the ramp of each device so that in end view, the device has the shape of essentially a right triangle, whose hypotenuse is on the ramp surface and whose legs are partially formed by the respective supporting members and partially by the ramp. The opposite legs of the triangular shape are preferably unequal in length so that the cap devices can accommodate two different platform heights.