Abstract: This invention provides apparatus for slowing down the forward speed of severed head pieces or sample pieces issuing from a rolling mill at rolling mill speed, so that the severed pieces may be removed from the main processing line. This is achieved by providing a separate channel or track which may be switched into and out of the main processing line to receive the severed pieces, with the switching channel being in the form of a loop. Because of this shape, the forward speed of the pieces is reduced rapidly in a switching channel requiring very little space, not only because of its shape, but also because the curved course of the channel increases frictional engagement with the severed pieces, as opposed to a straight switching channel.