catch points

English

Noun

catch points (plural catch points)

1. (rail transport, UK) A set of points provided to derail rail vehicles out of control on a steep gradient.
   • 2020 April 8, David Clough, “How the West Coast wiring war was won”, in Rail, page 63:

     Many freights were not fully braked, and catch points were provided on steep gradients to derail runaway wagons. The points cost money to maintain and were a hassle when wrong-line working was needed. With the Settle-Carlisle Line available as an alternative, all catch points were removed over Shap, which meant only fully braked trains could traverse the route.

Alternative forms

• catchpoints

Related terms

• trap points