Tripcock

Quick meaning: Tripcock is a noun meaning (rail transport) A train-mounted safety device which interacts with a trackside device to stop a train automatically if it passes a signal at danger (showing a red light).

Meaning

(rail transport) A train-mounted safety device which interacts with a trackside device to stop a train automatically if it passes a signal at danger (showing a red light).

Example Sentences

Chiltern Class 165s are fitted with tripcocks to allow them to operate on LU infrastructure between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Amersham.

When a train runs onto the track, thus connecting the two rails, a short circuit is created, the current drops out and the signal switched to red. The system operates in conjunction with a lever on the tracks. If a train should pass a red light, the lever, which is called a tripcock, comes into play. The tripcock releases the air from the train's air-braking system, thus causing the brakes to come on and stopping the train.

Word Forms

• tripcocks

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include trip-switch, token, target, trafficator, torpedo, tablet.

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