Bridging platform arrangement

摘要

The invention relates to a bridging platform arrangement ( 20 ) for bridging a gap ( 16 ) between a railway rail ( 10 ) and an adjacent ground surface ( 14 ). The bridging platform arrangement ( 20 ) includes a bridging plate ( 58 ) and a mounting arrangement for mounting the bridging plate ( 58 ) between the railway rail ( 10 ) and the ground surface ( 14 ). In use, the mounting arrangement permits displacement of the bridging plate ( 58 ) between two positions-a first rest position in which the bridging plate ( 58 ) extends between respective upper surfaces of the railway rail ( 10 ) and the ground surface ( 14 ); and a second displaced position in which the bridging plate ( 58 ) is displaced below the first position so as to not interfere with the passage along the railway rail ( 10 ) of a wheel ( 1 ) of a railway vehicle. The mounting arrangement is operable to permit displacement of the bridging plate ( 58 ) from the first position to the second position under a railway vehicle load and to substantially maintain the first position when the bridging plate is engaged by a load substantially less than that of the railway vehicle load.