catchpoints
English
Etymology
From catch + points
Noun
catchpoints (plural catchpoints)
- Alternative form of catch points
- 1940 November, “Notes and News: A Highland Collision”, in Railway Magazine, page 612:
- Among recommendations arising out of the accident were that greater attention should be devoted to the means of derailing runaways on lines so heavily graded as the Highland main line; were it double throughout, catch points would, of course, be laid in, but the catchpoint problem is a difficult one on a single line. In such a case as this electrically-operated catch points would be needed between Carrbridge and Slochd, facing in the up direction, and so controlled that the tablet for an up train could not be withdrawn from the Slochd instrument unless they were set and bolted for through running, whereas the withdrawal of a tablet for a down train would not be possible unless the catchpoints were open.
Usage notes
It can be noted in the attached quotation that both catch points and catchpoints are used; and that catchpoint is also used attributively.