Pun sort of intended in the title Does anyone know what this is and why? It's a lot of frogs for seemingly no reason, only on the left rail. Clicks a lot so there might be some arcane reason. Location according to description is just north of Wunstorf. Video link: Führerstandsfahrt: Hannover - Wunstorf - Minden - Herford - Bielefeld (3/2014) (youtube.com)
It was my first thought, but there are about 20 of them, 3 on the pic. The sleepers seem newer, and there is a guard rail. I wonder if it's some safety device to detect faulty wheels. When seeing what you describe - removed crossovers - it tends to have the blade on the frog side. Notably, only this track has them, the southbound opposite one doesn't.
Pretty pointless North of Wunstorf? Tough description, as the line goes from East to West there and doesn't go "North of Wunstorf" really. I'm just checking the video, it's southwest of Wunstorf. There were crossovers once, but GE only has good images from 2010 on, the crossovers were removed earlier it seems, probably the frogs were left in the rails as they are not causing any harm. Through the forest (14:05)
Seems odd to leave the frogs for so long, Given the increased maintenance costs that would be associated with them.
So that's why I didn't find it at all... I was guessing by the shadows. You say, the sun doesn't shine from the north? ps. edit: The reason I don't want to buy the leftover frogs argument is twofold - clearly newer sleepers, so many of them (like a ladder track, but this is a main), and the left rail and blade replaced except for the frog itself.
the catenary doesn't crossovers there it could also be a test program setup, cast frogs of different alloys, since not all alloys hold up equally well under loads over time
