In many cases, such as rail yards, many switches can be found in a short section of track, sometimes with switches going both to the right and left (although it is better to keep these separated as much as feasible). Right-hand switches have a diverging path to the right of the straight track, when coming from the point blades, and a left-handed switch has the diverging track leaving to the opposite side. The handedness of the installation is described by the side that the diverging track leaves.
Ī switch generally has a straight "through" track (such as the main-line) and a diverging route. Passage through a switch in this direction is known as a trailing-point movement and switches that allow this type of movement are called trailable switches. it will be directed to one of the two paths, depending on the position of the points) is said to be executing a facing-point movement.įor many types of switch, a train coming from either of the converging directions will pass through the switch regardless of the position of the points, as the vehicle's wheels will force the points to move. A train moving from the narrow end toward the point blades (i.e.
These points can be moved laterally into one of two positions to direct a train coming from the point blades toward the straight path or the diverging path.
The most common type of switch consists of a pair of linked tapering rails, known as points ( switch rails or point blades), lying between the diverging outer rails (the stock rails). Switch blades in motion ( Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway light rail) Abt switch used in 1895 built Dresden Funicular Railway (photo of 1985)Ī railroad switch ( AE), turnout, or points ( BE) is a mechanical installation enabling railway trains to be guided from one track to another, such as at a railway junction or where a spur or siding branches off. Large stations may have hundreds of normal and double switches (Frankfurt am Main Central Station). Rail track A divides into two: track B (the straight track) and track C (the diverging track) note that the green line represents direction of travel only, the black lines represent fixed portions of track, and the red lines depict the moving components. JSTOR ( April 2015) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Ī right-hand railroad switch with point indicator pointing to right Animated diagram of a right-hand railroad switch.Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This article needs additional citations for verification.
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