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broom – quite similar to ice scrapers used today), or gas torches for melting ice and snow. Such operation are still used in some countries, especially for branch routes with only limited traffic (e.g. seasonal lines). Modern switches for heavily trafficked lines are typically equipped with switch heaters installed in the vicinity of their point rails so that the point rails will not be frozen onto the stock rail and can no longer move. These heaters may take the form of electric heating elements or gas burners mounted on the rail, a lineside burner blowing hot air through ducts, or other innovative methods (e.g. geothermal heat sink, etc.) to keep the point & stock rails above freezing temperatures. Where gas or electric heaters cannot be used due to logistic or economic constraints, anti-icing chemicals can sometimes be applied to create a barrier between the metal surfaces to prevent ice from forming between them (i.e. having frozen together by ice). Such approaches however, may not always be effective for extreme climates since these chemicals will be washed away over time, especially for heavily thrown switches that experience hundreds of throws daily.
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1937:, if the wheels on both sides of the car are connected by a rigid solid axle, only one switchpoint is needed to steer it onto one or the other track. The switchpoint will be on inside rail of the switch's curve route. When a streetcar enters the curve route of the switch, the wheel on the inside of the curve (the right side of the car on a right turn) is pulled into the turn, and through the axle, directs the wheel on the outside to also follow the curve. The outside wheel is supported for a short distance by its flange running in the groove.
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some switches, the shock, vibration, possibly in combination with slight heating caused by braking or a city microclimate, may cause the chunks of ice to fall off, jamming the switches. The heaters need time to melt the ice, so if service frequency is extremely high, there may not be enough time for the ice to melt before the next train arrives, which will then result in service disruptions. Possible solutions include installing higher capacity heaters, reducing the frequency of trains, or applying anti-icing chemicals such as
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other forms of three way turnouts an additional frog is required. Due to the inherent complexity of the arrangement, interlaced turnouts are normally only used in locations where space is exceptionally tight, such as station throats or industrial areas within large cities. Interlaced turnouts can also be found in some yards, where a series of switches branching off to the same side are placed so close together that the points of one switch are placed before the frog of the preceding switch.
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1694:) has trailing ends which diverge symmetrically and in opposite directions. The name originates from the similarity of their shape to that of the letter Y. Wye switches are usually used where space is at a premium. In North America this is also called an "equilateral switch" or "equilateral turnout". Common switches are more often associated with mainline speeds, whereas wye switches are generally low-speed yard switches.
163:
1672:
854:
1227:) is a narrow-angled diagonal flat crossing of two lines combined with four pairs of points in such a way as to allow vehicles to change from one straight track to the other, alternatively to going straight across. A train approaching the arrangement may leave by either of the two tracks on the opposite side of the crossing. To reach the third possible exit, the train must change tracks on the slip and then reverse.
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cannot switch tracks. This is normally used to allow access to sidings and improve safety by avoiding having switch blades facing the usual direction of traffic. To reach the sidings from what would be a facing direction, trains must continue over the crossing, then reverse along the curved route (usually onto the other line of a double track) and can then move forward over the crossing into the siding.
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dedicated short length of track, or formed from a section of a second, continuous, parallel line), and also allows trains coming from either direction to switch between lines; otherwise, the only way for a train coming from the opposite direction to use a switch would be to stop, and reverse through the switch onto the other line, and then continue forwards (or stop, if it is being used as a siding).
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the train will diverge to the right. If the right point is connected, the right wheel's flange will be guided along the rail of that point, and the train will continue along the straight track. Only one of the points may be connected to the facing track at any time; the two points are mechanically locked together to ensure that this is always the case.
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1953:
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958:. This is an example of a low switch stand, used at locations where there is not sufficient clearance for a tall switch stand. This particular stand is designed to be trailed through by rolling stock, which will cause the points to become lined for the route that the wheels have passed through. It has a reflectorized target.
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carriage and was dragging on the ground. While passing through the station at
Eschede it threw a switch, causing the rear wheels of the car to switch onto a track diverging from the track taken by the front wheels. The car was thereby thrown into and destroyed the piers supporting a 300-tonne roadway overpass.
2092:
As a general rule, the smaller the crossing angle of a turnout, the higher the turnout speed. In North
America, turnouts are rated numerically, which represents the ratio of divergence per length as measured at the frog. A rule of thumb is that the rated speed of a switch (in miles per hour) is twice
1971:
A rotary switch rotates about its long axis to present a track connection to a chosen set of tracks. Physically, it flips over (rotates about its long axis 180 degrees) to connect to the chosen set of tracks. Once the rotary switch is secured the train can proceed. Cog alignment is maintained in both
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are installed on the running line itself, where the railway climbs at a steep gradient. They are used to prevent runaway vehicles colliding with another train further down the slope. In some cases, catch points lead into a sand drag to safely stop the runaway vehicle, which may be traveling at speed.
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are used to protect main lines from stray or runaway cars, or from trains passing signals set at danger. In these cases, vehicles would otherwise roll onto and foul (obstruct) the main line and cause a collision. Depending on the situation in which they are used, run-off points are referred to either
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is similar to the double or single slip switches described above, except that the switch blades are outside of the diamond instead of inside. An advantage over an inside slip switch is that trains can pass the slips with higher speeds. A disadvantage over an inside slip switch is that they are longer
1011:
A set of points on the
Strathspey Railway in Scotland. The facing point lock in the middle will need to be withdrawn using the blue lever (behind) on the left before the points themselves can be moved using the black lever (front). Once the points have been moved the lock will be pushed in again with
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mechanism that aligns the points with one of the possible routes. The motor is usually controlled remotely by the dispatcher (signaller in the UK). The switch motor also includes electrical contacts to detect that the switch has completely set and locked. If the switch fails to do this, the governing
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on the insides of the wheels. When the wheels reach the switch, the wheels are guided along the route determined by which of the two points is connected to the track facing the switch. In the illustration, if the left point is connected, the left wheel will be guided along the rail of that point, and
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One advantage of wye switches is that they can have a coarser frog angle using the same radius of curvature than a common switch. This means that they give rise to a less severe speed restriction than the diverging branch of a common switch, without having to resort to more expensive switches with a
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is a method of splitting a track into three or more divergent paths. It is an arrangement of two standard turnouts, usually one left- and one right-handed, in an "interlaced" fashion. The points of the second turnout are positioned between the points and the frog of the first turnout. In common with
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lacks the tapered points (point blades) of a typical switch. Instead, both the movable rails and the ends of the rails of the diverging routes have their ends cut off square. The switch mechanism aligns the movable rails with the rails of one of the diverging routes. In 19th century US railroad use,
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works on the same principle as a double slip, but provides for only one switching possibility. Trains approaching on one of the two crossing tracks can either continue over the crossing, or switch tracks to the other line. However, trains from the other track can only continue over the crossing, and
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The divergence and length of a switch is determined by the angle of the frog (the point in the switch where two rails cross, see below) and the angle or curvature of the switch blades. The length and placement of the other components are determined from this using established formulas and standards.
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Generally, switches are designed to be safely traversed at low speed. However, it is possible to modify the simpler types of switch to allow trains to pass at high speed. More complicated switch systems, such as double slips, are restricted to low-speed operation. On
European high-speed lines, it is
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Such switches are usually implemented on the basis of increasing the safe crossing speed. Open blades impose a speed restriction, due to the potential of the crossing impact fracturing the rail as both wheels on each axle hit the crossing gaps almost simultaneously. Switched blades, as shown in the
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systems. There are various possible scenarios involving the routes that trains on each gauge may take, including the two gauges separating or one gauge being able to choose between diverging paths and the other not. Because of the extra track involved, dual gauge switches have more points and frogs
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Catch points originate from the days of the 'unfitted' goods (freight) train. As these trains tended to consist of either completely unbraked wagons (relying entirely on the locomotive's own brakes), or ones with unlinked, manually applied brakes (necessitating a stop at the top of steep downgrades
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The complexity of symmetrical switches usually results in speed restrictions, therefore three-way switches are most often used in stations or depots where space is restricted and low speeds are normal. Symmetrical switches were used quite often on Swiss narrow-gauge railways. Asymmetrical three-way
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The arrangement gives the possibility of setting four routes, but because only one route can be traversed at a time, the four blades at each end of the crossing are often connected to move in unison, so the crossing can be worked by just two levers or point motors. This gives the same functionality
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Turnouts were originally built with straight switch blades, which ended at the pointed end with a sharp angle. These switches cause a bump when the train traverses in the turnout direction. The switch blades could be made with a curved point which meets the stockrail at a tangent, causing less of a
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The
Eschede train disaster in 1998 in Germany was one of the world's deadliest high-speed train accidents, resulting in 101 deaths. It occurred when a wheel rim of an ICE train failed at 200 kilometres per hour (120 mph), partially derailing the car. The wheel rim went through the floor of the
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In the United
Kingdom points and crossings using chaired bullhead rail would be referred to using a letter and number combination. The letter would define the length (and hence the radius) of the switch blades and the number would define the angle of the crossing (frog). Thus an A7 turnout would be
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between them. In many cases, where a switch is supplied to leave a track, a second is supplied to allow the train to reenter the track some distance down the line; this allows the track to serve as a siding, allowing a train to get off the track to allow traffic to pass (this siding can either be a
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are provided at the exit from a siding or where a goods line joins a line that may be used by passenger trains. Unless they have been specifically set to allow traffic to pass onto the main line, the trap points will direct any approaching vehicle away from the main line. This may simply result in
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in the rails (meaning lighter rails), or an extra joint at which they hinge. Therefore, these switches cannot be traversed at high speed or by heavy traffic and so are not suitable for main line use. A further disadvantage is that a stub switch being approached from the diverging route that is not
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are used where the moving points meet the fixed rails of the switch. They allow the points to hinge easily between their positions. Originally the movable switch blades were connected to the fixed closure rails with loose joints, but since steel is somewhat flexible it is possible to obviate this
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Heating alone may not always be enough to keep switches functioning under snowy conditions. Wet snow conditions, which generate particularly sticky snow and whiteout conditions, may occur at temperatures just below freezing, causing chunks of ice to accumulate on trains. When trains traverse over
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point rails, essentially inhibiting the proper operation of railroad switches. Historically, railway companies have employees keep their railroad switches clear of snow and ice by sweeping the snow away using switch brooms (Basically wire brooms with a chisel attached onto the opposite end of the
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The off-railer is a system of installing a turnout over and above some plain track, without having to cut or replace that track. It is useful for installing temporary branches on agricultural railways, and sidings for track machines on mainline rails. Special ramps lift the wheels off the normal
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In a setup where each of the two tracks normally carries trains of only one direction, a crossover can be used either to detour "wrong-rail" around an obstruction or to reverse direction. A crossover can also join two tracks of the same direction, possibly a pair of local and express tracks, and
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In the United
Kingdom, FPLs were common from an early date, due to laws being passed which forced the provision of FPLs for any routes traveled by passenger trains – it was, and still is, illegal for a passenger train to make a facing move over points without them being locked, either by a point
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has the diverging track leaving to the opposite side. 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). Sometimes a switch merely
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rack railway, the rack must be continuous through the switch. The
Dolderbahn switch works by bending all three rails, an operation that is performed every trip as the two trains pass in the middle. The Štrbské Pleso and Schynige Platte Strub rack system instead relies on a complex set of moving
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incorporates the tapered points of a typical switch into a self-contained plate. Each point blade is moved separately by hand. Plate switches are only used for double-flanged wheels, with wheels running through the plates on their flanges, guided by the edges of the plate and the movable blade.
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The frog end of the switched crossing, despite still having a gap in one rail, is less problematic in this regard. The outer rail is still continuous, the wing rail (the part that turns out, after the frog gap) provides a gradual transition, and the check rail avoids the possibility of points
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the points (end up going down both tracks) if the points were to move underneath the train. During trailing moves, the wheels of a train will force the points into the correct position if they attempt to move, although this may cause considerable damage. This act is known as a "run through".
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switches are more common, because they do not have speed restrictions compared to standard switches. However, because of their higher maintenance cost due to special parts as well as asymmetric wear, both types of three-way switches are replaced with two standard switches wherever possible.
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Points might move due to the extreme forces exerted by a passing train. In an especially noteworthy and extreme case, a switch's setting was forcibly changed as a result of a disintegrated duo block wheel getting caught in a switch. This caused one of the world's worst rail disasters, the
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Single point switches, known as Tongue and Plain Mate switches, are sometimes used on freight railways in slow speed operation in paved areas such as in ports. In the United States, they are regulated by provision 213.135(i) of the
Federal Railroad Administration Track Safety Standards.
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is an active trackwork assembly used where the crossing angle between two tracks is too shallow for totally passive trackwork: the unguided sections of each rail would overlap. These vaguely resemble two standard points assembled very closely toe-to-toe. These would also often utilize
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were introduced to make sure that a signal could only be set to allow a train to proceed over points when it was safe to do so. Purely mechanical interlockings were eventually developed into integrated systems with electric control. On some low-traffic branch lines, in self-contained
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An outside slip switch can be so long that its slips do not overlap at all, as in the example pictured. In such a case a single, outside slip switch is the same as two regular switches and a regular crossing. Double outside slip switches are only used in rare, specific cases.
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If the points are rigidly connected to the switch control mechanism, the control mechanism's linkages may be bent, requiring repair before the switch is again usable. For this reason, switches are normally set to the proper position before performing a trailing-point movement.
1940:
Some low floor streetcar designs use split axles (a separate half-axle for the wheel on each side of the car). Such streetcars are unsuitable for use with single-point switches as there would be no mechanism to transfer the force from the inner to outer wheels at switches.
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connected by the points would result in a derailment. Yet another disadvantage is that in very hot weather, expansion of the steel in the rails can cause the movable rails to stick to the stock rails, making switching impossible until the rails have cooled and contracted.
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1967:
Rotary switches are sometimes used on cog railways to maintain alignment of the cog with two different tracks. They are used on the
Pilatus Cog Railway to allow up-bound and down-bound trains to pass each other on a grade while sharing the remainder of the single track.
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works by derailing any vehicle passing over it. There are different types of derailers, but in some cases they consist of a single switch point installed in a track. The point can be pulled into a position to derail any equipment that is not supposed to pass through.
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for the guard to walk along the train and set the brakes on each wagon in turn), they also lacked any mechanism to automatically brake runaway cars. Catch points were therefore required to stop the rear portion of a poorly coupled train that might break away whilst
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For 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. Passage through a switch in this direction is known as a
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coming from the point blades toward the straight path or the diverging path. A train moving from the narrow end toward the point blades (i.e. it will be directed to one of the two paths, depending on the position of the points) is said to be executing a
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as they transition from one rail to another. The wider gauge only encounters continuous rail so is unaffected by the exchange. At dual gauge turntables, a similar arrangement is used to move the narrow-gauge track from one side to a central position.
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of two points placed end to end. These compact (albeit complex) switches usually are found only in locations where space is limited, such as station throats (i.e. approaches) where a few main lines spread out to reach any of numerous platform tracks.
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not uncommon to find switches where a speed of 200 km/h (124 mph) or more is allowed on the diverging branch. Switches were passed over at a speed of 560 km/h (348 mph) (straight) during the French world speed run of April 2007.
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look like a part of a railroad switch, but have a completely different purpose, namely to compensate for the shrinkage or expansion of the road bed – e.g. typically, a larger steel bridge – due to changes in temperature, to avoid
1869:, where locomotives always have multiple driving pinions, it is possible to simplify turnouts by interrupting the rack rail, so long as the interruption is shorter than the spacing between the drive pinions on the locomotives.
491:
In a trailing-point movement (running through the switch in the wrong direction while they are set to turn off the track), the flanges on the wheels will force the points to the proper position. This is sometimes known as
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bump, but the disadvantage is that the metal at the point is thin and necessarily weak. A solution to these conflicting requirements was found in the 1920s on the German Reichsbahn. The first step was to have different
849:. The shiny line crosses the rusty line. This North American "self-guarding cast manganese" component without guard rails has raised flanges on the crossing, which may bear on the face of the wheel as it passes through.
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One advantage to stub switches is that they work better in the snow. The sideways action of the point rails pushes snow to the side, instead of packing the snow between the points and the rail in a more modern design.
1734:
Catch points are usually held in the 'derail' position by a spring. They can be set to allow a train to pass safely in the downhill direction using a lever or other mechanism to override the spring for a short time.
723:. The front wheels of a coach progressed along the straight track as intended, but the rear wheels slewed along the diverging track. This caused the whole coach to detach from the train and slew sideways across the
995:(sleepers) that extend from the switch at the points. They are often used in a place of a switch motor on less frequently used switches. In some places, the lever may be some distance from the points, as part of a
2183:
Turnouts are large pieces of rail infrastructure which may be too big, wide, or heavy to transport in one piece. Special wagons can carry the pieces at approximately 45° from vertical, so that they fit within the
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An example of a mechanism used at a switch. The two points are linked together with a throw bar (also known as a stretcher bar). The throw bar extends to the lever on the near side of the track, which is used to
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a steep grade – although they would also stop vehicles that ran away for any other reason. Now that trains are all 'fitted' (and broken couplings are far less common), catch points are mostly obsolete.
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is a short piece of rail placed alongside the main (stock) rail opposite the crossing. These ensure that the wheels follow the appropriate flangeway through the frog and that the train does not derail.
469:). Historically, this would require a lever to be moved by a human operator, and some switches are still controlled this way. However, most are now operated by a remotely controlled actuator called a
727:
ahead. The movement of the switch occurred beneath the final coach, so that the preceding coaches remained on the track. Poor maintenance of the points was found to be the primary cause of the crash.
581:
In North America this is generally referred to as a switch's "number". For example, on a "number 12" switch, the rails are one unit apart at a distance of twelve units from the center of the frog.
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moving frog. For this reason they are sometimes used on a main line where it splits into two equally important branches or at the ends of a single track section in an otherwise double track line.
869:
The crossing is the component that enables passage of wheels on either route through the turnout. It can be assembled out of several appropriately cut and bent pieces of rail or can be a single
1844:, it is common to place turnouts only in relatively flat areas where the rack is not needed. On systems where only the pinion is driven and the conventional rail wheels are idlers, such as the
830:
In some cases, the switch blades can be heat treated for improvement of their service life. There are different kinds of heat treatment processes such as edge hardening or complete hardening.
200:
378:
described the system that he developed which used a single iron blade, hinged on a vertical pin that was tapered to lie against the plateway. By 1808, Curr's basic design was in common use.
313:
A switch generally has a straight "through" track (such as the main-line) and a diverging route. The handedness of the installation is described by the side that the diverging track leaves.
2188:. Once all the pieces have arrived, the turnout is assembled sleeper by sleeper on site. A set of turnouts may be trial assembled beforehand off site, to check that everything fits.
1472:
The rails leading up to a stub switch are not secured to the sleepers for several feet, and rail alignment across the gap is not positively enforced. Stub switches also require some
1999:
When a tram track is interrupted during repairs, a set of temporary points may be placed on top of existing track to allow trams to cross to the parallel track. These are known as
1420:
On a crowded system, routine use of crossovers (or switches in general) will reduce throughput, as use of the switch blocks multiple tracks. For this reason, on some high-capacity
1530:
In areas with very low speeds, like depots, and on railroads that had to be built very cheaply, like logging railroads, three-way switches were sometimes built as stub switches.
939:
signal is kept at red (stop). There is also usually some kind of manual handle for operating the switch in emergencies, such as power failures, or for maintenance purposes.
1484:
Stub switches were more common in the very early days of railways and their tramway predecessors. Now, because of their disadvantages, stub switches are used primarily on
488:. This both allows for remote control and monitoring and for the use of stiffer, strong switches that would be too difficult to move by hand, yet allow for higher speeds.
1797:
A related formation is the 'swish' or rail exchange, where (usually) the common rail changes sides. These have no moving parts, the narrower gauge wheels being guided by
3414:
1898:. In the UK, where the angle of divergence is shallower than 1 in 8 (center-line measure) a switched diamond will be found rather than a passive or fixed diamond.
648:
Tampering with a manually operable switch or operation errors in an interlocking may result in two trains being on the same track, potentially causing a collision.
182:); 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.
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1865:
points which assemble the rack in the traversed direction and simultaneously clear the crossed direction conventional rails. In some rack systems, such as the
991:) is a lever and accompanying linkages to align the points of a switch by hand. The lever and its accompanying hardware is usually mounted to a pair of long
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1906:
splitting. This can be seen in how, under examination, the wing rail has a wider polished section, showing how the wheel load is transferred across the gap.
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the vehicle being derailed, but in some cases a sand drag is used, especially where the vehicle is likely to be a runaway traveling at speed due to a slope.
1501:
496:. Some switches are designed to be forced to the proper position without damage. Examples include variable switches, spring switches, and weighted switches.
199:
2724:
1351:
1028:, is a device which, as the name implies, locks a set of points in position, as well as mechanically proving that they are in the correct position. The
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very short and likely only to be found in tight places like dockyards whereas an E12 would be found as a fairly high speed turnout on a mainline.
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A train might stand so close to the frog of a switch that a passing train would collide with its side (the first train is then said to have been
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1894:
at the outer ends to ensure complete wheel support in the same way as provided on shallow angle turnouts. In North America these are known as
2904:
2653:
1511:
is used to split a railroad track into three divergent paths rather than the more usual two. There are two types of three-way switches. In a
433:, the red track is the one traveled during a facing-point movement. The switch mechanism, shown in black, may be operated remotely using an
589:
1070:
for the stock rails and switch rails, with the switch rails being about 25 mm (0.98 in) less high, and stockier in the middle.
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1902:
photograph, allow a much higher speed across the gap by providing an essentially continuous piece of rail across the gap on both sides.
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819:
refers to the entire mechanism. In professional parlance, the term refers only to the movable rails and the entire mechanism is named
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part of the name refers to the fact that they prevent movement of the points during facing moves, where a train could potentially
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83:
1378:, allowing a train on one track to cross over to the other. Like the switches themselves, crossovers can be described as either
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833:
The cross-section of the switch blades also influences performance. New tangential blades perform better than old-style blades.
1944:
A single-point switch is cheaper to build, especially in street trackage, as there is no need to link to a second switchpoint.
808:) are the movable rails which guide the wheels towards either the straight or the diverging track. They are tapered, except on
513:
913:(in this case an electric motor) and associated mechanism used to operate this switch can be seen to the right in the picture.
719:, in the United Kingdom, occurred when a switch sprang to a different position as a coach crossed it, a type of mishap called
130:
3400:
2393:, Charles Fox, "Arrangement of Rails, for Causing a Train to Pass from One Line to Another", published 1838-08-15
1198:
Apart from the standard right-hand and left-hand switches, switches commonly come in various combinations of configurations.
87:
102:
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became more common in the eighteenth century, cast iron components were made to build switches with check rails. In 1797,
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divides one track into two; at others, it serves as a connection between two or more parallel tracks, allowing a train to
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3728:
3692:
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2230:
2197:
1107:
2762:, John H. Morgan, "Switching or Crossover Device for Traction Rack Rail Systems", published 18 October 1904
1389:
When two crossovers are present in opposite directions, one after the other, the four-switch configuration is called a
737:
On 31 July 1991, several cars derailed, killing seven passengers, due to a missing locking pin on the switch mechanism.
569:
109:
2203:
342:, while still in the same direction. Switches consume a relatively high proportion of a railway maintenance budget.
3626:
2877:
1980:
1094:: The point of the V-shaped rail is moved to align the rail in the appropriate direction where the two rails cross.
999:
or ground frame. To prevent the tampering of switches by outside means, these switches are locked when not in use.
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1134:
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2897:
2483:"63 FR 39343 – Automatic Train Control and Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System; Northeast Corridor Railroads"
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223:
116:
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1914:
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592:, switch curvatures were specified from A (sharpest) to F (shallowest), with the following corresponding radii:
55:
This article primarily uses North American terminology. British and Commonwealth terms are given in parentheses.
3334:
2482:
2275:. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Research and Development. 1981.
1919:
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Simple single-bladed switches were used on early wooden railways to move wagons between tracks. As iron-railed
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is not always present; for example, both tracks may curve, one to the left and one to the right (such as for a
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1984:
Temporary or 'Californian' points installed on tramline 81 at the junction of Avenue Louise and Rue Bailli
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Large stations may have hundreds of normal and double switches (Frankfurt am Main main station, Germany).
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1538:
2697:
1448:
3450:
3440:
3174:
2890:
2759:
1485:
1255:
247:
2002:
1215:
A double switch, or double slip—the points are set to connect the upper left and lower right tracks.
3631:
3536:
3503:
3249:
3021:
2390:
2208:
1717:
1645:
1362:
731:
482:
317:
have a diverging path to the right of the straight track, when coming from the point blades, and a
42:
2029:
1832:
switches are as varied as rack-railway technologies. Where use of the rack is optional, as on the
1595:
162:
3561:
3357:
3294:
3280:
3234:
3164:
2317:
2007:
1891:
1585:
1155:
1091:
1067:
2530:
1614:
1211:
1712:
1366:
A scissors crossover: two pairs of switches linking two tracks to each other in both directions
1326:
1301:
3659:
3362:
3107:
2853:
2845:
2649:
2622:
2340:
2309:
2246:
1634:
1618:
1466:
578:
This divergence is measured as the number of units of length for a single unit of separation.
174:
Animated diagram of a right-hand railroad switch. Rail track A divides into two: track B (the
123:
3697:
3664:
3621:
3611:
3584:
3319:
3289:
3284:
2955:
2299:
1810:
1630:
1622:
1339:
1163:
724:
414:
410:
235:
49:
623:
Switches are necessary for the operation of a railway, but they do pose a number of risks:
425:
404:
to control the movement of trains over the points. Eventually, mechanical systems known as
3702:
3687:
3654:
3594:
3546:
3531:
3521:
3513:
3367:
3239:
3194:
3036:
2960:
2950:
2840:
2745:
2185:
2061:
1957:
1861:
1822:
1778:
1626:
1429:
874:
611:
558:
259:
607:
C – 980 feet (298.70 m) – scissors or simple crossover with a 1 in 10 crossing angle
548:
Under cold weather conditions, snow and ice can prevent the proper movement of switch or
306:
and switches that allow this type of movement without damage to the mechanism are called
2504:
2288:"Dynamic characteristics of a switch and crossing on the West Coast main line in the UK"
1727:
as trap points or catch points. Derailers are another device used for the same purpose.
1440:
1053:
looseness by thinning a short section of the rail's bottom itself. This can be called a
1007:
681:
express was derailed at high speed after being inadvertently switched into a siding via
657:
Switch-related accidents caused by one or more of these risks have occurred, including:
170:
3674:
3636:
3604:
3566:
3526:
3423:
3229:
3214:
3139:
3112:
3041:
2914:
2252:
2219:
1671:
1649:
1568:
1410:
1159:
853:
474:
434:
401:
359:
335:
208:
3717:
3599:
3576:
3493:
3470:
3432:
3329:
3324:
3314:
3275:
3219:
3127:
3122:
3090:
3073:
2940:
2922:
2719:
2321:
1934:
1421:
716:
470:
273:
The most common type of switch consists of a pair of linked tapering rails, known as
267:
2175:
3616:
3589:
3488:
3478:
3445:
3259:
3209:
3189:
3149:
3051:
3031:
3016:
2995:
2990:
2980:
2594:
2241:
1866:
1829:
1814:
1707:
992:
962:
682:
446:
438:
405:
355:
544:
Similarly, an electric forced-air heater can keep a switch free from snow and ice.
540:
17:
2053:
in Dutch. They may be welded into place and allow trams to pass at walking pace.
1393:. If the crossovers in different directions overlap to form an ×, it is dubbed a
1173:
are provided in order to ensure there are no gaps in the electrical power supply.
3682:
3541:
3184:
3144:
3056:
2783:
1833:
1604:
1473:
1424:
systems, crossovers between local and express tracks are not used during normal
996:
712:
700:, on 12 April 2001. To prevent these incidents, most unused switches are locked.
678:
670:
549:
520: 26.5 turnout that has speed limit of 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) and
454:
389:
263:
255:
65:
2618:"NTSB: Misaligned Switch Directed 'Silver Star' into Parked CSX Autorack Train"
2304:
2287:
1794:
than their single gauge counterparts. This limits speeds even more than usual.
186:
3551:
3341:
3307:
3302:
3254:
3179:
3154:
3095:
3061:
2945:
2871:
2560:"Train Derailment at Grayrigg, Cumbria 23 February 2007 – RAIB Interim Report"
2410:
2077:
1845:
1790:
1564:
1375:
815:
In popular parlance in the UK and most other Commonwealth countries, the term
764:
This detail of a switch shows the pair of tapered moveable rails known as the
645:
The necessary maintenance of the complex mechanical device might be neglected.
627:
Reversing the points under a moving train will almost always derail the train.
478:
393:
2849:
2669:
2313:
2233: – Shortest allowable design radius for the centerline of railway tracks
1169:, keep supporting the full weight of the trains as they go through switches.
873:
of manganese steel. On lines with heavy use, the casting may be treated with
289:). These points can be moved laterally into one of two positions to direct a
3498:
3483:
3080:
3046:
3026:
2975:
2965:
2857:
2214:
2179:
Transport of switches by rail creates problems as they are so long and wide.
1425:
1185:
1170:
1140:
935:
931:
666:
532:
430:
375:
219:
38:
1877:
1849:
967:
966:
The manual switch of track drive manufactured by Walter Hoene, the port of
465:
A mechanism is provided to move the points from one position to the other (
2286:
Shih, Jou-Yi; Weston, Paul; Entezami, Mani; Roberts, Clive (1 June 2022).
1496:
1122:
A ground frame contains a few levers for manually operating nearby points:
760:
350:
3117:
2935:
2505:"Information on Winter Operation by Dutch Infrastructure Manager Prorail"
2236:
2066:
1993:
1857:
1841:
1166:
1106:
Several different styles of old American switch stands on display at the
689:
485:
371:
3392:
905:
2808:
1456:—this switch has an additional piece of movable rail instead of a frog.
1409:. This makes for a very compact track layout at the expense of using a
902:
are often used on very sharp curves, even where there are no switches.
363:
251:
2882:
2678:. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 29 January 1906. p. 7
841:
827:. Turnout and switch are terms used in North America in all contexts.
688:
Wrecks caused by switches being thrown open in front of the trains by
381:
The use of a sprung rail, giving a smooth transition, was patented by
3199:
2162:
1760:
674:
458:
339:
1952:
1428:
service, and service patterns are planned around use of the usually
734:
of 23 February 2007 blamed an incorrectly maintained set of points.
573:
A low-speed #6 right-hand switch between a main line and a rail yard
396:
constructed near the tracks through an elaborate system of rods and
2540:. London Midland & Scottish Railway. 1928. pp. 8–17, 55–64
166:
A right-hand railroad switch with point indicator pointing to right
37:"Set of points" redirects here. For the mathematical concepts, see
2174:
2127:
In New South Wales standard turnouts of tangential types include:
2076:
1979:
1951:
1913:
1876:
1809:
1777:
1711:
1670:
1537:
1495:
1447:
1439:
1361:
1325:
1300:
1210:
1006:
961:
948:
904:
852:
840:
787:
779:
759:
568:
539:
531:
524: 32.7 with speed limit of 80 miles per hour (129 km/h).
450:
424:
397:
349:
290:
214:
193:
185:
169:
161:
1960:
turnout consisting of a bridge that rotates about its lengthwise
2110:
Higher speed turnouts have also been used in the United States:
1961:
1930:
1234:
In North American English, the arrangement may also be called a
3396:
2886:
1515:, the left and right branches diverge at the same place. In an
516:
has published the speed limits for higher-speed turnouts with
392:, switches at heavily traveled junctions were operated from a
59:
2838:
Cooper, Basil (February 1984). "Points, Locks & Bolts".
744:
on a siding due to a misaligned switch, killing two crewmen.
740:
Twenty-seven years later, on 4 August 2018, the Silver Star
417:, switches may still have the earlier type of interlocking.
354:
Control stand of a defunct railroad switch on the way from
48:"Pointwork" redirects here. For the ballet technique, see
1465:
the stub switch was typically used in conjunction with a
1041:
lock, or temporarily clamped in one position or another.
2778:
2776:
2774:
2362:
The Coal Viewer and Engine Builder's Practical Companion
2215:
Funicular § Turnout systems for two-rail funiculars
1679:
on the mainline, leading to a single-track bridge, near
1563:
track, and then the off-railer curves away as required.
1523:. Both types of three-way switches require three frogs.
2222: – Overlap configuration to narrow track formation
2569:. Rail Accident Investigation Branch. 26 February 2007
2531:"Drawings of Standard Railway Equipment Permanent Way"
27:
Mechanism to transfer trains from one track to another
2433:. (c) 2005 General Code of Operating Rules Committee.
2089:
Turnout speeds are governed by a number of factors.
1519:, the branches diverge in a staggered way using two
1500:
A three-way stub switch at Sheepscot station on the
3673:
3645:
3575:
3512:
3469:
3431:
3350:
3268:
3163:
3009:
2921:
2698:"Requirements in regard to the Opening of Railways"
1280:("english one", literally "Englishman") in German.
90:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
2616:Edmonson, R.G.; Sweeney, Steve (4 February 2018).
536:Gas heating keeps a switch free from snow and ice.
1374:is a pair of switches that connects two parallel
1305:A double, outside slip in Heidelberg main station
970:before 1945, on the site of the former fuel depot
2249: – Device for turning railway rolling stock
1162:track to guide trains. Rubber tires, rolling on
285:), lying between the diverging outer rails (the
930:(point motor or point machine) is an electric,
812:in industrial sidings, which have square ends.
2844:. EMAP National Publications. pp. 60–61.
2477:
2475:
2431:General Code of Operating Rules, Fifth Edition
2273:Railroad Classification Yard Technology Manual
1417:allow trains to switch from one to the other.
1258:. In Italian, the term for a double switch is
1012:the blue lever to lock the points in position.
3408:
2898:
2788:"TTC Unveils New Streetcar Design and Mockup"
2588:Clark, Chuck; Davidson, Tom (2 August 1991).
1259:
8:
2021:
2015:
2000:
1885:Although not strictly speaking a turnout, a
1502:Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway
1352:
1345:
1337:
1331:
1275:
429:The operation of a railroad switch. In this
338:), or both tracks may curve, with differing
2725:Light Railway Research Society of Australia
2048:
2042:
2027:
1625:lines intersecting with east and westbound
1269:
601:
3415:
3401:
3393:
2905:
2891:
2883:
1405:; or, due to the diamond in the center, a
457:of the wheels, rather than relying on the
2648:. New York: John Wiley. pp. 5, 570.
2590:"Boca Man among 7 Killed in Amtrak Wreck"
2412:Feynman: How the Train Stays on the Track
2303:
453:are primarily guided along the tracks by
209:Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway light rail
150:Learn how and when to remove this message
1881:A switch diamond at a junction in the UK
1444:Closeup of a stub switch in Pennsylvania
685:operated points, resulting in 18 deaths.
437:or hand-operated lever or from a nearby
388:Prior to the widespread availability of
250:) is a mechanical installation enabling
2339:. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Transport.
2264:
2200: – New York City Subway derailment
2123: 32.7: 80 mph (130 km/h)
1520:
1432:at each end of the local-express line.
1077:
692:, as in the non-fatal derailments near
400:. The levers were also used to control
2741:
2730:
2117: 26.5: 60 mph (97 km/h)
1567:has such a system. It is similar to a
596:B – 613 feet (186.84 m) – simple
2337:The Railway: British Track Since 1804
1988:, a.k.a. Louisalaan and Baljuwstraat
7:
2106: 20: 40 mph (64 km/h)
2100: 15: 30 mph (48 km/h)
1613:Interlaced turnouts on the elevated
1250:, and the switch is also known as a
1246:in the United Kingdom used the term
756:Switchrails or points (point blades)
614:switch with a 1 in 12 crossing angle
590:London, Midland and Scottish Railway
88:adding citations to reliable sources
837:Crossing (frog or common crossing)
742:crashed into a parked freight train
25:
2485:. Federal Railroad Administration
2419:. BBC TV – via YouTube.com.
610:D – 1,379 feet (420.32 m) –
2567:Assets.Publishing.Service.gov.uk
2226:Glossary of rail transport terms
2161:
1603:
1594:
1178:
1147:
1133:
1115:
1099:
1083:
64:
2707:. British Board of Trade. 1892.
2335:Dow, Andrew (30 October 2014).
1716:Trap points at the exit from a
1158:use conventional points on the
709:May 2002 Potters Bar rail crash
514:Federal Railroad Administration
75:needs additional citations for
3460:
2873:How a Railway Frog Point Works
2379:. London: The Railway Gazette.
2120:
2114:
2103:
2097:
597:
521:
517:
1:
2646:Dynamic Behavior of Materials
2211: – Railway switch device
1918:A single-point switch on the
1838:West Coast Wilderness Railway
1517:asymmetrical three-way switch
528:Operation in cold conditions
254:trains to be guided from one
2242:Rack railway § Switches
2231:Minimum railway curve radius
2198:1928 Times Square derailment
1782:A dual-gauge switch in Japan
1513:symmetrical three-way switch
1274:in Dutch and, occasionally,
1108:Mid-Continent Railway Museum
1061:Straight and curved switches
730:The interim report into the
696:, on 12 August 1992, and in
2429:Rules 8.9, 8.15, and 8.18,
2364:. Sheffield: John Northall.
2292:Railway Engineering Science
2204:Centralized traffic control
2167:1 in 16, for 100 km/h
1110:in North Freedom, Wisconsin
975:Switch stand (points lever)
3750:
3627:Cross-platform interchange
3113:Transfer table (traverser)
2595:Ft Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
2305:10.1007/s40534-021-00269-4
1758:
1705:
1238:, or more colloquially, a
884:
877:to increase service life.
494:running through the switch
54:
47:
36:
29:
3557:Switch / turnout / points
3547:Grand circle / roundabout
3101:ground-level power supply
2727:. April 2013. p. 12.
2377:The Evolution of Railways
2237:Monorail § Switching
1746:Similar to catch points,
1583:Chicago Transit Authority
1268:. Likewise, it is called
875:explosive shock hardening
258:to another, such as at a
224:Dresden Funicular Railway
207:Switch blades in motion (
3724:Mechanisms (engineering)
2644:Meyers, Marc A. (1994).
2409:Richard Feynman (1983).
2375:Lee, Charles E. (1937).
2023:aiguillages californiens
1920:Toronto streetcar system
3086:Railway electrification
2670:"Scene of the Accident"
1819:Schynige Platte Railway
1681:Ravenstein, Netherlands
1079:Components and switches
881:Guard rail (check rail)
673:, in Ireland, when the
663:Buttevant Rail Disaster
304:trailing-point movement
222:used in the 1895-built
32:Switch (disambiguation)
2444:"Points and Crossings"
2180:
2171:Assembly and transport
2139:NSW 1 in 8.25 crossing
2093:the numerical rating:
2086:
2049:
2043:
2028:
2022:
2016:
2001:
1996:
1964:
1922:
1896:movable-point diamonds
1882:
1836:in Switzerland or the
1826:
1783:
1720:
1683:
1633:lines and the looping
1546:
1504:
1457:
1445:
1367:
1359:
1353:
1346:
1338:
1332:
1330:A double crossover at
1306:
1276:
1270:
1260:
1248:double compound points
1216:
1013:
971:
959:
914:
887:Guard rails (railroad)
866:
850:
793:
785:
777:
633:Eschede train disaster
574:
545:
537:
442:
367:
227:
212:
191:
183:
167:
3225:Platform screen doors
2705:RailwaysArchive.co.uk
2178:
2083:Wazir Mansion Station
2081:A railroad switch in
2080:
2050:Californische wissels
1983:
1955:
1917:
1880:
1813:
1806:Rack-railway switches
1781:
1715:
1674:
1617:north and southbound
1588:18 interlaced turnout
1541:
1499:
1451:
1443:
1365:
1329:
1314:and need more space.
1304:
1244:Great Western Railway
1214:
1188:rigid two-rail switch
1010:
965:
952:
908:
856:
844:
791:
783:
763:
612:double track junction
572:
543:
535:
473:; this may employ an
428:
353:
296:facing-point movement
218:
206:
189:
173:
165:
3693:Minimum curve radius
3660:Zig Zag / Switchback
3175:Anti-trespass panels
2786:(10 November 2011).
2451:Extranet.ARTC.com.au
1256:Victoria (Australia)
825:points and crossings
721:splitting the switch
504:High-speed operation
84:improve this article
30:For other uses, see
3734:Rail junction types
3729:Rail infrastructure
3632:Interchange station
3537:Facing and trailing
3504:Classification yard
3022:Classification yard
2360:Curr, John (1797).
2209:Flange-bearing frog
2085:, Karachi, Pakistan
1910:Single-point switch
1892:swingnose crossings
1787:Dual gauge switches
1774:Dual gauge switches
1521:interlaced turnouts
1311:outside slip switch
1156:rubber-tyred metros
1126:Black lever: Points
1124:Blue lever: Release
865:(right) of a switch
732:Grayrigg derailment
315:Right-hand switches
178:) and track C (the
3562:Swingnose crossing
3281:Motive power depot
3235:Signalling control
2181:
2087:
1997:
1965:
1923:
1883:
1827:
1784:
1721:
1684:
1660:interlaced turnout
1575:Interlaced turnout
1547:
1505:
1488:and branch lines.
1458:
1446:
1395:scissors crossover
1368:
1360:
1357:high-speed railway
1307:
1290:single slip switch
1221:double slip switch
1217:
1092:swingnose crossing
1074:Components gallery
1014:
972:
960:
915:
867:
851:
794:
786:
778:
640:fouling the switch
575:
546:
538:
443:
368:
319:left-handed switch
308:trailable switches
228:
213:
192:
184:
168:
18:Scissors crossover
3711:
3710:
3390:
3389:
3108:Railway turntable
2929:
2740:Missing or empty
2655:978-0-471-58262-5
2247:Railway turntable
1467:harp switch stand
1407:diamond crossover
1399:scissors crossing
1261:deviatoio inglese
1128:Red lever: Signal
1018:facing point lock
1003:Facing point lock
946:dates from 1897.
845:A one-piece cast
467:change the points
415:heritage railways
411:marshalling yards
204:
160:
159:
152:
134:
99:"Railroad switch"
16:(Redirected from
3741:
3622:Spanish solution
3612:Terminal station
3585:Railway platform
3417:
3410:
3403:
3394:
3285:Railway workshop
3001:Transition curve
2971:Fastening system
2925:
2907:
2900:
2893:
2884:
2874:
2861:
2825:
2824:
2822:
2820:
2809:"Specifications"
2805:
2799:
2798:
2796:
2794:
2780:
2769:
2768:
2767:
2763:
2756:
2750:
2749:
2743:
2738:
2736:
2728:
2715:
2709:
2708:
2702:
2694:
2688:
2687:
2685:
2683:
2666:
2660:
2659:
2641:
2635:
2634:
2632:
2630:
2613:
2607:
2606:
2604:
2602:
2585:
2579:
2578:
2576:
2574:
2564:
2556:
2550:
2549:
2547:
2545:
2535:
2527:
2521:
2520:
2518:
2516:
2501:
2495:
2494:
2492:
2490:
2479:
2470:
2469:
2467:
2465:
2460:on 27 March 2018
2459:
2453:. Archived from
2448:
2440:
2434:
2427:
2421:
2420:
2406:
2400:
2399:
2398:
2394:
2387:
2381:
2380:
2372:
2366:
2365:
2357:
2351:
2350:
2332:
2326:
2325:
2307:
2283:
2277:
2276:
2269:
2166:
2165:
2122:
2116:
2105:
2099:
2062:Expansion joints
2052:
2046:
2040:
2038:
2025:
2019:
2013:
2011:
1991:
1987:
1976:Temporary points
1933:) systems using
1607:
1598:
1509:three-way switch
1492:Three-way switch
1430:flying junctions
1391:double crossover
1356:
1354:Hanover–Würzburg
1350:stations on the
1349:
1343:
1335:
1279:
1273:
1271:Engels(e) Wissel
1263:
1182:
1151:
1137:
1119:
1103:
1087:
956:throw the switch
523:
519:
260:railway junction
205:
155:
148:
144:
141:
135:
133:
92:
68:
60:
50:pointe technique
21:
3749:
3748:
3744:
3743:
3742:
3740:
3739:
3738:
3714:
3713:
3712:
3707:
3703:Cant deficiency
3688:Ruling gradient
3669:
3655:Horseshoe curve
3641:
3571:
3532:Double junction
3522:Flying junction
3508:
3465:
3456:Quadruple track
3427:
3421:
3391:
3386:
3346:
3264:
3240:Structure gauge
3195:Defect detector
3167:
3159:
3005:
2961:Clip and scotch
2951:Breather switch
2917:
2911:
2872:
2868:
2841:Rail Enthusiast
2837:
2834:
2832:Further reading
2829:
2828:
2818:
2816:
2807:
2806:
2802:
2792:
2790:
2782:
2781:
2772:
2765:
2758:
2757:
2753:
2739:
2729:
2717:
2716:
2712:
2700:
2696:
2695:
2691:
2681:
2679:
2668:
2667:
2663:
2656:
2643:
2642:
2638:
2628:
2626:
2615:
2614:
2610:
2600:
2598:
2587:
2586:
2582:
2572:
2570:
2562:
2558:
2557:
2553:
2543:
2541:
2538:The LMS Society
2533:
2529:
2528:
2524:
2514:
2512:
2503:
2502:
2498:
2488:
2486:
2481:
2480:
2473:
2463:
2461:
2457:
2446:
2442:
2441:
2437:
2428:
2424:
2408:
2407:
2403:
2396:
2389:
2388:
2384:
2374:
2373:
2369:
2359:
2358:
2354:
2347:
2334:
2333:
2329:
2285:
2284:
2280:
2271:
2270:
2266:
2261:
2194:
2186:structure gauge
2173:
2160:
2158:
2075:
2059:
2057:Expansion joint
2032:
2026:in French, and
2005:
1989:
1985:
1978:
1958:Pilatus Railway
1950:
1912:
1875:
1862:Schynige Platte
1823:Schynige Platte
1815:Railroad switch
1808:
1776:
1763:
1757:
1710:
1704:
1669:
1656:
1655:
1654:
1653:
1610:
1609:
1608:
1600:
1599:
1590:
1589:
1577:
1560:
1542:A narrow-gauge
1536:
1494:
1452:A narrow-gauge
1438:
1324:
1299:
1286:
1252:double compound
1209:
1204:
1196:
1189:
1183:
1174:
1152:
1143:
1138:
1129:
1127:
1125:
1123:
1120:
1111:
1104:
1095:
1088:
1076:
1063:
1055:heelless switch
1047:
1005:
977:
920:
889:
883:
839:
758:
753:
655:
621:
567:
561:to the trains.
559:ethylene glycol
530:
506:
423:
402:railway signals
348:
232:railroad switch
226:(photo of 1985)
194:
180:diverging track
156:
145:
139:
136:
93:
91:
81:
69:
56:
53:
46:
35:
28:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
3747:
3745:
3737:
3736:
3731:
3726:
3716:
3715:
3709:
3708:
3706:
3705:
3700:
3695:
3690:
3685:
3679:
3677:
3675:Track geometry
3671:
3670:
3668:
3667:
3662:
3657:
3651:
3649:
3643:
3642:
3640:
3639:
3637:Infill station
3634:
3629:
3624:
3619:
3614:
3609:
3608:
3607:
3602:
3597:
3592:
3581:
3579:
3573:
3572:
3570:
3569:
3567:Level crossing
3564:
3559:
3554:
3549:
3544:
3539:
3534:
3529:
3527:Level junction
3524:
3518:
3516:
3510:
3509:
3507:
3506:
3501:
3496:
3491:
3486:
3481:
3475:
3473:
3467:
3466:
3464:
3463:
3458:
3453:
3448:
3443:
3437:
3435:
3429:
3428:
3422:
3420:
3419:
3412:
3405:
3397:
3388:
3387:
3385:
3384:
3383:
3382:
3381:
3380:
3365:
3360:
3354:
3352:
3348:
3347:
3345:
3344:
3339:
3338:
3337:
3332:
3327:
3322:
3312:
3311:
3310:
3305:
3297:
3292:
3287:
3278:
3272:
3270:
3266:
3265:
3263:
3262:
3257:
3252:
3247:
3242:
3237:
3232:
3230:Railway signal
3227:
3222:
3217:
3215:Level crossing
3212:
3207:
3202:
3197:
3192:
3187:
3182:
3177:
3171:
3169:
3161:
3160:
3158:
3157:
3152:
3147:
3142:
3140:Track geometry
3137:
3132:
3131:
3130:
3120:
3115:
3110:
3105:
3104:
3103:
3098:
3093:
3091:overhead lines
3083:
3078:
3077:
3076:
3066:
3065:
3064:
3054:
3049:
3044:
3042:Gauntlet track
3039:
3034:
3029:
3024:
3019:
3013:
3011:
3007:
3006:
3004:
3003:
2998:
2993:
2988:
2986:Minimum radius
2983:
2978:
2973:
2968:
2963:
2958:
2953:
2948:
2943:
2938:
2932:
2930:
2919:
2918:
2915:infrastructure
2912:
2910:
2909:
2902:
2895:
2887:
2881:
2880:
2867:
2866:External links
2864:
2863:
2862:
2833:
2830:
2827:
2826:
2800:
2770:
2751:
2710:
2689:
2661:
2654:
2636:
2608:
2580:
2551:
2522:
2496:
2471:
2435:
2422:
2417:Fun to Imagine
2401:
2382:
2367:
2352:
2345:
2327:
2298:(2): 183–203.
2278:
2263:
2262:
2260:
2257:
2256:
2255:
2253:Transfer table
2250:
2244:
2239:
2234:
2228:
2223:
2220:Gauntlet track
2217:
2212:
2206:
2201:
2193:
2190:
2172:
2169:
2157:
2154:
2153:
2152:
2149:
2146:
2143:
2142:
2141:
2132:
2125:
2124:
2118:
2108:
2107:
2101:
2074:
2073:Turnout speeds
2071:
2058:
2055:
2017:Auflegeweichen
2003:Kletterweichen
1977:
1974:
1949:
1946:
1929:On streetcar (
1911:
1908:
1887:switch diamond
1874:
1873:Switch diamond
1871:
1825:, Switzerland)
1807:
1804:
1775:
1772:
1759:Main article:
1756:
1753:
1724:Run-off points
1706:Main article:
1703:
1702:Run-off points
1700:
1668:
1665:
1612:
1611:
1602:
1601:
1593:
1592:
1591:
1581:
1580:
1579:
1578:
1576:
1573:
1559:
1556:
1535:
1532:
1493:
1490:
1437:
1434:
1411:level junction
1323:
1320:
1298:
1295:
1285:
1282:
1266:English switch
1264:, which means
1208:
1205:
1203:
1200:
1195:
1192:
1191:
1190:
1184:
1177:
1175:
1160:standard gauge
1153:
1146:
1144:
1139:
1132:
1130:
1121:
1114:
1112:
1105:
1098:
1096:
1089:
1082:
1080:
1075:
1072:
1062:
1059:
1046:
1043:
1004:
1001:
976:
973:
928:switch machine
919:
916:
885:Main article:
882:
879:
838:
835:
757:
754:
752:
749:
748:
747:
746:
745:
738:
728:
705:
701:
686:
654:
651:
650:
649:
646:
643:
636:
628:
620:
617:
616:
615:
608:
605:
600:with a 1 in 8
566:
565:Classification
563:
529:
526:
505:
502:
475:electric motor
435:electric motor
422:
419:
360:Goteik viaduct
347:
344:
332:straight track
270:branches off.
176:straight track
158:
157:
72:
70:
63:
26:
24:
14:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
3746:
3735:
3732:
3730:
3727:
3725:
3722:
3721:
3719:
3704:
3701:
3699:
3696:
3694:
3691:
3689:
3686:
3684:
3681:
3680:
3678:
3676:
3672:
3666:
3663:
3661:
3658:
3656:
3653:
3652:
3650:
3648:
3644:
3638:
3635:
3633:
3630:
3628:
3625:
3623:
3620:
3618:
3615:
3613:
3610:
3606:
3603:
3601:
3598:
3596:
3593:
3591:
3588:
3587:
3586:
3583:
3582:
3580:
3578:
3574:
3568:
3565:
3563:
3560:
3558:
3555:
3553:
3550:
3548:
3545:
3543:
3540:
3538:
3535:
3533:
3530:
3528:
3525:
3523:
3520:
3519:
3517:
3515:
3511:
3505:
3502:
3500:
3497:
3495:
3494:Refuge siding
3492:
3490:
3487:
3485:
3482:
3480:
3477:
3476:
3474:
3472:
3468:
3462:
3459:
3457:
3454:
3452:
3449:
3447:
3444:
3442:
3439:
3438:
3436:
3434:
3433:Railway track
3430:
3426:track layouts
3425:
3418:
3413:
3411:
3406:
3404:
3399:
3398:
3395:
3379:
3376:
3375:
3374:
3371:
3370:
3369:
3366:
3364:
3361:
3359:
3356:
3355:
3353:
3349:
3343:
3340:
3336:
3333:
3331:
3328:
3326:
3323:
3321:
3318:
3317:
3316:
3313:
3309:
3306:
3304:
3301:
3300:
3298:
3296:
3293:
3291:
3288:
3286:
3282:
3279:
3277:
3276:Coaling tower
3274:
3273:
3271:
3267:
3261:
3258:
3256:
3253:
3251:
3248:
3246:
3245:Signal bridge
3243:
3241:
3238:
3236:
3233:
3231:
3228:
3226:
3223:
3221:
3220:Loading gauge
3218:
3216:
3213:
3211:
3208:
3206:
3203:
3201:
3198:
3196:
3193:
3191:
3188:
3186:
3183:
3181:
3178:
3176:
3173:
3172:
3170:
3166:
3162:
3156:
3153:
3151:
3148:
3146:
3143:
3141:
3138:
3136:
3133:
3129:
3128:refuge siding
3126:
3125:
3124:
3121:
3119:
3116:
3114:
3111:
3109:
3106:
3102:
3099:
3097:
3094:
3092:
3089:
3088:
3087:
3084:
3082:
3079:
3075:
3074:tramway track
3072:
3071:
3070:
3067:
3063:
3060:
3059:
3058:
3055:
3053:
3050:
3048:
3045:
3043:
3040:
3038:
3035:
3033:
3030:
3028:
3025:
3023:
3020:
3018:
3015:
3014:
3012:
3008:
3002:
2999:
2997:
2994:
2992:
2989:
2987:
2984:
2982:
2979:
2977:
2974:
2972:
2969:
2967:
2964:
2962:
2959:
2957:
2954:
2952:
2949:
2947:
2944:
2942:
2939:
2937:
2934:
2933:
2931:
2928:
2924:
2920:
2916:
2908:
2903:
2901:
2896:
2894:
2889:
2888:
2885:
2879:
2875:
2870:
2869:
2865:
2859:
2855:
2851:
2847:
2843:
2842:
2836:
2835:
2831:
2814:
2810:
2804:
2801:
2789:
2785:
2779:
2777:
2775:
2771:
2761:
2755:
2752:
2747:
2734:
2733:cite magazine
2726:
2722:
2721:
2720:Light Railway
2714:
2711:
2706:
2699:
2693:
2690:
2677:
2676:
2671:
2665:
2662:
2657:
2651:
2647:
2640:
2637:
2625:
2624:
2619:
2612:
2609:
2597:
2596:
2591:
2584:
2581:
2568:
2561:
2555:
2552:
2539:
2532:
2526:
2523:
2510:
2506:
2500:
2497:
2484:
2478:
2476:
2472:
2456:
2452:
2445:
2439:
2436:
2432:
2426:
2423:
2418:
2414:
2413:
2405:
2402:
2392:
2386:
2383:
2378:
2371:
2368:
2363:
2356:
2353:
2348:
2346:9781473822573
2342:
2338:
2331:
2328:
2323:
2319:
2315:
2311:
2306:
2301:
2297:
2293:
2289:
2282:
2279:
2274:
2268:
2265:
2258:
2254:
2251:
2248:
2245:
2243:
2240:
2238:
2235:
2232:
2229:
2227:
2224:
2221:
2218:
2216:
2213:
2210:
2207:
2205:
2202:
2199:
2196:
2195:
2191:
2189:
2187:
2177:
2170:
2168:
2164:
2155:
2150:
2147:
2144:
2140:
2136:
2135:
2133:
2130:
2129:
2128:
2119:
2113:
2112:
2111:
2102:
2096:
2095:
2094:
2090:
2084:
2079:
2072:
2070:
2068:
2063:
2056:
2054:
2051:
2045:
2039:
2036:
2031:
2024:
2018:
2012:
2009:
2004:
1995:
1982:
1975:
1973:
1969:
1963:
1959:
1954:
1948:Rotary switch
1947:
1945:
1942:
1938:
1936:
1935:grooved rails
1932:
1927:
1921:
1916:
1909:
1907:
1903:
1899:
1897:
1893:
1888:
1879:
1872:
1870:
1868:
1867:Morgan system
1863:
1859:
1855:
1854:Štrbské Pleso
1851:
1847:
1843:
1839:
1835:
1831:
1824:
1820:
1816:
1812:
1805:
1803:
1800:
1795:
1792:
1788:
1780:
1773:
1771:
1768:
1762:
1754:
1752:
1749:
1744:
1741:
1735:
1732:
1728:
1725:
1719:
1714:
1709:
1701:
1699:
1695:
1693:
1689:
1682:
1678:
1673:
1666:
1664:
1661:
1651:
1647:
1644:
1640:
1636:
1632:
1628:
1624:
1620:
1616:
1606:
1597:
1587:
1584:
1574:
1572:
1570:
1566:
1557:
1555:
1552:
1545:
1540:
1533:
1531:
1528:
1524:
1522:
1518:
1514:
1510:
1503:
1498:
1491:
1489:
1487:
1482:
1478:
1475:
1470:
1468:
1463:
1455:
1450:
1442:
1435:
1433:
1431:
1427:
1423:
1422:rapid transit
1418:
1414:
1412:
1408:
1404:
1400:
1396:
1392:
1387:
1385:
1381:
1377:
1373:
1364:
1358:
1355:
1348:
1347:Langenschwarz
1342:
1341:
1334:
1328:
1321:
1319:
1315:
1312:
1303:
1296:
1294:
1291:
1283:
1281:
1278:
1272:
1267:
1262:
1257:
1253:
1249:
1245:
1241:
1240:puzzle switch
1237:
1236:double switch
1232:
1228:
1226:
1222:
1213:
1206:
1202:Slip switches
1201:
1199:
1193:
1187:
1181:
1176:
1172:
1168:
1165:
1161:
1157:
1150:
1145:
1142:
1136:
1131:
1118:
1113:
1109:
1102:
1097:
1093:
1086:
1081:
1078:
1073:
1071:
1069:
1060:
1058:
1056:
1051:
1044:
1042:
1038:
1035:
1031:
1027:
1023:
1019:
1009:
1002:
1000:
998:
994:
990:
986:
982:
974:
969:
964:
957:
951:
947:
945:
940:
937:
933:
929:
925:
917:
912:
907:
903:
901:
897:
894:
888:
880:
878:
876:
872:
864:
860:
855:
848:
843:
836:
834:
831:
828:
826:
822:
818:
813:
811:
810:stub switches
807:
803:
799:
790:
782:
775:
771:
767:
766:switch points
762:
755:
750:
743:
739:
736:
735:
733:
729:
726:
722:
718:
717:Hertfordshire
714:
710:
706:
702:
699:
695:
691:
687:
684:
680:
676:
672:
668:
664:
660:
659:
658:
652:
647:
644:
641:
637:
634:
629:
626:
625:
624:
618:
613:
609:
606:
603:
599:
595:
594:
593:
591:
586:
582:
579:
571:
564:
562:
560:
554:
551:
542:
534:
527:
525:
515:
510:
503:
501:
497:
495:
489:
487:
484:
480:
476:
472:
471:point machine
468:
463:
460:
456:
452:
448:
440:
436:
432:
427:
420:
418:
416:
412:
407:
406:interlockings
403:
399:
395:
391:
386:
384:
379:
377:
373:
365:
361:
357:
352:
345:
343:
341:
337:
333:
328:
325:
320:
316:
311:
309:
305:
299:
297:
292:
288:
284:
280:
276:
271:
269:
265:
261:
257:
253:
249:
245:
241:
237:
233:
225:
221:
217:
210:
188:
181:
177:
172:
164:
154:
151:
143:
132:
129:
125:
122:
118:
115:
111:
108:
104:
101: –
100:
96:
95:Find sources:
89:
85:
79:
78:
73:This article
71:
67:
62:
61:
58:
51:
44:
40:
33:
19:
3647:Hillclimbing
3617:Balloon loop
3556:
3489:Pocket track
3479:Balloon loop
3471:Rail sidings
3451:Double track
3446:Passing loop
3441:Single track
3260:Wayside horn
3210:Interlocking
3190:Catch points
3150:Water trough
3134:
3052:Passing loop
3032:Pocket track
3017:Balloon loop
2981:Ladder track
2839:
2817:. Retrieved
2815:. SGR Uganda
2812:
2803:
2791:. Retrieved
2784:Munro, Steve
2754:
2742:|title=
2718:
2713:
2704:
2692:
2680:. Retrieved
2673:
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2627:. Retrieved
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2599:. Retrieved
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2571:. Retrieved
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2542:. Retrieved
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2487:. Retrieved
2464:25 September
2462:. Retrieved
2455:the original
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2030:oplegwissels
1998:
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1966:
1943:
1939:
1928:
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1830:Rack-railway
1828:
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1789:are used in
1786:
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1766:
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1747:
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1736:
1731:Catch points
1730:
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1708:Catch points
1696:
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1646:intersection
1586:switch tower
1561:
1551:plate switch
1550:
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1544:plate switch
1543:
1534:Plate switch
1529:
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1486:narrow-gauge
1483:
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1297:Outside slip
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1239:
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1224:
1220:
1218:
1197:
1154:Switches on
1068:rail profile
1064:
1054:
1049:
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1039:
1033:
1030:facing point
1029:
1025:
1021:
1017:
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989:ground throw
988:
985:points lever
984:
981:switch stand
980:
978:
955:
944:W. B. Purvis
942:A patent by
941:
927:
924:switch motor
923:
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918:Switch motor
911:switch motor
910:
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805:
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798:switch rails
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774:point blades
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770:switch rails
769:
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720:
694:Newport News
683:ground frame
656:
639:
622:
587:
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547:
511:
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447:railroad car
444:
439:ground frame
387:
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356:Pyin Oo Lwin
331:
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282:
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94:
82:Please help
77:verification
74:
57:
3683:Track gauge
3542:Grand union
3185:Buffer stop
3145:Water crane
3057:Track gauge
2996:Tie/Sleeper
2629:13 February
2601:13 February
2044:klimwissels
2033: [
2020:in German,
2006: [
1986:(in French)
1972:positions.
1834:Zentralbahn
1799:guard rails
1748:trap points
1643:Lake street
1635:Orange line
1615:Chicago "L"
1474:flexibility
1462:stub switch
1454:stub switch
1436:Stub switch
1376:rail tracks
1284:Single slip
1225:double slip
1207:Double slip
1141:Abt turnout
997:lever frame
900:Check rails
861:(left) and
713:Potters Bar
671:County Cork
390:electricity
383:Charles Fox
287:stock rails
262:or where a
3718:Categories
3358:Industrial
3342:Water stop
3303:for trains
3295:Roundhouse
3269:Structures
3255:Train stop
3205:Guard rail
3180:Block post
3168:and safety
3165:Signalling
3096:third rail
3069:Rail track
3062:dual gauge
2946:Baulk road
2511:(in Dutch)
2509:Prorail.nl
2489:21 October
2259:References
1990:(in Dutch)
1846:Dolderbahn
1791:dual gauge
1688:wye switch
1677:wye switch
1667:Wye switch
1637:above the
1571:crossing.
1569:drawbridge
1565:Decauville
1558:Off-railer
1401:, or just
1322:Crossover
1026:point lock
893:guard rail
863:guard rail
751:Components
394:signal box
336:wye switch
220:Abt switch
140:April 2015
110:newspapers
3514:Junctions
3499:Rail yard
3484:Headshunt
3461:Crossover
3308:for goods
3250:Tell-tale
3081:Rail yard
3047:Guide bar
3027:Headshunt
3010:Trackwork
2976:Fishplate
2966:Date nail
2927:(history)
2850:0262-561X
2819:25 August
2813:SGR.go.ug
2793:2 October
2760:US 772736
2675:The Argus
2322:246422034
2314:2662-4753
2137:see also
1755:Derailers
1426:rush hour
1372:crossover
1340:Kirchheim
1277:Engländer
1186:Translohr
1171:Guideways
936:pneumatic
932:hydraulic
792:Old style
784:New style
698:Stewiacke
690:saboteurs
667:Buttevant
661:The 1980
653:Accidents
598:crossover
483:hydraulic
479:pneumatic
431:animation
421:Operation
385:in 1838.
376:John Curr
372:plateways
39:Point set
3577:Stations
3363:Military
3320:building
3290:Platform
3200:Derailer
3118:Roll way
3037:Junction
2936:Axe ties
2858:49957965
2192:See also
2067:sun kink
1994:Brussels
1860:and the
1858:Slovakia
1842:Tasmania
1767:derailer
1740:climbing
1692:Y points
1650:The Loop
1403:scissors
1384:trailing
1336:between
1333:Richthof
1167:rollways
1164:concrete
847:crossing
725:platform
602:crossing
486:actuator
413:, or on
3424:Railway
3373:station
3368:Private
3315:Station
2991:Profile
2941:Ballast
2878:YouTube
2682:20 July
2544:6 March
2515:30 June
2391:GB 7773
2134:1/8.25
1817:of the
871:casting
821:turnout
588:On the
512:The US
459:flanges
364:Myanmar
346:History
252:railway
240:turnout
124:scholar
3665:Spiral
3595:Island
3135:Switch
3123:Siding
2923:Tracks
2856:
2848:
2766:
2652:
2623:Trains
2573:3 July
2397:
2343:
2320:
2312:
2156:Uganda
2148:1/12.0
2145:1/10.5
1850:Zürich
1761:Derail
1619:Purple
1380:facing
1242:. The
1050:Joints
1045:Joints
1024:), or
968:Gdańsk
817:points
802:points
675:Dublin
619:Safety
455:coning
451:wheels
398:levers
324:switch
275:points
268:siding
244:points
242:, or
126:
119:
112:
105:
97:
3605:Split
3351:Types
3330:ghost
3325:clock
3299:Shed
2913:Rail
2701:(PDF)
2563:(PDF)
2534:(PDF)
2458:(PDF)
2447:(PDF)
2318:S2CID
2131:1/7.5
2037:]
2010:]
1639:Wells
1631:Green
1623:Brown
1194:Types
1034:split
604:angle
477:or a
340:radii
291:train
256:track
131:JSTOR
117:books
43:Locus
3698:Cant
3600:Side
3378:list
3335:list
2956:Cant
2854:OCLC
2846:ISSN
2821:2023
2795:2016
2746:help
2684:2011
2650:ISBN
2631:2019
2603:2019
2575:2022
2546:2022
2517:2024
2491:2012
2466:2022
2341:ISBN
2310:ISSN
2151:1/15
1962:axle
1931:tram
1821:(at
1718:yard
1641:and
1629:and
1627:Pink
1621:and
1344:and
993:ties
909:The
859:frog
857:The
796:The
707:The
679:Cork
550:frog
264:spur
103:news
41:and
3590:Bay
3552:Wye
3155:Wye
2876:on
2300:doi
2121:No.
2115:No.
2104:No.
2098:No.
2047:or
2014:or
1856:in
1848:in
1840:in
1658:An
1648:in
1382:or
1309:An
1254:in
1022:FPL
987:or
934:or
926:or
823:or
800:or
772:or
711:at
665:at
522:No.
518:No.
481:or
449:'s
358:to
281:or
266:or
238:),
86:by
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2811:.
2773:^
2737::
2735:}}
2731:{{
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2474:^
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2290:.
2069:.
2041:,
2035:nl
2008:de
1992:,
1956:A
1852:,
1765:A
1686:A
1675:A
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1507:A
1469:.
1460:A
1413:.
1397:,
1386:.
1370:A
1288:A
1219:A
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248:CE
236:AE
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