Contents1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................13 1.1 The Track .................................................................................................................................................................13 1.2 The Sub-Structure.....................................................................................................................................................13 1.2.1 Ballasted vs. Non-Ballasted (Slab) Track..............................................................................................................15 1.3 Sleepers (Ties) ...........................................................................................................................................................17 1.3.1 Wooden sleepers ................................................................................................................................................17 1.3.2 Concrete Sleepers...............................................................................................................................................18 1.3.3 Plastic sleepers...................................................................................................................................................19 1.3.4 Twin-Block Sleepers ..........................................................................................................................................19 1.3.5 Other sleeper variants .........................................................................................................................................20 2 Design............................................................................................................................................................................20 2.1 Track Alignment .......................................................................................................................................................20 2.1.1 Curves...............................................................................................................................................................24 2.1.1.1 Track Transition Curve ..............................................................................................................................24 2.1.1.2 Cant .........................................................................................................................................................25 2.1.1.3 Side Wear .................................................................................................................................................30 2.1.1.4 Twist ........................................................................................................................................................30 2.1.1.5 Warp ........................................................................................................................................................30 2.2 2.3 2.4 Structure Gauge and Kinematic Envelope .................................................................................................................31 Monuments and Datum Plates...................................................................................................................................31 U.S. track classes .......................................................................................................................................................31

2.5 Route Selection..........................................................................................................................................................31 2.5.1 Route Optimising Criteria ...................................................................................................................................31 2.5.2 System Design as a Function of Train Performance, Train Resistance.....................................................................32 2.5.2.1 Choosing best route for a freight line...........................................................................................................32 2.5.2.2 Grade Resistance .......................................................................................................................................36 2.5.2.3 Curve Resistance: ......................................................................................................................................36 2.5.2.4 Choosing the Preferred Route .....................................................................................................................38 2.6 Tools .........................................................................................................................................................................39 2.6.1 Bentley Rail Track .............................................................................................................................................39 2.6.1.1 Track Design Solutions for Railways...........................................................................................................40 2.6.1.2 Existing Track Analysis .............................................................................................................................43 2.6.1.3 Regression Analysis...................................................................................................................................44 2.6.1.4 Horizontal Alignment Design .....................................................................................................................44 2.6.1.5 Turnouts ...................................................................................................................................................45 2.6.1.6 Switches and Crossings ..............................................................................................................................46 2.6.1.7 Vertical Design .........................................................................................................................................47 2.6.2 Novapoint Railway.............................................................................................................................................48 2.6.2.1 Creating the Geometry ...............................................................................................................................48 2.6.2.2 Modelling the project .................................................................................................................................49 2.6.2.3 Analysing the project .................................................................................................................................50 2.6.2.4 Presenting the project.................................................................................................................................50 2.6.2.5 Visualising the project ...............................................................................................................................50 3 Rail Profile.....................................................................................................................................................................51 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 4 4.1 4.2 History ......................................................................................................................................................................51 Tramway track .........................................................................................................................................................51 Bullhead Rail ............................................................................................................................................................54 Flanged T-Rail ..........................................................................................................................................................55 Vignoles Rail .............................................................................................................................................................55 Fastening rails to sleepers/ties....................................................................................................................................57 Joining the Rails........................................................................................................................................................58

Construction...................................................................................................................................................................57

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4.2.1 Jointed track ......................................................................................................................................................59 4.2.1.1 Rail Movement Joints ................................................................................................................................60 4.2.2 Insulated joints...................................................................................................................................................62 4.2.2.1 Continuous insulated joints.........................................................................................................................63 4.2.2.2 Non-Continuous insulated joints .................................................................................................................63 4.2.2.3 Bonded insulated joints ..............................................................................................................................63 4.2.3 Continuous Welded Rail (CWR) Track ................................................................................................................64 5 Railway Track Layouts ...................................................................................................................................................65 5.1 Railroad Switch/Point/Turnout .................................................................................................................................65 5.1.1 History..............................................................................................................................................................65 5.1.2 Overview ..........................................................................................................................................................65 5.1.3 Turnout Components .......................................................................................................................................81 5.1.3.1 Basic Parts ................................................................................................................................................81 5.1.3.2 Points (point blades) ..................................................................................................................................82 5.1.3.3 Frog (Common Crossing) ...........................................................................................................................83 5.1.3.4 Guard Rail (Check Rail).............................................................................................................................89 5.1.3.5 Joints........................................................................................................................................................92 5.1.3.6 Throwing a Switch - Switch Stands and Targets ...........................................................................................93 5.1.3.7 Switch Motor / Point Machine ..................................................................................................................110 5.1.4 Operation .......................................................................................................................................................119 5.1.4.1 Facing and Trailing..................................................................................................................................119 5.1.4.2 Operation in cold conditions .....................................................................................................................125 5.1.5 Types of Turnouts..........................................................................................................................................129 5.1.5.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................................129 5.1.5.2 Simple Turnout .......................................................................................................................................129 5.1.5.3 Standard and Special Turnouts..................................................................................................................129 5.1.5.4 Crossovers ..............................................................................................................................................132 5.1.5.5 Double slip .............................................................................................................................................138 5.1.5.6 Single slip ...............................................................................................................................................144 5.1.5.7 Outside slip .............................................................................................................................................145 5.1.5.8 Stub switch .............................................................................................................................................146 5.1.5.9 Plate switch.............................................................................................................................................147 5.1.5.10 Three-way switch ....................................................................................................................................147 5.1.5.11 Interlaced turnout ....................................................................................................................................149 5.1.5.12 Gantlet (Gauntlet) Track ..........................................................................................................................149 5.1.5.13 Wye switch .............................................................................................................................................152 5.1.5.14 Run-off points .........................................................................................................................................153 5.1.5.15 Trap points..............................................................................................................................................153 5.1.5.16 Types of trap points .................................................................................................................................155 5.1.5.17 Catch points ............................................................................................................................................157 5.1.5.18 Track Circuit Interrupter ..........................................................................................................................159 5.1.5.19 Sand drag................................................................................................................................................161 5.1.5.20 Arrestor bed ............................................................................................................................................162 5.1.5.21 Derailers .................................................................................................................................................162 5.1.5.22 Dual gauge switches ................................................................................................................................163 5.1.6 Turnout System Solutions..............................................................................................................................164 5.1.6.1 High Speed Turnouts ...............................................................................................................................164 5.1.6.2 Metro and Tram Turnouts.........................................................................................................................164 5.1.6.3 Roller coaster switches.............................................................................................................................165 5.1.6.4 Heavy Haul Turnouts ...............................................................................................................................165 5.1.7 Classification of Switches ..............................................................................................................................170 5.1.8 Layout of Switches.........................................................................................................................................170 5.1.9 Safety Aspect of Switches .............................................................................................................................172 5.1.10 Using Turnouts ..........................................................................................................................................172 5.1.11 Sabotage: The sad story of malicious tampering on America's railroads .................................................173 5.1.12 Mechanical Interlocking in a Freight Yard .................................................................................................175 5.1.13 Accidents ...................................................................................................................................................181 5.1.13.1 Grayrigg Crash - Train crash points not inspected.......................................................................................181 5.1.13.2 Potters Bar crash - Several Potters Bar points 'were faulty' ..........................................................................183 5.1.13.3 Derailment of train EC 107 (Prague-Warsaw) ............................................................................................184 5.1.13.4 Abergele train disaster..............................................................................................................................185 5.2 Junctions.................................................................................................................................................................187 5.2.1 What is! ..........................................................................................................................................................188

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5.2.1.1 Measures to improve junction capacity ......................................................................................................188 5.2.2 Flying Junction ...............................................................................................................................................188 5.2.3 Level Junction ................................................................................................................................................189 5.2.3.1 Examples ................................................................................................................................................196 5.2.3.2 Drawbridge crossing ................................................................................................................................196 5.2.4 Double junction ..............................................................................................................................................196 5.2.4.1 Diamond.................................................................................................................................................197 5.2.4.2 Switched diamond ...................................................................................................................................197 5.2.4.3 Ladder ....................................................................................................................................................198 5.2.4.4 Single lead ..............................................................................................................................................198 5.2.4.5 Diamond and wide centres........................................................................................................................198 5.2.4.6 Flyovers..................................................................................................................................................199 5.2.5 Grand Union ..................................................................................................................................................199 5.3 Running Lines .........................................................................................................................................................200 5.3.1 Mainline or Main line......................................................................................................................................200 5.3.2 Branch line .....................................................................................................................................................200 5.3.3 Single Track...................................................................................................................................................200 5.3.4 Double Track .................................................................................................................................................201 5.3.4.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................................201 5.3.4.2 Operation................................................................................................................................................201 5.3.4.3 Construction............................................................................................................................................202 5.3.4.4 Oddities ..................................................................................................................................................203 5.4 Rail Siding ..............................................................................................................................................................204 5.4.1 Crossing Loop / Passing Siding or Loop .......................................................................................................204 5.4.1.1 System of working...................................................................................................................................205 5.4.2 Balloon Loop ..................................................................................................................................................207 5.4.2.1 Use.........................................................................................................................................................207 5.4.2.2 Examples ................................................................................................................................................207 5.4.2.3 History ...................................................................................................................................................209 5.4.2.4 Disadvantages .........................................................................................................................................209 5.4.2.5 Advantages .............................................................................................................................................209 5.4.2.6 Other Olympic stations ............................................................................................................................209 5.4.3 Headshunt (Escape Track) ............................................................................................................................209 5.4.3.1 Terminal Headshunts ...............................................................................................................................209 5.4.3.2 Shunting neck .........................................................................................................................................210 5.4.3.3 Run-round...............................................................................................................................................210 5.5 Yards ......................................................................................................................................................................210 5.5.1 Marshalling Yard (Classification Yard) ..........................................................................................................214 5.5.1.1 Flat-shunted yards ...................................................................................................................................214 5.5.1.2 Hump yards ............................................................................................................................................214 5.5.1.3 Gravity yards ..........................................................................................................................................216 5.6 Stations ...................................................................................................................................................................216 5.6.1 Station Design ...............................................................................................................................................216 5.6.2 Platform..........................................................................................................................................................216 5.6.3 Side platform..................................................................................................................................................216 5.6.3.1 Elevated Station with Side Platforms.........................................................................................................217 5.6.3.2 Elevated Station with Ticket Hall Below Platforms ....................................................................................218 5.6.4 Island (Centre) Platform.................................................................................................................................218 5.6.4.1 Advantages and tradeoffs .........................................................................................................................220 5.6.5 Bay platform...................................................................................................................................................220 5.6.5.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................................220 5.6.5.2 Dock platforms........................................................................................................................................220 5.6.6 Terminal Station Platform ..............................................................................................................................221 5.6.7 Spanish Solution (Barcelona Solution) ..........................................................................................................221 5.6.8 Cross-platform interchange ...........................................................................................................................222 5.6.8.1 Examples ................................................................................................................................................222 5.6.9 Platform Screen Doors ..................................................................................................................................223 5.6.10 Passenger Information Displays ...............................................................................................................224 5.7 Hill Climbing ..........................................................................................................................................................225 5.7.1 Horseshoe curve............................................................................................................................................225 5.7.1.1 Examples of horseshoe curves ..................................................................................................................225 5.7.2 Zigzags (Switchbacks)...................................................................................................................................225

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5.7.2.1 Advantages .............................................................................................................................................225 5.7.2.2 Disadvantages .........................................................................................................................................225 5.7.2.3 Locations of zigzags ................................................................................................................................226 5.7.3 Spiral..............................................................................................................................................................227 5.7.3.1 Calculations ............................................................................................................................................228 5.7.3.2 Examples of Spirals .................................................................................................................................228 5.8 Buffer Stop..............................................................................................................................................................229 5.8.1 What is! ..........................................................................................................................................................229 5.8.2 Energy-absorbing buffer stops ......................................................................................................................232 5.8.3 Warning lights ................................................................................................................................................233 5.8.4 Accidents .......................................................................................................................................................234 5.9 Level Crossing.........................................................................................................................................................235 5.9.1 What is! ..........................................................................................................................................................235 5.9.1.1 Safety .....................................................................................................................................................236 5.9.1.2 Crossings around the world ......................................................................................................................237 5.9.1.3 Crossbuck ...............................................................................................................................................241 5.9.1.4 International variants ...............................................................................................................................241 5.9.1.5 Multiple Tracks .......................................................................................................................................241 6 Rail Gauge ...................................................................................................................................................................242 6.1 Standard gauge .......................................................................................................................................................242 6.1.1 Origin .............................................................................................................................................................243 6.1.2 Ideal gauge ....................................................................................................................................................243 6.1.3 Piggyback operation ......................................................................................................................................244 6.1.4 Break of gauge ..............................................................................................................................................244 6.2 Broad gauge ............................................................................................................................................................244 6.2.1 Details ............................................................................................................................................................244 6.2.2 Broader gauges .............................................................................................................................................245 6.3 Scotch gauge ...........................................................................................................................................................247 6.3.1 End of Scotch gauge .....................................................................................................................................247 6.4 Narrow gauge..........................................................................................................................................................247 6.4.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................................248 6.4.2 History of narrow gauge railways ..................................................................................................................248 6.4.3 Advantages of narrow gauge.........................................................................................................................248 6.4.4 Disadvantages of narrow gauge....................................................................................................................248 6.4.5 Exceptions to the rule ....................................................................................................................................249 6.4.6 Gauges used .................................................................................................................................................249 6.4.6.1 Medium gauge railways ...........................................................................................................................249 6.4.6.2 Two-foot gauge railways ..........................................................................................................................249 6.4.6.3 Minimum gauge railways .........................................................................................................................249 6.5 Dual gauge ..............................................................................................................................................................251 6.5.1 Configuration .................................................................................................................................................251 6.5.2 Gauge Conversion.........................................................................................................................................251 6.5.3 Cost of an example........................................................................................................................................252 6.5.4 Examples .......................................................................................................................................................252 6.5.5 Triple gauge ...................................................................................................................................................253 6.5.6 Accidents on dual-gauge railways .................................................................................................................253 6.5.7 Complexity of dual-gauge switches ...............................................................................................................253 6.5.7.1 Paradox ..................................................................................................................................................254 6.5.7.2 Gauge splitters ........................................................................................................................................254 6.5.8 Separate gauge .............................................................................................................................................254 6.5.9 Overlapping gauges.......................................................................................................................................254 6.5.10 Other methods of handling multiple gauges..............................................................................................254 6.5.11 Dual gauge dual voltage............................................................................................................................254 6.6 Variable (adjustable) gauge axles ............................................................................................................................256 6.7 Break-of-Gauge.......................................................................................................................................................256 6.7.1 Inconvenience................................................................................................................................................256 6.7.2 Overcoming a break of gauge .......................................................................................................................257 6.7.3 Major breaks of gauge ...................................................................................................................................257 6.7.4 Minor breaks of gauge ...................................................................................................................................258

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6.7.5

Other issues...................................................................................................................................................258

6.8 Future .....................................................................................................................................................................259 6.8.1 High speed.....................................................................................................................................................259 6.8.2 Mining ............................................................................................................................................................259 6.8.3 Kenya-Uganda-Sudan proposal ....................................................................................................................259 6.9 6.10 Rail sizes .................................................................................................................................................................259 Track maintenance .............................................................................................................................................259

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Table of FiguresFigure 1: Rail Track Components................................................................................................................................................................. 13 Figure 2: The Sub-Structure......................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Figure 3: The main parts of an electrified double-track line. ............................................................................................................................ 14 Figure 4: Cuttings....................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Figure 5: Embankments .............................................................................................................................................................................. 15 Figure 6: Slab Track System ........................................................................................................................................................................ 17 Figure 7: Wooden Sleepers.......................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Figure 8: Concrete Sleepers ......................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Figure 9: Twin Block Sleepers ..................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Figure 10: Mixed concrete and wooden sleepers ............................................................................................................................................ 19 Figure 11: Steel Sleepers ............................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Figure 12: Iron & Brick Sleepers.................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Figure 13: Sleeper-less track for the high speed route NrnbergIngolstadt ...................................................................................................... 20 Figure 14: Vertical Alignment ..................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Figure 15: New Mexico: Rail Runner Route to Santa Fe................................................................................................................................. 21 Figure 16: New Mexico: Portion of the new alignment extending along the existing track east of I-25................................................................. 22 Figure 17: New Mexico: Portion of the new alignment entering the I-25 median near the rest area...................................................................... 22 Figure 18: New Mexico: The Santa Fe Southern alignment extending from I-25 to the Santa Fe Railyards .......................................................... 23 Figure 19: Parabolic transition curve as used with the Belgian Railways. This sign aside a railroad (between Ghent and Bruges) indicates the start of the transition curve. A parabolic curve (POB) is used. .......................................................................................................................... 24 Figure 20: Effects of Centrifugal Force ......................................................................................................................................................... 25 Figure 21: Overbalanced, Equilibrium and Under-balanced............................................................................................................................. 25 Figure 22: Cant or Superelevation ................................................................................................................................................................ 26 Figure 23: Cant or Superelevation ................................................................................................................................................................ 26 Figure 24: Cant .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Figure 25: Circular Curve............................................................................................................................................................................ 27 Figure 26: Definition of Degree of Curve D .................................................................................................................................................. 27 Figure 27: Cant Deficiency.......................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Figure 28: Forces bearing on a vehicle.......................................................................................................................................................... 29 Figure 29: Rail head side wear ..................................................................................................................................................................... 30 Figure 30: Twist ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 Figure 31: Warp ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 Figure 32: System design as a function of train performance, train resistance.................................................................................................... 32 Figure 33: Three Ways to H With Coal....................................................................................................................................................... 33 Figure 34: How Much Energy It Takes to Move a Car.................................................................................................................................... 34 Figure 35: Train Resistance ......................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Figure 36: Energy needed to maintain speed, accelerate and curve................................................................................................................... 35 Figure 37: Derivation of Grade Resistance .................................................................................................................................................... 36 Figure 38: Rolling cylinder concept.............................................................................................................................................................. 36 Figure 39: Position of new wheel on new rail ................................................................................................................................................ 37 Figure 40: Possible car/truck attitudes to rail and lateral forces........................................................................................................................ 37 Figure 41: Lateral slippage across rail head ................................................................................................................................................... 38 Figure 42: Comparing the Energy It Takes to Deliver the Goods ..................................................................................................................... 38 Figure 43: Permanent way design flowchart .................................................................................................................................................. 39 Figure 44: Ballasted Section Template.......................................................................................................................................................... 40 Figure 45: Railway Model ........................................................................................................................................................................... 41 Figure 46: Creating tunnels.......................................................................................................................................................................... 41 Figure 47: Visualisation .............................................................................................................................................................................. 42 Figure 48: Drivers Eye View ...................................................................................................................................................................... 42 Figure 49: Horizontal Regression Points ....................................................................................................................................................... 43 Figure 50: Existing Track Analysis Display Curvature Cant Diagram and select points for analysis.................................................................. 43 Figure 51: Single Element Regression Analysis ............................................................................................................................................. 44 Figure 52: Design by Curve Set ................................................................................................................................................................... 45 Figure 53: Design by Elements .................................................................................................................................................................... 45 Figure 54: Turnout Schematic...................................................................................................................................................................... 45 Figure 55: Turnout Library .......................................................................................................................................................................... 46 Figure 56: Switch and Crossing behaving like turnout .................................................................................................................................... 46 Figure 57: Switch and Crossing Library ........................................................................................................................................................ 46 Figure 58: Vertical Design - Curves.............................................................................................................................................................. 47 Figure 59: Tools for fabrication and construction detailing.............................................................................................................................. 47 Figure 60: Software tools for track design ..................................................................................................................................................... 48 Figure 61: Alignment design........................................................................................................................................................................ 48 Figure 62: Switch design ............................................................................................................................................................................. 49 Figure 63: Alignment design from surveyed data ........................................................................................................................................... 49 Figure 64: Cross-section design ................................................................................................................................................................... 49 Figure 65: Sub-structure and terrain design ................................................................................................................................................... 50 Figure 66: Presenting .................................................................................................................................................................................. 50 Figure 67: Visualisation .............................................................................................................................................................................. 50

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Figure 68: Light rail tracks with concrete railroad ties (sleepers)...................................................................................................................... 51 Figure 69: Shape of Tram Rail ..................................................................................................................................................................... 51 Figure 70: LR55 Section ............................................................................................................................................................................. 52 Figure 71: Rail in Rotherham Bus Station ..................................................................................................................................................... 52 Figure 72: Rail Pressure Graph .................................................................................................................................................................... 53 Figure 73: Grassed Track ............................................................................................................................................................................ 53 Figure 74: Grooved rail gauntlet track on a street tramway in Mannheim, Germany .......................................................................................... 53 Figure 75: Cross-section of the now obsolete bullhead rail.............................................................................................................................. 54 Figure 76: Track using the UK Bullhead rail profile. ...................................................................................................................................... 54 Figure 77: Cross-section of flat-bottomed Vignoles rail .................................................................................................................................. 55 Figure 78: Pandrol clip holding rail to concrete sleeper................................................................................................................................... 56 Figure 79: Trackwork in Jalandhar, India notice the baseplate and the Pandrol clips ....................................................................................... 56 Figure 80: Pandrol Clip ............................................................................................................................................................................... 57 Figure 81: Spring clip & spike with baseplates on adjacent sleepers at welded joint........................................................................................... 57 Figure 82: Screwed rail attachment............................................................................................................................................................... 57 Figure 83: Traditional British practice at Cardiff Bay railway station shows a fishplate between two sections of jointed bullhead rail with a rail chair screwed into a wooden sleeper. The keys are on the opposite side of the rail (not visible). ........................................................................ 57 Figure 84: BNSF Railway spiker in operation in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. The machine is driving spikes on both sides of the rails after the ties were replaced. .................................................................................................................................................................................. 58 Figure 85: Expansion joints are provided in running rails to allow for temperature changes. The additional rails in the centre of the track are bolted to the sleepers to prevent the sleepers being shifted by rail expansion......................................................................................................... 59 Figure 86: Track Joint ................................................................................................................................................................................. 60 Figure 87: Alternative view of track joints..................................................................................................................................................... 60 Figure 88: Rail movement joints with longitudinally moveable stock rails ........................................................................................................ 60 Figure 89: Rail movement joints with longitudinally moveable stock rails ........................................................................................................ 61 Figure 90: Rail Movement Joints "Scarf Type" .............................................................................................................................................. 62 Figure 91: Insulated Joints........................................................................................................................................................................... 62 Figure 92: Continuous Insulated Joint........................................................................................................................................................... 63 Figure 93: Insulated joint with square rail cut ................................................................................................................................................ 63 Figure 94: Insulated joint with angular rail cut............................................................................................................................................... 64 Figure 95: Welded rail joint ......................................................................................................................................................................... 65 Figure 96: GNER_HST_and_Northern_156479_2005-10-08 .......................................................................................................................... 66 Figure 97: Railroad track in Birkenau (Auschwitz II) concentration camp in 2001............................................................................................. 66 Figure 98: Turnout...................................................................................................................................................................................... 67 Figure 99: West_India_Quay_DLR_station_from_Canary_Wharf_DLR_station_2005-12-10............................................................................. 68 Figure 100: Docklands Light Railway junction north of West India Quay......................................................................................................... 68 Figure 101: Left: GNER Intercity 125 HST from Newcastle to Edinburgh via the Tyne Valley Line to Carlisle. Right: Northbound Class 221 Virgin Voyager DEMU heading for Newcaslte. Both trains are crossing the River Tyne on the King Edward VII bridge ....................................... 69 Figure 102: LU-1996ts-Wembley_Park_Siding_2005-12-10 ........................................................................................................................... 69 Figure 103: Netley Railroad......................................................................................................................................................................... 70 Figure 104: Northern_Rail_DMU_156463_at_Sunderland_2005-10-10_03...................................................................................................... 70 Figure 105: Sign of point............................................................................................................................................................................. 71 Figure 106: Silverlink_313123_at_Kensington_Olympia_01 .......................................................................................................................... 71 Figure 107: Taipei MRT railroad point in Damshui Station............................................................................................................................. 72 Figure 108: Welsh Marches Line north of Craven Arms station ....................................................................................................................... 72 Figure 109: "Serna" junction station turnout (Salamanca) ............................................................................................................................... 73 Figure 110: "Serna" junction station symmetrical turnout............................................................................................................................. 73 Figure 111: "Serna" junction station: Convergent switch................................................................................................................................. 74 Figure 112: Castle Cary railway station view west from footbridge ............................................................................................................... 74 Figure 113: Castle Cary railway station - view west from footbridge................................................................................................................ 75 Figure 114: View west from Castle Cary railway station................................................................................................................................. 75 Figure 115: Castle_Cary_railway_station_viewed_from_car_park_-_02 .......................................................................................................... 76 Figure 116: Carlisle_railway_station_2005-10-08_01..................................................................................................................................... 76 Figure 117: Bristol-Birmingham-Derby Line north of Filton Abbey Wood ....................................................................................................... 77 Figure 118: Which way? ............................................................................................................................................................................. 77 Figure 119: Westbound freight train at Bristol Parkway.................................................................................................................................. 78 Figure 120: Boldon West Junction................................................................................................................................................................ 78 Figure 121: Variety of railroad turnouts ........................................................................................................................................................ 79 Figure 122: A scene from Indian Railways .................................................................................................................................................... 79 Figure 123: Compensate to maintain tension in the cables that work the switches.............................................................................................. 80 Figure 124: Typical track plan of a turnout.................................................................................................................................................... 80 Figure 125: Typical Vossloh Turnout Components......................................................................................................................................... 81 Figure 126: Turnout Zones .......................................................................................................................................................................... 81 Figure 127: Simple turnout with names of principal parts ............................................................................................................................... 82 Figure 128: This detail of a switch shows the pair of tapered moveable rails known as the switch points (switch rails or point blades).................... 82 Figure 129: Mathematical Representation of a Frog ....................................................................................................................................... 83 Figure 130: Frog Crossing ........................................................................................................................................................................... 83 Figure 131: A flangeway ............................................................................................................................................................................. 83 Figure 132: Frog......................................................................................................................................................................................... 84 Figure 133: Frog in abandoned station in Spain ............................................................................................................................................. 85 Figure 134: Cast frog .................................................................................................................................................................................. 86

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Figure 135: Old mounted frog with cast middle ............................................................................................................................................. 86 Figure 136: Mounted frog............................................................................................................................................................................ 87 Figure 137: A cast manganese crossing/frog in a standard UK turnout. Special baseplates have to be provided at turnouts for switch blades, check rails and crossing work. ..................................................................................................................................................................... 87 Figure 138: mounted frog with welded point ................................................................................................................................................. 88 Figure 139: Functioning of Guard / Check Rail.............................................................................................................................................. 89 Figure 140: Check gauge............................................................................................................................................................................. 89 Figure 141: Check / Guard Rail.................................................................................................................................................................... 89 Figure 142: Guard Rail................................................................................................................................................................................ 90 Figure 143: The frog (left) and guard rail (right) can be seen in this detail of a switch. ....................................................................................... 91 Figure 144: Extended wing rail as the check rail ............................................................................................................................................ 91 Figure 145: Double frog with check rail........................................................................................................................................................ 92 Figure 146: The railroad switch with joints, designed for manual operation. The enlarged part (right bottom corner) show the joint construction. Military railway near Dubendorf, Switzerland...................................................................................................................................... 92 Figure 147: This rigid, ground-throw switch machine on the Horovitz's Ogden Botanical Railway is designed to hold the points against one rail or the other, so that trains can pass smoothly through. The machine is rigidly attached to the throw bar to firmly set the points against the stock rails. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 93 Figure 148: Railway turnout with electric throw ............................................................................................................................................ 93 Figure 149: dovetail-shaped locking of the switch blades in opened position .................................................................................................... 94 Figure 150: Hand-Throw Switch Stands........................................................................................................................................................ 94 Figure 151: Turnout Indicators..................................................................................................................................................................... 95 Figure 152: High-Switch Targets ................................................................................................................................................................. 96 Figure 153: Switch Targets.......................................................................................................................................................................... 96 Figure 154: Targets used by the Denver & Rio Grande Western ...................................................................................................................... 97 Figure 155: Positive closed aspect............................................................................................................................................................. 97 Figure 156: Michigan Central Switch Targets................................................................................................................................................ 98 Figure 157: Grafik_weichensignal................................................................................................................................................................ 98 Figure 158: Switch Stand ............................................................................................................................................................................ 99 Figure 159: Switch Stand ............................................................................................................................................................................ 99 Figure 160: Switch Stand .......................................................................................................................................................................... 100 Figure 161: Switch Stand .......................................................................................................................................................................... 100 Figure 162: Switch Stand .......................................................................................................................................................................... 101 Figure 163: The mechanism used in a switch stand. The two points are locked together with a bar between them. This bar continues to the lever on the near side of the tracks which is used to throw the switch (North American usage). 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 reflectorised target. ....................... 102 Figure 164: A manual lock (type HV73) of a point at the railway station of Kinding, NrnbergIngolstadt high-speed railway line...................... 102 Figure 165: A ground-frame with a few hand-operated point levers for manually operating nearby points at Bristol Temple Meads. .................... 103 Figure 166: Hand-operated crank-type points-machine at Sukeva, Finland ..................................................................................................... 103 Figure 167: Hand-operated point levers at the now defunct Wakayanagi station, Japan .................................................................................... 104 Figure 168: Switch Reversing Lever........................................................................................................................................................... 104 Figure 169: Switch Reversing Lever........................................................................................................................................................... 105 Figure 170: Retired old switches of the station of The Palms, after their remodelling. ...................................................................................... 105 Figure 171: Switch Reversing Lever........................................................................................................................................................... 106 Figure 172: Typical Spanish switches with switch reversing levers and switchpoint lamps on sidetracks ........................................................... 106 Figure 173: Typical Spanish switches with switch reversing levers and switchpoint lamps on sidetracks ........................................................... 107 Figure 174: Switch Reversing Lever........................................................................................................................................................... 107 Figure 175: Davle, the Czech Republic ....................................................................................................................................................... 108 Figure 176: Manual point lever .................................................................................................................................................................. 108 Figure 177: Onda Point Machine................................................................................................................................................................ 109 Figure 178: Switch Reversing Lever........................................................................................................................................................... 109 Figure 179: Switch Reversing Lever........................................................................................................................................................... 110 Figure 180: Railway turnout with electric point machine .............................................................................................................................. 111 Figure 181: An electric switch motor and associated mechanism used to operate this switch. A closeup of the converging points immediately north of w:Filton Abbey Wood railway station. In this configuration the track is set for trains from Bristol Parkway. ............................................ 111 Figure 182: An electric switch motor and associated mechanism used to operate this switch. A closeup of the converging points immediately north of w:Filton Abbey Wood railway station. In this configuration the track is set for trains from w:South Wales or Avonmouth via Brentry........ 112 Figure 183: RENFE Motor Points in VIGO Station ...................................................................................................................................... 112 Figure 184: An electric point machine located adjacent to the switch blades it operates. Most point machines are electrically operated though London Underground still has a large number of air operated machines. ........................................................................................................... 113 Figure 185: Automatic Switch Drive .......................................................................................................................................................... 113 Figure 186: Automatic Switch Drive .......................................................................................................................................................... 114 Figure 187: Switch Reversing Lever........................................................................................................................................................... 115 Figure 188: Switch Reversing Lever........................................................................................................................................................... 115 Figure 189: US turnout showing the electro-pneumatic motor to operate the switchblades and the point heater tube alongside the stock rail. Heaters are invaluable in cold weather conditions and are widely used. Turnout motors are usually electric but electro-pneumatic motors are seen in the US and are standard equipment for London Underground.................................................................................................................... 116 Figure 190: "Serna" junction station turnout (Salamanca) ............................................................................................................................. 116 Figure 191: "Serna" junction station turnout (Salamanca) ............................................................................................................................. 117 Figure 192: AZP Praha EP 600 electronic point machine .............................................................................................................................. 117 Figure 193: EP 600 electronic point machine hollow sleeper ......................................................................................................................... 118

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Figure 194: Fixing the point machine in the hollow sleeper........................................................................................................................... 118 Figure 195: Facing & Trailing.................................................................................................................................................................... 119 Figure 196: Animated diagram of a right-hand railroad switch, rail track A divides into two: track B (the straight track) and track C (the diverging track) ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 119 Figure 197: The operation of a railroad switch. ............................................................................................................................................ 120 Figure 198: Switch Right........................................................................................................................................................................... 121 Figure 199: Switch Left............................................................................................................................................................................. 121 Figure 200: Switch Right........................................................................................................................................................................... 121 Figure 201: Switch Left............................................................................................................................................................................. 121 Figure 202: Switch Right Check Rail ....................................................................................................................................................... 122 Figure 203: Switch Left Check Rail ......................................................................................................................................................... 122 Figure 204: Switch Right........................................................................................................................................................................... 122 Figure 205: Switch Left............................................................................................................................................................................. 122 Figure 206: Switch Right........................................................................................................................................................................... 122 Figure 207: Switch Right........................................................................................................................................................................... 122 Figure 208: Switch Left............................................................................................................................................................................. 122 Figure 209: Switch Left............................................................................................................................................................................. 122 Figure 210: A right-hand railroad switch in Oulu, Finland. The facing points are set to divert. From the opposite direction they would be trailing points............................................................................................................................................................................................. 123 Figure 211: A left-hand railroad switch....................................................................................................................................................... 123 Figure 212: Trailing Point Movement ......................................................................................................................................................... 124 Figure 213: A left-hand railroad switch....................................................................................................................................................... 124 Figure 214: Self-Regulating Switchpoint Rail Heaters .................................................................................................................................. 125 Figure 215: Gas heating keeps a switch free from snow and ice. .................................................................................................................... 125 Figure 216: Benicassim's station, works to install a leak in the exit towards Castellon...................................................................................... 126 Figure 217: Benicassim's station, leak already installed in the exit towards Castellon....................................................................................... 127 Figure 218: Benicassim's station, leak already installed in the exit towards Castellon....................................................................................... 128 Figure 219: Applications of turnouts........................................................................................................................................................... 130 Figure 220: Single slip switch .................................................................................................................................................................... 130 Figure 221: Double slip switch................................................................................................................................................................... 130 Figure 222: On prototype and model railroads alike, curved switches are built where space is at a premium. This dual-gauge (0 and 1 gauge) curved switch is on Marc Horovitzs Ogden Botanical Railway. Dual-gauge switches are considerably more complex than single-gauge switches, but their operation is identical. ............................................................................................................................................................... 131 Figure 223: A three-way switch allows trains to go either to the left, right, or straight. Notice there are two sets of points imbedded in this example from Jim Strongs Woodland Railway............................................................................................................................................... 131 Figure 224: A double-slip switch is perhaps the most complex switch there is. Operationally, its four switches in one, each crossing over the other, so that trains can run onto any track. ................................................................................................................................................. 131 Figure 225: Scissors crossover in CMS (Indian Railways) ............................................................................................................................ 132 Figure 226: Scissors or Diamond Crossover ................................................................................................................................................ 132 Figure 227: A scissors crossover: two pairs of switches linking two tracks to each other in both directions ........................................................ 133 Figure 228: Carlisle railway station ............................................................................................................................................................ 133 Figure 229: Crossrails at Leeds .................................................................................................................................................................. 134 Figure 230: Cambridge-longplatform-north-04 ............................................................................................................................................ 134 Figure 231: Level Junction with Scissors (Diamond) Crossover .................................................................................................................... 135 Figure 232: Stockport Edgeley with awkward (scissors) crossover in foreground. ........................................................................................... 135 Figure 233: Crossrails at Leeds .................................................................................................................................................................. 136 Figure 234: Scissors crossover fully welded construction ........................................................................................................................... 137 Figure 235: A double slip switch at Munich Central ..................................................................................................................................... 138 Figure 236: A double slip switch ................................................................................................................................................................ 139 Figure 237: A double slip switch English Connection............................................................................................................................. 139 Figure 238: Double slip switch with Cauer Indicator .................................................................................................................................... 140 Figure 239: Slip switch ............................................................................................................................................................................. 140 Figure 240: Junction south of Wilkinson Street tram stop ............................................................................................................................. 141 Figure 241: Double slip switch operation .................................................................................................................................................... 141 Figure 242: Double slip switches................................................................................................................................................................ 142 Figure 243: A double slip switch at a factory ....................................................................................