Points and Crossings

Outline
• Turnout
• Types
– Left hand
– Right Hand
• Components
• Points and Switches
• Crossings
 Turnout
• In case of roads – vehicles move in any
direction
• Trains - not possible at will to change the
direction
• Change is made possible with the provision of
turnouts
• Consists of points and crossings.
• Information sent to loco pilot using signals.
 Turnout - Definition
• Simple arrangement of points and crossings by
the manipulation of which the train from one
track may be diverted to the another track or
branch line or to siding is known as turnout.
• 2 tracks either merge or diverge, or 2 tracks
parallel to each other but are still connected
to each other- This connection helps in
• changing the direction of trains.
for this points and crossings are used.
 Turnouts
• The combination of lead rails with curved rails
(and fastenings) helps in diverting rolling stock
from one track to another track.
• Rails depending on curvature
– Lead rails are straight
– Curved rails have curvature
• Turnouts are also provided in yards and
sidings
 Turnouts and Problems
• Some problems exist
• Weakest points on the track due to jointsand
fastenings. Safety becomes main concern in
design
• Retards the movement of the trains

•Functions of turnouts
 Types of Turnouts
• Depending on direction of movement of trains
from main tracks
– Left hand turnout
– Right hand turnout
Constituents of turnout
 Component Parts of a Turnout
1. A pair of tongue rails Rods, cranks, levers etc
2. A pair of stock rails 11. Locking system which
3. Two check rails includes locking box, lock
4. Four lead rails bar, plunger bar etc
5. A Vee crossing
6. Slide chairs
7. Stretcher bar
8. A pair of heel blocks
9. Switch tie plate or gauge
10. Parts for operating points-
• Facing direction:
– Standing at switch and looking towards crossing
• Trailing direction:
– Standing at crossing and looking towards switches
• Points:
– A pair of tongue rails with stock rails
– Train diverting from the main track will negotiate
these points first.
• Tongue Rail:
– It is a tapered movable rail, made of high-carbon
or -manganese steel to withstand wear.
– At its thicker end, it is attached to a running rail.
– A tongue rail is also called a switch rail.
• Stock Rail:
– It is the running rail against which a tongue rail
operates.
• Switch angle:
– angle between the gauge face of the stock rail and
tongue rail at the theoretical toe of switch.
• Throw of switch:
– Distance by which the tongue rail moves laterally
at the toe of switch

• Crossing:
– A crossing is a device introduced at the junction
where two rails cross each other to permit the
wheel flange of a railway vehicleto pass from one
track to another.
 Switches - Components
• A set of points or switches consists of the
following main constituents
– A pair of stock rails
– A pair of tongue rails
• also known as switch rails, made of medium-
manganese steel to withstand wear. The tongue rails
are machined to a very thin section to obtain a snug fit
with the stock rail. The tapered end of the tongue rail is
called the toe and the thicker end is called the heel.
 Switches
– A pair of heel blocks which hold the heel of the
tongue rails is held at the standard clearance or
distance from the stock rails.
– A number of slide chairs to support the tongue rail
and enable its movement towards or away from the
stock rail.
–
Two or more stretcher bars connecting both the
tongue rails close to the toe, for the purpose of
holding them at a fixed distance from each other
–
A gauge tie plate to fix gauges and ensure correct
gauge at the points.
 Types of Switches
• Two types
– Stud switch
• no separate tongue rail is provided and some portion of
the track is moved from one side to the other side
– Split switch
• These consist of a pair of stock rails and a pair of
tongue rails
• These are 2 types
– loose heel type
– Fixed heel type
 Based on Toe of Switches
• Undercut switch
– The foot of the stock rail is planed to accommodate the
tongue rail
• Straight cut switch
– Tongue rail is cut straight along the stock rail to increase
thickness at toe.
• Over riding switch
– Stock rail occupies the full section and the tongue rail is
planed to a 6mm thick edge which overrides the foot of
stock rail
–
Switch rail is kept 6mm higher than the stock rail from the
– heel to the point towards the toe where planning starts
Eliminates the possibility of splitting which might be caused
by the movement of false flange in the trailing direction
– Stock rail is uncut, hence more stronger
– manufacturing work is confined only to tongue
rail, which is very economical
– These overriding switches are standardized and
used in IR.
 Crossings
• A crossing or frog is a device introduced at the
point where two gauge faces cross each other
to permit the flanges of a railway vehicle to
pass from one track to another.
• A gap is provided from throw to the nose of
crossing
• Check rails assures the correct movement and
guides the wheels properly.
COMPONENT PARTS OF CROSSING

Vee piece
Splice rail
Wing rails
Check rails
throat
TYPES OF CROSSINGS

ACUTE ANGLE CROSSING:- An acute angle crossing or ‘V’ crossing in which

the intersection of the two gauge faces forms an acute angle. For example, when a
right rail crosses a left rail, it makes an acute crossing. Thus, unlike rail crossings
form an acute crossing.
OBTUSE ANGLE CROSSING;-
An obtuse or diamond crossing in which the two
gauge faces meet at an obtuse angle. When a right or left rail crosses a
similar rail, it makes an obtuse crossing.
SQUARE CROSSING:-
A square crossing in which two tracks cross at right angles. Such crossings
are rarely used in actual practice
THANKS