Locomotive Cab Rides

Sun Apr 8 16:39:40 EDT 2018

Jim,
I'm a model railroader and have always used both terms. I don't care. I have a friend who was an Amtrak track supervisor and he calls them switches. I really think that's the more proper term but it matters not when almost everyone knows what you're talking about. I sort of like "points" though as it maybe best describes it.
Roger HuberDeer Creek Locomotive Works 

    On Sunday, April 8, 2018, 3:33:29 PM CDT, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:  

 All
I am aware this is NOT the modeling list, but I have been led to believe over my 65 years of listening to people that the following is generally true. A) the term "turnout" came into model railroad parlance to distinguish the track "switch" from the electrical "switch" used to control track blocks, and other functions. B) to add to the confusion, model Turnouts are operated by switch machines. C) track switches determine the route selected by movable rails called "points". D) In the UK, the common term for track work that allows for diverging or crossing is just "points" or "point work". E)  I have not had recent contact with professional railroad operations folks, but in my earlier years it was always "switches" and nothing else.  
I guess as long as one knows the context, it doesn't matter what term we use.   Since I have no track power on my layout, and I use manual throws, I will always have "switches" on my model railroad. 
Jim Stapleton
On Apr 8, 2018, at 10:41, NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:

Jack,
That must have been a neat experience. I liked the H16-44's but to have done a similar thing in an N&W steamer would have been much better.
As to "turnouts" vs "switches" all I can say is those are the 2 words for those things and it always seems whichever one I use people listening want the other one. Like when I was working for the airline all those long years. I worked "swing" or "evening" shift a few of them. When talking about it to others no matter which term I used the other folks would come back with the other one. Just can't win! Obviously both words get the message across. lol
Lets keep the reminiscences coming as they are neat to hear.
Roger HuberDeer Creek Locomotive Works 

    On Sunday, April 8, 2018, 8:02:04 AM CDT, NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:  

Back in the 50’s, when I was a child and growing up in South Norfolk, I had an occasion or two to ride with an uncle, who was a hostler, around the Norfolk and Western Lambert’s Point Yard.  I remember the excitement I felt when the fireman opened the firebox to shovel in coal.  We went to the ash pit to dump the ashes, we went across the turntable to the roundhouse, and I watched as coal and water was loaded on the tender.  I don’t remember a lot of the details, but I remember it was a lot of fun for a small child, me!!

It also occurs to me that in those days, turnouts around the Lambert's Point Yard were called switches!!

Jack

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