Switches, points & turnouts

Tue Apr 10 10:05:56 EDT 2018

Jeff

I also thank you for further explanation.  I remember someone posting pictures as the track was realigned and new turnouts installed in Roanoke. IIRC from the photos the assembly was two panels; one had the movable points and part of the closure rails, the second was closure rails, guard rails and frog.  A two piece bolt together assembly beats building the whole thing a piece at a time in place. 
I purchased some commercial turnout kits for my 7.5 inch gauge railroad and that is how they go together. Build two halves and join them. 

Sent from my digital telegraph key
Jim Stapleton
Purcellville VA

> On Apr 10, 2018, at 07:27, NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> Jeff, thanks for your explanation.  It certainly makes sense.  As a career brakeman, you are certainly qualified to know the difference between the two terms.  The bottom line for me, anyway, is that as long as I know what I am talking about and the person I am talking to knows what I am talking about, whatever term is used is fine.
> 
> Jack
> 
> From: NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org> on behalf of NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2018 2:32 AM
> To: NW Mailing List
> Cc: NW Mailing List
> Subject: Re: Switches, points & turnouts
>  
> If I may add to the confusion regarding turnouts and switches, I believe WJ is in a majority of folks who refer to the complete unit, as he describes it, as a switch.
> 
> However, Jim states correctly in his item B, that turnouts are operated by switches. Also, correctly in his item C, is the fact that switches determine a given route, by the moveable rails called points. 
> 
> So, what else is new? Well, from my experience as a career brakeman / conductor, I found several things to be true. Although there is no definition in the rule book of "turnout", the context in which it is used indicates the term applies principally to main line tracks. For instance, you will find in a timetable, speed restrictions, for all of a certain section of railroad, such as a Division. Then there is generally a long list of exceptions for the speed authorized through "Turnouts" at specific locations (designated by Mile Posts). These locations are probably 100% either ends, or beginnings of, double track, where the route can be aligned by throwing the switch(manually, electrically, or pneumatically) for the desired route. So, I believe that the "turnout" is indeed the whole unit, made up of the switch(machine), points, & frog. The switch is the mechanism by which the points are aligned to allow movement over the desired tracks. Also, some of the signal rules specify movement through turnouts at certain speeds.
> 
> The Roanoke Roadway Material Yard builds "turnouts" as well as "panels". which are shipped all over the system for use in quickly rebuilding track that has been damaged, or in new construction. The "turnouts" that are built there are made up of the entire unit, with all parts that are necessary for the unit to do its job.
> 
> A switch is that part of a turnout that aligns movement through the desired route. A switch is also the mechanism that is used, manually, or mechanically, to route movement through a yard.
> 
> One last thought is that the word "switch" is also used to describe the movement of a car, or block of cars, from one track to another. As in "switch car # ------ from track 10 to track 14. This refers to an action as opposed to an object.
> 
> So, the moral of the story is: if no one is going to sue you, call it what you want!
> Sorry this got too long. Its getting late!
> 
> Jeff Sanders
> aka YD BKM
> 
> 
> On Sunday, April 8, 2018, 5:40:06 PM EDT, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> I grew up calling the whole unit of points, frogs, guard rails and switch stands a switch until I went out on an inspection with a FRA man. Those are TURNOUTS, he whispered! Same thing happened when I told a botany instructor that we were setting plsnts in really good dirt. In no uncertain terms I was told that dirt is under your fingernails and plants grow in soil.
> 
>     WJPowers
> 
>> On 4/8/2018 2:06 PM, NW Mailing List 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 Huber
>> Deer 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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