Points and Crossing

Points and crossings are provided to transfer trains from

one track to another:
POINT (SWITCH): The device that is use to divert the wheels
CROSSING: Gaps in the rail that enables the actual diversion
TURNOUT: Complete set of points and crossing including the main (lead) rail:
1) LEFT HAND TURNOUT
2) RIGHT HAND TURNOUT
ARailway Turnout
Turn Out:
• Turnout: Turnout is the simplest combination
of point and crossing by operation of which
train is diverted to another track.
• A Turnout may be two type:
1. A right hand turnout
2. A left hand turnout
Right Hand Turnout:

If a train is diverted
from main track is
diverted to the
right of the main
route in the facing
direction, then the
diversion is known
as RIGHT HAND
TURNOUT.
Left Hand Turnout:

If a train is diverted
from main track is
diverted to the left
of the main route in
the facing
direction, then the
diversion is known
as LEFT HAND
TURNOUT.
Right hand turnout with full
components
Point(Switches):-
• Stock rail: It is the running rail against which a
tongue rail operates.
• Tongue rail: It is a tapered movable rail, made of
high carbon or manganese steel to withstand wear.
At this end, it is attached to a running rail. A tongue
rail is also called a switch rail.
• Heel Block: These blocks are inserted between the
heel of the tongue rail and stock rail. These are
made of C.I. and are used to provide a clear gap for
the wheel flange.
• Switch tie plate: This is provided below the slide
chairs at the toe. There are two butt straps at the
ends to ensure the definite location of slide chair
and hence of the rails. Standard sections are
25×1.25 cm for BG and 22.5×0.9 cm for MG.
• Stretcher bar: The toes of both the tongue rails are
connected together by means of stretcher bars, so
that each tongue moves through the same distance
or gap while changing the points. Generally two or
three bars are used near the toe.
How Switches Work:
Types Of Switches:

• There are two types of switches:

1. Stub switch
2. Split switch
• Split switch are of two types:
a. Loose heel type
b. Fixed heel type
Stub Switch

Split Switch
 CROSSINGS:
• A Crossing is a device which provide two
flangeways through which the wheels of the flanges
may move, when two rails intersect each other at
an angle.
• Types of crossings:
Based on shape of crossing: Based on assembly of
1. Actual angle crossing crossing:
2. obtuse angle crossing 1.Spring crossing
2.Cross crossing
3. Right angle crossing
3.Diamond crossing
4.Scissors crossing
5.Ladder track or
gathering line
 Actual angle crossing

Obtuse angle crossing

Right angle
crossing
Spring crossing

cross over

Diamond
crossing
Scissors crossing