From "Railway Track and Maintenance: A Manual of Maintenance-of-Way and Structures" by E.E.R. Tratman, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1926, p. 342 [formerly published under the title of "Railway Track and Track Work"], quoted here without permission: Turnouts -- Where a train is to be diverted from one track to another, a turnout is installed, which is essentially a curve connecting two parallel or diverging tracks. This curve, however, is composed of three principal parts: (1) a switch, consisting of two movable rails to direct the train onto one track or the other, as desired; (2) a frog to allow the wheel flanges to pass the intersection of the rails; and (3) rails, known as lead rails, connecting the frog with the switch rails.
Generally regarded as the correct nomenclature for a track switch--a device configured with movable rails which allow a train to enter an alternate route.
A track structure used to divert cars and locomotives from one track to another.
Where two diverging tracks join; also called a switch.
A type of hand rail fitting used at the base of a stair. This fitting flares outward from the linear path of the hand rail above and rests on the top of a newel post that is mounted on a bottom round tread. It is similar to a volute but less ornate. Click here to see a turnout.
a short stretch of railroad track used to store rolling stock or enable trains on the same line to pass
a set of rails that splits into two or more different routes and is often called a " switch track " or " switch
a track switch--the term "turnout" is used to avoid confusion with electrical switches.
A piece of track that allows a train to go from one track to another. Called a switch on a real railroad. Referred to by number. For example, a no. 6 turnout spreads one unit for each six units of travel measured from the frog (the point at which two rails join to form a V).
A curved rail fitting used as one option to start an Over-the-Post balustrade system.
A handrail fitting used on a starting newel which curves away from the stairway. up
Where two diverging tracks join; sometimes called a switch but this word also refers to toggle switches and the like. The term switch is also considered the moving rails part of the turnout. It is a sub assembly of a turnout and contains the points.
A track formation that allows a train to choose between two or more possible routes. Made up of stock rails, points, closure rails, check rails, wing rails, crossing vee, and tiebar.