240 



TRACK WORK 



TURNOUTS 



A turnout is a contrivance for passing from one track to 

 another. The principal parts are the switch, the frog, and 

 two guard-rails. The switch, which is the movable part of the 

 turnout, consists of two switch rails BA, CD, Fig. 1. The 

 fixed ends B and C of the switch rails are called the heels of the 



W B'\W 



FIG. 1 



FIG. 2 



switch, and the movable ends A and D, the toes of the switch. 

 The cross-tie that supports the toes of the switch is called the 

 head-block, and the tie-rod at the toes, the head-rod. The dis- 

 tance A A 1 or DD' through which the toes move is called the 

 throw of the switch. A frog is shown at K and two guard-rails 

 at R, R'. 



