Switches

Front 1

Running rail

Back 1

The portion of a real that is in contact with the train wheels. The running real also connect multiple track switches together in is what the train travels on between switches delete

Front 2

Wheel flange

Back 2

The portion of the train wheel that extends below the top inside surface of the running rail to keep the train car on the track in to guide the car from one track to another

Front 3

Heel blocks

Back 3

Act as hinges for the switch points

Front 4

Frog

Back 4

A large groove metal blocks located at the intersection of two running rails that provide support in a passageway for the wheels in the wheel flanges as the wheels transitions across the running rails

Front 5

Switch points

Back 5

The movable running rail that actually causes a car to move from one track to another

Front 6

Switch rods

Back 6

Metal rods that act as spacers to keep the switch. In alignment or parallel to one another

Front 7

Throw rod

Back 7

Mechanical linkage that moves the switch points. It connects the switch machine to the middle switch rod at the basket

Front 8

Locking rod

Back 8

The throw ride prevents the switch points from moving once the switch machine is locked

Front 9

Point detectors

Back 9

Used to indicate the position of the switches to control the center

Front 10

Switch machine

Back 10

A box located next to the switch that contains the mechanism and controls for changing the switch positions. This box is where the hand crank will be inserted to change the position of the switch

Front 11

Hand crank

Back 11

Hand cranks are used to operate a switch manually. They are inserted into the switch machine and cranked to align the switch. The cranks are chained to the switch boxes