Next, the frog and the straight closure rail with its accompanying switch rail are assembled on the ties,
between the stock rails, adjacent to their final positions. This assembly is gaged from the straight stock rail, with
the point of frog coinciding with the staked position of the PF, and spiked in place. The point of switch is spiked
temporarily. The curved closure rail and turnout point of switch are then spiked in place, as figure 2.18E shows.
Now the bent stock rail can be gaged from the turnout point of switch and the curved closure rail and then spiked
in its final location. The two guard rails are assembled and spiked opposite the frog and adjacent to the running
rails. Next, the spikes are removed from the through point of switch; it is then moved to the open position, 4 3/4
inches from the bearing surface of the curved stock rail, and joined to the opposite point of switch with the switch
rods. Then the switch-throwing mechanism is installed. The turnout is now ready for use. The completed
turnout is shown in figure 2.18F.
2.23.
SUMMARY
It takes an engineer or a skilled turnout technician to draw up the plans and data needed for turnout
construction. A knowledge of trigonometry is essential. Turnouts are installed during new construction and out-
of-face track renewal, or when the present ones have become unsatisfactory.
Before construction can begin, the dispatcher must take the track out of service until the work is
completed. The foreman must determine the proper lengths of rails so that placing them will not interfere with
either guard or switch rails. Having the rails properly cut is also his responsibility.
The first step in turnout construction is to locate the point of frog and point of switch. The other steps
include removing and relaying rails, ties, and ballast; installing the straight and bent stock rails, followed by the
straight and curved closure rails and the frog. When the guard rails and the switch-throwing mechanism are in
place, the construction is complete.
Section IV. Maintenance
2.24.
GENERAL
Turnout maintenance, like any other, really involves three things: inspection, repair, and prevention. The
first and foremost step in turnout maintenance is frequent inspections. The stock rails,
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