I refer to the thingys that change routes of my model trains as switches. It seems that prototype railroaders refer to the same thing in real life as switches.
From what I understand, the turnout term was invented to distinguish between track switches and electrical switches used for throwing track switches, etc. From what I've been reading, few people who are actively building layouts are installing toggle switches. I might be wrong in this but in any event, I'd like to suggest that we start calling track switches as "switches", toggle switches as "toggles" and slide switches as "slides." It seems really silly to me to use an invented term (turnouts) when referring to a prototype device railroaders call "switches."
Deja vu
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Short answer: It's interpretation. One is rail related and the other, is more general, but both are used for describing the same thing.
One could use the term 'Railway switch' or 'Electrical switch' if one needs to distiguish between the two.
Oddly, Atlas Tool & Die calls their 'numbered' switches "turnouts" but their 'Snaptrack' versions "Switches''.
This comes up every few weeks. As it happens, the real railroads are not nearly as picky as some model railroaders who think themselves sophisticated -- a number of real railroads do use the term "turnout". For example, here online the BNSF used turnout:http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/capital_investment/2005/0715_boonetrackimprovement.shtml
An article on prototype turnouts from the professional journal Railway Track and Structures:http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BFW/is_9_95/ai_57602914
The Association of American Railroads extensively the term, here from an article in the professional journal Railway Age:http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1215/is_n9_v196/ai_17400943
A number of US patents related to real-life railroads use the term, including:http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=4&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=turnout&s2=railroad&OS=turnout+AND+railroad&RS=turnout+AND+railroad
This company that sells track components to real railroads uses the term:http://www.romarpipeandrail.com/turnouts.htmhttp://www.romarpipeandrail.com/railroadfrogs.htm
I also have a number of prototype timetables and track charts that use the term turnout, including ATSF Western Region California Division employee timetable No. 3, issued Jan 15, 1989. This document uses the terms somewhat interchangeably.
So it's far from an "invented term" -- unless you mean invented by the real railroads.
The general distinction on the real railroad seems to be train crews vs. engineering departments, although there's overlap. Doesn't seem to be much harm in using the term turnout in the hobby as it has been used for decades.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Heck, I think anyone can call them either. The UP does:Turnout:http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/operations/specs/track/03.shtml
Switch:http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/operations/specs/track/overview.shtml
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
ScottGroff wrote: I refer to the thingys that change routes of my model trains as switches. It seems that prototype railroaders refer to the same thing in real life as switches. From what I understand, the turnout term was invented to distinguish between track switches and electrical switches used for throwing track switches, etc. From what I've been reading, few people who are actively building layouts are installing toggle switches. I might be wrong in this but in any event, I'd like to suggest that we start calling track switches as "switches", toggle switches as "toggles" and slide switches as "slides." It seems really silly to me to use an invented term (turnouts) when referring to a prototype device railroaders call "switches."
Hmmm. what would one call a "push button" switch?
I call the switches of tracks "switches", and call the electrical switches to actuate the track switches "switches". One diverts (switches) trains, the other diverts (switches) current.
Which switch switches which switch???
(That is why switches should be labled!)
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Toggles are hardly the only kind of electrical switch, and a lot of switches are still in use, even on DCC layouts. I use several different configurations of rotaries and a couple of different varieties of toggles - and I doubt that I'm alone.
Actually, the part of a turnout that routes a train IS a switch - which is referred to in other parts of the English-speaking world as 'points.' It consists of the movable parts of a turnout.
'Turnout' is a civil engineering term. The operating department probably uses the word 'switch' because that's the part of a turnout that directly impacts on what a train does when it rolls across one.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with hand-laid specialwork)
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
tomikawaTT wrote: 'Turnout' is a civil engineering term.
Its the diverging route, the curves in the diverging route. That's why there are often speed restrictions associated with the "turnout".
The operating department probably uses the word 'switch' because that's the part of a turnout that directly impacts on what a train does when it rolls across one.
They talk about the "switch" (points) in operating rules because thats the part the crew members operate.
Dave H.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
I'd call it ''On - Off''.
Most are SPST. Some are illuminated.
'Switch' is a Verb meaning to change.
Change: Direction, Partners, Electrical flow, - or (in RR parlance) 'Divurge'.
A mechanical device that produces change can also be called a 'Switch ' (and becomes a Noun).
Railroads embrace the terms 'Switch', as in 'Switching Towers', 'Switch' indication, 'Switching' cars, and of course 'Switchmen' who switch cars.
Another name for RR" Switch" (N) is ''Turnout'', and loved by the 'aesthetically correct'.
Multiple words to describe a single action, or entity.
One can also interchange the words 'England and Briton' - although I'm sure there are distinctions.
Don Gibson wrote: 'Switch' is a Verb meaning to change.Change: Direction, Partners, Electrical flow, - or (in RR parlance) 'Divurge'.A mechanical device that produces change can also be called a 'Switch ' (and becomes a Noun).
Subtypes of this genre are made of 'whippy' wood. When applied to the legs and bottom, they definitely produce changes...
Railroads embrace the terms 'Switch', as in 'Switching Towers', 'Switch' indication, 'Switching' cars, and of course 'Switchmen' who switch cars. Another name for RR" Switch" (N) is ''Turnout'', and loved by the 'aesthetically correct'.Multiple words to describe a single action, or entity. One can also interchange the words 'England and Briton' - although I'm sure there are distinctions.
Unfortunately, "England," and, "Briton," don't interchange very well. One is a country, the other is a name for its inhabitants. "Britons," live in Great Britain - and are indistinguishable from the Englishmen who live in England...
Let's hear it for semantic accuracy.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Chuck,
I was under the impression that the country is the United Kingdom, consisting of four entities: England, Scotland, Wales, and the province of Northern Ireland.
Mark
Chuck
What I need is a USA english/UK english rairoad/railway dictionary as I am just getting into USA railroading and your terminology is somewhat different to ours in the UK.
As an ex Driver (Engineer) I never asked anyone to change the switches or turnouts, they were always known as the points.
Chris
Briton err Englander err Englishman
ps
I don't think we are united anymore (a little bit of politics there)
markpierce wrote: Chuck,I was under the impression that the country is the United Kingdom, consisting of four entities: England, Scotland, Wales, and the province of Northern Ireland.Mark
You're right and people who live there should be called United Kingdomers!
R. T. POTEET wrote: markpierce wrote: Chuck,I was under the impression that the country is the United Kingdom, consisting of four entities: England, Scotland, Wales, and the province of Northern Ireland.MarkYou're right and people who live there should be called United Kingdomers!
Please let me know when you plan to call an inhabitant of Scotland a United Kingdomer.
I want the ticket concession at the butt-whuppin'!
By the way, that gadget with two coils or a stall motor is still a switch machine.