Railroad switches and how they work

[@CurlyQLink]

My father was a railroad engineer for most of his 43 years with a major railroad. Every year, he had to take a written test which was quite detailed and difficult. All I can say is that working for a railroad as an engineer, conductor, fireman or any other field position is not an easy job. Nice presentation.

[@matthewkessler7625]

You ain't kidding. The tests are not easy!!!

[@leebrewer1190]

Excellent! No annoying, minute-long intro music/graphics; clear explanation; and to the point (unlike so many other youtube videos). Thanks for explaining this. You could be a teacher among teachers (I am a teacher).

[@hcourier]

Nice description for a novice like me. My Dad worked on the railroad in 1918, he was a brakeman during the steam era. I remember him telling stories about that work when I was just a little kid. I never realized there was so much to a simple track switch.

[@PacoOtis]

Thanks for the video! Very well done and I congratulate your being such an excellent speaker and having proper grammar. As a kid growing up in a village in Missouri we had a side branch for the elevator and we kids would always go watch them move cars on and off. This winter out here in Idaho we've had a lot of ice and the RR crews buy deice by the truckload and I thought it was for the crossings but they said it was for their switching apparatus. We lay people would never have thought of that. Thanks again for the video.

[@royreynolds108]

The derail is to actually make a car or piece of equipment to jump the rail so it will not foul the main. The black box is a switch to indicate the signal system if the derail is open(for traffic) or closed(in the derail) .

[@davidoickle1778]

Back when we had a railroad through our community, when I was a kid, we had a siding where cars were dropped off and picked up. We had two switches to watch and figure out how they worked. However, I never knew what those guard rails actually did. Thanks for the explanation.

[@americanrails]

Thanks for posting these videos explaining the operation of various railroad items!

[@hnf1930]

+RailTube Thank you so much for watching.

[@BRABAZON49]

American Rails MH

[@rebeccawilson7762]

American Rails. 💰🔥🔫🍼🎤🎬

[@deltavee2]

Thanks for a concise and erudite lesson on something we all look at and take for granted. I've always wondered (aside from the obvious basics) what is involved in the operation of the switches. You answered a lot of questions for me. Happy New Year, mate!

[@GenXRailMedia]

Thank you for a good, concise video. I am going to include it in the required training for new hires at my industrial rail operation.

[@hnf1930]

Thank you so much, I am happy it helps

[@robertbrennan5622]

After 43 yr of. Railroading I enjoyed film , been retired for 22 yr.

[@usa_rail_productions]

I remember watching this video when I was 7 years old…. Awesome video

[@syedmahmed4927]

Wonderful presentation in an awesomely educational way..... Thank you, as I've learned a lot.....

[@nickltrains6952]

I enjoyed the video. Nice description how a switch works. Thanks for sharing.

[@hnf1930]

Thank you so much for watching

[@ArcticWolfSilver]

LOL!! "...and I'll show you what you can do with those." You certainly have a way with words! ;) Excellent educational video! I feel like I learned a lot.

[@kystars]

Good video. As a youngster here in Kentucky I grew up around trains. I was always climbing on the cars, riding the trains etc. I knew everything there was to know, so I thought , UNTIL I was hanging on the side of a train, went over a bridge overpass and a cop saw me! haha. it's ok, I outran him and was more careful after that haha

[@LelandRogers]

Thanks for your video. It amazes me how some people can complain about any subject.

[@hnf1930]

Life is to short, I feel sorry for some people

[@danielunger9340]

What's the up to date upgraded switching on the rails?

[@ArantiusVulpes]

The thing on the rail is called a derail it does exactly what it sounds like it would do

[@manlystyleunder50]

no its not

[@christophertstone]

That is definitely a derailer, marking the fouling point of the spur. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derail

[@manlystyleunder50]

Christopher Stone no its not

[@kiwitrainguy]

manlystyleunder50 - OK, if they (ArantiusVulpes & Christopher Stone )are wrong, what is the correct name?

[@851995STARGATE]

@@manlystyleunder50 give a correct answer then troll

[@GaryCameron780]

Excellent description though I'm certain not all switches can be safely trailed through if not set correctly.

[@brakie44820]

+Gary Cameron Gary,After the switch is lined the crew member will look at the points to ensure they are fully closed..When I was a brakeman I would replace the lock in the foot pedal of the switch handle release after I aligned the switch for our move-see 3 min :08 second mark of the video..

[@bschremp]

A switch where you can trail through it is a spring switch, not all switches are spring switches.

[@raylrodr]

There's also a switch throw used.in yards called a variable switch. It can be trailed through against the points from either direction. We called them "floppers" due to the points latching in the opposite direction when ran through. You run through a rigid switch and it may bend the head rod, uproot the stand or even bend the points. An unreported runthrough will derail the next facing point move.

[@evanwest1929]

Very important info. DIY weekend railroader please take notice.

[@ChainsawNW1218]

ChainsawN&W1218, interesting video, I like to film switches,I use to film the NS trains taking the crossovers at Walton in Radford VA and I've even seen them switch before, but the landowners drive way runs beside NS tracks and He doesn't like nobody near His property, so I don't walk up there anymore, ashame because there's a Wye track up there also,they use to turn N&W 611 & 1218 when it still ran there,still film there at the crossing though, also have the thermal switches,powered by propane 👍.

[@RochelleM491]

That’s great explanation and training.. love it!

[@hnf1930]

Thanks Buddy and thanks for watching!

[@fatimacampbell7929]

what device is used to compensate for lack of spikes through switch point area to secure stock railing in seat of switch plate, also preventing rail from over turning, partially used in switch point obstruction adjustment

[@hnf1930]

It has a larger plate under that moved with the point.

[@aruproy8793]

does it mean that the tracks are bent for changing tracks; they are not swivelled?

[@hnf1930]

More like the track pivots on a single point

[@CVD-di1xn]

Really nice. I had no idea how they work. Keep up the good work.

[@stevencooper2464]

Did anybody notice that the right point was staked, so the switch can't be operated? The rest of the spur must have been removed.

[@GenotheViking]

Forget the negative comments. This was very well done.

[@mistersnipes6862]

Loved the video please keep them coming

[@Trains21]

Awesome.. I learned a lot which is saying a lot because I'm pretty knowledgeable of how switches work!

[@hnf1930]

Thank you so much

[@Trains21]

@@hnf1930 No problem

[@040119863842]

Thanks for explaining. Currently working at a plant with sizable rail operations. I want to learn more about it, but no one there knows anything about tracks. We have a company that comes in and switches cars but they do it after hours when everyone is gone. Seems like we have some real issues with track maintenance too. I want to learn so I can step up and make some recommendations. Any advice or track maintenance for dummies? Thanks for sharing this!!

[@hnf1930]

I will help you all I can

[@rustinschwab6839]

My dad used to work on trains that derailed

[@joemc111]

Don't pay no attention to all those people, nice video. I put a lot of stuff about my work and don't care what anyone thinks or says.

[@johnjohn-ne8fw]

What a great informative and entertaining video. Thx...

[@ryderintexas]

I wonder where the railroad gets the word "Frog" from?

[@ral6844]

It looks like a 'frog' with arms and legs spread out.

[@fonzlowskankmutt9567]

The thing about the frogs is there is (or should) always be a piece of the rail head supporting a part of each of the wheels as they pass through

[@edgmp]

Yeh, he explained that.

[@rich7934]

I know this was posted a while ago, but you have the frog usage reversed. The self guarding frogs (cast ones) are usually used in yards and slow locations, whereas the regular frogs (bolted assemblies) like the ones you show are usually used on the mainline or primary tracks. The reason for this is, that the self-guarding frogs tend to catch and throw the wheels if the flange is too tall or the tread is too wide, at slow speeds the car will ride up and fall back into place, but at speed it would likely derail the car an incident. Otherwise great work.

[@danmathers141]

I would have liked to see that first switch operate.

[@Jleed989]

So if you’re coming out of a siding, do you have to manually move the switch or does the pressure of the wheels move the points automatically?

[@hnf1930]

A spring switch does not need to be manually thrown, such as a passing siding. An industrial siding does need to be manually thrown. Thank you for watching.

[@LandNfan]

The switch in your video does not appear to have a spring in the throw rod and executing a trailing point move from the diverging route as shown would most likely result in a derailment. The rest of your info is spot on.

[@timprussell]

You're correct, except for a spring switch running a switch is a big no no as it will damage the equipment and possibly derail a facing point move.

[@OPTCO1]

if u put rock a wooden board or ur finger will they get crushed by it

[@hnf1930]

I think it would crush most of those items, I know it will crush a finger. Thank you for watching.

[@shawnlanders2034]

Love the videos. Please make more. Thanks

[@animal16365]

I've got a question concerning the frog. do they have a movable frog??

[@sergeanttj3810]

No, the train wheel just moves over the gap, being guided by the guard rail.

[@reubenholcomb8568]

is he talking about a spring frog?

[@IlikeTitanic]

those movable frogs are mostly used at high speed lines, where even the smallest gap could cause discomfort on the passenger, and making the rail and the train components to wear out faster. Nothing that should be required in a regular service or a freight service.

[@royreynolds108]

animal16365 Yes there are movable frogs. The ones used on high speed trackage like the TVG in France use a swing nose frog so there isn't a gap for the wheel tread to cross and the ones on freight railroads where the diverging track is used very little the frogs have a spring rail which moves out of the way as the wheel flanges pass it to access the diverging route and provides wheel support on the through route. Hope that helps.

[@jamesdupuis4821]

Question what is the handle of the switch generally made from?

[@raylrodr]

James Dupuis steel.

[@natekwiatkowski8849]

Great informative video. Thank you

[@Dan-uv5lw]

Very cool and close up.

[@maximillionboi]

never overestimate what you know!

[@Ithinkiwill66]

For the switches, did they all come with a universal key? I mean the switcher must of had only one key to unlock the switches?

[@raylrodr]

Ithinkiwill66 each railroad has their own distinctive key and matching lock.

[@Dan0101010101010]

what happens if the granite stone gets trapped between the track switch?

[@tejasnite]

A switch Broom,,, has a pry apparitius spade looking on one end and a very stiff broom bristles on the other end,,, the brakes,,, maintainance of way maintainance people remove the obstruction,, the HEAD BLOCK TIES with the switch stand attached need TO be removed and replaced brand new again,,, the switch should be spiked in the,,, normal positition until it's repaired,,, and again safe for service

[@tejasnite]

A switch Broom,,, has a pry apparitius spade looking on one end and a very stiff broom bristles on the other end,,, the brakes,,, maintainance of way maintainance people remove the obstruction,, the HEAD BLOCK TIES with the switch stand attached need TO be removed and replaced brand new again,,, the switch should be spiked in the,,, normal positition until it's repaired,,, and again safe for service

[@Dan0101010101010]

Tejasnite amazing thankyou kind sir!

[@tejasnite]

+Dan0101010101010 30 years of track and signal maintaince,,, I highly recommend using a stick,shovel handle,,,switch broom handle. extra long screw driver,,, anything that keeps your hands and fingers clear of steel metal and gears,,,it's so easy to loose a finger diget,,, say you saw the rock that's wedged in between the RAIL and you don't use a stick or rod,,,just your hands,,, you loosen the rock may be just enough pressure it pinch off one or two of your fingers,,,,a very young grade school girl lost two of her fingers helping her dad change a HAY BALER HAY CUTTER SICKLE BLADES,, SHE WAS IN THE FOURTH GRADE BLESS HER HEART

[@hnf1930]

+Tejasnite Great Advice!

[@chrisk405]

Interesting, thank you!

[@jlg823]

Bad comment; "I'll show you what you can do with those." LOL!

[@RickJando]

Very informative thank you.

[@jasonpetersrailadventures]

Cool

[@jdanderson915]

Thank you very informative. Love the old sliding derail and controller.

[@DaveyJones969]

Self guarded frog are 10mph only per fra rules

[@hnf1930]

I did not know that, thanks you and thank you for watching

[@orvilleclift]

No bad comments. I think I know what you would do with those. Good job here.

[@Zebrails]

Many rail items including the Frog were invented/patented by George Westinghouse... Westinghouse Air Brake Company.

[@hnf1930]

Thank you for that additional information, and thank you for watching

[@TexasRailfan2008]

Yep, my favorite person ever

[@JohnMFlores]

That was very clear. Thanks!

[@musicisitall]

you have also mechanical automatic switch

[@hnf1930]

A few close, but I did not get them on video. Thank you for watching.

[@pakistaniboy324]

Nice vedio

[@srinivasansrinivasansundar6631]

Excellent

[@railroadmcdailroad1565]

Looks like Sprite or maybe ginger ale at the switch.

[@iditarod4081]

Nice ty

[@hnf1930]

Thank you for watching

[@johnstiggens2620]

Would be nice to see a more in depth video. Hell, make it 50 minutes if need be...

[@Ahmed-yj9ye]

very much informative

[@hnf1930]

Thank you for watching!

[@briangrosnickle6374]

Excellent !!

[@nhyardlimit]

excellent

[@seamus1322]

Next time add how they are adjusted if there is a gap in the switch.

[@CurtWelch]

Thanks for sharing!

[@CurtWelch]

Can anyone here with RR knowledge tell us what this hardware is? facebook.com/groups/654532281280478/permalink/1667647723302257/

[@usadronevideo4978]

Thanks!

[@hnf1930]

Thank you for watching

[@scotttaylor215]

I think there was some kind of missing flag that goes on the vertical part of the gear thing...

[@raylrodr]

Scott Taylor it's called a target and it is indeed missing.

[@rockfamily7478]

I APPRECIATE THE VIDEO~!

[@chasezielinski5842]

sweet man

[@Lt_Col.Henry_Blake]

A very nice reading of the Wikipedia article. :)

[@hnf1930]

I will take that as a double compliment, I also wrote the Wikipedia article..... so thank you .....two times

[@ramsevakkumar3500]

In present time , youtube app is source to learn new things.

[@tejasnite]

Those HEAD BLOCK TIES ARE In desperate need of replacing,,, they are split and switch stand is not fully secured,,, with the spikes holding the switch stand not secure the tonnage of the cargo rail car can pick the switch point,,, also the switch point HEEL feelers should they not be anchored and spiked securely can spread the rail and rail car hits the ground,,, excessive tonnage like rock,,,cement line stone,,,ext...I as a former employee would spike that switch closed against the stock rail and totally lock that switch outta service until it's repaired...remove the universal lock and put my own lock on it,,, as a employee it's your job to make that decision,,,, cause if you inspect that head BLOCK tie and then a accident occurs you were that last onetype to give the switch the OK APPROVAL...BE SAFE NOT SORRY,,, THE BEST WAY IS THE SAFEST WAY ,,, IT WILL TAKE A DAY OF MANUAL LABOR AND LOST TIME TO RERAIL. , THE CAR AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED SWITCH TIES,,,, COULD PREVENT A TWO MESS TO CLEANUP,,,, LOCK IT AND TAKE IT OUTTA SERVICE

[@raylrodr]

Tejasnite that switch is spiked in the normal position.

[@BossSpringsteen69]

Come to where i work, i'll show you switches that don't work. Every other railroad i take trains to 9 times out of ten, the switches throw smoothly.

[@adrianb9081]

you didn't mention anything about dog ears

[@grahampinkerton2091]

Gee whiz! is this the 18th century?

[@kiwitrainguy]

No, these things were developed in the 19th century.

[@MarkInLA]

Though I know what you're getting at, complete newbies wouldn't get your 'wye' at 2:33. And in all my years in trains I never heard anyone call the track before the points the narrow end' (0:46). This video should have shown the points moving, not left to the imagination. And at 1:28 you're describing 'spring switch'. A train treating it as so here would rip the ground throw and or throw rod apart..Springs are in here and there on RRs, but this one ain't. 1:34 "generally has"? ! No, all switches have a straight through track and a diverging route or routes (alla: a 3 way switch).3:34: "sleepers" is a British term. We call them the ' head blocks'. Where did you grow up ?! 4:32 you said the same thing 4 times before. 6:26 wrong again. The ends of the guard rails are not also 'frogs' as you call them here ! Wow are you an idiot to state at 7:13 "is locked on to the 'wheel' !! 7:48 "and electronics" !! What !!? It's a derail so any car who's hand brake hasn't be set can't can't roll down and foul the main. Car will derail before this can happen...Yes, this is a bad comment because you are telling bad things to those who are new to all things railroading...Who on earth appointed you to narrate this video ! Oh, you !...I pray this is not a 1:1 scale training video !!...M

[@donl1410]

LOL

[@donl1410]

The description of the video- "A quick guide to railraod switches and how they work"

[@peetre]

How do I leave a bad comment? Does Santa see them? tyvm

[@brikapp2871]

Nice but i got see sick because you kept swaying the camera back,and forth.

[@dshogan6174]

Could you get to the point

[@davidfannin6873]

That switch is not right . Switch lever is set for a turnout move and not a straight move. Straight move switch lever should be pointing to the frog

[@haroldreardon8070]

E-Gads ! Over 8 minutes to explain such a simple operation. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzz

[@lotharvoeller]

Very bad explanation. How does it move ?

[@kiwitrainguy]

I don't think he was able to operate any of the points he was describing. He probably did not have the authority to do so.

[@raylrodr]

kiwitrainguy the switch is spiked in the normal position.

[@WRL13]

You just recited the Wikipedia article on switches. Boring.

[@hnf1930]

You are correct, I also wrote the Wikipedia article. Get your facts right before making comments on videos, it makes you look like a fool.

[@eriktred]

SouthernRailFan your reply made my day. Thanks for your video educating me while I sit on a train in front of a frozen switch.