Discipline:

Engineering (Track)

Category:

Standard

Standard Turnouts
LDS 02
Applicability
ARTC Network Wide

Western Jurisdiction

New South Wales

Victoria

Primary Source
RIC Standard TS 3502 Version 2.0

Document Status
Version

Date Reviewed

Prepared by

Reviewed by

Endorsed

Approved

1.3

05 Jan 09

Standards dept

Manager
Standards

Chief Operating
Officer

Risk & Safety

Committee
05/05/2008 as
part of ETA-03-03
approval

Amendment Record
Version

Date Reviewed

Clause

Description of Amendment

1.1

31 Aug 04

1.2

09 Mar 05

Disclaimer

Minor editorial change. Document reformatted.

1.3

05 Jan 09

1, 2, 4

Reference to superseded LDS 03 replaced with ETA-03-03. Position

title updated.

Reformatting to ARTC Standard

ARTC 2009. This document is the confidential property of Australian Rail Track Corporation.
Disclaimer
This document is for internal use by the Australian Rail Track Corporation LTD (ARTC) only and may not be relied upon by any other party.
ARTC: 1. does not accept any liability or responsibility whatsoever for this document in respect to any use or reliance upon it by any other party;
and 2. does not provide any warranty as to the accuracy or reliability of this document.

This document is uncontrolled when printed. See ARTC Intranet for latest version.

Engineering (Track) Standard

LDS 02 Standard Turnouts
Contents

Contents
1

Scope...................................................................................................... 3

Application.............................................................................................. 3

Standard Turnout References ................................................................. 4

Selection of Switches.............................................................................. 4

Selection of Crossing .............................................................................. 8

Signalling Equipment .............................................................................. 8

Identification of a Turnout...................................................................... 8

Ordering Procedures............................................................................... 8

Handling ................................................................................................. 8

Version 1.3

Date of last revision: 05 Jan 09

This document is uncontrolled when printed. See ARTC Intranet for latest version.

Page 2 of 8

Engineering (Track) Standard

LDS 02 Standard Turnouts
Scope

Scope
This standard details the Standard Series of Turnouts for Main lines and Sidings.
All Standard turnouts have Straight legged crossings.
This standard contains sufficient information for the general selection and ordering of a turnout,
and its incorporation in a detailed layout design. It is read in conjunction with ETA-03-03
Technical Specification for Manufacture of Components for Points & Crossing Structures.

Application
The selection of turnout size at a location is basically determined by the required operating
speed.
The allowed speed through standard turnouts with the following Crossing Angle is:CROSSING ANGLE

USE

SWITCH LENGTH

MAX. TRACK
SPEED KM/HR

1/9

Sidings

5030

20

1/9

Main Line

6100

20

1/10.5

Main Line

6100

30

1/15

Main Line

9150

50

Standard turnouts are to be used wherever practical for turnout renewals. If, because of
existing restraints a standard turnout cannot be used, then approval must be obtained from the
ARTC Executive Manager Standards, Systems & Performance or nominated representative and
the required manufacturing and assembly drawings prepared.
Turnouts with the main line curved are not permitted in new designs unless vindicated by a
financial appraisal and where the main line radius is less than 600 metres specific approval is
given by the ARTC Executive Manager Standards, Systems & Performance or nominated
representative.
Existing turnouts on curves are to be relocated onto straight track when renewal is required.
When Double Turnouts, Diamonds and Slips require renewal, they are to be replaced with
standard turnouts, where practicable.
Approval of the ARTC Executive Manager Standards, Systems & Performance or nominated
representative is required for the use of these track components.
All new and replacement turnouts will be 60kg in:

Class 1 XC, 1 X, 1 C and 1 Main Lines

Class 1 Loops and Sidings with interlocked points.

Where concrete sleepers exist (ie on 1XC and 1C class lines) concrete bearers are to be
used. In all other cases timber bearers are to be used.

All new and replacement turnouts will be 50kg in:

Class 2, 3, 4 and 5 Main Lines

Class 2 and 3 Sidings

Where steel sleepers exist, consideration is to be given to using steel bearers.

Note:

Version 1.3

Every effort is to be made to use recovered turnouts from Class 1 Lines or recovered
47kg material before new material is purchased as detailed in LCP 01.

Date of last revision: 05 Jan 09

This document is uncontrolled when printed. See ARTC Intranet for latest version.

Page 3 of 8

Engineering (Track) Standard

LDS 02 Standard Turnouts
Standard Turnout References

All new and replacement turnouts in Class 1 sidings may be either 60kg or 50 kg depending on
weight of adjacent rail, if suitable recovered material is not available.

Standard Turnout References

The Standard Turnouts that are now acceptable for new works and as replacements are listed in
Tables 1 and 2. This Table also refers to Switch Types, general Arrangement Drawings and
Plating. Details of all standard and semi-standard turnouts (and catchpoints) currently designed
can be found on Drawing No. 300-946 (47kg and 53kg Rail) and Drawing No. 180-1313 (50kg
and 60kg Rail).

Selection of Switches
All new replacement switches will be either 50kg or 60kg, the weight being selected as per
Clause 2 unless approval is obtained from the ARTC Executive Manager Standards, Systems &
Performance or nominated representative for an alternative rail weight.
This eliminates the requirements for Heavy Duty and Housed Switches as was required for the
53kg design.
Switches used with Manual Levers (Thornley or Throwover) are to be flexible type.
For Switch lengths see Clause 2.
Switches at interlocked Points may be either heeled or flexible, the type being determined in
liaison with the Signalling personnel and on the criteria in the following clauses.
The use of flexible switches is on the basis of power operated point motors or mechanical
rodding that does not exceed the distance listed in Table 3.

Version 1.3

Date of last revision: 05 Jan 09

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Page 4 of 8

Engineering (Track) Standard

LDS 02 Standard Turnouts
Selection of Switches
Table 1

STANDARD TURNOUTS - STRAIGHT CROSSINGS (R.B.M.)

- 50kg and 60kg RAIL
- TIMBER BEARERS
RATE

10.5

15

ANGLE

62024.69

52625.20

34850.67

T/O

T/O

LENGTH

RADIUS

T/O LENGTH

T/O LENGTH

(m)

(m)

HIGH

LOW

SWITCH

RAIL

PLATING

REFERENCE

(kg/m)

21.845

187.491

21.900

21.740

5030 HEELED

50

SPC

720-540

21.845

187.491

21.900

21.740

5030 HEELED

50

SP

720-541

23.510

182.350

23.563

23.404

6100 FLEX

60

SPC

250-1258A

26.560

182.350

26.613

26.454

9150 FLEX

60

SPC

250-1258A

23.510

182.350

23.563

23.404

6100 HEELED

50

SP

320-1307

23.510

182.350

23.563

23.404

6100 FLEX

50

SP

320-1305

25.730

248.400

25.776

25.639

6100 HEELED

50

SP

320-1311

25.730

248.400

25.776

25.639

6100 FLEX

50

SP

320-1309

25.730

248.400

25.776

25.639

6100 FLEX

60

SPC

320-1218(RBM)

25.730

248.400

25.776

25.639

6100 FLEX

60

SP

250-1242

25.730

248.400

25.776

25.639

6100 FLEX

60

SPC

425-757B

28.780

248.400

28.826

28.689

9150 FLEX

60

SPC

425-757B

25.730

248.400

25.776

25.639

6100 FLEX

60

PP

258-229A(RBM)

25.730

248.400

25.776

25.639

6100 HEELED

60

SPC

720-396

32.270

568.800

32.303

32.208

6100 FLEX

60

SPC

320-1219(RBM)

35.320

568.800

35.363

35.258

9150 FLEX

60

SPC

425-725B

35.320

568.800

35.363

35.258

9150 FLEX

60

PP

258-252A(RBM)

S.P.C. - SPLIT PANDROL PLATED, TO BE USED IN ALL NEW INSTALLATIONS AND AS REPLACEMENTS.
P.P. - PANDROL PLATED, BEING REPLACED BY SPC UPON RENEWAL REQUIREMENT.
S.P. - STANDARD, OLD PLATING USING DOGSPIKES BEING PHASED OUT EXCEPT FOR CLASS 2-3 SIDINGS.

Version 1.3

Date of last revision: 05 Jan 09

This document is uncontrolled when printed. See ARTC Intranet for latest version.

Page 5 of 8

Engineering (Track) Standard

LDS 02 Standard Turnouts
Selection of Switches
Table 2

RATE

ANGLE

STANDARD TURNOUTS - STRAIGHT CROSSINGS (R.B.M.)

- 50kg and 60kg RAIL
- CONCRETE BEARERS
T/O

T/O

LENGTH

RADIUS (m)

T/O LENGTH

T/O LENGTH

HIGH

LOW

(m)
10.5

15

Version 1.3

52625.20

34850.67

SWITCH

RAIL

PLATING

REFERENCE

(kg/m)

25.730

248.400

25.776

25.639

6100 FLEX

60

CAST-IN

320-1282 (R.H.T/O)

25.730

248.400

25.776

25.639

6100 FLEX

60

PANDROL

720-436 (L.H.T/O)

35.320

568.800

35.363

35.258

9150 FLEX

60

CAST-IN

720-538 (R.H.T/O)

35.320

568.800

35.363

35.258

9150 FLEX

60

PANDROL

720-539 (L.H.T/O)

Date of last revision: 05 Jan 09

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Page 6 of 8

Engineering (Track) Standard

LDS 02 Standard Turnouts
Selection of Switches
Table 3 - Manually Operated Flexible Switches Maximum Operating Distance Limits

Rail Section

Type of Turnout

Lever Frame Type

Single Lever

Ground Frame
(m)

Mech. Sig. Box

(m)

Adjacent

210

310

Single Turnout

Do not use.

210

310

Crossover

Do not use.

160

260

53kg

Single Switch

Adjacent

210

310

10600 SW

Catchpoint

50kg

Single Turnout

Do not use.

160

260

6100 SW

Crossover

Do not use.

120

200

53kg

Single Turnout

Do not use.

150

220

13650 SW

Crossover

Do not use.

85

140

60kg

Single Switch

Do not use.

150

220

47kg

Single Switch
Catchpoint

Catchpoint
6100 &

Single Turnout

Do not use.

115

185

9150 SW

Crossover

Do not use.

85

140

Table Notes:
1) The Distance to a crossover refers to the distance to the next remote end.
2) A Turnout plus a catchpoint is to be taken as equal to a crossover.
3) The distances are to be reduced by 10m for each change in direction of channel rodding in
excess of 2.
4) A horizontal or vertical set in the rodding is to be taken as equal to a change in direction.
Where the length of mechanical rodding exceeds that specified, heeled switches only must be
used.
Some Power Operated Equipment does not have sufficient capacity to operate flexible switches.
Where power operated heeled switches are being relaid with flexible switches, the Signals power
equipment is to be upgraded to the standard required.
Flexible switches installed with mechanical rodding are to be load tested on installation to ensure
the loading on the rods at the switches does not exceed the following:
RAIL WT

SWITCH

MAX. PULL

53KG

10600 Flex

80kg

13650 Flex

105kg

6100 Flex

130kg

9150 Flex

170kg

10600 Heeled

51kg

13650 Heeled

71kg

60KG

53KG

Version 1.3

Date of last revision: 05 Jan 09

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Page 7 of 8

Engineering (Track) Standard

LDS 02 Standard Turnouts
Selection of Crossing

Selection of Crossing
All standard straight crossings will be:

Rail Bound Manganese in Class 1XC, 1X and 1C Main Lines

Fabricated in all other Classes of lines

Any semi-standard crossing, when approved, will be fabricated.

All special crossings, when approved, will be of the fabricated type.

Signalling Equipment
Standard switches are suitable for attaching all types of interlocking equipment.

Identification of a Turnout
When ordering or recording details of a turnout, the following is required in the sequence
shown:-

Weight of rail

Crossing rate and Catalogue Number.

Right or Left hand

Length

Switch Length and Description

Type of Switch operation

Location of insulated joints

Ordering Procedures
It is usual to order prefabricated turnouts. This order includes the supply of all items noted on
General Arrangement Drawing for the appropriate turnout.
Turnout timbers or Concrete bearers are to be ordered separately to the rail components. The
numbers required and their setting out is shown on the General Arrangement Drawing for the
turnout.
The number of fastenings and other miscellaneous components required to complete a
prefabricated turnout is shown on the General Arrangement Drawing and these are to be
ordered separately.

Handling
All prefabricated turnout components are pre-set, curved and in the case of switches, crossing
and checkrail units, assembled prior to leaving the workshops.
Turnout components must be handled during delivery, assembly and installation in such a way
to ensure these manufacturing sets and curves are not altered.
Points in particular must be kept in the one plane and care taken not to introduce any vertical
sets in the unit.
All turnout assembly must occur on a cleared level base.

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Date of last revision: 05 Jan 09

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Page 8 of 8