Turnouts allow trains to change tracks and directions by using a combination of points and crossings. Points consist of movable tongue rails and stationary stock rails, while crossings connect intersecting tracks using wing rails and a V-shaped nose. There are two main types of turnouts - left-hand and right-hand - depending on the direction trains divert. Proper turnout design and components like check rails are important for train safety given they are weak points on the track. Different types of crossings exist depending on the angle of track intersection, including acute, obtuse, and square crossings.