Which item is a component of a turnout?

Prepare for the DART Rail Institute Exam using questions and detailed definitions. Get familiar with the test format, explore key concepts, and enhance your understanding to succeed on your exam day!

Multiple Choice

Which item is a component of a turnout?

Explanation:
Turnouts redirect trains by moving the switch points, and this requires an actuation device to shift the blades and hold them in place. The switch motor (often called a point motor) is exactly that device, powering the movement of the turnout’s points and enabling the chosen route to be locked in. Other items aren’t physical parts of the turnout: amperes is just a current measurement, a resistor bank isn’t a standard turnout component, and catenary is the overhead power line, separate from the turnout mechanism. So, the switch motor is the component that actually drives the turnout.

Turnouts redirect trains by moving the switch points, and this requires an actuation device to shift the blades and hold them in place. The switch motor (often called a point motor) is exactly that device, powering the movement of the turnout’s points and enabling the chosen route to be locked in. Other items aren’t physical parts of the turnout: amperes is just a current measurement, a resistor bank isn’t a standard turnout component, and catenary is the overhead power line, separate from the turnout mechanism. So, the switch motor is the component that actually drives the turnout.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy