This set of Railway Engineering Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Switches and Design of Tongue Rails”.
1. What is the thicker end of the Tongue rail called?
a) Toe
b) Stock
c) Lock
d) Heel
View Answer
Explanation: The tongue rail needs to be fitted properly with the stock rail and thus is machined to very thin section. Tapered end of the tongue is called toe and thicker end is called heel.
2. Which of the following are the correct types of switches?
a) Stud and Sway switches
b) Split and Swing switches
c) Stud and Split switches
d) Sway and Swing switches
View Answer
Explanation: No separate tongue rail is provided in Stud type of switches. Split switches comprise of a pair of stock rails along with a pair of tongue rails.
3. Stud switches are of 2 types – loose heel and fixed heel type.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: Stud switches are no longer used on Indian Railways and are replaced by Split switches. Split switches are of two types – loose heel and fixed heel type.
4. In which type of switches the tongue rail does not end at the heel of the switch?
a) Fixed heel type
b) Toe type
c) Loose heel type
d) Fixed and loose heel type
View Answer
Explanation: In fixed heel type switch the tongue rail does not end at heel of the switch. It extends further and is rigidly connected. In loose heel type the tongue rail finishes at the heel of the switch.
5. Why are loose heel type switches not preferred?
a) Because they use more number of Bolts
b) Because they allow movement of tongue rail
c) Because they make the structure weak
d) They are difficult to operate
View Answer
Explanation: To allow free movement of tongue rail all fish bolts in lead rail are tightened and those in tongue rail are kept loose. This discontinuity of the track at the heel makes the structure weak.
6. In which toe of switches the switch rail kept 6mm higher than stock rail?
a) Undercut switch
b) Cut switch
c) Overriding switch
d) Single switch
View Answer
Explanation: In overriding switches the switch rail is kept 6mm higher than the stock rail. This eradicates the possibility of splitting which can occur due to false flange moving in trailing direction.
7. Which of the following correctly defines the switch angle?
a) Angle between gauge face of stock rail and tongue rail
b) Angle between gauge face and check rail
c) Angle between undercut switch and toe
d) Angle between heel and toe
View Answer
Explanation: Switch angle is the angle between gauge face of stock rail and tongue rail at the theoretical toe of switch in closed position. It depends upon heel divergence and length of tongue rail.
8. What is the distance between the gauge faces of tongue rail and stock rail called?
a) Throw of switch
b) Heel divergence
c) Switch distance
d) Flange way
View Answer
Explanation: Heel divergence is made up of flange way clearance and the width of the tongue rail head that lies at the heel. Flange way clearance is the distance between attached faces of running rail and check rail at the nose of crossing.
9. What is the major advantage of straight tongue rails?
a) Easily manufactured
b) Can be very long
c) Very cheap
d) They are light weighted
View Answer
Explanation: Tongue rails are of two types, straight and curves. Straight rails have the advantage of easy manufacturing and can be used for right hand and left hand turnout.
10. Which of the following is not true about length of tongue rails?
a) It varies with gauge and angle of switch
b) Longer the length smoother is the entry to switch
c) It should be less than length of the rigid wheel base
d) Longer length occupies too much space
View Answer
Explanation: Length of tongue rail should be more than the rigid wheel base of a four wheeled wagon. This ensures that there is least chance of derailment if the points move when a train is running on the switch.
11. Curved tongue rails can only be used on specific curvature for which they are designed.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: Curved tongue rails are shaped according to curvature of turnout. Thus they can be used only on the particular curvature for which they are designed. They allow smooth turning of trains.
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