Spårväxlare

Spårväxlare, often translated as "track switch" or "points" in English, are essential components of railway infrastructure. They are mechanical devices that allow railway trains to be guided from one track to another. The primary function of a spårväxlare is to divert trains onto different routes, facilitating shunting operations, joining or diverging lines, and enabling access to sidings or platforms.

A typical spårväxlare consists of two main movable rails, known as switch rails or points, which are precisely positioned against the running rails. When the switch is set in one position, it allows trains to continue straight along the main track. When moved to the other position, the switch rails guide the train's wheels onto a different path, often a diverging track. The mechanism for moving these switch rails can be operated manually by railway personnel or, more commonly in modern systems, by electric or hydraulic point machines.

The proper functioning and maintenance of spårväxlare are critical for railway safety. Incorrectly set points can lead to derailments. Therefore, signaling systems are integrated with spårväxlare to ensure that points are set correctly before a train is allowed to proceed. The design and operation of spårväxlare vary depending on factors such as train speed, axle load, and the complexity of the track network.