For turning equipment Wye (rail)

illustration of usage of wye track turning rail vehicle

from time time necessary turn both individual pieces of railroad equipment or whole trains. may because piece of equipment not directionally symmetrical, example in case of steam locomotives and, in parts of world, diesel locomotives, or train needs run particular direction, example has dedicated tail end car such observation car. equipment symmetrical, periodic turning may still necessary in order wear.

there several different techniques can used achieve such turning. railway turntables require least space, can deal single piece of equipment @ time. balloon or turning loops can turn trains of length – total length of loop – in single operation, require far more space wyes. rail wyes can constructed on sites loop not possible, , can turn trains length of stub tracks @ end of wye.

railroad systems in north america , australia have tended have more wyes railroads elsewhere. north american locomotives , cars (such observation cars) more directional found on other continents. in canada , united states, railroad built before other structures, , railway builders had more freedom lay down tracks wished. australia has large amount of open space, , @ many rural railway locations in australia triangles used alternative turntables reasons of space availability , cost saving (both on installation , maintenance).

in europe, although use made of bi-directional tank locomotives , push–pull trains, steam locomotives uni-directional. because of land usage considerations, turntables used turn such locomotives, , terminal stations , locomotive depots equipped. on time, diesel , electric locomotives ordered in europe have been designed bi-directional, symmetrical, , 2 driving cabs. turntables and, existed, rail wyes, have been taken out of use.