How are points operated?
When signals are operated by single-wire transmission, points are always operated by rodding. Rodding refers to the long rods or tubes that one can see running parallel to the rails from cabins which have point levers, or from line-side point levers, and connecting with the tongue rails so that the action of the point lever moves the tongue rails to one or another position. When signals are operated by double-wire transmission, points can be operated by rodding or by wire. The principle is the same – the wire can be pulled in either direction and acts to move the tongue rails into one or another position to set the points. Rodding or wire can normally be used to operate points up to 750m, although where signalling uses single-wire transmission the operation of points by rodding is usually restricted to about 320m. Electrical operation (motor-control) of points is also possible, and widely used at larger stations. The distance requirements above do not apply in this case. Although there
