Points Handout A5 booklet

Points - Version 0.1 1
Table of Contents
Staying Safe.............................................................................. 2
Ballast and Uneven surfaces ............................................. 2
Boarding and Alighting trains ............................................. 2
Operating Instructions Motor Points.......................................... 3
Failure of Motor Points ....................................................... 3
Trailing and Facing Points.................................................. 4
Terms related to points ............................................................. 5
About setting points................................................................... 6
Types of Points ......................................................................... 6
M3...................................................................................... 6
M5 ..................................................................................... 7
M23A MKII......................................................................... 8
Nippon............................................................................... 9
Procedure: Handwinding Points.............................................. 10
Start point......................................................................... 10
The Procedure ................................................................ 10
How to handwind M5............................................................... 16
Procedure for handwinding the M5 ................................. 17
How to handwind M23A MKII.................................................. 20
Procedure for handwinding the M23A MKII .................... 21
How to handwind M3............................................................... 24
Key points about M3 ....................................................... 24
How to handwind Nippon ........................................................ 25
Key points about Nippon ................................................. 25
Yard Points.............................................................................. 26
Spring points (Wynn Williams) ........................................ 26
Procedure to set Wynn Williams ............................................. 27

Staying Safe
You have responsibilities under the Health and Safety Act to:
 Be responsible for your own safety
 Ensure your actions or in-actions do not harm others or the environment
 Comply with safety rules and procedures on the job
 Participate in the identification and control of hazards
 Report all incidents within an hour including discomfort
 Wear protective clothing and equipment where provided
 Use equipment only for the designed purpose
 Be aware of KiwiRail HSE policies and procedures
 Participate in your rehabilitation
 Adhere to site HSE rules.
Ballast and Uneven surfaces
Ballast is unstable especially when lumpy and deep.
Wear above ankle laced up boots protect employees when walking on ballast and
uneven surfaces from ankle and knee injuries by providing good support. Good tread
on boots prevents the risk of slips, trips and falls.
Use formed paths where possible and watch your footing.
Boarding and Alighting Trains
Injuries may occur when boarding or alighting trains. The gap between train and
platform at some stations may be wider and deeper than other stations. The
platforms may also be potholed, wet/icy or even newly painted. Take care, always
face forward and maintain 3 points of contact when boarding or alighting.

Operating instructions for Motor Points
Failure of Motor points
 Always wear your high visibility garment when hand operating motor points.
 LE and Train Manager to keep each other informed.
 Always use approved hand signals and radio procedure.
 Do not isolate/restore power without permission of TCO/Signal Box.
 Once isolated hand operate motor points under direction of TCO/Signal Box.
 Use AS key to unlock motor points.
 Always start from the furthermost point, and work towards your service. This ensures
your route is correctly set.
 When a motor point’s failure affects one or both motors of a crossover, the motors of
both ends must be isolated and hand operated. Both motors must remain isolated until
movement is completed (e.g. if No.41b points need hand operating then you must hand
operate 41a).
 Where one of the motors for that set of points in the route is part of a crossover, isolation
of it may affect the parallel route i.e. up main/down main crossover. Before securing
these points, a check must be made with TCO /Signal Box to ensure that this action will
not interfere with a movement on this route.
 If you find that the points are already in the desired position, you must hand operate
them over to the opposite position and then back again. This ensures that the internal
locking mechanism has been engaged.
 When the points have been successfully wound, you must confirm this with TCO/Signal
Box and the position of each set of hand operated motor points.
 Note: Hand operated motor points MUST remain isolated until the authorised movement
is completely clear of them.
 Fixed signals must only be passed at stop per the Regulations. Be familiar with the
relevant signal rules and local conditions.
 If using a crank handle, rotation must continue until the internal mechanism prevents
further movement.
 If instructed to leave motor points in isolated position lock padlock to points so it is not
lost.
 Power MUST not be restored to motor points until instructed by TCO/Signal Box. Stand
clear of motor points when restoring them to power operation as the points blades may
move when the power is connected.
Do not use fingers or feet to remove an obstruction from between the point’s
blades.

Operating instructions cont’d
Trailing and Facing Points
When a locomotive or vehicle is approaching from the leading or “toe” end of the
points they are facing points. When a locomotive or vehicle is approaching form the
rear or “heel” end of the points they are trailing points.
Guiding Principles for the Safe Operation of Points
When operating points always work on the outside of the point’s lever, to avoid
getting caught in the points rodding
When reversing points levers, make sure that the switches are properly closed to
avoid derailments.
Watch out for points levers when alighting from vehicles.

Terms related to points
Naming and configuration of turnouts
Facing direction One track splitting into two tracks
Trailing direction Two tracks converging onto one
Blade The sections of rail that move to set the points
They are tapered from a full width rail to a knife edge
Heel Where the blade is attached to the fixed rails
Toe The narrowest point of the blades which rest against the fixed rails
Frog Where the running rails physically intersect
Check rails Short lengths of rail opposite the frogs that guide the wheel sets
through the frogs
Frog
Points
blades
Stock
Rails Check
Rails
Running
Rails
Running
Rails
Check
Rails
Toe Heel

About setting points
Motor points are found along the controlled network (Main lines) and are set
electrically by a signaller or Train Control.
Occasionally motor points fail to operate. When this occurs they may need to be set
by hand and often this task will fall to the Train Manager of the train required to pass
over the defective points.
When motor points have been isolated and hand wound it is the responsibility of the
Locomotive Engineer to check that the points are in the correct position before
passing over them.
Types of points
There are several types of motor points. Some types have multiple brands.
Type of point: Crank handle – M3
Locations in
Metro Area
Wairarapa line
 Taita South
 Taita
Storage
Road

Type of point: Lever – M5
Locations in Metro Area
Wellington station area
Kapiti Line
 Tawa
 Porirua
Wairarapa Line
 Taita Crossover (77A 77B)
 Upper Hutt

Type of point: Lever – M23A MKII
Short Lever “Hand” or
“Motor” position
Long Lever “N” (normal)
or “R” (reverse) position
Spring loaded foot operated
securing latches
Wellington station area
Wellington Distant Junction
Wairarapa Line
 Petone and Melling Junction
 Trentham
Kapiti Line
 Plimmerton
 South Junction
 North Junction
 Paraparaumu
 Waikanae
Johnsonville Line
 Wadestown
 Ngaio
 Khandallah

Type of point: Detected crank handle – Nippon
Kapiti Line
 Paekakariki

Procedure: Handwinding points
Start point
The signaller/Train Control will tell you which points to set and what position to set
them to (normal or reverse).
The signaller will also confirm whether the power is to be left on or off (points left
isolated or live) once your train has gone through the points.
The procedure:
Step 1
Advise passengers:
 If PA system available,
advise passengers of the
action you are taking and
that there will be a short
delay
 If no PA system
available, assign Pass-
Ops to walk through the
train and advise the
passengers of the action
you are taking and that
there will be a short
delay
Try to avoid using railway
jargon (instead of saying
hand winding points, say I
need to confirm that the
points are in the correct
position for our train to safely
pass over)

Step 2
Get ready:
 Put on your high-
visibility garment
 Get a portable radio
from train (so you can
keep in direct contact
with Locomotive
Engineer /Signaller)
 Ensure you have your
AS key (automatic
signalling key)
 Check surrounding
before disembarking
from the train
 Agree on the
procedure for
progressing through
the points and pick up
location
 Exit train and proceed
to the points that are
farthest away !
Do not jump from the
train - turn and face the
train and use the steps

Step 3
Check the points for
obstructions:
 Look for stones,
cans/other obstructions
in the points and blades
If there is an obstruction
Step 4
Remove obstruction:
 Call the signaller and
request them to set the
points to the opposite
position so the
obstruction can safely
be removed
 Use an implement to
remove the obstruction
 Check the other points
for potential
obstructions (e.g. A, B
or C set of points)
Setting points to the opposite
position removes tension from
the blade and allows the
obstruction to be safely
removed with an implement
!
Do not remove
obstruction until tension
has been removed from
the blades
!
NEVER, NEVER use
hands or feet to remove
any obstruction – always
use an implement

If there is no obstruction or when the obstruction has been cleared
and this has not fixed the problem
Step 5
Handwind the points:
 Identify the type of
points that you are
dealing with:
o Crank handle: M3
o Detected crank
handle: Nippon
o Lever: M5, M23A
MKII
M3
M5
M23A MKII
Nippon
 Handwind the points as
per the procedure for
that type of point
(procedures are set
out below)
 Wind points to opposite
position and then back
to the original position
This ensures the locking pins
are engaging/disengaging
KiwiRail 7s
7 winds to unlock points
7 winds to move blade
7 winds to lock points
 If required, then wind
points to the correct
position for your
service
 Repeat this process for
each set of points
Check with the signaller if you
are unsure of the correct
position for the points
!
Before handwinding
points, make sure the
power has been turned
off
(Points have been
isolated)

Once the points have been manually set
Step 6
Bring train through the points:
 Confirm with signaller that
points have been set:
o which points have
been manually set
o what position they are
in
 Also confirm whether the
signaller wants the points
left isolated or the power
restored once the train has
gone through
Locomotive Engineer to
obtain required authority to
pass the associated signal at
stop.
After train has gone through the points
Step 7
Complete final actions and re-
join the train:
For crank handle operated
points
 Return crank handle to its
appointed place

For detected crank handle
operated points
 If told to put power back
on, ensure crank handle is
correctly placed in its
frame
 If told to leave points
isolated, ensure crank
handle is put back in the
box, but not in the frame
For lever operated points
 Place lever in a meshed
position
For all types of points
 Lock cabinets and replace
storm covers
 Join the train as agreed
with the LE
NIPPON

How to handwind M5 (lever operation) dual
control
Key points about the M5
Power is isolated by reversing the selector lever.
The M5 is fitted with two levers having two positions each:
 Selector Lever (used to isolate the power from the motor)
o Motor Operating Position
o Hand Operating Position
 Hand Throw Lever (used to hand operate the points after the power is isolated)
o N = Normal
o R = Reverse
Under normal power operation - the Selector Lever is locked in the Motor Operating
Position using an AS padlock.

Procedure for handwinding the M5
Step 1
Check that the hand throw
lever is moved to the
position corresponding to
the position the points are in
For example, if the points are at
normal, and the Hand Throw
lever is at R, move the Hand
Throw lever to normal (N
engraving facing upwards)
before starting hand operation
Step 2
Unlock the Selector Lever
by removing the AS padlock
Step 3
Move the Selector Lever
180 degrees so that the
Hand Operating Position
engraving is facing upwards
Step 4
Throw the Hand Throw
Lever to wind the points
Step 5
If points are to be left
isolated:
 Put the Selector Lever
into the Hand Operating
Position and secure with
padlock

Step 6
If the points are to be
restored to normal
operation:
 Return points to the
same position they were
in before manual
operation with the Hand
Throw Lever
 Move the Selector Lever
back to the Motor
Operating Position.
Lock in this position with
the AS padlock
Step 7
Should points fail in the
midway position (because
of an obstruction in
blades):
Operate (meshing) both
levers to allow the
obstruction to be cleared
 Move Selector Lever
toward hand operating
position until it stops
 Lift Hand Throw lever
slowly towards the other
 Operate both levers
together until the
selector lever can be
moved to the Hand
Operate Position
!
NEVER, NEVER use
use an implement

Step 8
To restore the points to
normal after meshing the
reverse order must occur:
 Start with the Selector
Lever and move it toward
the Motor Operating
Position until it stops
 Lift Hand Throw Lever
slowly towards the other
 Operate both levers
together until the selector
lever can be moved to
the Motor Operating
Position

How to handwind M23A MKII dual control
Key points about the M23A MKII
Equipment consists of a short lever, long lever, two spring loaded foot operated
securing latches and Normal /Reverse markings on the sleeper.
For normal operation the Short Lever is locked with an AS padlock in the motor
operating position.
The short lever has motor facing upwards stamped on the lever when in the normal
position and hand facing upwards when in the isolate position. This lever is used to
isolate the power from the motor.
The Long Lever is lettered N ‘normal’ on one side and R ‘reverse’ on the other.
This lever is used to operate the points after the power has been isolated.
Note: When the M23A MKII motor points are isolated, the short lever must be held
firmly, as the lever is tensioned and will spring with some force.
Short Lever “Hand” or
“Motor” position
Long Lever “N” (normal)
or “R” (reverse) position
Spring loaded foot operated
securing latches

Procedure for handwinding the M23A MKII
Step 1
Unlock the AS padlock and
push the latch down with your
foot
Step 2
Move the short lever to the
hand position
Ensure the short lever locks
into position on that end by
the latch closing
Step 3
Use the long lever handwind
the points as required
Step 4
If points are to be left
isolated:
 Move the short lever so
that the hand label faces
upward and lock the lever
in that position with the
AS padlock

Step 5
If the points are to be
restored to normal
operation:
 Push latch down and
move the long lever to N
position
 Move the short lever to
the motor position and
secure with the AS
padlock
Ensure the short lever locks
into position on the opposite
end by the latch closing

Step 6
Should points fail in the
midway position (because
of an obstruction in
blades):
 Unlock the AS padlock
push the latch down with
your foot
 Move the short lever to
the hand position
While moving the short lever to
the hand position a loud click
may be heard this is normal
Ensure the lever locks into
position on that end by the latch
closing
 Move the long lever
until the gearbox
mechanism engages
and the blades move,
then clear the
obstruction
Step 7
If requested to restore the
points to normal operation
see above
When the power is restored and
the motor moves for the first
time a loud click will be heard
this is normal
!
NEVER, NEVER use
use an implement

How to handwind M3
Key points about the M3
 Retrieve crank handle from crank handle box.
 Power is isolated by unlocking then lifting crank handle cover.
 This allows a spring loaded plunger to come out and the isolation switch to
open.
 Remove weather proof cap to insert crank handle.
 If points are to be left isolated, replace weather proof cap only.
 Lock padlock on clasp which will prevent the isolating arm from closing and
pushing in plunger.
 Return crank handle to crank handle box.

How to handwind Nippon
Key points about the Nippon
 Detection is lost by withdrawal of crank handle from its detector holder in
crank handle box.
 Power is isolated by unlocking, then lifting the weather cap then moving aside
a guard ring, (as shown) which will enable the crank handle to be inserted.
 The crank handle can be used to slide the guard ring across
 If points are to be left isolated, leave guard ring on points motor in Hand
Operating Position.
 Weather cap can only sit across opening lock padlock to the points and place
crank handle in bottom of crank handle box.
 Do not place in detection holder.
 To restore power is the reverse process.

Yard points
Spring points (Wynn Williams levers)
Spring points (Wynn Williams levers) are
used in non-interlocked areas (e.g. depots,
marshalling yards, storage yards etc).
They are all hand operated (not motor
operated), and cannot be set or detected
remotely.
It is only possible to determine their position
by looking at the position of the blades.
A Train Manager may be required to operate
these for stabling services in Paekakariki or
Upper Hutt.
Warning: Points controlled by Wynn
Williams levers can be set in a half-cocked
position either by a movement trailing
through them or by incorrect operation of the
lever. Therefore it is imperative to check
that they are correctly set for every
movement.
When a movement is straddling the points
they must be checked to see they are
correctly set for the next intended movement.
Do not assume that running through trailing
points will correctly set them.

Procedure to set Wynn Williams points
Step 1
Stand in front of the lever on
the wooden boards
Step 2
Grasp lever with both hands
and pull the lever towards
you with a sharp motion
The blades will move to the new
position with a loud clunk (this is
normal). If they do not clunk, it
may indicate they have not
functioned correctly
Step 3
Place the lever back into the
rest position
Step 4
Check the blades to ensure
they are set in the correct
position
On wet or frosty days the
wooden boards may be
slippery!
!
Execute the action using
your arms and legs to
protect your back

Are these facing
or trailing
points?

REMEMBER: The wheels will go in the direction where the point’s blades are open

Points Handout A5 booklet

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