TS EN 13232-1

TS EN 13232-1 is the foundational terminology document for switches and crossings used with Vignole rails. Its main purpose is to establish a common technical language for the parts of turnout and crossing assemblies, the way their geometry is described, and the names applied to the constituent elements. In practice, that makes design communication, specification writing, and railway engineering discussions more consistent across organisations.

How the terminology is organised

According to the scope, the document uses diagrams to support definitions of the various components, and the specific names are regarded as mandatory. The emphasis is therefore on identifying what each element is called and how it fits into the overall switch-and-crossing arrangement, rather than on performance rules or installation procedures. This is especially valuable in railway engineering, where similar-sounding terms can refer to distinct physical parts or geometric features.

In general technical context, switches and crossings are the track assemblies that allow a train to diverge from one route to another, or to pass through intersecting track arrangements safely and predictably. Vignole rails are the standard flat-foot rail profile widely used in railway track construction, so this part applies specifically to that rail form. The scope also makes clear that more specialised terminology is handled in the relevant later parts of the series.

What this part covers and what it leaves to later parts

• Applies to railways running on Vignole rails.
• Covers the constituent parts and design geometry of switches and crossings.
• Provides the most generally used terms for geometric form and construction.
• Leaves more specific terminology to other parts of the series.