Page "hobbies" Paragraph 210

There are other basic rules.

A turnout may have two levers, one to actually move the switch points, the other to lock the points.

A signal cannot be cleared until all the related turnouts are properly thrown and locked.

Such locks are nearly always used where the switch points `` face '' oncoming traffic.

The lock insures that the points are thrown all the way with no chance that a wheel flange will snag on a partly thrown point.

If the points aren't thrown all the way, the Turnout cannot be locked, and in turn, the signal cannot be cleared.

Generally, these locks on turnouts are called `` facing point locks ''.