Railway yard layout: A “triangle” (wye) for turning locomotives is composed of which set of turnout elements?

Introduction / Context:
In railway yards, turning a locomotive through 180 degrees can be accomplished by a turntable or a triangular layout called a “wye”. Understanding its composition helps in planning yard space, budgeting, and maintenance strategies.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Standard broad-gauge or standard-gauge yard practice.
• Triangle intended for reversing locomotive orientation.
• No turntable available; trackwork used instead.

Concept / Approach:
A wye consists of three legs arranged roughly as an equilateral triangle’s sides, each leg connected by a turnout. By shunting the locomotive around the triangle, it emerges facing the opposite direction without lifting or rotating it vertically (as a turntable would do).

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Identify the number of junctions needed to form three connected legs.2) Each junction requires one turnout to diverge toward the next leg.3) Therefore, three legs imply three turnouts.4) This minimal arrangement allows full reversal by successive movements.

Verification / Alternative check:
Practical yard designs confirm three turnouts are sufficient; additional slips or crossovers are not essential for the basic function of turning.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Turnout/split/slip combinations listed do not represent the minimal, standard wye configuration.

Common Pitfalls:

• Confusing “slips” (double or single slips) and “splits” with turnouts; slips are compact special trackwork items mainly for dense junctions, not for simple wyes.

Final Answer:
Three turnouts.