MTA Tower Operator Practice Exam

The equipment that consists of a group of manually operated levers used for switch control is known as an interlocking machine. This device is integral to railway systems, ensuring safe and efficient operations by controlling the position of switches and signals.

Interlocking machines are designed to prevent conflicting movements through their mechanical interlocks, which means that certain levers cannot be operated simultaneously if doing so would create unsafe situations, such as two trains being allowed to occupy the same track segment. The manual operation of levers in an interlocking machine allows railway operators to precisely control track switches and signals based on real-time operational needs.

This function distinguishes interlocking machines from devices like signal boards, control panels, or single track control, which serve different roles in rail operations. Signal boards display information to train operators, control panels typically involve electronic or digital systems for managing track and signal functions, and single track control pertains to the management of a specific type of railway track layout.