What does an interlocking appliance do?

An interlocking appliance is a crucial component of railway infrastructure that ensures safe train movements over designated routes. It functions by coordinating signals and switches in a way that prevents conflicting train movements, thereby enhancing overall safety. By allowing only one train to occupy a particular segment of track at any given time and controlling the state of signals appropriately, interlocking appliances are key to maintaining organized and efficient operations on the railway network. This reduces the risk of accidents and ensures trains are directed along the correct paths.

The other options pertain to different functions within the railway system, such as tracking, storage of signal statuses, and ticketing, which are handled by separate systems or appliances. Therefore, the focus on the ability of interlocking appliances to manage train routing emphasizes their vital role in ensuring trains can move safely and effectively.