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A little excursion on the Hankyu Takarazuka Line this Monday yielded this discovery- a three way switch at the “down” end of Shounai Station. These type of switches are relatively rare due to their expense of construction and maintenance, but Hankyu saw it fit to construct one at this location, possibly to keep conflicting movements to a minimum should a turnback service be required. View from an “up” direction train: From the end of the up platform: Apparently, in addition to this location, there are six other places on the Hankyu system where three way switches are in use. Given that there are only 4 other known locations of this type of switch elsewhere on other railways in the nation, it can be said that Hankyu is the “Mecca” of the three way switch.