| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Ironhand_13
New Hire
|
 Posted - 08/09/2009 : 5:21:43 PM
|
Hey all. New here, but I have a situation that I can't easily find an answer to. I thought it would be an easy find, but no-joy.
My layout is non-prototypical, but is a possibilty. It represents passenger cars ca. 1930's that can join and leave the main, or stay on its own line. The idea is to keep it rural and semi-primative, meaning I want no lighted stands, just hand throws. In the space available, I have two turnouts, a right and left, joined 'butt-end' if you understand me.
My question is how would prototypes signal the turnouts' (plural) track direction? If I have switch-stands or ground throws they'd be real close, one behind the other. To gets things to fit I have both switch bars going to the same side of the main. Would it be acceptable to have a low yard switch marker for one and a harp stand for the other?
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 4 |
|
|
chooch.42
Section Hand
|
Posted - 08/09/2009 : 7:08:58 PM
|
As you're not attempting to be "proto", do as you please. A prototypical solution would be dictated by many conditions you haven't listed, and there still might not be a really correct answer - you might have top re-arrange the tracks ! Do whatever satisfies you, and have visitors remove the rivit-counter glasses. Bob 
|
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 51 |
 |
|
|
desertdrover
Fireman
Premium Member
|
Posted - 08/09/2009 : 10:01:31 PM
|
I didn't see what scale you are using, or if you are using Atlas line turnouts or Peco's, etc. I do know that in HO both Atlas and Peco turnouts positioned the way you stated, can have Caboose Ind. ground throws on the same side and be far enough way from eachother to work just fine.
|
Louis   Pacific Northwest Logging in the East Coast |
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 7162 |
|
|
|
dave1905
Crew Chief
|
Posted - 08/09/2009 : 10:24:43 PM
|
I would just put the same stand on both switches (what the prototype would do). Why would you need a different one on each of the switches?
|
Dave H.
Modeling 1900-1905. Wood Cars and iron men. |
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 791 |
|
|
|
Ironhand_13
New Hire
|
Posted - 08/10/2009 : 5:12:54 PM
|
If you looked at it from the tiny HO operator in the cab on the main, two switch stands would be one in front of the other. To clarify, is there a way that prototypes identify one is for the 'east' turnout and one for the 'west', as the train is heading west? As I'm standing there, looking at it from above or from 'south' looking 'north' it makes no difference to me because I know which is which, but the operator in the cab....just wondering what the proto's do to deal with it. If I do photo vignets of my turnouts here I'd like it to look right.
|
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 4 |
|
|
|
Neil M
Fireman
|
Posted - 08/10/2009 : 6:30:22 PM
|
I think the engineers on the railroad would be like you: they'd just 'know'. Which switch you came to first would be documented by the railroad.
I think it'd look a bit odd having two different styles of switch stand as railroad companies seemed to standardise on certain types of equipment. The lanterns/targets might have had different extensions so they were at different heights? The engineers would know that the top light was the east switch (or whatever), but i'm guessing here.
|
| Modelling New York City in Kilkenny, Ireland http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=22161 |
|
Country: Ireland
| Posts: 1184 |
|
|
|
dave1905
Crew Chief
|
Posted - 08/10/2009 : 7:21:57 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Ironhand_13
If you looked at it from the tiny HO operator in the cab on the main, two switch stands would be one in front of the other. To clarify, is there a way that prototypes identify one is for the 'east' turnout and one for the 'west', as the train is heading west?
Short answer, no.
They don't put the switches that close back to back, they separate them by about a switch length or two, so its not really a problem. Model railroaders put switches back to back.
Pretty much by the time they can see the switch stand they are committed. They aren't going to stop before they reach the switch unless they are going less than 30 mph.
|
Dave H.
Modeling 1900-1905. Wood Cars and iron men. |
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 791 |
|
|
|
Geezer
Fireman
Premium Member
|
Posted - 08/11/2009 : 4:44:43 PM
|
Dave H is correct. I worked for 18 years or so 1:1 scale on the EJ&E line (Now defunct).
In more than one yard, there were situations you describe, and we just "Knew" which way the
turnouts (switches in 1:1) should be lined. After a few tours, the "head man" would also
be aware of which way they sould be lined, and bail off the front of the loco, trotting ahead
to correct the path if needed. They were all "low down hand throws"...
You can "Stretch" the distance between the two turnouts, by adding a short length of straight track, thereby making them farther apart.....Hope this helps some.
|
Geezer
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=28172 |
Edited by - Geezer on 08/11/2009 4:45:53 PM |
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 3489 |
|
|
|
Ironhand_13
New Hire
|
Posted - 08/12/2009 : 3:00:55 PM
|
It did help, thanks!
|
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 4 |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Railroad Line Forums |
© 2000-10 Railroad Line Co. |
|
|
|
Home
Forums
Events Calendar
Sponsors
Guestbook
FAQ
