OK, here goes.
The general rule is to place the switchstand on the curved (diverted route) side of turnout unless it places the switchstand between two close parallel tracks. For instance, at a crossover connecting two parallel tracks, the switchstands are on the outside of the tracks, on the straight sides of the turnouts. Similarly, they are placed on the straight side of a yard ladder (so the switchman isn't between close parallel tracks and doesn't have to step over lots of rails moving from switchstand to switchstand). When there is a third parallel track (for example, there is a house track closely parallel to the main track and (passing) siding, the switchstand is placed toward the track with the least amount of moving trains (in this instance, on the side toward the house track). I make these generalizations largely based on studying prototype track layout plans of the SP in the steam era.
Mark
Here is a bonus. The following is a selected glossary of terms taken from Paul Mallery's Operation Handbook for Model Railroaders. Where there is a significant difference from John Armstrong's The Railroad, What It Is, What It Does, I've noted it. Armstrong's book doesn't include most of the terms. Parenthetical comments are my own.
Body track. One of the parallel tracks in a yard.
Caboose track. Yard track for temporary storage of cabooses.
Controlled siding. Siding the use of which is governed by signals.
Crossing. Special work permitting two tracks to cross at the same grade. Armstrong's definition is synonomous.
Crossover. Two turnouts and interconnecting track permitting an engine or trains to move from one parallel track to another. (Don't confuse with crossing.) Armstrong's definition is synonomous.
Double track. Two main tracks with current of traffic in opposite direction on each. Any two main tracks.
House track. Track serving freight house.
Ladder (of a track). Per Armstrong is a track connecting successively (had to look it up -- following each other without interruption) the tracks of a yard.
Lead. Track provided to facilitate switching without blocking other tracks.
Main line. Principle route of a railroad or principle route in a particular area. (Don't confuse with main track.) Armstrong defines main lines as the primary tracks of a railroad, those carrying more than 5 million gross ton per year.
Main track. Track running between stations and through yards on which trains are operated by timetable, train orders, or signals. Armstrong uses the same definition.
Receiving track. Track normally used to accept an arrriving train.
Repair (RIP) track. Track for repair of cars.
Running track. Track through yards kept clear of standing cars.
Secondary track. Track running between stations and through yards on which trains may be operated without train orders, timetables, or signal. (Thus, a branchline operated with train orders, timetables, or signals has its own main track.)
Side track. Any track other thain main track or secondary track, not usually applied to siding or yard track.
Siding. Track auxiliary to main track used for meeting or passing of trains. Any track other than main track, secondary track, or yard track. (In SP employee timetables, a siding is for meeting or passing of trains only.) Per Armstrong, it is a short section of railroad track connected by switches with a main track.
Single track. A main or secondary track on which trains move in both directions. Technically any track signalled in both directions is single track but such a track is seldom called single track if they are parallel track.
Team track. Public track for loading/unloading cars from/to trucks or wagons. Armstrong's definition is synonomous.
Yard. Assembly of tracks for the purpose of switching, classification, making, breaking up, receiving, or frowarding trains, servicing, storing, loading, or unloading. Per Armstrong, it is a system of tracks defined by limits within which movement may be made without schedule, train order, or other authority for the purpose of classification and so on.
Yard limits, Limits within switching movements can be made without train order.
Certainly, advise away Mark. These switch stands will be used on a yard ladder. Thanks.
Terry in Florida
Terry,
Do you want some advice on what side of a turnout the switch stand should be placed, or are you all set?
I want to thank everyone who took the time to answer my question. I am waiting on a butt-load of Fast Tracks items I ordered to begin hand laying my track. I never thought I would hand lay but with the encouragement from a friend I am taking the plunge. I have stripped my layout in preparation. In the meantime I am trying to anticipate future quandries and dealing with them now. So one less bump in the road. Again thank you and Merry Christmas to all.
On the SP at least, red targets were used on the main track (usually mis-identified by modelers as the mainline; hey! branchlines have main tracks too), turnouts leading immediately to the main track, at interlocking turnouts, and at derails. Yellow elsewhere.
I've painted my targets red. And they're movable !
But I've got another question. I've heard there're other colors like yellow for the target.
Where do you use red targets and where do you use yellow targets?
I think turnouts off the main get red targets and other turnouts get yellow targets. ???
Wolfgang
Pueblo & Salt Lake RR
Come to us http://www.westportterminal.de my videos my blog
scubaterryI just bought several Tomar non-illuminated switch stands NS-89 I believe. The directions are not clear on the orientation of the red target. My guess is when the switch is closed the red target would be turned sideways or parallel to the straight thru track and if the switch is thrown the red target would turn and be perpendicular to the track giving the engineer a clear view of the target? Any help or info would be greatly appreciated.
All discussions will be from the perspective of an engineer sitting on a locomotive on the tracks.
When the switch is lined for the the normal route, the target should be green or have no target. The normal route is normally the straight route, but on a model railroad, that's not always the case. The normal route is the route that continues the train on the main track or on the same track its on. When the switch is lined for the diverging route, the target should be red. The diverging route is commonly the "curved" route of a switch, but on a model railroad that's not always the case. the diverging route would be the route that takes the train off the main track or to a different track thatn the one it was on.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
as best i can recall, the green target or lamp lens indicated the switch was lined for the main track and red indicated it was lined for the siding. in yards, green indicated the switch was lined for the normal route or lead track while yellow was normally used to indicate a diverting move into a yard track. i don't recall seeing red indications on yard switches except where the track joined a main line.
grizlump
Our targets have a little green flag on them that lets us know it is for the main or straight route.The red target would mean we are going on a diverging route.
Yes we are on time but this is yesterdays train
I just bought several Tomar non-illuminated switch stands NS-89 I believe. The directions are not clear on the orientation of the red target. My guess is when the switch is closed the red target would be turned sideways or parallel to the straight thru track and if the switch is thrown the red target would turn and be perpendicular to the track giving the engineer a clear view of the target? Any help or info would be greatly appreciated.
Merry Christmas to everyone!