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Spotting markers for undertrack magnets in a yard

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,670 posts
Posted by rrebell on Friday, November 6, 2015 11:35 AM

Thought this thread was dead? But since I have not done this task yet, all info is appreciated! What era were the blue flags used?

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Friday, November 6, 2015 1:03 PM

crhostler61
One very realistic possiblity is a flip up blue flag. They are common on yard sidings both in engine service areas and car yards. They will be inclose proximity to the siding's switch and are often placed where a derail would be placed.

The only problem with using a blue flag is that, to remain prototypical, the blue flag must be removed to allow train movement past that point.  A yard with all of its tracks blue-flagged wouldn't be of much use in keeping the system fluid. WhistlingSmile, Wink & Grin

Wayne

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: AU
  • 713 posts
Posted by xdford on Saturday, November 7, 2015 8:51 PM

 I have just found this link in another forum showing an LED alongside the centre of the uncoupler

http://yourmodelrailway.net/view_topic.php?id=13783&forum_id=6

So as a further development. and using the "blue flag" idea, if you "nearly bury" a blue LED alongside the uncoupler and power it with a push button so you can see where it is but otherwise it should not show ...

Just an idea

Regards from Oz

Trevor

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Yorkton, Sk, Cnd
  • 441 posts
Posted by wvg_ca on Sunday, November 8, 2015 5:48 PM

for magnet location on my old layout [1960's], I used a bit of yellow paint on the raii side to mark .. on the new one [1890's] I use craft box  yellow glass tube beads with a pin in some areas, in other I use part of a small tree, cut at equivalent 6 to 8 foot height, a tree cut down because it's too close to the track ...if I look close I can see the supermagnets glued between the ties, they are not ballasted, just painted a close colour to the ballast..

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