switch stands

[Anonymous]

Later today I hope to install my new Caboose Industies' manual turnout stands(model 204s), I am currently detailing them now. My questions are, which part of the target is painted red and which is painted green? My guess would be the arrow is what is painted red and does that represent the turnout direction? Also, does the same color scheme go for the mock lantern?

Twilight

[Anonymous]

On a switch (turnout) stand, which target is red and which is green (or white) depends upon the location of the turnout and how it is used. A red target is used for the diverging route and green or white for the primary route (such as the main line). Either route through the turnout could be the primary or diverging route. You need to designate which route is which based upon how you operate the layout.

The primary route target can be green or white depending upon each individual railroad. The Missouri Pacific used red/green targets. In addition to model trains, I also am a member of a live steam club. This club uses red/white targets. One year, a member repainted the targets red/green. We discovered that the green targets blended with the green leaves of the brush along the route and were thus hard to see. As a result, the targets were repainted back to red/white. (The club doesn't operate during the winter so the white targets and snow is not a problem).

Often in yard or industrial areas there may not be a primary route. In this case both targets could be yellow with possibly a track number on it, or possibly no target at all. I don't believe there is an industry standard for targets in yard/industrial areas. Each railroad has their own rules.

In answer to your question "Should the arrow be red". Kalmbach's book Trackside and Lineside Detail page 69 shows examples of various switch stand targets and shows their colors. According to this book, the arrow is normally red. However, I have seen the Bethlehem Steel Co 1942 target colors reversed with the slanted arrow white and the circles red. I guess it depends upon the specific railroad being modeled.

As far as the lantern, green is always the primary route and red is the diverging route just like the target.

[Anonymous]

thank-you for the reply!!!