Was there a system in use to identify a given turnout? For example, if you had a crossover at milepost 132.5 would the individual turnouts have their own...numbers? Like 1325.1 or something. I'm curious because I'm intending on labeling the controls for each of my turnouts and I'd like to be consistent in some manner. I'd also assume that this would have varied from railroad to railroad.
I number mine by the section of the layout they are on. My layout is built in 8 foot modules.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Turnouts can be named at a specific location(East Winona/ Bridge Switch/etc..). The Soo Line had a junction south of Superior, WI - It was named JCT MP278(for the milepost). I have seen 'numbers' or 'names' on the small targets of ground throws(Hanson Spur/Yard 3/East Pass/etc...) on the C&NW. On my layout the end of double track is station 'Bridge Switch', and I have a 'West Wye Switch' just west of the depot. These are all based on Milw Road practice along their old River Division.
Even automatic block signals are numbered. They usually have a vertical 'plate' below the signal head with the approximate mile post number. A pair of signals would be numbered (like 431.1 for the WB signal and 431.2 for the EB signal). The key here is it is 'your' railroad and just be consistent. Of course prototype practice can vary from line to line....
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Sometimes complex interlockings would have the various switches numbered, and likewise the signals, using a local numbering system. Another time I have seen them numbered is in industrial parks, where they carry the number of the customers siding. It made it easier for a new crew to figure out where a car destined to "M67" should be spotted.
It will also depend on what level you are thinking. There may well be some numbering system used in the wiring diagram and racks inside a signal bungalow. For train operations on the main line descriptive names are more common, such as "west siding switch Berlin".
John
Signals are identified by subdivision milepost locations, generally to the tenth of a mile. Note that ALL signals in one direction will be either odd or even numbers (so a signal at mile. Signals at multiple tracks at the same location will identified by track designation or number (eg. 805S and 805N, or 805-1 and 805-2)
Switches and tracks may be identified by any sort of local numbering scheme. CN for example creates local "zones" identified by a one or two letter code and tracks are numbered within each zone. (eg. SA-98 (zone SA, track 98). I've seen similar codes stencilled on switch targets, not sure if it refers to the switch or the track that the switch is entering. Generally, the track number will be of use to the operating department ("put those boxcars over on AD05, and pick up the cars on AD02") but individual switch numbers are probably only of use to the maintenance department.
When a switch on the main track needs to be referenced for operational purposes (for train clearances/orders/other instructions) it'll be identified by name and location ("south siding switch Alpha", "south wye switch Beta" "crossover switch Charlie" etc.)
Chris van der Heide
My Algoma Central Railway Modeling Blog