On my industrial switching layout I have both Tortoise switch machines and also Caboose ground throws with signal contacts for use with Tomar drawf signals, green over red, or green over yellow led lights.
On some of the siding tracks with turn outs or bi-pass track switches i only installed ground throws without any lighted drawfs signals and painted the throws red & green to indicate open or closed positions from a visual distance.
I subsequently found as the layout expanded that these non lighted ground throws required close up inspection when operating an engine, especially at higher speed steps from a distance away, as such i had to become not only a cab engineer but also a switchman before proceeding though to the destination without de-railing, this meant i had to stop the engine or slow down to a crawl when operating on these particular tracks.
My solution to this problem was by installing Tomar drawfs adjacent to the ground throws and wiring the signals to a two pole DPDT toggle switch on the facia board closeby the turnout. It still reqiures a momentary operating delay but at least there is signal light now indicating the switch position from a distance. Its an easy solution for anyone not wanting to dril into the top of the layout for a caboose controlled signal let along trying to insatll a Tortise machine from under the layout, which i have done sevearl times over the years. It also may be of help for anone not having a system control panel, just need to remember to flip the toggle switch to the correct color after throwing the switch position.
As for wiring the Tomar to the DPDT toggle i will leave for another discussion. Bayway Terminal NJ
