How would the prototype do it? -ground throws

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Hi all,

I’m trying to decide where I will place the ground throw (caboose industries) for the turnout colored in red. How would the prototype do it? Because this turnout is a mainline crossover, I will eventually power it with a tortoise giving the impression of a prototype remote controlled turnout. Where would the prototype place the remote mechanisms? Thanks in advance.

2

The turnout throw is normally on the straight side of the turnout, as long as there’s room. If not, it can be placed on the curved side, or even outside the next track, connected with a long throw bar. The same can apply to a remote controlled machine.

3

Usually in 1:1 scale, the switch stand or machine is on the curved side of the switch, except on yard ladders. I would put it on the curved side of the switch in question.

Many model switches have the headblocks on the straight side. Using the Tortoise, it would not matter. The switch machine casting could then go on the curved side.

4

The prototype position of a switch stand is on the side the points would be lined in thier normal position. “Normal” is the position for through route (in your case, NOT through the crossover)

So in your case the switch stand would either go between the tracks (if there was clearance) or on the outside of the top track (if ther wasn’t).

The reason the prototype places the switch stand there is that way if you drag a derailed car through the switch and bend the bridle rods (the rods that connect the points) it won’t gap the switch open and derail even more cars.

Dave H.

5

Thanks for the help guys, that clears a few things up.

6

Gee, CSXFan, the conflicting answers you received befuddled me. Perhaps you should visit nearby railroads to see their practices, particularly the prototype you are emulating, if any. I am an SP fan, so I looked at their common standard plan #1090. That plan shows different track arrangements and the locations of the switchstands. The usual practice was to put the switchstand on the curved side of the turnout. The primary exception was for turnouts on a yard ladder where the switch stands are on the straight side so that the fella throwing the turnouts doesn’t have to cross tracks getting from turnout to turnout. The other exception was for crossovers on a double track mainline. Here the switchstands are on the straight side unless there is parallel track immediately adjacent to the straight side.

Mark

7

Depending on how much clearance there is between the tracks the throw might be on the other side of the through (bottom) track in your diagram. The throw rod would extend all the way under the other track and if there is a target it would be mounted by itself near the switch on the curve side but there would be no target with the throw.

8

In my experience working for 3 different RRs the switch stand tends to be (as stated above) on the diverging route side of the track. The exceptions would be on yard leads and Xovers. (picture yourself as a 1/87 switchman galloping down the lead over all those intervening rails). That said, on the BN (ex NP now MRL) at Sandpoint Id there are two switches so close together that there’s no room between tracks for a switch stand so you have two switchstands next to the outer track, one for the outer track and one for the inner.