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I'm just wondering if there is a standard with respect to ground throw lever position. If the ground throw is on the side of the track closest to you, should the lever be on the left or right for mainline traffic or does it matter? I'm just wondering if here is a standard or do you make your own.
Bernie, As far as a standard location, no. You can put them where you need them. I have several in tight spots where I've run the control rod ( stiff wire ) under track or even another turnout to throw it ! Have fun and " put em where you need em " ! Joe
I have over 30 on my layout & only have them in easy access area's. Mostly right in the front. I have to put some spacers under the handles to make them easier to throw the switch. I don't use any electric's on any of my turnouts.
These are the pictures from the FastTracks site. The lever on the throw bar is moved to the right to allow the train to remain on the mainline and then moved to the left to allow the train to take the branchline. Is this a "standard" or is it arbitrary?
Bernie, Got news for you. Very little in Railroading model or prototype is not arbitrary. If you look long enough and far enough you will see and find most anything ! Joe
In this case, the postion of the ground throw is completely arbitrary, since real railraods have indicators to show the track position. I think it's a good idea to stick to a standard for yourself though. I have mine set so that thrown to the left is the diverging route and to the right is straight. I paint the top handle of the ground throw with red glitter nail polish for the diverging and green glitter for the straight. I can see the postion of the track from almost anywhere on the layout. Kind of a poor man's indicator system.
Say Bernie,
As was stated it's a wise thing to maintain consistency throughout your layout from an ease of operation standpooint.
I'm planning on using Caboose Hobbies High level Switch stands with rotating targets again painted Red & Green, by me, and I do the same thing as the others, Green target facing flat out is the Main Line, Red Targets denote the siding.
In realation to what is considered the standard on the RR an SP Engineer friend once told me if you can dream it up you'll find it implamented somewhere on the RR. Meaning that almost anything goes if the situation demands it.
So have fun but keep the ground throw actions the same so you won't have to stop and think which way is which.
1:1 railroads try to keep all ground throws / switchstands on the same side of the track(s) in any given area. This minimizes the need for crews to walk across tracks (for safety). Never looked to see if there is a preferred bar orientation.
I paint the top handle of the ground throw with red glitter nail polish for the diverging and green glitter for the straight. I can see the postion of the track from almost anywhere on the layout. Kind of a poor man's indicator system. [/QUOTE]
Neat Idea. Never thought of that. Some of mine are on the inside of the rail & some are on the outside. Depends on the space I have between the tracks.
My figures don't move so I'm not worried about them stepping across the tracks.
I have mine set so that thrown to the left is the diverging route and to the right is straight. I paint the top handle of the ground throw with red glitter nail polish for the diverging and green glitter for the straight. I can see the position of the track from almost anywhere on the layout. Kind of a poor man's indicator system.
I had some that were mounted one track over due to space restrictions and were joined by a throw rod.
One thing I notice some guys doing is pushing the bar all the way down to the ground. I find that makes them hard to pull back up as a horizontal position usually is enough to lock them in place.
I also paint mine green for normal direction of travel and yellow for diverging route. Note that normal direction of travel sometimes is the curved route and not straight thru depending on the switch.
Rico, that is the way I paint my topside: Green "normal route" (which ever that is), Yellow "diverging" (or other way ). In the case where a turnout must be returned to green (mainline), diverging is Red.
LOL on the throw bar to the ground, that is one of my biggest aggravation. I try to tell visitors it isn't necessary and makes it more difficult to get a hold on....doesn't work and back to the ground it goes.
). In the case where a turnout must be returned to green (mainline), diverging is Red.