How Close Do You Spot Your Freight Cars

[D&J RailRoad]

Smaller layouts may have the problem of freight cars just barely fitting in sidings do to space limitations.
Bigger layout can employ this little marker.
I mark a cross tie on each siding to show the limit of spotted cars so they don't get side swiped by passing trains.
It's a small detail that adds to the scenery. Paint can go right iver existing dirt, grime, roadkill or any other small stuff to look prototypical. Faded a bit to represent weather effects.

 

[dave1905]

Prototype railroads will paint a tie, or the rail, or sometimes put a marker at the clearance point.

 

[TLOC]

Prototype railroads will paint a tie, or the rail, or sometimes put a marker at the clearance point.

Dave1905. Hope you are recovering nicely from your surgery

I’m been experimenting with this yellow stripe on my pulp wood track. It’s

also is a good marker for photos as I center the car with the tie marker

 

[logandsawman]

Smaller layouts may have the problem of freight cars just barely fitting in sidings do to space limitations.
Bigger layout can employ this little marker.
I mark a cross tie on each siding to show the limit of spotted cars so they don't get side swiped by passing trains.
It's a small detail that adds to the scenery. Paint can go right iver existing dirt, grime, roadkill or any other small stuff to look prototypical. Faded a bit to represent weather effects.

View attachment 191111

Interesting detail, I usually eyeball leaving ample space.

One thing I used in the past was a man standing there as a marker. It would be a rail worker, where the under the track uncoupler magnet was placed.

 

[dave1905]

Dave1905. Hope you are recovering nicely from your surgery
Home now so all good.

In my class yards, I put a marker with the track number at the clearance point, both as a clearance aid to help the yard crew keep track of which track is which.

I also added thumbtacks painted with the block color code to aid the switch crews.

• Green=Reading
• Yellow=Wilmington
• Blue=Elsmere Jct/B&O
• Orange = Coatesville

That matches the color coding on the waybills and yardmaster train blocking sheets. Trying to keep things consistent.

 

[Rico]

Great idea Dave!