A question about Point Indicators.

[UncleBuck]

I know this is probably a dumb question for most of you, but I seriously don't know enough about "prototypical" layouts and so far Google has not been much help with giving me an answer.

If train A is approaching the point indicator "P", which way should the arrow be pointing when the points are set for the line that train A is on?

         P
A->-------
           \
-------------------------

Should it be ^ or v

 

[pware]

Not sure what you mean by "point indicator". Is it, for example, a colored marker (red/green/yellow disc or arrow) attached to manual switch levers that indicates the direction that the points have been set?

The ones I am familiar with show a green arrow/disc when the points ahead have been set to the main line from the main line (i.e. straight through) and another color indicator if the point are diverging from the main line. But this can vary between railway systems.

 

[UncleBuck]

Specifically, it is the NSW SH-V 2a signal by @Ranger_51 which has an arrow indicating left or right when used at the end of a loop merge.
So I guess what I am asking is, should the arrow point to the main line to indicate you are about to merge to the main line, or, should it point to the loop indicating the points are set to the loop line.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[pware]

I found the following reference for NSW/ARTC shunting signals - https://www.artc.com.au/uploads/ANSG-602.pdf. The first section on General purpose shunting signals seems to show the signal type you referenced as per @Ranger_51 . That signal has no direction indicator and is used as a "call-on" or Proceed/Do Not Proceed shunting signal.

 

[UncleBuck]

That document lead me to Rule ANSG 604 Indicators and signs which has a section about these indicators which states...

a white arrow, the points are set and locked for the route indicated by the direction of the arrow.

but it is still confusing to me as to which way the arrow should point.
Should the arrow point to the main line (indicating you are about to enter the main line) or away from the main line (indicating the points are set to the loop line).

 

[pware]

Should the arrow point to the main line (indicating you are about to enter the main line) or away from the main line (indicating the points are set to the loop line).

My reading of that rule suggests that the arrow indicates the direction in which the points are set. I would also suspect that, as they are shunting signals, they would be used on a main line for a reverse movement only - i.e. the shunting consist has moved forward on the main line past the set of trailing points and its shunting signal, the points have been switched to the siding or loop and the signal has changed to display a white arrow onto the siding/loop. The consist then reverses into the siding/loop. Shunting signals would not (I suspect) be used for facing points on a main line, normal diversion signals would be used instead.

 

[UncleBuck]

I was basing the signals of the section "Mainline Indicators" in New South Wales Signalling in Trainz with the R51 Signal Kit.
Are you saying that is incorrect and that I should be using regular diverge as per the section "SL and DL Controlled Signals" (in the same document) for loops?

Maybe I am just being pedantic and so long as I am consistent it doesn't really matter all that much. I just wanted it to be as prototypical as possible (within the realms of Trainz anyway).

 

[pware]

Are you saying that is incorrect

I am saying that that is my interpretation of the signals and rules (but I do not work for the railways).

so long as I am consistent it doesn't really matter all that much.

That has been my view - it is a simulator, not the "real thing". If the rivet counters complain, they can always build their own much "better" version starting from scratch (but of course they never do).

My philosophy.

 

[UncleBuck]

No problems, and thanks for chiming in on this as I like to get others opinions before I do something that may be radically stupid.