Which side does the switch go on?

[gisa]

Hi Everyone,


I bring forth a silly question and I hope someone has the answer for me.

Which side does a switch typically go on? Take a look at the screenshot below:



Above you can see the switch is hugging the inside part of where the tracks diverge. What I want to ask is, is that standard practice (to put the switch on the side where the track diverges? I'm just trying to make my route a little bit more prototypical and me being a layman when it comes to railroads I am curious...

:wave:

Gisa ^^

 

[motorbreath]

I have no idea if railroads have a preference for that. What I do is place a switch stand to indicate "clear" if the junction is set to allow passage along the main, and red if it is set to access the siding. This may be bad information.

 

[Dermmy]

The 'right' side is the safest side for employees working the switch. In a situation like your screenshot where safety is 50:50, different railroads will have a preferred side, generally the side which favours the driver's line-of-sight to the lever when approaching from the facing direction. So in your screenshot most USA routes would tend to have it on the other side of the track, but there are probably a zillion exceptions where local practice or conditions dictate one side or the other. Of all the things a route are likely to be criticized for, switch levers on the wrong side are way down the list!

Andy

 

[gisa]

Hi Gents,

@ Motorbreath: I do the same when selecting signals (as you can see in my picture). ^^

@ Dermmy: fantastic answer as always. I am nit-picky and am trying to minimize the mistakes I am making. I was thinking that logically, it's best to place it where it is, since through trains need not change it and those that do are either coming from the siding itself (and therefore the driver/brakeman won't have to cross the tracks to throw the switch - bonus on safety in case a passing train on the left were to come and the person failed to look behind). If it were coming from the other side towards the switch, he'd have to stop to throw it and it'd be okay for the driver/brakeman to cross the tracks since no one can pass him.

You are totally correct in that there are probably a million factors that dictate where the switch goes. I can't find out exactly where c/o google earth or track plans since the former won't zoom up that close in that region and the latter I do not have. I guess this is where I get to make it *freelanced* in a way.

Thanks again for your input guys!

:wave:

Gisa ^^

 

[rgcx]

In Yards, the headblocks that support the switchstand generally face the "outside" from where the track diverges. This is the norm because it keeps workers safer by not requiring them to constantly cross tracks to throw switches on ladder tracks (a real safety concern). However, spurs and sidings out on the main generally have their headblocks on the "inside". Of course, there are numerous exceptions. Just follow your proto's general practices and standards or make your own if you're freelancing.

 

[Dap]

Switch Stands

When several switches are close to one another, I try to place them so they can be easily distinguished in driver.

The good switch stands usually have two varieties. One that,when set for straight, will show clear when mounted on the outside and one that will show clear when mounted on the inside.

 

[gisa]

In Yards, the headblocks that support the switchstand generally face the "outside" from where the track diverges. This is the norm because it keeps workers safer by not requiring them to constantly cross tracks to throw switches on ladder tracks (a real safety concern). However, spurs and sidings out on the main generally have their headblocks on the "inside". Of course, there are numerous exceptions. Just follow your proto's general practices and standards or make your own if you're freelancing.

I haven't got to the main yard in my route yet, but this is handy info which I will keep in mind. Thanks! ^^

When several switches are close to one another, I try to place them so they can be easily distinguished in driver.

The good switch stands usually have two varieties. One that,when set for straight, will show clear when mounted on the outside and one that will show clear when mounted on the inside.

I do this too because it's difficult to see in trainz which switch does what, especially if you are driving and it comes up suddenly. I use the CN switches (I forget the KUID but you can see one example I am using in the picture) which are lit. I use the lit tall one's for mainline/busy single switches and the short lit one's for yards while using unlit one's for switches that aren't used often or which are out of the way.

:wave:

Gisa ^^

 

[American_Connections]

Clearances

Best to place all stuctures to the outside of the curve. A long car or loco can swing into them on the inside.

 

[gisa]

For something tight, that makes sense (also a good reason to put them on the outside in a yard). From what I can see, few cars get longer than an autorack and I use that as one of my height/width/length test cars. It should easily clear the switch above. ^^

:wave:

Gisa ^^