Switch Stands & And there Targets

Hello all
I want to release another pack of switch stands into the library, I am also gona have a low switch stand avalable. I know the size and shape of a UP target and for BN. I want to satisfy everyone in there route building and have more to offer.
So Im asking for help, I want every one to post pictures or drawings of switches and there targets for varrious railroads. What do the targets of such railroads as CN, CON, SP, NS, SF, and others look like.
Thanks in addvance,
Marc

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RE: Switch Stands & And there Targets, timken, Mar-03-05, 11:46 PM, (1) RE: Switch Stands & And there Targets, CGW409, Mar-04-05, 07:12 PM, (2) RE: Switch Stands & And there Targets, jdtrainman, Mar-05-05, 10:53 AM, (3) RE: Switch Stands & And there Targets, Marc712, Mar-06-05, 09:41 AM, (4) RE: Switch Stands & And there Targets, CGW409, Mar-06-05, 10:58 AM, (5) RE: Switch Stands & And there Targets, Marc712, Mar-07-05, 04:27 PM, (6) RE: Switch Stands & And there Targets, CGW409, Mar-07-05, 06:13 PM, (7)

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Northern Pacific stands were the same as UP (round target), however, into the late 1960's they still had switch lights on top. This is the type they used.

Steve T.

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Marc
I did a set of non animated stands many moons back and found it breaks down to a couple of types and conditions for use.
Also remember such as Conrail and NS there might not be one standard type target but many from predessesor roads.
As to your question first though...
CN IIRC they use a red square(I might be thinking CP though)
Conrail At least the NYC/PRR lines of Conrail used a Ramapo(I'll explain later on)style stand and I think L&HR and L&NE used what I call a disk and chevron target.
SP used a redish orange diamond target(C&NW used the same at least in red)SP however color coded their targets, red indicated a deadend siding, yellow indicated a open end(left the main at one switch and rentered at the other end) siding.
NS not sure but L&N used a Ramapo style.
SF red disk similar to UPNow for the various target types
Ramapo: these look like a big windup key(like on a clockwork toy) with a diagonal target with points on both ends to indicate the diverging route CR/NYC/PRR usually did the key piece red(yellow if a open ended siding)green for the diagonal some roads such as the CGW did a varient using just the diagonal piece painted red for open end sidings but for deadend sidings used both pieces the diagonal peice painted white indicting the switch was lined for main ang the key painted red for the siding.Disk and chevron: Usually a green disk for the main and the Chevron(an arrow shaped piece with the point facing horizontally)painted red, though these I've also seen use the white/red yellow/green varients.Chevron: Same as in the Disk and Chevron style but longer with the point facing down, MILW painted theirs with red and white striped chevrons on the main target(indicating an open switch) with a small green diamond(usually where a lamp would mount) visible when lined for the main, IC had a similar setup but the chevron was painted solid red and a green rectangle rather than a diamond.This should give you a pretty good startGary S

43 year old future curmudgen(Hey you kids get offa my lawn!!)

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Did you see these two shots I posted in your other thread? I'd REALLY like to have this switchstand! Notice that the semaphore (LQ) stays at a right angle to the track and changes it's indication from stop to proceed as the switch is thrown!!! Lantern on top, of course. (not pictured here) I'd like MY blades to be red/white front, white/black back, though.... These were used on C&A/GM&O, MILW, CGW, and some of the other midwestern grainger roads....JBD

Jim Duncan
Midwest Rail Group

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Sorry Im replying late.
Jim I have left a reply for you in the other forum.
Steve, I havent gotten into lighting yet with this program, so I wouldnt be able to do the lantern, sorry.
Steve, thanks for all of that input and info, it was very insightfull and alot of help. I have downloaded your switch stands many moons ago and used them in my route I am currently working on.
I will put to use your feed back. I am focused very much on detail and will try to make more targets for the switch stands I am working on, I wish I hade measurments of the varrious targets you mentioned.
Not that I am asking you for them, but It would be a big help. I have been working on more targets that I am unfamilar with such as the ones you mentioned, but I just want to be accurate for every one who uses my objects in there routes.
I am enjoying TSM allot and the sharing of projects with the community.Thanks to all for the input and requests.Marc

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LAST EDITED ON Mar-06-05 AT 11:12 AM (EST)

Marc
Had be bit confused for a second there,got Steve and me confused.
A couple of things that I learned with TSM
First when doing the Ramapo key section, TSM will not allow booliean operations(cutting a hole in a part)since the switchstands were one of my first TSM projects I ended up getting the holes in the key piece through a long involved process of manipulating many polys to form the disk and a similar method to do the chevron,were I to do those now I would simply use a rectangle made of transnorm material(you can use trans material on scenery items,if you use an alpha material everything but ground and track disapear when viewed through the alpha)and in the texture stage alpha channel the shape needed.Second not to dump cold water on your idea but you might want to talk to Hank S (AKA Signalmaster) IIRC to make the stands work with a switch they for all intents are essentially signals linked to the switch, just giving you a heads up(messing with sig script still gives me the heebie jeebies)
Third, you can get some degree of illumination in switch lamps by making the actual lens material of a bright material it's not as good as signal brightness but it will work in pitch darkness to spot the rear of your train in relation to the switch.Also let me dig around a bit somewhere in my bookmarks file I've got a PRR site that had PDF files of various track bits including stand styles for both PRR and PC you'll need to dig through some because it also includes schematics for rail anchors tie plates and other fiddlybits.(edit)Marc
Here's that URLhttp://prr.railfan.net/He's done some modifications and additions but you'll be looking for the MW and signal plans links .Gary S

43 year old future curmudgen(Hey you kids get offa my lawn!!)

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Gary;
Thanks for all of the help. I did indeed take a look at the link you had left, and it will come in helpfull very soon. As far as all of the targets you mentioned, I will for now do my best to make the best models of them that I can. I have to admit, you did a great job on all of the ones you modeled many moons ago. I really wish I had measurments, pictures, and insight to all of the targets Im wanting to model, so that all route builders can add one more element of realism.
I spent more time yesterday, after receiving an email from an individual whom also is modeling switch stands, I have learned from his email that I can now animate more than just the targets, and how to do it. So I have made more switch stands with the time I had yesterday.
Gary, again thanks a Million.

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Marc
Just glad to be able to help,I've found that PRR site very helpful site with some of my TSM projects, apparently the "Standard Railroad Of The World" was very thorough about documenting things including a number of off the shelf non PRR items.
I'll be interested in seeing some of the work.Gary S

43 year old future curmudgen(Hey you kids get offa my lawn!!)

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