BarstowRick said: ↑ LOL Only on our layout. No, they are switchers. They've all-ways been called switchers and they will always be called switchers. As are the switches and switch-men. See someone was paying attention. https://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/standards/sandrp/pdf/tn-12_2015.03.05.pdf http://www.pcrnmra.org/pcr/clinics/Kolm-TurnoutsWhatYouNeedtoKnow-PCR2008-handout.pdf http://www.railroadfastenings.com/blog/railway-turnout-types.html http://www.railroadpart.com/rail-track-parts/railway-turnout.html https://www.narailproducts.com/turnouts-and-switches/ http://www.rail-fastener.com/railway-turnout-introduction.html I could go on and on...but...I'll let you catch your breath and take your heart meds.... My friend
Rick and George 20 paces...turn...and fire !! http://www.katetattersall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/pistol-duel.jpg
What? What? Whose side are you on George? What do you think because some model railroad Magog, says it is so... I'm going to believe it? More like a fallible human author put in his own ideas. Saying it was so. Yes, you hear the "T' word used more often then not. Miss-used more often then not. It goes back to a Model Railroad wig wag back in the 30's where the author put in the "T" word. Everyone thought he was the Prince of model railroading and well...the rest is history. No! I won't always accept what NMRA says. Why should I? I reserve the right to decide for myself. I'm and individualist. Which prompts: You can decide for yourself. As I said before and you didn't quote me on it. My family of rails never once referred to "Switches" using the "T" word. I'll run with that. They are switches, they've always been called switches and will be into the future. I allow for: It's your railroad, you make the rules, you set the standard and you run it the way you want. No problem with that. On my layout they will be called "Switches." Unless my friend an Architectural Engineer, shows up to help me install my switches. He calls them the "T" word. Aiiyiiyii Okay, I need to take to a siding, my boiler valve is about to pop off. I need to drop the fire and allows things to cool down. Of course Toy Train Enthusiast are exempt from this discussion. It doesn't matter to them. Who are you?
By the way this isn't the first time George and I have done this. We both get such a kick out of this. Yes the 1:1 foot scale was overrun with toy train enthusiast and in some cases they use the "T" word. Did I say morons born every day? I hope not. Wouldn't want to think that could be true. He did a survey once and it proved that most Toy Train Enthusiast used the "T" word. Proving we've gotten away from the traditions of the rails. Doing our own thing. Unacceptable in my camp. So when I install "T's" I'm careful to make sure no one is around to hear me describe them as "T's". Don't let that out George will have a field day. They are "Switches".
I thought that modelers started using the British word "turnout" to avoid confusion when trying to discuss an electrical switch used to activate what U.S. railroaders usually call a contraption made of rails that changes the path of trains. So, I have been dutifully calling the things on the facia "switches" and the things in the track "turnouts." But, it that offends somebody, I can switch.
But Rick... Its the NMRA ! Everyone says if the NMRA says it its fact ! Wait...thats a whole nuther discussion...LOL
But Rick... Its called 'evolution'. A lot of things from the good old days arent called now what they where called back then. A lot of things have just faded into memory. Just saying.
I use both terms. I use "Switch" on odd numbered days and "Turnout" on even numbered days. Except during leap years when I alternate months. January, March, May, July, September and November I use "Turnout" and February, April, June, August, October and December I use "Switch". However, after a few too many sips of Grandma's rheumatism medicine I sometimes loose track of when is now. Then I use creative names that seem to be more spontaneous.
In the utmost murky recesses of the bottomless pit that is my mind I seem to recall this issue appearing long, long time ago in one of the model RR mags. Confusion was created using the word 'switch' as the same term was used for electrical devices. And while the prototype did call them switches it was decided, to avoid confusion, to use the term 'turnout' for model trackwork. Again, this is from the bottomless pit so I am far from being dogmatic on it.
As a person who works for the 1:1 railroad, they are SWITCHES. "Throw that switch." " I ran through the switch. " "That switch is lined against us." " Every switch flops at least once. " These are phrases I hear every day at work. Never ever have I heard it called a turnout. You want to be prototypical, don't you?
