Harp Switch Stands.

[Geoff Hamway]

Hi Paul --

I'm glad to hear you got your PSC Harps.  I don't have any experience with the South Park version, but I do have some of the D&RG style on my RGS Telluride Branch layout.  After some trial and error, I found I needed to relocate the pivot hole on the staff to get them to operate properly with my Fast Tracks turnouts.  Let me know if you need more info, and good luck!

Geoff Hamway

[Paul R.]

Hello Geoff ,
I realized when they arrived I bought the wrong version , so I am modifying them to look the same as the South Park version. A good thing it is only a file job. A nice photo of your way to install them. When I sort out the photo problem I willdownload some photo's
Paul R.

[Paul R.]

Okay I have now assembled them,What is the correct colour for them? I have checked here but there seems not to be a concensus.
I have painted them a black-grey wash and targets white.??
Paul R.

[Keith Hayes]

Geez, Paul, that is a loaded question.

Green?

Seriously, check the pics and draw your own conclusions. Treat yourself to some searches of the places you model and enjoy reading the genial correspondence of the contributors herein.

[Mike Trent]

Here are two in Dickey.

Paintings have shown early targets to be white with a red circle in the center.

I agree with Keith, look for locations and especially the time period you are modeling. In later years many of the old harps had been replaced with upright switch stands. Faded or fresh red paint or even just rust, probably.

This was used in later years as a derail with no target at all:



Modified target, red only:

[Mike Trent]

Just a word of caution, stub switches can bind in cold weather due to temperature changes. Be generous with enough space in the openings. It's a pain to have to fix it later. And a reminder, set the arms upright and away from the track.

[Paul R.]

Mike,
I only have stubs on the Hancock section operated by bluepoint - hand operated. I will have to change how the harps fit, I want them working. I might add I have checked this site for the colours, so now to check some of the books I have, more research !!!
Paul R.     ps I still have to work out my problem with posting photo's.

[Dave Eggleston]

Paul,

A quick capture of some targets at Hancock, Romley and Alpine Tunnel between 1882 and WWI.



At Hancock: Left is 1882 with target tucked against the telegraph pole; right is DL&G era.



At Romley: Left is earlier C&S; next is ca 1891; rightmost image is at east bridge approach around 1900.



At Alpine Tunnel L to R: Late 1880s or 1890s; ca 1900; DL&G; same ca 1900 closer up.

What I see are many in a mid-gray, suggesting a light red, maybe orange, but the emulsion could offer a lot of other choices (white, yellow and blue render light in certain emulsions). Pure white may be in use but maybe not. Color sensibilities around safety and markings were not necessarily what we expect. And some targets are dark, most likely are in shade. OR they could be dark red or brown or even a green.

Shapes. There are the double target at Romley in a light color and the vertical light/dark target at the Tunnel on the spoil spur outside the Tunnel portal where later the turntable would be located. By at least the late 1880s target shapes seem to start to reflect use--MOW, company versus customer, etc. Or maybe just what was available to the MOW folks at the time.

And then there is that one targetless stand in later Romley in the earlier C&S era.

A lot of options for shape and color, few of which have been clearly defined. White/red is the safe path when it comes to modern viewers' expectations. I do wonder if you are going earlier--Hancock's depot did move to Romley in 1887--that this may be ok, but that light value could also be a yellow or even a blue, colors that can render as light in certain period emulsions.

[Mike Trent]

Thanks, Dave.


Or.....

[djunda]

Contact me. I have a bunch of them.

[Keith Hayes]

May I suggest consulting Union Pacific standards at the time? That might provide clues to the colors, shapes and markings used on the targets.

[Mike Trent]

Right, and, of course, there is always the old tried and true adage of "Rule #1", it's your railroad!

[Paul R.]

MY era is a bit mixed Romley is pre depot it has the eating house, and Hancock has the depot. so rule no 1 applies as I will run DSP&P as well as C&S. I have just looked at my South Park book and picked mostly white targets with one painting at Alpine Tunnel with red centre in the targets., So I think I will go with the white at this time. Thanks to all until I have more questions. Paul R.

[Dave Eggleston]

My copy of UP Standards for 1890 doesn't cover targets for any type of switch but for signs black lettering on white background is very consistent--except when white letters on black background.

A friend has the 1890 UP standard for a rotary target. Red on one side, white on the other. He has no info on the harps.

Looking through paint research from Randy Hees and Andrew Brandon I haven't found any discussion on targets. I'm asking some other color researchers I know for any UP insights they may have.

You've opened up a very good question that smay not be answerable. Back to Rule 1.