Are there really lighted track bumpers?

[Lemosteam]

Max, you are an electronics expert, why not add a occupancy sensor with diode logic to cut the power on the siding when a car or locomotive comes int a certain proximity of the bumper?

[sd45elect2000]

Max, what about a blue flag?

Those are often lit.

Modern day ones are blue battery lanterns, but I'm sure you could do a nice flickering lantern kinda thing.

This

[porkypine52]

I like the BLUE LIGHT idea.  I have seen this on the prototype.  On a siding that was next to where we were dropping trailers, there was a blue light interlocked with the siding turnout .  It could only be turned out when the  turnout was thrown, and then the blue light's control was shut off. 
Instead of a CONTROL PANEL light, which I like, how about a small storage/track workers/yard man's shed with a small blue/green/red/purple with orange strips [your choice{LOL}] light in the window? A quick glance tell you if there is power on or off.

REMEMBER:  The KISS principal. 

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[bbunge]

Modern day, many larger lineside structures/boxes that hold the electronics have an outside light that's always on.  I believe it's primary use isn't for "security" but so the signal/MOW crew who are sent out for a repair know if there is power to the box even has they drive up.

Bob

[Missaberoad]

What about a switch stand at the switch with a switch lantern? Definitely inconspicuous... and wouldn't look out of place when unlit.

[thomasjmdavis]

How about using a light up vehicle wired in to the track power (ala those light up cars from Woodland Scenic- might need a resistor?) Make the end of the track the favorite spot for a speed trap.  When the police car's mars light is flashing, the track is powered, otherwise, he's sitting there having a donut and watching his radar gun.  Or, use a construction vehicle with a mars light.  Or just brake lights on a pickup for something less dramatic.  Or for that matter, a sign or barber pole on a building across the street.

[mmagliaro]

sure there are lit track bumpers  ... but if memory serves, they are pretty ugly ...
you can probably make better ones yourself, leds are small and increasingly popular nowadays

...
 (Never mind the quizzical, comical Atlas "lighted bumper" from days
of old).

[mmagliaro]

I think a little utility shed that just happens to have a small outdoor light by its door is the best idea so far.
Remember, this is 1950s steam era modeling, so whatever the effect is, it can't be too modern looking.

I have considered the occupancy detector.  That might be a good way to go.

The turnout points will be controlled with a tiny slide switch (like many people use to throw the points and power the frog with the correct polarity).  Since this is a spring switch, I use a 3-position slide switch instead of the normal two.

Slide furthest out, siding is live, frog powered to siding, but the points are still closed against the siding by the spring.
Slide to center position siding is dead, points closed against the siding.
Slide closest to the track, siding is live again AND the switch handle nudges the points over to lock them for
the siding, so a train can get back IN to the siding.
Very simple, no more complicated than a normal slide-switch turnout control.

Adding the indicator light is just an "extra" I thought might be useful.

And yes, the switch can be a double pole so the light can be switched on the second pole, or it can just control a little relay to give me all the poles I want.

Little tool shed, tiny LED outdoor light.  Would not look out of place anywhere on a railroad.
 

[peteski]

I have considered the occupancy detector.  That might be a good way to go.

If I understand your initial post correctly, you want to have an indication of whether a storage (stub) track is powered or isolated (dead).  I suspect that the track, and what's parked on it, is visible?  If you can already see whether a loco is sitting on that track or not, how would an occupancy detector be helpful?  I thought you needed to indicate electrical state of that stub track.

[mmagliaro]

If I understand your initial post correctly, you want to have an indication of whether a storage (stub) track is powered or isolated (dead).  I suspect that the track, and what's parked on it, is visible?  If you can already see whether a loco is sitting on that track or not, how would an occupancy detector be helpful?  I thought you needed to indicate electrical state of that stub track.

Ha ha ha... yes, you are right.  I was thinking of the ancient occupancy detectors that only worked if the block was "on".
(like the ...gasp... say it with me now... Twin-T... )

I missed one of the posts... a lighted switch stand.  It doesn't have to be operational or anything.  Just a low signal lamp near the turnout with an SMD LED inside it. 
OR... just a dwarf signal next to the turnout.  Might not be prototypical, but nobody will care, least of all me.  And it would
do the job.

Does anybody make an N Scale lighted dwarf signal that is scale size?

[peteski]

Dwarf signals are available from https://www.showcaseminiatures.net/n_scale/n_scale_century_foundry_signals/

[Point353]

I think a little utility shed that just happens to have a small outdoor light by its door is the best idea so far.
Little tool shed, tiny LED outdoor light.  Would not look out of place anywhere on a railroad.

Would that outdoor light ever need to be on during daylight hours?

[wazzou]

Would that outdoor light ever need to be on during daylight hours?

I think that may be getting a little too far into the weeds, perhaps?

[Steveruger45]

I’m late to this party and please Forgive me if I have missed something here.
I’m assuming then that power to the siding has to be controlled by other than the position of the points.
As such, power has to be switched on/off of the siding and some sort of on/off switch would be needed to do that.
So, wouldn’t the orientation of the physical switch doing the power routing (am assuming a toggle switch here) show you if it was powered or not?

[peteski]

I find participating in this thread very entertaining.