I bought this 1/4 size switch stand mumble cough years ago. It is a very rough aluminum casting, and over the years I’ve lost a couple of the parts for it. But i finally cleaned up the castings and gave it a coat of paint. I’ll eventually get around to replacing the missing parts but it’s nice to have it in the yard finally.
1 Like
I love it, Bob. And all your other artifacts. Someday I hope to see your lens-changing dwarf working out there, but no hurry. 
And wouldn’t is be cool, with an appropriately-proportioned lever (and spring), to have the above stand operate a particular switch in the neighborhood? Just kidding! (Halfway) 
I also love how you and Jon have your “rust gardens,” with all kinds of 1:1 RR debris in the flower bed. I’ll probably head that direction if I can’t quite picking stuff up…
Cliff;
Rust Gardens are fun to have, especially if you have friends who keep loading off old bits and pieces of railroad, prototype junk on you…!!
Having the “Junk” in most cases is a blessing. It is truly educational, and can help to teach new people to the hobby…and others, how a real railroad actually “Works”.
It’s interesting to find how little many so-called Model Railroaders actually know about the industry, so having, for example, an actual Truck Spring or brake shoe laying there in front of them can help to introduce them to the “Game”…!!
I also just happen to have several real Switch Stands, out along the railroad, and at one time, had one of them throwing a model switch. Too bad that it constantly needed adjusting, and became a P-I-T-A to maintain. Some things in much different scales, don’t play well together !!
Fred Mills
Fred,
Great thoughts on the rust garden. The 1:1 artifacts help me as well, such as in sensing the enormity and mass of the “little” parts I 3d print. You’re right, they are very educational.
Wow, you did that switch thing! My hat’s off to you, Sir!
Cliff