May have found my answer

from:  https://mysite.du.edu/~jcalvert/railway/turnout.htm

Yes

Thanks

Thanks for the answer Joe. I whacked all of them off after all so I can put each one back in whatever position needed. 

Not so fast..

I can think of at least two locations in Greensboro, NC, where the switch stands are on opposite sides of the track.  One of the advantages, especially from an engineer's perspective, is that putting the targets on opposite sides of the track makes it easy to tell which one is which.  Otherwise one could obstruct the view of the other.

It seems that there's little rhyme or reason to the placement.  If there's obviously a better place to put it (like on the outside of a ladder, or away from an obstruction), it'll go there, but often it seems somewhat random.  I wouldn't worry too much about it, to be honest.

In your second picture, I am

In your second picture, I am thinking the switch stands should be on the other side.  Where they are now, the yard crew has to walk over the tracks to get to them, whereas, and I am only guessing, it looks like a natural place for a walkway on the Main side.

By walkway, I mean just the dirt alongside the track cleared of vegetation, not a formal walkway such as concrete or wood.

Alan, this might be sounding

Alan, this might be sounding like a smart comment, but it is not intended that way. I know you are modeling based on the Akron Canton and Youngstown Railroad and that you have done some research collecting info on the prototype locations for example Brittain Yard. Would it not be wise to look at photos of some of the locations you are modeling and see how they were placed at those locations and then if there is a conventional way your road did things to follow that plan. Just a thought, and i thought you might already have that info in your possession.

Google Is Your Friend!

I just Googled "Railroad Yards"  and almost without exception the Switchstands are kept to one side. Even when the turnouts are powered it seems they are on one side. Some of the industrial tracks don't seem to follow the same rule but I guess that is because the traffic would be a lot less.

Think about it. If you have trains moving about a yard you don't want people crossing the tracks unless absolutely neccasary.

Legislative Solution

Did just that Rob. However due to compression there is not near as much space between my switches as there was on the 1:1. Some creative license is in order.

I solved the whole problem much like Congress would - I kicked the can down the road. I cut off every headblock and throwbar to be flush with the ties. Now I can position them wherever I want whenever I want.

My thoughts exactly and why I asked the question. Just wanted to make sure there wasn't some railroad standard I was unaware of. 

 "However due to compression

That's interesting. I find that most layouts are compressed in length but have more space between adjacent tracks than the prototype. I guess it's because of the greater overhang of toy trains on tighter than scale curves and that modelers like to be able to get their fingers between cars ? .........DaveB

Compression

Or... this modeler designed a track configuration that is miles away from reality! 

Later today I'll take a photo of an extreme case in point.

Which side

There are industry standards.  Look on the UP or BNSf sites for industrial development and there are placement standards.  Generally the stand is on the diverging side of of the switch.  So if it's a left hand switch the stand will be on the left side.   The reason is safety.  If a derailed car rolls through a switch and bends the rods, if the stand is on the straight side it will gap the switch in the normal position.  This is not writ in stone.  The stand will be placed where it's best for safety, clearance, or better access.  If there is a switch out there in the middle of nowhere, the stand will be on the diverging side.

I have a screenshot I can post

I have a screenshot I can post if you're interested of a yard switch that is extended under another adjacent track so that both switch stands are side by side. So in the case of the top photo, the middle switch whose switch timbers touch the switch below it, that would be extended so both stands are on the same side and next to one another.

No photo necessary

Exactly what I plan to do.