All:
I am planning to install switch stands on the layout. I decided to check out some photos for inspiration and guidance.
I understand that the standard is a green diamond high, indicating the switch is thrown for the straight route (main) through the turnout; a red circle indicates the switch is thrown for the diverting route. In yards, the red circle becomes yellow on side tracks.
The photos indicted very few green diamonds--I only found photos of the south lead at Durango and in the yard at Alamosa with this indicator. Most switch stands only had red or yellow circles.
As switch stands get in the way of trains, photographers and image publishers tend not to photograph them, so you really have to look.
Is the lack of the green diamond just one of those conservation items--just keep your eye out for the red target? Or am I missing something?