Product Review
Illuminated Switch Target Prevents Confusion Associated with Traditional Switch Targets

Aldon Company has been manufacturing railroad safety and track maintenance products for more than 100 years.

In 2011, Aldon introduced its Switch Cube® Indicator, which is designed to be an improvement over traditional switch targets. The company now offers a solar-powered, illuminated version for railyards that perform nighttime switching.

According to Joe Ornig, company president, “the Switch Cube Indicator is aimed at firms that have high employee turnover in their railyards.

“New workers often have trouble learning how to read switch points, and they also can get confused trying to interpret what red and green symbolize on traditional switch targets,” explains Ornig. “The Switch Cube Indicator helps to prevent such confusion.”

Product Design

The Switch Cube Indicator is a four-sided box designed to fit any type of switch stand mast. Two of the sign faces have green backgrounds with vertical white arrows. The other two sides have yellow backgrounds with angled black arrows, one pointing upward and the other pointing downward.

“When viewed from either end of the switch, the Switch Cube Indicator shows clearly where the train will go – either straight through on the main track, or diverted to the side track,” says Ornig.

Aldon’s illuminated Switch Cube Indicator can operate for nine full nights with one full day of sunlight.

“The illuminated arrows can be identified at up to 250 feet,” he adds.

From May/June 2016 GRAIN JOURNAL