The proper way to "fly" the American Flag on a train car.

is that Boy Scout Rule or some other Flag Etiquette?

Displaying a US Flag on a Vehicle
- Motorcycle
	When the US flag is flown alone, it needs be at the center on the back of the motorcycle, or to its "marching right." The "marching right" is on the right side of the motorcycle to the rider's perspective when facing forward. If the US Flag is on your bike with another, it should be to its "marching right." All flags flown with the US Flag are the same size and at the same height of the US Flag. While the US Flag is on your bike with several other flags the US flag is placed at the center and highest. Other flags should be arranged in alphabetical order and in decreasing importance - Nations first, states (in order of admittance) and territories second, military third (in order of establishment), and then any others.
- Vehicle
	The orientation of the flag on vehicle decals should be treated the same as arm patches. The National Flag Foundation suggests "The decals or paintings on a vehicle would also be placed so that the union on the driver's side of the vehicle would be to the viewer's left while the union on the passenger side of the vehicle would be to the viewer's right."

If hanging from a building or the like, the stars are always on the left. 

Dave

This is not stated in the US Flag Code. 

https://www.military.com/flag-day/us-flag-code.html

http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html

 It is addressed here: 

 http://www.usflag.org/flagpatch.html

Although I also prefer to run equipment with the flag oriented as described, there are cases where that isn't practical.  Union Pacific can't run all their diesels cab forward so those running in "reverse" will have the flag flying opposite of the recommended orientation.

JFC454 posted:

Although I also prefer to run equipment with the flag oriented as described, there are cases where that isn't practical.  Union Pacific can't run all their diesels cab forward so those running in "reverse" will have the flag flying opposite of the recommended orientation.

This is a great argument for the people that are out there with the auxiliary tender with the misprint flag direction. You could say it was done on purpose!  I have one and can enjoy it is correct on both sides.

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

JFC454 posted:

Although I also prefer to run equipment with the flag oriented as described, there are cases where that isn't practical.  Union Pacific can't run all their diesels cab forward so those running in "reverse" will have the flag flying opposite of the recommended orientation.

This is a great argument for the people that are out there with the auxiliary tender with the misprint flag direction. You could say it was done on purpose!  I have one and can enjoy it is correct on both sides.

Unfortunately, all the photos I have seen of the Jim Adams tender in a train, the flag is oriented with the star field facing in the direction of travel regardless of which side you look at.  The Lionel one was printed in a non-prototypical way.  They have assured us that the new release will be done correctly.

JFC454 posted:

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

JFC454 posted:

Although I also prefer to run equipment with the flag oriented as described, there are cases where that isn't practical.  Union Pacific can't run all their diesels cab forward so those running in "reverse" will have the flag flying opposite of the recommended orientation.

This is a great argument for the people that are out there with the auxiliary tender with the misprint flag direction. You could say it was done on purpose!  I have one and can enjoy it is correct on both sides.

Unfortunately, all the photos I have seen of the Jim Adams tender in a train, the flag is oriented with the star field facing in the direction of travel regardless of which side you look at.  The Lionel one was printed in a non-prototypical way.  They have assured us that the new release will be done correctly.

Mine is the “Jim Adams #809 with the one flag opposing the wind.  Looking at it from either side,the blue is always on the left.  I think it is what makes it unique.  It also helps that the opposing side is usually on the inside of the loop👍