shaun666 Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Hi all, I seem to recall in my youth Tri-ang briefly marketed a pair of block controllers sometime in the sixties. I think the units were about six inches high, each of which consisted of a mechanical indicator with a lever at the bottom. I've searched through all the catalogues I can find from that era but I can find no trace. Does anyone recall this device? Or is my imagination? TIA Shaun Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
locomad Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Not your imagination, pair of bell block system as used in signal boxes, can't recall the catalogue number sold around 1967 I think. I know they are quite rare and collectable Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium kevinlms Posted September 11, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 11, 2017 Hi all, I seem to recall in my youth Tri-ang briefly marketed a pair of block controllers sometime in the sixties. I think the units were about six inches high, each of which consisted of a mechanical indicator with a lever at the bottom. I've searched through all the catalogues I can find from that era but I can find no trace. Does anyone recall this device? Or is my imagination? TIA Shaun This one? http://www.hornbyguide.com/article_details.asp?articleid=1 I do have a set, currently in storage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun666 Posted September 11, 2017 Author Share Posted September 11, 2017 I now am in state of ecstasy 8-) Thanks so much! What sort of price do they command on EBay? Once again thanks so much I've been trying to find out about these for months.... Kind regards Shaun Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
locomad Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 I now am in state of ecstasy 8-) Thanks so much! What sort of price do they command on EBay? Once again thanks so much I've been trying to find out about these for months.... Kind regards Shaun They are quite rare so not many come up for sale, I believe one set went for about £100 a few years ago, I think there are two different types of boxes, one I've seen was triangle type. A model railway club which I was a member 30 years ago had a few pairs, if you where the "signalman" that's how we controlled the trains, it was fun but took quite a bit of time learning the codes. The connecting wire was not very long about 6 feet but each box had a different bell tone, one went more like a "ping" the other more like a "pong" so it was possible to distinguish between the sets in a room. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted September 11, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 11, 2017 Those were probably the set I sold in eBay a few years ago I got a set given and didn't really need them so sold them. They were boxed and with instructions don't think they had ever been used until I tested them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
locomad Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 I'am surprised no one has ever tired to make and sell something similar since, after all it's not that difficult, of all the so called gimmicks this one in my opinion is appealing to all modellers. I've also operated larger layouts in clubs since but tended to use ex real railway ones. It does add atomsphere to layouts, the noise of the bells sound just like been in a real signal box, perhaps another winter project. Does anyone know if a DIY one has been featured in either a forum or a magazine? 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium uax6 Posted September 11, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 11, 2017 There was a feature in MRJ about making some a couple of years back. There was also a bloke that advertised 3/4 sized ones on the web some years back, he was ex-br s&t, I emailed to enquire about a set, but didn't get a reply, so I just presumed that he had pegged it... Andy G 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 Anybody got aa full circuit diagram for these, enabling a clone to be made? Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium kevinlms Posted September 12, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 12, 2017 Anybody got aa full circuit diagram for these, enabling a clone to be made? Stewart There is an article by Peter Denny in MRJ No.60 on making a model block instrument, in traditional wooden box format. Also Railway Modeller 1993 February Page 80 - 83 has an LED version, with buzzers & small switches. There are also some comments in Railway Modeller 1993 June Page 278, that correctly points out the LEDs should be wired in series, not as shown. Follows prototype practice, where a wire failure prevents conflicting indications. One day, I'll get around to building a pair of the LED ones - I fancy trying it out. Probably build a demo into a couple of clear boxes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
muir Posted September 16, 2017 Share Posted September 16, 2017 Hi, Dunno if this'll help any but the piccy is of one of my units. They're actually a wonderful example of a quality mechanical toy... or something. By this I mean it's got activating solenoids to make the gauge needle move like an actual instrument, there's just enough voltage so the solenoids can stay on without overheating with tiny little wires. And they go "ding" using bell clappers, no digital noises allowed here. Be aware - the plastic is old - I've had a couple of issues with some bits breaking because of brittle plastic and spares... I did try the NZ Triang service station, but the four digit phone number didn't seem to work.... I do have boxed with instructions if you need a copy - I just had a look on youtube and it doesn't look like anyones done a video of a set. Maybe I should do one this afternoon... Muir 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun666 Posted October 2, 2017 Author Share Posted October 2, 2017 I would really appreciate the video 8-) Thanks for the great picture. It was a carefully designed system, so pleasing to behold. Regards Shaun Hi, Dunno if this'll help any but the piccy is of one of my units. They're actually a wonderful example of a quality mechanical toy... or something. By this I mean it's got activating solenoids to make the gauge needle move like an actual instrument, there's just enough voltage so the solenoids can stay on without overheating with tiny little wires. And they go "ding" using bell clappers, no digital noises allowed here. Be aware - the plastic is old - I've had a couple of issues with some bits breaking because of brittle plastic and spares... I did try the NZ Triang service station, but the four digit phone number didn't seem to work.... I do have boxed with instructions if you need a copy - I just had a look on youtube and it doesn't look like anyones done a video of a set. Maybe I should do one this afternoon... Muir Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peach james Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 Photos of Long Marton by Peach James, on Flickr and M4H02974 by Peach James, on Flickr (the mechanicals have changed from a Lego solution to a 3 position servo solution...) I need to follow the cockford olly and make some brass plates up- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAhiGqsi7N4 (NSFW language) James Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
muir Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 I would really appreciate the video 8-) Thanks for the great picture. It was a carefully designed system, so pleasing to behold. Regards Shaun Hi Shaun, Well, one month later I finally got round to doing a bit of a video demo of the signal set Apologies in advance over the quality of the video! Admittedly when one is actually using the unit without trying to operate another one blind, trying to hold a camera and trying to drive a train, the signal set is a hoot! Muir 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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