Jump to content
 

Tri-ang Signalling system


shaun666
 Share

Recommended Posts

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

  • RMweb Premium

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

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

  • RMweb Gold

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

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?

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

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

  • Funny 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

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

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

post-16141-0-43252500-1505592513_thumb.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

 

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

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

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...