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Semaphore Signals - 4mm Scale (Mainly)


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This week I've been installing the latest two batches of Steve's signals on Carlisle, these are for London Road Junction and Upperby Junction.

 

post-1643-0-83697400-1498670626_thumb.jpg

 

This is London Road Junction looking towards Newcastle, the splitting distant is for Petteril Bridge Junction, this configuration shows the route set to Leeds. In reality the tracks here are straight, ours curve round to bring everything together in the storage yard, the layout departs considerably from reality after St Nicholas bridge but it seemed a shame to cover all this up. Because Petteril Bridge Junction doesn't exist on the layout an extra switch has had to be added on the panel to distinguish between Newcastle and Leeds. The stop signal on the right is the goods avoiding line from Bog Junction, this distant is fixed so no split is shown. In the far distance behind the signal box is the stop signal on the LNW goods line, in reality this curves in from Upperby in the down direction but ours is from Bog Junction in the up direction.

 

post-1643-0-85209500-1498671739_thumb.jpg

 

The same group of signals from the back, goods train disappearing under St Nicholas bridge on its way to Bog Junction.

 

post-1643-0-62162500-1498671774_thumb.jpg

 

This is Upperby Junction, the track layout much as it should be but about half a mile has been omitted between here and St Nicholas bridge which has resulted in some compromises. In the foreground is the home signal, which we have as the last semaphore before the colour lights start after the bridge, this distant will only come off if the down home c/l shows clear. To the right of this the impressive 4 doll bracket is the split between goods and main, on the layout the taller arm is only for the route into Crown Street goods, so it's just as well it's a fixed distant - it should be for the route curving round on to the Newcastle line but the room wasn't big enough for this. The miniature on the right has nothing to refer to so it doesn't work, the left hand one has been used to show a route into some sidings. In the background the long overhanging bracket is the stop signal for the goods line (from Crown Street only in our case) and the exit from the cattle dock.

 

post-1643-0-60313500-1498672979_thumb.jpg

 

The 4 doll bracket from the back and the up starter with a miniature arm for a loop and a shunt ahead signal, this might be for moving on to Upperby shed, one entrance to which trails in just after this junction.

 

 

 

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That concludes the signals for Keswick No 1 Box........

 

The first two were delivered some time ago, and installation has been seen here in earlier postings.

The recent builds are all here on their Transport & Test frame:

 

 post-3984-0-94158100-1499445718_thumb.jpg

 

This in turn is a tight fit in its "Really Useful Box Co"  A4 size container..........

 

post-3984-0-07228500-1499445722_thumb.jpg

 

All ready for collection or delivery...............

 

Steve.

 

Next will be some GWR Square Post era signals ............................

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Us builders can never seem to avoid the GWR signals for long....!

JF

I'd better make a start then.........

 

The first signal is a Square Post left hand bracket with Starter and Backing Arm, almost a mirror image of one I made some time ago.

The Post and Doll will be 3D prints with bracket work from MSE etches.

 

First job was to prepare the brackets by adding some N/S strip to the main members to give a proper "Angle Iron" profile.

The Post was prepared by turning the base section ready for fixing into its Turned Brass foundation.

This also made it the correct length.

The Doll was cut from the top section of another 3D post.

(The lower section will probably become another signal in this batch, if its suitable.)

 

post-3984-0-35699300-1500556752_thumb.jpg

Using holes drilled through a piece of Tufnol as a jig, the Post, Doll and Bracket work were brought together and assembled with Superglue.

 

post-3984-0-76476700-1500556754_thumb.jpg

Here you can see the added N/S strip more clearly.

 

post-3984-0-31598500-1500556757_thumb.jpg

The tops of the Post and Doll were trimmed to length, arm bearings and lamps added, followed by the staging with handrails.

 

post-3984-0-88945300-1500556759_thumb.jpg

At the base, the weight Bars and their bearing have been made and tried in place.

The whole is now mounted on its Base Plate with my usual 1/2in Location Tube.

 

post-3984-0-02005700-1500556766_thumb.jpg

Finally for now, the arms have been prepared and tried in place to confirm clearance etc.

 

More soon.....

Steve.

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A helpful supplier.....

 

I'm sure many will have seen the 3D printed figures and components supplied by Modelu.

 

Based on Laser Scanning of prototype items (and people), they are very finely detailed models.

I have used the 4mm scale GWR Finials a couple of times previously.

My problem has been getting a good fixing on top of a hollow doll.

 

I have drilled a blind hole into the finial and inserted a short length of N/S rod to give a spigot which then locates and secures the finial to the doll.

The problem I had was the high mortality rate during drilling into such a delicate and fine model.

 

post-3984-0-93305600-1500845974_thumb.jpg

These are examples of the original offering.

post-3984-0-46251900-1500845977_thumb.jpg

You can see how little material there is to drill in to, especially on the square post finial.

 

I discussed my problems via email with Alan Buttler, the Modelu proprietor, and he developed the following:

post-3984-0-63501000-1500845994_thumb.jpg

 

He very kindly supplied the a batch of these for me to try on my current project:

post-3984-0-80214200-1500845987_thumb.jpg

 

So far they are looking very good:

post-3984-0-11946500-1500845997_thumb.jpg

 

I understand they will be available in his catalogue as an option.

 

Well done Alan and many thanks,

 

Steve.

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Moving on a bit.......

 

The signal has now been completed but not yet had its servos fitted:

post-3984-0-69826200-1501173988_thumb.jpg

 

post-3984-0-08699100-1501173986_thumb.jpg

 

And a few close-up shots of the linkages, their connections etc.:

post-3984-0-10486600-1501173991_thumb.jpg

 

post-3984-0-81487900-1501173993_thumb.jpg

 

post-3984-0-86555300-1501174006_thumb.jpg

 

post-3984-0-51051500-1501173996_thumb.jpg

 

post-3984-0-41052500-1501174004_thumb.jpg

 

And finally, a shot from nearer ground level:

post-3984-0-22996400-1501174009_thumb.jpg

 

I'll make some progress on the two starter signals before I install the servos for them all.......

 

Steve.

 

 

 

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Making a start on two Starters..........

 

These two signals will be built on 3D printed Posts.

This will require all the fittings to be attached by "Superglue", and to ensure a secure fixing, the components need suitable surfaces where they will be attached.

 

Here's an Arm Bearing, 0.7mm tube soldered to N/S strip:

post-3984-0-84839100-1501578487_thumb.jpg

 

And a white metal cast Lamp from MSE on an etched Bracket soldered to more N/S strip:

post-3984-0-72041400-1501578490_thumb.jpg

You can see the 0.5mm hole drilled thru' for the optical fibre.

 

Here's the Weight Bar Bearing, from an MSE etch:

post-3984-0-42985000-1501578485_thumb.jpg

 

The bottoms of the Posts have been turned:

post-3984-0-99445700-1501578495_thumb.jpg

 

to fit into the Baseplate assemblies:

post-3984-0-47127700-1501578493_thumb.jpg

 

This is a photo of a prototype signal on which one of the signals will be based:

post-3984-0-02985400-1501578422_thumb.jpg

With its low height it has no Lampman's Landing, just a safety hoop:

post-3984-0-41472300-1501578571_thumb.jpg

and the Arm is all RED with a faded "BAY" sign.

 

The other signal will be much taller and have this Lampman's Lnading:

post-3984-0-82714800-1501578482_thumb.jpg

 

More soon when assembly is complete........

Steve.

 

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Lampman's landings were a bl**dy nuisance - far easier (and I always thought safer) to jam your rear end against the hoop with your feet pushing hard against a ladder rung.  Standing on one of those landings always felt a lot more precarious to me, especially when it was raining on a windy day and the landing was slippery.

 

Interesting to see on that prototype signal that there's no white stripe on the arm - rather unusual with the word 'Bay' to the right of where it would be.

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Help! Help! Help!...Please.........

 

Next up for me is a set of signals for Marchwood.

They will comprise five brackets, each with two Lattice dolls.

Three I understand the design of - they are fairly common Southern designs.

 

The other pair are "modern" affairs as per these photos:

post-3984-0-87061200-1503607587_thumb.png

 

post-3984-0-50583700-1503607595_thumb.png

 

post-3984-0-53133200-1503607539_thumb.jpg

 

post-3984-0-82092700-1503607562_thumb.png

 

I would appreciate any details of the materials used and particularly their sizes.

It seems to be two vertical "I" section posts with bracing, trimmers of channel section?

 

If anyone has access to appropriate drawings, I'll be very pleased to purchase copies.

 

All assistance very gratefully received.

 

Steve.

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Next up for me is a set of signals for Marchwood.

They will comprise five brackets, each with two Lattice dolls.

Three I understand the design of - they are fairly common Southern designs.

 

The other pair are "modern" affairs.......

 

If anyone has access to appropriate drawings, I'll be very pleased to purchase copies.

 

All assistance very gratefully received.

 

Steve.

 

Unfortunately, no assistance has been forthcoming, so I've made a start on the ones I know about..........

 

Here are a couple of prototype pics of the first signal - the Down Home:

 

post-3984-0-52933200-1507031729_thumb.png

 

post-3984-0-17718700-1507031723_thumb.png

 

I've started with the Rail Built posts:

 

post-3984-0-69500200-1507031932_thumb.jpg

C&L Rail, drilled in a little home made jig, with N/S wire soldered through.

 

post-3984-0-99086600-1507031929_thumb.jpg

MSE etched bracket with added N/S strip to give it a bit of strength and "feel".

 

More soon, I hope,

Steve.

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Unfortunately, no assistance has been forthcoming, so I've made a start on the ones I know about..........

 

Here are a couple of prototype pics of the first signal - the Down Home:

 

attachicon.gifIMG_1372.PNG

 

attachicon.gifimage13.PNG

 

I've started with the Rail Built posts:

 

attachicon.gifRIMG1486.JPG

C&L Rail, drilled in a little home made jig, with N/S wire soldered through.

 

attachicon.gifRIMG1485.JPG

MSE etched bracket with added N/S strip to give it a bit of strength and "feel".

 

More soon, I hope,

Steve.

Looking good already Steve! Reminds me I have a few of these railbuilt signals to do and it's time to make a new jig for them!
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More progress....

 

All the static bits have been assembled:

 

post-3984-0-09540300-1507200996_thumb.jpg

 

Sorry there aren't any "how to" photos, but there was nothing particularly different from previous models I've shown on this thread.

 

post-3984-0-44514000-1507200998_thumb.jpg

 

I'll get the next signal - the "Up Home" - to a similar condition before painting and adding the moving parts to both.

Steve.

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And here's the Up Home........

 

post-3984-0-62905200-1508068163_thumb.png

 

This photo of the prototype shows it to be of very limited height with short dolls and the bracket offset away from the track to avoid the loading gauge.

 

Here's the model - or least all the static bits:

 

post-3984-0-77371600-1508068300_thumb.jpg

The low arm on the outer doll necessitates a break in the handrail!

 

post-3984-0-36479900-1508068305_thumb.jpg

 

post-3984-0-46740600-1508068315_thumb.jpg

 

Thinking ahead to the assembly, it has been necessary to install the pulley for the operating wire before the handrails were built up. No way to get it in place afterwards.

 

 

post-3984-0-92189400-1508068322_thumb.jpg

 

There is probably going to be similar issue with that lower doll.

It may have to be fitted to its bearing and lamp before the whole sub-assembly is fitted to the doll.

Only time will tell!

 

The signal has already had a full cycle in the Dish Washer, so just a bath of cellulose thinners now before it gets a coat of Halfords best white primer......

 

Steve.

 

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Down Home is first out of the Paintshop.......

 

Installing the lighting is the next task.

 

The light source is a Helmsman Electronics "Gas Light" LED.

This is fitted into one half of my 3D printed connector: (Courtesy Les Green)

 

post-3984-0-71296700-1508244380_thumb.jpg

 

It is connected to a 9v PP3 battery for testing purposes, but its 1k Ohm resistor makes it ideal for a 12v DC supply.

 

The other half of the connector terminates the 0.5mm dia Fibre Optics.

The two halves fit together with a bayonet fitting and the ends of the fibres (one for each lamp) are held right up against the LED:

 

post-3984-0-05245900-1508244386_thumb.jpg

 

The heatshrink sleeving makes the fibres very visible and provides some protection from accidental damage.

 

Each fibre is routed up through the signal's structure and into the rear of the lamp.

The front of the fibre is cut square with sharp end cutters, and the end expanded by heat from my soldering iron - Close but NOT TOUCHING.

 

post-3984-0-75901500-1508244388_thumb.jpg

 

post-3984-0-41447700-1508244391_thumb.jpg

You can just make out the fibre in this shot - where it passes along the bracket from Post to Doll.

 

post-3984-0-96760400-1508244393_thumb.jpg

Some light "leaks" where the fibre is bent through 90 deg. at the rear of the lamp.

This represents the Back Light.

 

More soon,

Steve.

 

 

 

 

 

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Re the signal shown in post #860, is that based on a prototype?

 

I’m surprised to see a backing arm and a main arm on the same structure as I have always understood that the backing arm was for “wrong direction” moves e.g. a down direction move on an up direction line or have I got it wrong?

 

Tim T

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Re the signal shown in post #860, is that based on a prototype?

 

I’m surprised to see a backing arm and a main arm on the same structure as I have always understood that the backing arm was for “wrong direction” moves e.g. a down direction move on an up direction line or have I got it wrong?

 

Tim T

Hi Tim,

 

Thanks for your query.

The signal is for a layout of a fictitious location, but the owner has researched the signal requirements quite thoroughly. 

From memory, the main signal is a Platform starter on a terminal platform.

The Backing Arm refers to a diverging route to the left which is normally an arrival route, I believe.

 

Hope that helps,

Steve.

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Re the signal shown in post #860, is that based on a prototype?

 

I’m surprised to see a backing arm and a main arm on the same structure as I have always understood that the backing arm was for “wrong direction” moves e.g. a down direction move on an up direction line or have I got it wrong?

 

Tim T

 

Old photos suggest they were once quite common and examples definitely survived to the mid 1960s - late enough for me to take a pic of one.

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The moving parts.........

 

This is the time when the model comes to life.

 

I use 0.4mm dia Nickel Silver straight wire for all the operating linkages.

This is first Blackened with Gun Blue.

 

Starting at the Arm, the first link connects it to the weight Bar:

post-3984-0-97920300-1508878752_thumb.jpg

 

The weight bar of the bracket arm has a short crank below the pivot, which in turn will be connected to the Pulley which is mounted at the base of the Main Doll:

post-3984-0-19452300-1508878748_thumb.jpg

 

From the Pulley, the next connection will be to the Servo Motor mounted "underground":

post-3984-0-74075500-1508878755_thumb.jpg

 

The connections for the Main arm are more straight forward:

post-3984-0-45104500-1508878761_thumb.jpg

A connection to the Weight Bar.

post-3984-0-73094200-1508878758_thumb.jpg

Followed by a connection straight down to the Servo Motor.

 

The whole signal:

post-3984-0-37046600-1508878765_thumb.jpg

 

and with the lights connected:

post-3984-0-02135400-1508878768_thumb.jpg

 

The Signal Identity plates have been printed on photographic paper, carefully cut with Needlework shears and attached with a drop of Cyano glue.

 

Just the Servos to install, test it all and add the Wooden Decking.....

 

Steve.

 

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