I think there is also an element of

I suppose you are right Pete - I guess I was just having a winge really!,- I haven't tried scratchbuilding - the nearest I get to it is adapting various kitbuilt items, either to fit the allotted space by altering the layout or adding extra detail. I was really bemoaning the fact that I had spent all that time and effort building and painting them only for the things to break!..

Must admit that it is only the second real total "failure" that I have experienced building this layout, - the first was when I found out that using wet modroc in close proximity to card kits doesn't go well together!! ( the original tunnel mouth for Sproston was Metcalfe....)

Regards

Sigtech

I haven't tried scratchbuilding - the nearest I get to it is adapting various kitbuilt items, either to fit the allotted space by altering the layout or adding extra detail.

That's already half-way there!

I had spent all that time and effort building and painting them only for the things to break!..

Get ahead of the game - break them whilst you're building them, that's what I do! :-) I find myself often thinking "is this really going to stand up to future handling?" and adding reinforcing or using some other material if a bit doubtful.

the first was when I found out that using wet modroc in close proximity to card kits doesn't go well together!! ( the original tunnel mouth for Sproston was Metcalfe....)

LOL. You could put it down to mining subsidence...

Thanks for that Pete - you've made me feel much better, I've also just read your blog entry about the signalbox - vandals??LOL...

I suspect the plastics used by Ratio may have changed over the decades. They have also changed the way in which they supply these signals. The GW signals (refs. 460/461/461F/462) originated in about 1978/9, and were supplied ready-made. All you had to do was set up the nylon cable run and adjuster.

I imagine that at some point the decision was made to supply them as CKD kits instead - this is borne out by the instruction leaflet you posted, which is very different from the ones I had in 1981! I wonder whether the changeover coincided with PECO taking over Ratio.

The failure of the sub-surface lever cam is not one I'd heard about (which is why I wondered whether the grade of plastic might be at fault). The failures I used to see were with the stem of the lever itself - it used to snap cleanly off at the same level as the curved quadrant base. The only way the levers would last would be if you only ever used one finger to pull/push slowly near the base, not at the handle/top.

You may be correct in your assessment, Horsetan, the cam on the lever-tail is moulded with a thin section separating 

the tail and the cam itself- and on all three occassions this is where it has broken!

Even when firmly reattached with plastic weld or superglue it does not last long, there does not seem to be enough mechanical strength in this part of the lever, to allow for any resistance met when it is operated.

Ah well- back to the drawing board...

Sigtech

Maybe it's like really old Airfix and Meccano... follow the instructions exactly and get it wrong, revert to the picture on the box :P The desired effect to perhaps force the builder to use their brain, challenging them and making them follow in the footsteps of British Engineering & Manufacturing. Unfortunately this can also have the undesired effect of anger towards the kit, manufacturer and their lack of detailed foolproof instructions.

As for all the manufactures abroad, they make their instructions foolproof for dummies so they end up with a perfect model every time!