First Signal for Sherton Abbas!
Entry posted by wenlock
2,288 views
Now the track laying has been completed, its time to make a start on the signalling and point rodding for the layout. Despite reading numerous books on the subject, I must confess that I find comprehending the mysteries of signalling to be one of the more challenging aspects of the hobby. With this in mind, I decided it would be a good idea to get some expert advice! Fortunately for me, Mike (The Stationmaster) was a fount of useful information and clarified what was needed during a very enjoyable chat at the last RmWeb open day in Taunton. Apart from the Platform Starter, the rest of the signals on the layout would most likely have been ground signals. However Mike suggested that that a twin arm, single post siding signal could have been used to control the exit from the loop, through the double slip onto the main line. This idea really appealed to me, I think there's something quintessentially "GWR branchline" about shunting signals with the white ring on them and I was keen to have an example on my layout!
I decided to use components from Model Signal Engineering to build my signals, so an order was placed with Wizard Models http://www.wizardmodels.co.uk/FrameSetShop.php?DM=wizabout One of the items in their extensive range of parts is a complete kit of components that build up to make a model of a wooden post 4 foot arm signal. This looked like it would be an ideal starting point for making my first 7mm scale signal. The parts arrived promptly, so armed with Derek Mundy's " Signals for the Railway Modeller"http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0950834009/ref=cm_cr_asin_lnk I made a start on the Home Starter signal.
Components included in the GWR Wooden post, 4 foot arm signal kit
The kit provides a white metal post that's long enough to build a signal up to a scale 26 feet high, but can easily be cut down to make shorter length posts. The instructions state that Home Starter signals were often set on 16 foot posts, so this was the length that I cut my post to represent. The kit includes a piece of sheet brass that can be used as a base for the signal, so I soldered a brass locating peg to this base and then glued the post to it using 5 minute epoxy resin. The signal arm is built up from etched brass parts and these were soldered together using using 188 degree solder paste. I'm always very wary of trying to solder brass to white metal, so once again I used 5 minute epoxy to fix the signal arm bearing tube in position.
Post, Base, Finial, Bearing tube and Signal Arm
The balance weight/arm pivot bracket was folded up and then carefully soldered to strengthen the joints. The balance arm itself was built up from brass etched layers, which were once again soldered together using solder paste. A 0.65mm nickel silver wire was used as a pivot and the components soldered in position using graphite as an anti-flux to ensure the arm could move freely.
Post and Balance arm/pivot bearing
The ladder was then cut to length and soldered to the brass bass plate and attached to the post with 5 minute epoxy. A safety ring was formed from brass strip and this was carefully soldered in to place at the top of the ladder.
Ladder, Safety ring and lamp casting
I chickened out from trying to make the lamp work using bulbs or led's, so the rather nice lamp casting was simply glued into position onto its bracket! The signal arm was tried into position and the back blinder fitted to check that there were adequate clearances to allow the arm to move freely. The arm is simply held in position for the pictures with a blob of wax and will be removed to allow painting to take place.
Finished signal
I still need to form the operating wire, but In my opinion it captures the look of a Great Western Railway Signal!
As usual your thoughts and comments are very welcome and if anyone can point me in the direction of a picture showing a single post, twin arm ringed shunting signal, I'd be most interested.
Best wishes
Dave
-
10
-
1
12 Comments
Recommended Comments
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 accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now