Hello again. This follows on from my blog entry 'what I did in June'. (edit: which seems to have dissapered from the dashboard when I posted this so here is a link)

Last time I was here I demonstrated a working disc signal for Swaynton. (as well as a charming handbag. Go on buy a handbag...go on go on...) Anyway having built one it is now time to think about building the rest.

It has been decided that we shall need six of these. The original plan was to have seven (or eight) but if you study the signal plans of Sway, New Milton and Hinton Admiral you will note that apart from an inconsistency as to where the signals are placed on three track plans that are basically the same, not one of them has a signal on the slip from the up-line back into the yard (and up lay-by). That is in front of 8 ,8 & 9 at each respective location. So the reversing move must have done by a hand signal from the box.

The signals are also available as a “kitâ€. But this is using the term “kit†in a very loose sense. Lets say it is a collection of bits that will help you build a model.

Anyway here is what is in a “kitâ€.

Simply an etch and a cast post. The post is an “investment casting†commissioned by Douglas Smith for Swaynton.

The next step is to figure out how to mount it onto the layout. All of the signals on Swaynton are mounted on a ⁷/₃₂†square tube so that they can be removed. This stops things getting knocked when packing up at shows or during track cleaning and makes maintainance easier. The dummies are going to be particularly prone to damage so it is essential that they are removable.

Here are the six signals with their posts cut off the sprue, the bases cut out and the short length of square tube. Bases are 12x8mm and tube is 10mm deep. How’s that for mixing metric and imperial!

Now to solder them together.

Here is the first one.

Five more to go.

(edit: to correct tube size from 1/4" to 7/32" see comments)