Signals for Sherton Abbas part 2
Entry posted by wenlock
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During the time that I've spent pottering along doing my point rodding, as a bit of light relief I've been making progress with the signals that I need for the layout. In part 1 of signal construction http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1131/entry-14441-first-signal-for-sherton-abbas/ I'd built the Platform Starter, but needed to tackle the construction of the Siding signal. Parts were once again used from the Model Signal Engineering range of components. I needed a signal to control the exit from the exchange siding and the private siding / loop onto the main line. Mike (Stationmaster) was once again a very useful chap to know and advised me on the type of signal required. As the lines are of equal status, a single post, twin armed, siding signal was deemed to be appropriate. The left hand road is controlled by the top arm and the right hand road by the lower arm.
Signal assembly
I used 0.4 mm brass wire to form the operating rods, which once bent into shape were chemically blackened. I found 4mm scale boiler hand rail knobs were ideal to use in 7mm for making the guides for these operating wires. Once I was happy that the signal arms were able to move freely, the rods and arms were removed to allow painting to take place, without gumming everything up!
The signals were sprayed with white primer and then painted using Humbrol Enamels. Lenses were cut out from coloured acetate sheet available from MSE and glued into position using clear gloss Humbrol varnish
Signal arms
Finished Siding Signal
Finished Home Starter Signal
Pair of signals for height comparison
I've also got round to staining my sleepers a more suitable colour. I used Colron medium oak wood stain, mixed with a little black Humbrol enamel and painted this mixture over the sleepers using a flat brush. The smell was fairly grim, definitely a job to do with the workshop door open and wearing a mask! Once this had dried over a couple of days and the smell had subsided, I painted the sides of the rail using Humbrol Enamels. Once the track has been ballasted, I plan on toning down and blending the trackwork colour using my airbrush.
Signals in Situ on Layout
Metro at Platform starter
Overall of Layout so far!
I was very taken with some model signals being demonstrated by Derek Mundy at the recent Cardiff show. They were operated by some miniature servos and a control board from GF controls. The bit that I was most impressed by was the ability to set the danger and clear positions of the arms by the use of small rotary knobs on the control board, it was also possible to add "bounce" to the arm movement electronically :-) I placed an order to GF controls http://www.gfcontrols.co.uk/index.php/semaphore-signals/ for a couple of control boards and also ordered some servos from a company called Giant Shark http://www.giantshark.co.uk/. My next project is to install these components onto my baseboards and get my signals to work. Once that's been done successfully I can get on with the cosmetic signal operating wires, cranks and pulleys.
I've got my shoulder operation on the 27th, so the blog will probably be quiet for a while, but I hope to be back modelling by Christmas! I'm sure RMWeb will keep me entertained during my recovery :-)
Best wishes
Dave
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