Kit Bashing Ratio Signals

Entry posted by Michaelsutton1u June 7, 2020

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Kit Bashing Ratio Signals.

Welcome to this small blog entry. Whilst I have been working on the track-work on the layout, and carrying on ballasting, I thought I'd take the time to show off some of the work Kirsty, my other half, has done to adapt our packs of Ratio LNER & Lattice Signals.

Loughborough Down Main Outer Home.
Loughboroughs Down Main Outer Home signal, was one of the signals we tasked our selves with trying to make our selves. We used the LNER Pack of Ratio Signals to get the basic structure, with the addition of the fixed distant arm below the main arm. This will become in use when the GCR is able to proceed through to Rushcliffe Halt & Rudidngton Fields on the Preserved GCR(N).
What we have noticed, certainly by making this particular ratio kit, is that a lot of filing and adjustment is required. In terms of building them they are pretty simple, and the end product is worth it.
Painting is pretty simple, You can see some of the paints we have used in the images below. We buy these from games workshop and hand paint the signals ourselves. The Pictures below show the model in its uncompleted condition prior to adding the hand rails around the top of the planking.

The image above is seen taken approaching Loughborough Central Station, on the Down Main. The Signal in the distance that can be seen is Loughborough's Inner Home Lattice Gantry Signal. This can be seen further down this post.

Loughboroughs Down Main Inner Home.

This signal is one of the Great Centrals More impressive pieces. Containing three main arms, and one subsidiary calling on arm. From left to Right..
Left Hand Main Arm - Access to Loughboroughs Down Loop
Left Hand Subsidiary Calling on Arm. - Access to Loughboroughs Down Loop when occupied.
Centre Main Arm - Access to Loughborough Platform 2.
Right Hand Main Arm - Access to Loughborough Platform 1.

The Construction.
The Construction of Loughboroughs Down Main Inner Home was a lot more complex than the outer home. Not only have we relied on ratio's Lattice post signal kit, But we have had to make the gantry posts from Brass Rod, and add the structural brass holding wires, extend the gantry in length, create a new planked top to the correct length, add some new weight fixings and remake some signal post tops the best we can. The Track circuit diamond was also added to the centre post on top of the gantry.

This was quite a good signal to start painting with plenty of colour and seeing it come to life. Again, using a mixture of Citadel and Games Workshop Paints, these applied very well and have left a great appearance.
I used MIG Clay Brown to paint the wooden planking for the top of the Gantry, and weathered it down with some dust and black washes.
The signal can be seen nearing the end of its construction in place along side Beeches Road Bridge, 334, which has been a kit bash of L-Cuts Brick Over Bridge, I will do a follow up Blog entry on how we have adjusted these and made them look better.

Loughboroughs Up Main Section Signal.

Loughboroughs Up Main Section Signal was a very easy build and not a lot of adjustment was required to Ratios kit. Again, Kirsty has done a good job in getting this one finished in rather quick time.