Stephen Freeman

You may recall this signal Well I have fitted lenses to the lamps and think they look much better. Here is another video. I have had to replace one of the servos, this time with a standard 9g analogue one, much quieter than the digital ones! I haven't set any bounce on the centre one yet but may have another go to refine the operation of all 3 when I have a moment

I hope you don't mind me commenting on your superb layout and signalling. I too have an interest in Peterborough North albeit in a different scale and earlier era but one thing both periods have in common is wide variety of signalling. I think you have commented before on the complexity of the bracket signals and the lack of trade support for them (Wizard only seems to do a small selection and probably less so in other scales). With that in mind I got PPD to do some for me, fortunately I think I will only need a smaller selection than you have had to cope with, so just acquired some etches of some of the larger types in 2mm scale, whilst I was at it I did some in 4mm scale just in case I might need them. With regard to your DCC woes, the only time I ventured into macros was using JMRI PanePro. All the macros were stored on the PC, the handset wasn't involved.

one more to do after this one probably tomorrow

I have done a couple of short videos First one is the lbscr signal above. I have used a MERG Servo4 for the video using Sema4 firmware, but I didn't set any bounce. The second one is of a Penzance starter signal. Again using the same servo control board, no bounce set. The shunt arm is unmotorised though capable of being so.

Still busy.. I have a couple of videos still to do but here is the latest. just noticed the stray bit of red, which will be fixed pdq. I have done a short video of the signal but shot against the light. I will try and do another one later.

Personally, being a Member of MERG I would use their Steady State Accessory decoder to switch a suitable relay to effectively simulate a simple On/Off switch. If I wanted to use Panel Pro. I wouldn't consider just using the DCC controller, that's for driving trains in my book.

depending on whether your DS64 outputs a constant voltage or not, if not you will need a latching relay. Personally I cannot see the advantage of using DCC for the control of signals or turnouts unless you are using such as JMRI panel pro on a PC.

I take it the Velux is new since I visited last?

I appear to have answered my own question by reading the book carefully. Yes until the long burning lamps came in they were removed during daylight hours.

I know that the GNR removed the signal lamps during the day but did this practice extend to Ground Signals too? I understand that this stopped around the time of the Great War, not just due to the lack of manpower but the adoption of long burning lamps at about the same time.

Still slightly puzzled. Surely it is easier to work outwards from the Vee? If you put the Vee down first, you just gauge outwards, much easier to get it right rather than trying to work from a stock rail.

Annett was in charge of LSWR signalling around the turn of the century, so no surprise on them being fitted to many LSWR signals. The SECR may be a different matter, I think that the SR may have fitted them though on checking I see the SECR also used Stevens arms. The southern were not averse to using equipment far from its original stomping ground i.e. the finials-LC&DR - on the home signals at seaton junction (there is a good photo in Southern Infrastructure vol 2) Mr Annett was seemingly very innovative,amongst other things he also designed a route indicator, which was very similar in operation to the GWR cash register type, he even took out a patent for it but I have never found an instance of it being used in anger.

I have now reset the bounce to be slightly better. It is a bit tricky holding the signal, operating the switches and filming all at the same time even with the camera on a tripod hence the shake.

Good Afternoon, I have been busy videoing etc The first short one is of a GWR square post 7mm scale signal -details Arm Wizard, lamp body and finial Modelu. Post and LED me. The servo is controlled by a MERG servo 4 , using my own version of SEMA 4 (slightly modified bounce and pull simulations) Next one is a 4mm LNWR bracket signal, I haven't settled on the most suitable bounce settings but does show it all working. I have a few more to video shortly.

A swinging arm would be better but controlled by an over centre spring arm. That way the bogie would guide the loco into the curve. Persverance chassis kits used this for bogies and it is probably in the Flexichas book by Mike Sharman, if you like I can check.

Hmm, probably bridge rail inside, which is why no keys etc, the outside would be bullhead but where the pit areas are would be laid on longitudinal timbers (or concrete in the case of Didcot), using bridge chairs. From a model making point of view that is the route I would take. I think bridge rail is available from the Broad Gauge Society though.

Depends on the paint in general. Butanone is a pretty good paint solvent so unless you have used a lot to paint the timbers it shouldn't have too much effect, thats my experience.

If I remember correctly the late Alan Cliff had a minimum radius of 28 inches and used to put an extra link in the couplings.

I bought mine on Ebay before DCC Concepts started selling them, much cheaper as well. Use it all the time.

A few minor tweaks and its done Right, I am now going call this signal finished. All arms are on and connected, servos on etc etc. I will be doing a photo or two but it will have to wait as I am now otherwise busy for a few days.

However most people don't want to see the wires.

I should add that I do not pre-wire the LEDs, I install the wires at the time of building and only attach the LEDs (either 0402 or 0603s depending which will fit) after painting.

True, but not applicable for non-electric lights. The other problem you will face is one of heat. SMD LEDs are temperature sensitive and will not tolerate anything over 350C, you may well find it difficult to solder to the post without blowing the LED. They are easier to replace if done my way.

Somewhere I have seen or have a photo of a signal at Churston, which had a Cash Register but cannot remember whether i was a bracket signal or not, I will keep my eyes open.

Despite some tussles with the "Carpet Monster", the somersault arms are now on having had a bit more time to devote to it today as a result of the big fire in Liverpool yesterday. For those not familiar with the area, the building next to it is known as the Friary and is home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic's rehearsal rooms. Which is where our son should have been today, for rehearsals for the impending reunion concert at the Philharmonic Hall with Sir Simon Rattle in February.