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Jon Fitness' average 7mm signals workbench.


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10 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

But don't forget there was r that (early) 'S' and the slightly different later pattern.  I suspect the change would hava occurred around about teh time of the Great War when a number other changes took place in GW signals with some arrangements becoming becoming obsolete.   BUT just to be cantankerous one arrangement which had officially become obsolete by c.1920 was installed on a brand new replacement signal in the 1950s albeit partially using secondhand material.

 

I think my customer's layout is set in the early 1950's...

JF

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On 23/03/2021 at 23:28, Jon Fitness said:

I think my customer's layout is set in the early 1950's...

JF

The old arrangement of an 'S'  on a small semaphore arm for a Shunt Ahead subsidiary was superseded by the standard (i.e. small arm with horizontal stripes) pattern of subsidiary arm by the mid 1930s but inevitably the older pater survived well beyond then and only seem to have been replaced when a signal was renewed.  Hence they were quite common on the OWW in the early 1960s and could occasionally still be seen elsewhere but I never saw one with the older style of 'S' (with the 'twiddly bits' on the ends).  GWR publications indicate that 'twiddly bits' style was obsolete by 1920 and had been superseded by the far plainer (and 'meatier') style of 'S'. 

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  • 4 months later...

 

Ummm, I've done it again haven't I? All summer without an update:blush::blush:.

Anyway here's a signal based update montage....

April's output was LNWR based. These 2 were constructed from Scale Signal Supply kits and were servo operated but unlit. I altered the brackets a little to make a narrower version for a tighter location.

IMG_20210406_092811942.jpg.14c874567c35af874c0a6a7b31a5f219.jpgIMG_20210406_092824340.jpg.66ad43779fa01dd38792ebd10cef95bf.jpgIMG_20210416_103902989.jpg.5e5e73c46205d6daf9a7b5ad280ea438.jpgIMG_20210416_103911406.jpg.55e8c4d72ac45c3eedfe782cd8e5ec7e.jpg

 

 

May and June's output was the usual GWR or BRW signals. Still the most popular railway's signals:wacko:

The GWR cash register signal was a strange one. It arrived as box of bits from the customer with some exquisitely assembled scratchbuilt bits included which had all been assembled with superglue! I had to carefully pick them all apart and try to reassemble them with solder which wasn't easy. It was necessary though as further soldered construction round them would have made them fall apart. The signal uses an SSS arm, Modelu lamps/finial and the rest is scratchbuilt.

The elevated ground signal was mostly scratchbuilt with a few of my own etched bits and a modelu lamp

The BR(W) 2 doll and 3 doll brackets I'm quite proud of as all the etched parts are my own products plus the usual Modelu Finials and lamps. All lit and servo operated with superb laser cut ply planks done for me by the wonderful Nikki Wilkes.

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More in a mo....

 

JF

 

 

 

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Now these have been a long time coming and they're still not quite right yet. The LMS design tubular post bracket signals were once incredibly common across the railway network but are disappearing fast as renewals are either done looking like a scaffolders store yard or simply done away with in favour of Lego-esque colour light signals.

As a test etch, I had both a 2 doll and 3 doll balanced bracket done and a 2 doll offset one. All include parts for cross shafting and the supports for the lampmans staging.

Here's the 2 doll balanced structure which I'll be finishing off shortly. All should be capable of taking 2 different diameters of main post which varied depending on the loading above the bracket.

IMG_20210719_180334963.jpg.99b4a22cc2f6554461f80c15b0896009.jpg

 

 

This is a completed offset bracket for a customer which also was requested with a 2 disc ground signal at the base. Again, quite proud of this as all etched items are my own products, even if a couple of mistakes had to be sorted out during the build! These will obviously be altered in the production etches and are of course what test etches are for:blush:

IMG_20210806_123816687.jpg.47c275ef84c03be973e9bcef45566e75.jpgIMG_20210806_123931058.jpg.e8b3791dc15ebabbf9883e03358121c3.jpgIMG_20210806_123952781_BURST005.jpg.56446baa82cc3ca825c7471e39f739df.jpgIMG_20210806_124032769.jpg.35e94439537d95d30a1e91cfd9f35ae9.jpgIMG_20210806_124139870.jpg.2505adec1d069a43bd155444ec6e10c7.jpgIMG_20210806_124352875.jpg.8cfc7b3575f90783d39755f0185f05aa.jpg

 

 

 

This next one was basically an updated copy of one I'd done about 10 years ago for Rod Morgan's West Kirby layout using my newer etched arms with a scratchbuilt theatre style route indicator.

IMG_20210806_135159090.jpg.6a719865b61ea0b6004eff4fd8a2ac87.jpgIMG_20210806_135203802.jpg.51fb93160d369961e2094fedfd1e2462.jpg

 

 

 

My most recent ones were two of these GER wooden posted signals with remote arm and spec plate. Both proper wood posts with MSE arms and lamps with Modelu finials and my own etched ladders. Both were lit and servo operated.

IMG_20210815_113213835_HDR.jpg.07396840ee5e766e7aa9e6efa59e37c8.jpgIMG_20210815_113645338.jpg.c938cb4ccb901427fcdb01f8a17f306b.jpg

 

 

 

More soon honest, even if its back to GWR stuff again.....:stinker:

 

JF

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  • 2 weeks later...

Another GWR cash register signal done and once again, I've cheated and used a return spring. This method meant a little more leverage is necessary to move the individual flags but it all works.

The main lamp and finial are Modelu, The backlight is scratch, The cash register bit is heavily modified MSE and the arms and mechanical bits are Boltons Bits.

IMG_20210824_191428355.jpg.84d2951aaeadd213b058da708a3b64db.jpgIMG_20210902_172246557.jpg.b04f7ae2d40acce69fe1e0ffc3df48f5.jpgIMG_20210902_172334078.jpg.674cabb84c57e22d7c5d3a8913d2d71d.jpgIMG_20210902_172408991_HDR.jpg.f93a9e1ff023c88249c8bb6c51f78bc1.jpgIMG_20210902_172540445.jpg.7aa729247e042ec9c7a0c1ea8e12561c.jpg

 

There's 3 flags, MAIN, SHED and Carr Sdgs., each one with its own servo. It's also the first I've ever done with a backlight to the flags which meant they were printed on OHP. I've tried to photograph the illumination but although it looked ok in the flesh, my camera phone just couldn't cope and it bleached out so these are of the unlit signal.

More Soon

JF

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  • 2 weeks later...

More progress on the LMS tubular post bracket signals.

The 3 doll version seems OK but there will be a few tweeks to the etch design necessary before they get produced. This one is being produced as a 2 doll with c/o arms as a platform starter.

 

IMG_20210917_162006419_HDR.jpg.08bade3c0fd4bf66d593aa71a4d447c4.jpgIMG_20210917_162014062_HDR.jpg.d4538fe324a59af062d9af690d8d3ad6.jpg

 

 

 

More Soon

JF

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Greetings all.

Now those who know me, know I have another hobby or two and this is one of them. It's the thing that keeps me at the bench building signals for people...

IMG_20210921_162639040.jpg.e63f364a93db4e7db7aeeffcc93fc338.jpg

I've owned it and almost finished restoring it over the last 23 years (:blink:). 

Last Week I unfortunately had to move it from where it's been stored to another location which I'm hoping will still  be as safe and sound, but needs must.

I performed an oil and filter change and other maintenance checks before the 30 mile trip. This was it's first serious run out since I got it and a first on busy roads for me too.

Happily, all was accomplished safely with kind assistance from a good friend..

 

 

The oil change was definitely needed. Black sludge and a blocked filter..

IMG_20210922_103343604.jpg.978c78cdf286ef79bf58fa150c31ff89.jpgIMG_20210922_110240064.jpg.45f5f8e2ebdf349edebc6eb56247cc5a.jpgIMG_20210922_120714469.jpg.6135e0db8288922a9e038fa23e078452.jpgIMG_20210922_121148069.jpg.51df0942b3de4902fef8d3e3c416a72f.jpg

 

 

 

Ready to leave...

IMG_20210922_172858368_HDR.jpg.db65a8c94b7ceb64e9ec5d856504415f.jpg

 

 

 

The journey and arrival!

IMG_20210923_112243065_HDR.jpg.ac922f1966b16c995bbd44d9513e18c5.jpgIMG_20210923_124251279_HDR.jpg.63513d8460be8bb05deaae7beb5723dc.jpgIMG_20210923_134026640_HDR.jpg.21dcd4814646fde6f748478fbc2bf244.jpgIMG_20210923_145353416.jpg.2c2461a55eb872cea12b1b1110bf825e.jpg

 

 

 

Back to the signals next

JF

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Slow but steady progress on the larger LMS bracket signal....

IMG_20210930_183956588.jpg.8ce71ec2e732f1a95d2a0ce3eeb732e5.jpgIMG_20210930_184028688.jpg.cdfff0e049ec466e4d7a174c166a4ff2.jpg

 

 

With the arms in position ready for the linkages...

IMG_20211002_122253362.jpg.ea74e1e4d539b9a9475a6b5cefb37cda.jpg

 

 

 

More Soon if the linkages don't drive me mad:blink:

 

JF

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14 hours ago, Trevellan said:

 

Wow. I've learned something here Jon. I had no idea those Leylands were available with the pneumocyclic box.

Yep. The batch of 10 from which mine comes were supposedly for replacement of an SLT trolley bus service between Bolton and Leigh for which Bolton Transport actually owned the vehicles. I suppose the 2 pedal option was to help the ex trolleybus drivers to adapt. In reality, Lancashire United took over the ex trolley bus route in the end!

The redundant trolley buses were returned to Bolton Transport for disposal:blink:..

JF

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  • 1 month later...

A quick catchup from the signal bench here.

The LMS signals after final completion and a little weathering. Again the wooden planks were kindly laser cut for me by Nikki Wilkes.

IMG_20211020_160147473.jpg.6b51f3f39af817fdd2dae5d5b573d3ad.jpgIMG_20211020_160159405_HDR.jpg.2d3eb7238a6d788ec92fe83273aa8ea9.jpgIMG_20211020_160205886_HDR.jpg.7e837ac7f15a8c30c00c7d85b6962cb8.jpgIMG_20211020_160227031_HDR.jpg.e97d339ecb214e63a417ff9fbb0c67b4.jpgIMG_20211020_161446767.jpg.94d1920ac87899962a4e32e11cdd96d0.jpg

 

 

 

A couple more GWR distant signals for Stephen Fay, one using the excellent etched fold up tapered posts from Borg Rail. The sightboards are on my "to-etch" list but in this instance are cut from scrap etch. Both are lit and servo operated. As you can see, neither have finials as I now leave these separate for the customer to fit on arrival. I've had too many snap during the delivery process.

IMG_20211103_140025795.jpg.0e306feae99e22aab9cfbfd6444996b5.jpgIMG_20211106_115322259.jpg.0bf8e6ff489f3223aa2a89ec8d72dab3.jpgIMG_20211106_115712807.jpg.3c23139695bef688f3661fb8737dd3aa.jpgIMG_20211106_115728353.jpg.dfac7be736c87ba0787a7c517e94f1f0.jpg

 

 

 

Latest off the bench are these two BR(E) upper quadrants for a layout that's modelling the more recent era. The semaphore with the 2 aspect is a starter that leads into a MAS area. When at danger the red shows in the semaphore arm and the colour light remains blank. When set to "off" the green aspect in the semaphore is blanked off and the colour light shows either yellow or green. The twin post signal is a 1980's replacement for a much earlier bracket signal. 

All that grey paint!:bo_mini:

IMG_20211111_202659054.jpg.c0f580f9451366cdb5002201829456e7.jpgIMG_20211111_202735020.jpg.f446394dc7282cc3bb4074e898481dd4.jpgIMG_20211122_142001425_HDR.jpg.373d4ef83cda7202189df93c493d944d.jpgIMG_20211122_142023657.jpg.a7baa2396304514b1b4e759adf9949ca.jpgIMG_20211122_142136894.jpg.7c33f7e513430c2452edd2cf85015e7b.jpgIMG_20211122_142146755_HDR.jpg.01c541c08687c79efe09f479441295fc.jpgIMG_20211122_143832477_HDR.jpg.844ef56a5b58521a9b0ea6d7775abb48.jpgIMG_20211122_143856989_HDR.jpg.0fd5e8ccb225813a4ad4d0732dc29994.jpg

 

All these signals have been lightly weathered but the low autumn sun seems to blitz it out on the pictures. My smart phone maybe isn't when left to its own devices!

 

 

 

 

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17 hours ago, Jon Fitness said:

A couple more GWR distant signals

Easier in 7mm than smaller scales, but still impressive to include the con (contact) box.

Paul.

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On 23/11/2021 at 09:30, 5BarVT said:

Easier in 7mm than smaller scales, but still impressive to include the con (contact) box.

Paul.

It is. I couldn't go back to 4mm scale even if I wanted to now. Eyes and fingers wouldn't allow it! I have managed a couple of GWR signals with working linkages to the contact boxes but it was way too time consuming and I don't know how robust it turned out to be in use.:blink:

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This one is a LNER ground signal, using most of a scale signal supply brass kit. This is mounted on a supporting frame and next to it is a vertical stack of white lights. As far as I can find out, there is no letter or number stencils shown and the indicated route is either shown by the appropriate light or by one/several lights being lit.

 

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More soon

JF

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  • 2 weeks later...

Back to GWR again:rolleyes:.

A couple of "wooden" posted ones as retrofitted with the later pattern steel arms. Both made from Borg Rail fold up etched posts with my own Boltons Bits etched fittings. The lamps and finials are the usual excellent Modelu 3D printed items..

 

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Just the weathering to do and fit some servos!

More soon

JF

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Jon - nice work!  I didn't know about the Borg Rail fold up posts:  I can see a lot of merit in using them as the fittings can be soldered and thus well secured where pins and cyano is a bit trickier on a wood post.  And, of course, you only need one wire up the middle for the lighting.  I've one more bracket signal (with 4 semaphores on it) for my layout Swan Hill and I may stick with wood posts for that so it will match the others but after that, on "phase 2" (if I ever get there!) I'll look at the etched option. 

 

I've looked in on Bolton's Bits from time to time - the etches look really good and the range gets wider every time I look!

 

Kit PW

A 1920s 7mm terminus layout: Swan Hill - https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blogs/blog/2502-swan-hill

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