Popular Post KenB Posted February 11, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2019 This is my first post since joining RM Web. This is a copy in 4mm of the up slow line signals at Wood Green 4 which lasted into the 1970's and will control entry into the yard, platform 1 and platform 2 on my fictional east London-ish layout. Thanks goes to those members of RM web whose archival posts spurred me on to have a go at making proper signals. 11 2 19 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted February 12, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 12, 2019 Nice work and a great name for the layout! Some more details about the bracket that you are using to hold, presumably, servos to control the signals would be appreciated Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 The components used were from the MSE range of parts. Large lattice base post with equal tee brackets soldered on and a 3mm square brass tube soldered to the brackets for the hanging dolls topped with GNR ball finials. Lost wax castings for the lamp brackets and brass tube to take the signal spindles then finished with adlake cast lamps super glued on. The servos are from Hobbyking HK-5330 with a male molex to female JR servo short extension leads attached which allows it to be connected to the Megapoints control board. This also makes disconnection and removal of the signal much easier. You can then use extension leads of a length that suits your requirements or buy a coil of the same 3 core wire (yellow brown red) off ebay to extend the leads to the Megapoints panel. 60th Plasticard was used to make the the unit holding the servos and small self tappers to bolt the two bits together. The gangers dug a 30mm square hole in the baseboardfor the signal to drop into. Once fully tested it will be blended into the scenery. Image shows the signal located and for the eagle eyed the middle arm did overlap the left signal on the prototype. 10 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philou Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Nice ..... BTW, whose outside single slip? Tillig? Cheers, Philip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB Posted April 17, 2019 Author Share Posted April 17, 2019 Hi Philip, I used Tillig track throughout the pointwork looked so much better than other offerings but wiring up the slip was a little challenging. I used the Tillig motors but wish I had gone the servo route. 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold MarshLane Posted April 17, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 17, 2019 Nice work on the signals Ken! Do you have a thread on the whole layout on here yet? Rich Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share Posted April 19, 2019 Not yet Rich I am still trying to navigate this site as I am unsure where is the best place to post. Having been a signalman my aim is to have the layout correctly signalled, however as with all models there will be compromise. I have given up trying to make decent working ground signals so these will be static but in the correct location. Where appropriate both end of a point will move using one lever. My brother has installed a relay detection system which indicates which signal is available for the route set via an LED indicator above the lever. The levers are actually toggle switches. So far I have built 4 signal gantries which have a total of 13 working signals and 4 individual posts bringing the total working arms to 17 . This includes a slotted distant signal. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerzilla Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 They're nice. Do you have lights behind the spectacles? I think very warm white LEDs are available which mimic the yellowish colour of paraffin lamps (which you need to get a green light). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 Lighting these signals was a step too far for me Rogerzilla although I had thought about it. It would involve a small PCB with components to reduce the power of the warm white LED to a more sitable glow. The spectacle lens are simply PVC glue filling the hole and once dry a thin wash of blue and red acrylic paint coloured them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 image 0008 Overall view of Bow Locks Junction station throat. The signals are all working using megapoints boards and combined with relays and a light on the lever frame indicates which route is set for the signals. A route proving system rather than full interlocking. The levers are simple on-off toggle switches. In this view left to right are up platform 6 starter (platform not constructed.) Gantry up platform 4 to main, up platform 4 to branch, up platform 3 to branch. Platform 3 starter to branch and parcel bay platform 1 starter to branch. Image 0002 This is the down main junction signals. L-R down main to platform 3 below is the calling on signal. The home and distant are for the down main to down main platform 5 the end of which is a starting signal. Pulling off the down main home then the starter allows the distant to come off. Replacing the down main home replaces the distant as well which will not clear again until the down main platform 5 starter is put back. Image 00003 This gantry is located on the branch and L-R to signal 13 which is the 3 arm hanging gantry, branch to Platform 3 and Branch to platform 4. My aim is to have prototypical signals correctly positioned and working. Once the signals 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerzilla Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 On 02/06/2019 at 17:52, KenB said: Lighting these signals was a step too far for me Rogerzilla although I had thought about it. It would involve a small PCB with components to reduce the power of the warm white LED to a more sitable glow. The spectacle lens are simply PVC glue filling the hole and once dry a thin wash of blue and red acrylic paint coloured them. The beauty of semaphores is that you only need a steady supply to the warm white LED. No switches required, as the movement of the arm does it all for you! The wires can be very thin as they'll be carrying a fraction of an amp. Maybe an idea for the next batch? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB Posted June 6, 2019 Author Share Posted June 6, 2019 I might try to build a signal lit by an LED. The four bracket signals were my first attempt at constructing working signals and the eagle eyed will no doubt spot the mistakes. The single post ones were the last. Buying a digital solder station made construction so much easier along with some aggressive flux my brother gave me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB Posted June 6, 2019 Author Share Posted June 6, 2019 The control of Bow Locks Junction is via 2 Megapoints boards and 45 relays (2spare) and 30 toggle switches. The three on the left are for the locomotive sheds. It is not a locking system but a route proving one. With the lever frame normal a red light indicates which signal levers are available. It turns green when the lever is operated. Set up a route and the red lights appear above the levers applicable to that route. Once a signal is cleared the light for any other signal applicable to that route will go out. The distant cannot be pulled off unless the home above it is off. My aim is to be able to drive trains by obeying the signals. I can then teach people the box. Driving the train is a tad simpler. Now to get the storage siding sorted. 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerzilla Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 Very clever! My limit is making the homes and distants change together. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold MarshLane Posted July 5, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 5, 2019 Superb work Ken Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB Posted July 19, 2019 Author Share Posted July 19, 2019 Bow Lock Signal Diagram.docxHaving now installed all the working signals it was time to document what the levers do so I created the signal box diagram and locking (route proving ) chart plus the labels for the lever frame.Bow Lock Signal Diagram.docx 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB Posted July 28, 2019 Author Share Posted July 28, 2019 I have checked all the levers are correct for the routes on the box diagram and found several conflicts which I have corrected. Next stage is to fit the lever plates to the frame. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB Posted August 5, 2019 Author Share Posted August 5, 2019 The plates have been installed. Now on with building the layout. 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB Posted March 6, 2020 Author Share Posted March 6, 2020 My latest signal is a GNR somersault for platform 5 starter. These signals survived into the 80's on the Skegness branch? 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNERGE Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 I have a real one in my back garden.. It is flipping heavy. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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