S&DWatty Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 20 hours ago, Steve Hewitt said: Hi Dave, The Westinghouse ground signals are designed to be operated by a "Push/Pull" wire from below the baseboard. This is usually a servo motor, but no reason why a wire in tube system shouldn't work. Just be aware, the 3D printed signal body is quite delicate, so the manual operation should incorporate something to prevent exerting too much Push or Pull The 3D prints are available from Les Green's shop on Shapeways - see: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/railway-odds-and-ends?li=pb The printed signal incorporates the holes for the Optical Fibre to pass through. It is made for 0.5mm (.020 in.) for fibres. The fibre is obtainable from Circuitron -the makers of Tortoise point motors. The etched moving parts - Disc, Lever, Blinder are from the MSE kit. I hope this info. is helpful. Good luck with building the signals. Get in touch again if I can help in any way. Steve. That's great steve thanks- I think this will be a good project for my layout that will add a lot. Ive really noticed the diference with working signals- and the realities brought about by trying to drive to them! Foreshortening on the model means that Ive got only representative home signals but I get plenty of SPADs! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted February 6, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 6, 2020 Just to give others hope, I have built MSE SR ground signals operated by servos and Megapoints control system, although without the added finesse of lighting, that was a bridge too far for me. It is do-able but they are damn fiddly though. My next ones will be the Palatine LMS variety, kindly aided by Steve's build earlier in the thread. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Freeman Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 I am sure you will find Ralphs LMS ones much easier, though he like myself favours SMD LEDs, I just reserve Fibre Optics for 2mm scale signals with Modelu lamps. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony Teague Posted February 6, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 6, 2020 On 21/01/2020 at 09:08, RailWest said: >>>If by "the OP" you mean me... Not really, given that the thread was started by Steve, who also posted the photos of the signals in question. But if, as you say, you ".. rely upon pictures and reference books to deduce what might be 'right'...", then it seemed reasonable IMHO to presume that you had found a SR example of 'small' arms used in the configuration shown by Steve. My apologies if I was mistaken. >>>where does one find the "SR paint scheme"? I'll try and find the relevant references to post here in due course - unless someone beats me to it :-) [EDIT] Variously:- 1. http://www.semgonline.com/proto/sthnpaint.html 2. HMRS Livery Register No 3: LSWR & Southern (signals were Section 7 in the original edition, but I do not have the revised edition) 3. "Southern Nouveau and the Lineside" Irwell Press 2017 page 372 Thanks for the various references - in fact I have both of the books referred to AND the new HMRS LSWR livery volume, I guess that it just hadn't occurred to me that any of the three would cover signal liveries - naive perhaps, but there you go! Having consulted these and also taken advice from a former SR signalman through the kind offices of a mutual friend, I think that Steve and I have now resolved the various issues that both RailWest and The Stationmaster raised - so I'd like to thank them for pointing those things out. Hopefully, signal construction for Churminster can now proceed to a successful conclusion! Tony 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold ikcdab Posted February 7, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 7, 2020 Here's a very strong vote for servo control. I have just ventured into this using the megapoints equipment. It's first rate and excellent support from Dave at megapoints. I have tried wire in tube signal control in the past but I found it very fiddly to get it working properly, in particular getting the arm exactly horizontal when at danger. But with the servos and the megapoints control board you get very fine adjustment and a great bounce effect. I found it super easy to setup and now would not use any other system. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Rowsley17D Posted February 16, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 16, 2020 On 07/02/2020 at 08:53, ikcdab said: Here's a very strong vote for servo control. I have just ventured into this using the megapoints equipment. It's first rate and excellent support from Dave at megapoints. I have tried wire in tube signal control in the past but I found it very fiddly to get it working properly, in particular getting the arm exactly horizontal when at danger. But with the servos and the megapoints control board you get very fine adjustment and a great bounce effect. I found it super easy to setup and now would not use any other system. Another recommendation for MegaPoints from me too. The plug in and play element means no soldering in awkward places. Not an inexpensive means of control but you get what you pay for. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold ikcdab Posted February 18, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 18, 2020 On 16/02/2020 at 13:39, Rowsley17D said: Another recommendation for MegaPoints from me too. The plug in and play element means no soldering in awkward places. Not an inexpensive means of control but you get what you pay for. And i should also say that Dave Megapoints is extremely helpful and will go out of his way to make sure things work for you. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Steve Hewitt Posted February 26, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 26, 2020 Come for a chat...... This coming weekend I'll be demonstrating, with Les Green, at the Preston Exhibition. Why not come along for a chat. I'll have a number of my recent builds for you to examine and play with, controlled by GF Controls Dual and 8-Way signal controllers. (Still the easiest to install and adjust). Hope to see you there........ Steve. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiggy1969 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 what makes it easier than the megerpoints board? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Rowsley17D Posted February 28, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 28, 2020 10 hours ago, twiggy1969 said: what makes it easier than the megerpoints board? Probably all the button pressing, but I don't think Steve's thread on signals is the place for a discussion on the merits of various servo control methods (says he who mentioned it a couple of posts ago.) 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Michael Edge Posted February 28, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 28, 2020 Having installed a good many of Steve's signals on Carlisle I have to agree with him about the latest GF controllers, very easy to fit and adjust, control is just one on/off switch. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Steve Hewitt Posted February 28, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 28, 2020 17 hours ago, twiggy1969 said: what makes it easier than the megerpoints board? Thanks Rowsley and Mike, you've hit it on the head. The GF Controller has simple slide switch (called the Safe Mode) which sets the servos to mid position. i.e. Bandwidth 1.5msec. In this position the servos are "locked" and cannot be adjusted or operated. I assemble my signals so that the arms are in "mid position" when Safe Mode is selected. Once installed on the layout, it is necessary to switch the Safe Mode OFF, and then adjust each Signal Arm to its correct position "ON" or "OFF" according to how the control system is set. The control system can be as simple as an On/Off switch or any equivalent. The first minute of this video shows this quite clearly: I can't think of any way to make it easier than this. Steve. 4 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiggy1969 Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 ok but thats no different than setting up the megerpoints board you set the arm to the mid position with the servo in the mid position and set the high and low points Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiggy1969 Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 8 hours ago, Rowsley17D said: Probably all the button pressing, but I don't think Steve's thread on signals is the place for a discussion on the merits of various servo control methods (says he who mentioned it a couple of posts ago.) was just asking due to the claim that its the easiest to install and adjust. I found the megerpoints very simple and having set up 50 plus signals and ground signals with no problems at all. With every thing on the board so no extra setting board required. So i was asking as if theres a better solution out there as im interested in anything to make my life easier when i do commissions and making things idiot proof for when the client takes delivery Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Steve Hewitt Posted February 29, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 29, 2020 On 28/02/2020 at 17:38, twiggy1969 said: was just asking due to the claim that its the easiest to install and adjust. I found the megerpoints very simple and having set up 50 plus signals and ground signals with no problems at all. With every thing on the board so no extra setting board required. So i was asking as if theres a better solution out there as im interested in anything to make my life easier when i do commissions and making things idiot proof for when the client takes delivery Hi Twiggy, The only real way to be sure would be for you to try a GF Dual controller yourself. If you buy one and find it doesn't meet your requirements, I'll buy it off you. Steve. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Roger Sunderland Posted March 1, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 1, 2020 We use the GF controllers on our exhibition layout Bournemouth West, I use them on my home layout as well. Ive tried other systems and IMHO nothing - and I mean nothing - comes close to the GF units in terms of both ease of setup and reliability. No connection just a very satisfied customer. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Steve Hewitt Posted March 10, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 10, 2020 Churminster semaphore signals - almost ready.......... I'm sorry for neglecting my posts on RMweb recently, but I haven't been completely idle. Below are the first four signals, mounted on their Transport & Test board. The arms are "all over the place" because the GF servo controllers have been set to "Safe", which moves the servos to mid-position and locks them there. These are the remaining five signals, including the two Westinghouse ground discs which were discussed earlier. I've taken a few video shots of the signals under test which I hope to edit together fairly soon. Steve. 8 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony Teague Posted March 11, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 11, 2020 Wow! Looking good ..... ....bit of installation work lies ahead! Tony 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Steve Hewitt Posted March 22, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 22, 2020 (edited) On 10/03/2020 at 17:58, Steve Hewitt said: I've taken a few video shots of the signals under test which I hope to edit together fairly soon. Steve. And here it is....... Steve. Edited March 23, 2020 by Steve Hewitt Replaced Video. 2 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailWest Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 They do look nice in operation. However at 4:55 I have never seen a subsidiary arm like that at an ex-LS&WR location. Is there a track plan of the layout anywhere please so that we can understand the signals better ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Vecchio Posted March 22, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 22, 2020 6 hours ago, Steve Hewitt said: And here it is....... Steve. Can't open the video. Error message: if the owner granted you access please log in...... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Rowsley17D Posted March 22, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 22, 2020 Worked for me earlier on but now same problem. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailWest Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 27 minutes ago, Rowsley17D said: Worked for me earlier on but now same problem. ..and me too :-( Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Steve Hewitt Posted March 22, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 22, 2020 Sorry for the confusion. I'm correcting a couple of things. Video back tomorrow (I hope) Steve 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Steve Hewitt Posted March 23, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 23, 2020 1 hour ago, Steve Hewitt said: Sorry for the confusion. I'm correcting a couple of things. Video back tomorrow (I hope) Steve Here it is....... Sorry for the confusion, Steve 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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