Jon Fitness' average 7mm signals workbench.

[Jon Fitness]

On 13/01/2023 at 12:17, The Stationmaster said:

The little wheel at the back being rotatable was obviously copied from a real one.  My photo below shows a later variant of ground signal (inter war design) with the little wheel at the front (which puts it nearest the lever frame which works the signal) and shows how the signal wire goes round the wheel to work the balance weight lever.  

 

In this case it looks like the thing has been altered at some time - possibly in preservation but equally possibly before that - as the guide for the detector plunger has been turned through 90 degrees.  The wheel could also be arranged at 90 degrees to the position shown in my photo depending on the route of the signal wire run.

 

The design of the inbuilt detector also clearly varied over the years.  The original Reading Works photo of the new disc face applied to an existing ground signal includes the little wheel at the rear of the signals - and serving the same purpose as in my photo - but the detection uses a flat bar arranged vertically and presumably working by interference on the bottom of the T piece of the balance weight lever.  Very much in the manner of the detector in the ABS kit.  I suspect that this arrangement predated the plunger detector.

 

 

 

That's a lovely picture thanks Mike. Looks like there's no mechanical detection fitted? The little cable wheel rotates on my models but isn't available to rotate on its bracket!

Cheers

JF

[The Stationmaster]

15 hours ago, Jon Fitness said:

That's a lovely picture thanks Mike. Looks like there's no mechanical detection fitted? The little cable wheel rotates on my models but isn't available to rotate on its bracket!

Cheers

JF

No mechanical detection Jon - there's a level crossing between the signal and the point toe to which it applies and the point is electrically detected.   As this view shows it is co-located with a running signal and only reads to the sidings -

 

[Jon Fitness]

Here's a quick 2023 update of a few of my constructions if anyone's still interested.....

 

First up is a signal I've actually done for myself as a test build for a couple of my etches. Its what seems to be known as a 1942 pattern tubular post bracket, this being the larger of the two types I do. It's also fitted with some of my GWR centre pivot arms. It has LEDs fitted but as yet no servos but as supplies of these seem a bit easier to get at last, I'll fit some soon.

 

 

Next is a 40ft Ex LSWR signal based on the one that used to be at Chard Junction using one of my etched posts......

 

 

Another test etch but done for a customer is a BR(S) railbuilt bracket signal but with some slightly more angular brackets. These are basically similar to ones at Littlehampton...

 

 

And now for some more GWR oddball signals. There were some strange one off things that seemed to grow in the Dean forest. Again some new etches for the brackets and fittings with the top arm being a rather old cast whitemetal CCW arm. I don't think this type is currently available so it's another to add to the ever growing list of bits and pieces to get etched!🤣

 

 

Anyway, back to the seemingly ever hot soldering iron..😵

 

JF

Edited June 30, 2023 by Jon Fitness

[31A]

8 hours ago, Jon Fitness said:

if anyone's still interested.....

Yes, very much so - thank you for showing us your lovely models!

 

[Steve Hewitt]

Those are really superb signals Jon.

 

Well done, Steve.

[The Stationmaster]

23 hours ago, Jon Fitness said:

Here's a quick 2023 update of a few of my constructions if anyone's still interested.....

 

First up is a signal I've actually done for myself as a test build for a couple of my etches. Its what seems to be known as a 1942 pattern tubular post bracket, this being the larger of the two types I do. It's also fitted with some of my GWR centre pivot arms. It has LEDs fitted but as yet no servos but as supplies of these seem a bit easier to get at last, I'll fit some soon.

 

 

Next is a 40ft Ex LSWR signal based on the one that used to be at Chard Junction using one of my etched posts......

 

 

Another test etch but done for a customer is a BR(S) railbuilt bracket signal but with some slightly more angular brackets. These are basically similar to ones at Littlehampton...

 

 

And now for some more GWR oddball signals. There were some strange one off things that seemed to grow in the Dean forest. Again some new etches for the brackets and fittings with the top arm being a rather old cast whitemetal CCW arm. I don't think this type is currently available so it's another to add to the ever growing list of bits and pieces to get etched!🤣

 

 

Anyway, back to the seemingly ever hot soldering iron..😵

 

JF

Jon I like thop one - 3 doll bracket which is an 'almost; Frome South's Up Main Starting Signal although the dolls were stepped on that and the tubular steel version used the final design of bracket structure.

 

The bottom one, in various forms was quite common although the small bracket arrangement was obsolescent by the early 1920s.  However theh Western being the Western had to transfer one to a new tubular steel post signal erected in the mid 1950s because it was the only thing which would fit the site without spending a large amount of money.  (But no goods line/siding  rings on the arms as it was on a passenger line

[Rugd1022]

Superb work as always Jon, wonderful stuff. I'm sure I've seen some of your work in the old Bradford Barton 'GW Steam' books...! 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jon Fitness]

On 01/07/2023 at 14:11, The Stationmaster said:

Jon I like top one - 3 doll bracket which is an 'almost; Frome South's Up Main Starting Signal although the dolls were stepped on that and the tubular steel version used the final design of bracket structure.

 

The bottom one, in various forms was quite common although the small bracket arrangement was obsolescent by the early 1920s.  However theh Western being the Western had to transfer one to a new tubular steel post signal erected in the mid 1950s because it was the only thing which would fit the site without spending a large amount of money.  (But no goods line/siding  rings on the arms as it was on a passenger line

Oooh, I'd like to see that tubular one with the old bracket on..🙂

Cheers

JF

Edited August 9, 2023 by Jon Fitness

[The Stationmaster]

17 hours ago, Jon Fitness said:

Oooh, I'd like to see that tubular one with the old bracket one..🙂

Cheers

JF

I'll dig out the phoyto and rescan it Jon - alas my orginal scan was posted a long while back so ended up gettying lost.  It's not a brilliant photo  as I took it using my Halina 35X on Kodak film.  But it's the only photo I know of the signal in its tubular steel form although there are published photos which show its timber post predecessor in an article in GWRJ.

 

Nearby there were two signals which were three doll brackets with centre pivot arms although my only photos of them were after pre-resignalling layout alterations so not all the dolls were still in use.

Edited July 4, 2023 by The Stationmaster

[Jon Fitness]

Hmmm.

Might be time for a bit of a catch up again..🙂

I've been asked to build some of the signals that survived into the 1980s at Wellingborough station so here we go. 

There was a rather home made crossing indicator for the barrow crossing by the signalbox. I had a stencil etched to help me with this one and the end product was very satisfying! I built it into a box on a post that I had to size from supplied photos..

 

Just next to the signalbox was an LMS BFB post 2 doll bracket which seemed to change configuration a couple of times in the 70s and 80s...Strangely enough, I don't think I photographed it once I weathered it..😒

 

 

Next one of the Wellingborough signals was this ex MR wooden post stop and distant with LMS upper quadrant fitted later in life. It retained its MR finial though!

 

 

Stand by for another update soon!

JF

 

 

 

 

Edited September 27, 2023 by Jon Fitness

[Jon Fitness]

Next up at Wellingborough was this banner repeater. It used to have 2 heads on it but in the period modelled it was down to just the one. Being an externally lit one, I couldn't use the 3d printed ones I have so it was back to scratchbuilding again. Fortunately I had an etched front surround left over from a previous job so that was the starting point.

 

Yes, there's more Wellingborough to come soon...

 

JF

[LNERGE]

1 hour ago, Jon Fitness said:

 

 

Next one of the Wellingborough signals was this ex MR wooden post stop and distant with LMS upper quadrant fitted later in life. It retained its MR finial though!

 

 

Stand by for another update soon!

JF

 

 

 

 

I saw this and thought of you...

Edited September 27, 2023 by LNERGE

[Jon Fitness]

More Wellingborough stuff to bring us up to date...

 

This one is a fair old beast. I'm not entirely sure of its full history but it consists of a tubular post stop, distant and calling on arm with a running line to loop bracket. Behind it is a wooden post with two LMS sightboards attached to it. I'm not sure but it looks to me like the original wooden post had the arms on too but was retained just for the sightboards and a new signal erected in front of it. If anyone knows more about, I'd love to know too!

 

As usual, almost everything etched is from my own Boltons Bits range with the coloured lenses laser cut for me by Nikki Wilkes. The chevrons on distant signals are always difficult to do so I had some black waterslide transfers done for me by Mark Seward. So much easier!

 

Cheers All

JF

 

Edited September 27, 2023 by Jon Fitness
moving pix about..

[Jon Fitness]

54 minutes ago, LNERGE said:

I saw this and thought of you...

😵 Ooh thats not a fold up etched one!

[LNERGE]

6 minutes ago, Jon Fitness said:

😵 Ooh thats not a fold up etched one!

But I think it is your signal, pulled out roots n all. 

[Jon Fitness]

And tonight I'm on with these...

 

 

JF.

[St Enodoc]

6 hours ago, Jon Fitness said:

The chevrons on distant signals are always difficult to do so I had some black waterslide transfers done for me by Mark Seward.

I cut chevrons from black transfer paper (e.g. patches for wagon numbers), using the end of the arm itself as a template.

[5BarVT]

15 hours ago, Jon Fitness said:

 

I've been asked to build some of the signals that survived into the 1980s at Wellingborough station so here we go. 

There was a rather home made crossing indicator for the barrow crossing by the signalbox. I had a stencil etched to help me with this one and the end product was very satisfying! I built it into a box on a post that I had to size from supplied photos..

 

 

Excellent.  I remember that one and you’ve got it just right.

Paul.

[Jon Fitness]

7 hours ago, St Enodoc said:

I cut chevrons from black transfer paper (e.g. patches for wagon numbers), using the end of the arm itself as a template.

Tried that many times but simply couldn't get consistent results. This ways much easier!

JF 

[Jon Fitness]

I forgot this one. A GWR illuminated speed restriction indicator. Its got a 3d printed head and screen provided for the job but I think it's a tad small in diameter. It has a real wood post too and quite looks the part.

 

 

JF

[jcarta]

That's something quite different, as you say, "it does look the part"

[The Stationmaster]

23 hours ago, Jon Fitness said:

I forgot this one. A GWR illuminated speed restriction indicator. Its got a 3d printed head and screen provided for the job but I think it's a tad small in diameter. It has a real wood post too and quite looks the part.

 

 

JF

I don't know the diameter of the housing but the numerals were 18" high on the standard size indicators and were mounted 6ft above rail level (the splitting ones would have had different heights but I have no information for those).  The miniature indicators were mounted 3ft above rail level but that is  all I know about them.

[Jon Fitness]

5 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

I don't know the diameter of the housing but the numerals were 18" high on the standard size indicators and were mounted 6ft above rail level (the splitting ones would have had different heights but I have no information for those).  The miniature indicators were mounted 3ft above rail level but that is  all I know about them.

According to Mr Smiths GWR signalling tome, the frontal diameter of the indicator was 2ft with 13.5" letters/numbers..I think the print I was given was only about 11mm instead of 14mm diameter. They were set on posts about 15ft ARL.

JF

Edited September 29, 2023 by Jon Fitness

[Simond]

10.5mm is 18”.

 

sounds to me like there was more than one “standard”. :)

 

Adrian Vaughan’s book doesn’t help, without searching the GWRJs I have, I can’t offer further insight.

 

S

 

 

[steve fay]

On 28/09/2023 at 12:18, Jon Fitness said:

I forgot this one. A GWR illuminated speed restriction indicator. Its got a 3d printed head and screen provided for the job but I think it's a tad small in diameter. It has a real wood post too and quite looks the part.

 

 

JF

Now at home on St Stephens bank,  it was drawn up in 3D based on the drawings from this book but sometimes there is shrinkage when then 3D printed.  That said it looks great in place.