Playcraft Signal Kits

[roythebus]

A while ago there was mention of Playcraft signal kits that were available in the 1960s. Now whilst Playcraft trains were a bit ermm, hit and miss when it came to British outline models, their signal kits were very good in my view.

 

I recently dug out a couple of sets of them and attach a picture of them below. there were enough parts to build a bracket signal or a single arm signal with a mixture of stop and distant arms. The parts are quite finely details and they came with ready shaped metal wire for making them work. Apart from the cast bases being a bit unsightly, they made into good models. It was also possible to combine 2 kits to make a gantry.

 

From memory they cost about 3/6d. I wonder what happened to the moulds?

[BernardTPM]

I think the metal bases were a good idea in that they put some weight low to balance the posts. Slightly overscale for 4mm, but less so than the equivalent 1960s Tri-ang signals. In some ways not unlike the Ratio GWR signal kits of the '60s with all the adaptable parts.

[roythebus]

Note they included smoke deflectors and track circuit diamonds too!

[BernardTPM]

Here's a scan of the instructions:

 

[Il Grifone]

Since the Playcraft range is H0 scale (allegedly) the signals were quite a lot overscale, though otherwise quite acceptable

 

This is not unusual as overscale signals are a common factor in many ranges, not just British. (I believe Rivarossi's are 1/64 - they certainly look rather on the large side, especially since their buildings are dimensionally challenged the other way. I have a generously dimensioned German signal as well - not sure of the make.)