Semaphore Signals - 4mm Scale (Mainly)

[Barry O]

And, when I get your letter I will send another envelope back.

 

Baz

[Steve Hewitt]

Thanks Barry,

 

Security badges for Rob and me arrived this morning.

 

See you soon,

Steve,

[Steve Hewitt]

Two little dollies for Walton-on-the-Hill.......

 

The final two signals I have to build for Mike are a couple of Ground Signals - a Single and a Double.

I'm using the Palatine Models N/S etch:

 

First I prepared the main etch by removing the upper lamp housing and drilling out the half-etched holes, adding that for the Light which isn't on the etch:

 

Using my "Hold & Fold", this goes together fairly easily, once you've determined the sequence of the folds:

 

Any components which will pivot or are mounted on fine N/S wire have their "working bits" beefed up with fine brass tube.

This gives added strength to the joint between Disc and Pivot Shaft:

 

And the Crank/Back Blinder:

 

It also increases the bearing size on the Weight Bar to prevent wobble:

 

Getting the weight bar to move as the operating wire turns the crank can be very difficult so I prepare a small pair of "prongs" which will be attached to the operating wire and will fit around the Weight Bar to raise and lower it:

 

Its easier to make it somewhat over size and trim to suit:

 

The brass tube I've used for all these components is from Albion Alloys size 0.6mm OD, 0.4mm ID.

They do a wide range of these fine tubes starting at 0.2mm ID and telescoping up to 2mm or so.

Up to 1.0mm they are very thin wall, allowing several tubes to be telescoped together in very little space.

 

 

Here are the components ready for trial assembly:

 

The disc in place:

 

And the Weight Bar on a very over-length pivot:

 

A good clean and polish, bath in Cellulose Thinners then off to the Paintshop.....

 

More soon,

Steve.

 

 

 

 

[Jon Fitness]

Two little dollies for Walton-on-the-Hill.......

 

The final two signals I have to build for Mike are a couple of Ground Signals - a Single and a Double.

I'm using the Palatine Models N/S etch:

RIMG0661.jpg

 

First I prepared the main etch by removing the upper lamp housing and drilling out the half-etched holes, adding that for the Light which isn't on the etch:

RIMG0663.jpg

 

Using my "Hold & Fold", this goes together fairly easily, once you've determined the sequence of the folds:

RIMG0665.jpg

 

Any components which will pivot or are mounted on fine N/S wire have their "working bits" beefed up with fine brass tube.

This gives added strength to the joint between Disc and Pivot Shaft:

RIMG0664.jpg

 

And the Crank/Back Blinder:

RIMG0671.jpg

 

It also increases the bearing size on the Weight Bar to prevent wobble:

RIMG0670.jpg

 

Getting the weight bar to move as the operating wire turns the crank can be very difficult so I prepare a small pair of "prongs" which will be attached to the operating wire and will fit around the Weight Bar to raise and lower it:

RIMG0674.jpg

 

Its easier to make it somewhat over size and trim to suit:

RIMG0673.jpg

 

The brass tube I've used for all these components is from Albion Alloys size 0.6mm OD, 0.4mm ID.

They do a wide range of these fine tubes starting at 0.2mm ID and telescoping up to 2mm or so.

Up to 1.0mm they are very thin wall, allowing several tubes to be telescoped together in very little space.

 

 

Here are the components ready for trial assembly:

RIMG0676.jpg

 

The disc in place:

RIMG0668.jpg

 

And the Weight Bar on a very over-length pivot:

RIMG0669.jpg

 

A good clean and polish, bath in Cellulose Thinners then off to the Paintshop.....

 

More soon,

Steve.

That makes up a nice little LMS ground signal. I think an email to Palatine asking very nicely if there's any chance of a 7mm version may be sent when I get home from work today!

Jon F.

[iak]

Very tasty....

[Steve Hewitt]

Two little dollies for Walton-on-the-Hill.......

 

A good clean and polish, bath in Cellulose Thinners then off to the Paintshop.....

 

More soon,

Steve.

Those who follow my methods will know how much I like to build good foundations for my signals.

Here is the Foundation Tube, from 5/16in dia Brass, which will locate and retain the signal in the layout:

 

Next to it here is the Guide Tube, from 1/16in dia Brass for the operating wire:

 

They are assembled to give:

 

Before going to the paintshop, the signal body, its cosmetic ground work and the Foundation Tube are assembled:

 

Once painted, this will be ready for the mechanical assembly:

 

Steve.

[Steve Hewitt]

Back from the paintshop......

 

First I fitted the 0.5mm dia fibre optic, tie-wrapping it to the structure:

 

You can just make out the operating wire, going up to the Crank/Back Blinder, with a small kink to get the alignment correct.

 

You might be able to see the "Fork" which moves the Weight Bar in this shot.

 

A few shots of the completed signal:

 

 

 

And with the LED fitted:

 

 

Steve.

[Steve Hewitt]

The title of this item said "Two Dollies..."

 

So here is the other one which I made earlier:

 

 

 

I'll try to put a little video together.....

Steve.

[Michael Delamar]

Im over the moon with these. By the time I pick them up at Warley the layout should be ready to install them.

 

And Its always the way, ive only just found a photo of a CLC ground signal. Thats not saying I wanted this style but at the time I couldnt find a shot.

 

[Steve Hewitt]

The Video......

 

 

Steve.

Edited October 9, 2016 by Steve Hewitt

[Steve Hewitt]

Im over the moon with these. By the time I pick them up at Warley the layout should be ready to install them.

 

And Its always the way, ive only just found a photo of a CLC ground signal. Thats not saying I wanted this style but at the time I couldnt find a shot.

 

image.jpg

Mike,

I'd love to see a face on shot as well, to determine the shape of the main casting.

I guess it might be a sort of "Tee" section in plan?

Steve.

[Free At Last]

The Video......

 

https://youtu.be/TPlsSL91rQQ

 

Steve.

 

Why is it not embedding properly?

You need to remove the "s" from https.

[Highlandman]

Is this it.

 

http://youtu.be/TPlsSL91rQQ

 

You have to delete the 's' on the 'https'

 

Once again a lovely piece of work Steve.

Edited October 9, 2016 by Highlandman

[Steve Hewitt]

Help with colours please.....

 

What is the correct painting scheme for a "Miniature" stop arm, which can be passed at danger?

 

The painting instructions in "Warburton" say:

 

"The face of Miniature Arms to be Red or Yellow with a 4-1/2inch White band as shown." 

 

I've painted one Yellow with a White band and it just doesn't look right. I feel the vertical band should be Black, but only because I'm used to Black chevrons on Distant arms.

 

Will someone who actually knows from personal experience please put me right.

 

Many thanks in anticipation.

Steve.

[Stephen Freeman]

If it was a Southern signal like this one at Chichester I'd say black on yellow.

 

As for the CLC Ground Signal, best photo I've seen is on the front cover of "Railways across Mid-Cheshire", still not absolutely clear on construction, possibly a bit like a GWR one. The one photo that I have that might have shown the front unfortunately doesn't, its just off the edge of the photo.

 

There is a photo in the same book of Chester Northgate with 2 Ground Signals in from the the rear, which shows the general tapered outline.

 

The only white on yellow Ground Signal Signal (OK not the same thing  you were asking about) I've seen a photo of, was on a preserved line which just goes to show you shouldn't take it that they have got it right as has been seen on another thread of the oddities at Buckfastleigh..

Edited October 25, 2016 by Stephen Freeman

[micknich2003]

Here's an LM Region amended drawing.

 

[Steve Hewitt]

Here's an LM Region amended drawing.

 

LMS Min Arm 1.jpg

LMS Min Arm 2.jpg

Hi Mick,

 

Many thanks for the drawing. That confirms my "gut feeling".

I'll print it and add it to the other drawings you sent me a few years ago now.

 

Steve.

[micknich2003]

Steve, I'm certain originaly these arms had a white stripe, I'm also certain I have a colour picture, but typicaly, it can't be found.

[Steve Hewitt]

Thanks Mick,

 

The layout is in BR period, so I'll paint the stripe Black as per your drawing.

 

Steve.

[The Stationmaster]

I have (a long time ago!) seen LM/ER style miniature yellow arms with black or white stripes and from those I saw (1960s) the overwhelming majority had a white stripe.  Alas I never got to photograph one with a yellow arm so can't offer a picture.

[Steve Hewitt]

Right - its time for the next signal....

 

This is another for the Carlisle layout, and one of several required for "Upperby & the Goods Lines".

 

I've produced this drawing to check the design and sizes etc:

 

 

Included is a small photo of the original, to help with the "feel" of what's required.

 

The technical details are taken straight form "Warburton".

 

First the channel sections for the main stem had to be produced by milling some 5mm x 2mm channel down to 5mm x 1.3mm:

 

To add the "welded plates", I made a small "jig" from double sided tape on a flat piece of wood on which I'd marked out the locations:

 

Because the channel section is 0.5mm thick, a length of 4mm square brass is ideal for spacing out the second channel:

 

Cut off the excess N/S "plates" and reattach them to the jig to complete the second side:

 

The lower end of the Main Post contains a short length of the square bar to give a good solid basis for mounting the signal. It has been drilled through 2mm to allow the fibres for the lighting to pass through:

 

A similar short length of bar is located in the upper end of the Main Post, drilled to take the doll for the Miniature arm:

 

To enable accurate fitting of the post in its foundations, I turned the corners off:

 

This is the Foundation I turned to hold the main post:

 

Like so:

 

Once fitted to its Baseplate (later), it will actually be secured by a smear of thick cyano:

 

The trimmers were cut as a pair from channel section soldered back to back:

 

Assembled using the little aluminium spacers I've used previously for such a job:

 

Getting everything square is very important. I used a small engineer's square to ensure things were OK before soldering:

 

Those pivots for the Rocking Shaft are 7mm scale Handrail Knobs:

 

That's it for now. More soon.....

 

Steve.

 

[Jon Fitness]

Lovely bit of engineering as usual Steve. I've looked at doing something similar for the welded stem signals in 7mm but the available channel sections for the main post are a little "chunky". I'm still craving a well designed etch for it!

 

Jon F.

[Steve Hewitt]

A few more steps......

 

I mentioned the Baseplate earlier, and here it is.

It is designed to support the signal with all its dangly bits like Ladder, Guying Bar, Operating wires etc.

Because this signal has a 1.5in dia Guy Bar to help support the overhanging bracket, it is quite a "One off" shape, seen here with the turned foundation in place:

 

The two small holes (bottom left) next to the Turning are where the operating wires will appear from out of the ground en-route to the Balance Arms or Weight Bars:

 

I like good guides for the wires, to prevent buckling and ensure smooth operation.

Here is the 5/8in dia. Foundation Tube, which will locate the whole thing in the baseboard, and ensure the servo motors align correctly, has the 1/16in dia Brass Guide Tubes  already in place:

 

With the two small tubes located in the baseplate, the Foundation Tube is soldered in place:

 

Here the 1mm x 0.5mm supports for the Handrail stanchions have been soldered to the top of the Trimmers and the Angle Brass bracket work prepared and fitted:

 

A trial assembly:

 

The Weight Bars have been prepared with the connections for the operating wires slightly off-set to avoid them interfering with each other when the signal is operated. The bearing is made from a small piece of 4mm sq. Brass Tube:

 

The bearing is soldered to the Main Stem, offset forward by 1mm (3in) as per the prototype:

 

Here the two dolls have been prepared from Tube, 3D prints, cast resin etc:

 

Stanchions and Handrails will be next, then assembly of all the static bits...........

 

Steve.

 

 

 

[Steve Hewitt]

A few more steps along the way.....

 

The Stanchions and Handrails have been added:

 

This gap in the Handrail was on the prototype, for the same reason - to avoid obstructing the doll and Miniature Arm:

 

The dolls were prepared earlier, and fit well in their sockets:

 

 

The final static elements are the Guy Rod:

 

And the Ladder:

 

Its beginning to look a bit like the prototype in the Treacy photo I included on the drawing in the first post:

 

Next its the paint shop then assembling the moving parts....

 

Steve.

[Steve Hewitt]

And finally........

 

The paint is dry and all the moving bits have been added....

 

The fibres run through the structure and can just be seen in this close-up.....

 

The timbers on the staging were the last items added, once everything was in place and moving smoothly....

 

Finally, the servos were set to "Safe" i.e. locked by the controller in mid-position. The arms correspond to neither "On" nor "Off" and in this position they are ready for dismantling from the Transport & Test Frame and installing on the layout.......

 

I'm preparing a little video, which I hope to post a link to shortly....

 

This signal and several of my other recent builds will be on my Demo Stand at the Warley show in about three weeks time.

Do come and play them there, and have a chat....

 

Steve.