Stephen Freeman

Just finish adding resistors to the servo motors, 40 standard SG90s, resistors for leds and pull-up to help obviate twitch and then also but not least resistors for 62 3.7g servos, they are the ones that don't like 5vdc, so each gets one 47k and one 22k to bring the volts down to 3.5vdc and then they also need the 1k for the leds. Now I can actually start building the actual signals! vdc= 5 * R1/(R1+R2) R1=47k R2=22K Should give approx 3.4vdc but multmeter says 3.5vdc

Just a short update, I have now finished snipping out most of the bits Ineed for the current project, though I will need some of the parts from the next 3 sheets as well. I suspect I will need to order a further sheet of the above though. On the next 3 sheets, there will be some 2mm scale stuff as well hopefully.

The post is the easy part! For really authentic signal arms and spectacles it's scratch building time. I Know, I built a 7mm scale one but much shorter. If you get stuck with the post I may be able to help as I did an etch for the Kingswear 4mm scale layout (occasionally seen on Western Thunderer) builders.

A few more Annett Blinds, considering how common they were, it is strange how seldom they are modelled. Stevens Back blinders (never enough on the etc) Parts of a Route Indicator designed by Annett, which I might not ever use but filled a space on the etch The triangular dots lit up when the signal was at danger. The rest of the apparatus worked in a similar way to the GWR design, but I have not been able to find out if he ever used them even though he took the trouble to take a patent out. Standard LSWR/SR Route Indicator front. The back is similar but with a smaller hole. I will be using strip for the sides as I am not sure if I can make it scale depth, it just depends on how easy it will be to fit the indicators, I am thinking 3 pivotted on either side of the vertical making 6 in all max, so it might be possible. The hoods will be from suitable brass tube suitable altered to suit. I have 4 to make.

Well I thought it was about time for an update. Yes I have been busy and lately I have been spending much time on the computer dealing with a couple of projects one 4mm scale and the other 2mm scale. The first etch from PPD has arrived and am very pleased with it. I have 2 more in the pipeline plus I have realised I will not have enough Stevens lattice posts (mainly dolls) so am doing another sheet to rectify this. Here is a photo of an etch for half of a 20ft post, if you look carefully you can just make out the slight offset in the lattices. More photos of the other parts and signals in due course. Material is 0.30mm Nickel Silver etched by PPD.

Your guess is as good as mine, it is described as "realistic steel" but in the same breathe says it has a high nickel content. Do we take that to mean HiNi? Interestingly they are still selling the stainless steel version in plain rail, no doubt when (?) stocks run out that will change.

Sorry if it wasn't clear, it was the wrong road ground signal that has evaded the camera. there is a similar drawing in Pryer to that which you describe, which I will use as a basis. Anyway the first of 3 sheets (all different) of etched nickel silver, signal parts arrived yesterday, not all are destined for this project as some are for other LSWR parts. The other two sheets, which I have just emailed to PPD include the rest that are needed that I cannot get elsewhere and for this and other projects. I do feel I will need a couple of repeats, if only to get the number of lattice dolls I will need. As a matter of interest this time, I have offset the lattices by the correct amount but it is very hard to detect in 4mm scale. I think I should have enough Annetts blinds and LSWR weight bars, spectacle plates, and route indicators (fronts and back) for this project. The other parts will come from the second sheet and Wizard. PPD were amazingly quick so hopefully more in a week or so. I will be posting more on the appropriate section of the forum shortly, though there approximately 40 arms of differing types, 4 route indicators and 23 Ground Signals to do - it will take a little time.

Unfortunately they would appear to be different to that shown in Pryer, basically looks like the early semaphore arm which pre-dates the Westinghouse disc, but according to Pryer has a red x on white background. However that is just a line illustration, they appear to have escaped the photographers lense. The red x wouldn't have fitted on the Railway Signalling arm and the lens were different.

The large end is for gauging normal track, Whilst I have some and do use them, I prefer to use the standard gauge which is also of the same diameter and can be used in the same way, plus it can also be used to set the checkrails etc. For EM the EMGS sell proper checkrail gauges, flangeway gauge and plain track gauges.

The illustration in Pryer of the wrong line ground signal does not really resemble anything in the excellent L&Y book on signalling, so will be sticking with Pryer for the moment. It's a pity that the LSWR and many others have not been covered as well as the L&Y.

Thanks, pretty much confirms what I thought. I would add that according to Pryer, there was a wrong line version of Ground Signal F.

Whilst I have seen many references to the Rev Beal in years long ago but nothing recently and have never actually seen them. There is a drawing in Pryer but not dimensions. There is an excellent photo in Wallis Southern Infrastructure vol 1 P22 of one at Gas Works Junction, Bournemouth so in the absence of anything else definite I will be going with that. In fact the design is done, just got to finish the rest of the design.

On another matter, does anybody know of the dimensions or a drawing of the LSWR Calling-on arm? I know what they looked like but not sure on the dimensions. Pryer refers to them as in use on the Western section. It is the diamond one with two aspects therein. The problem is that there appears to be no commercially available etching for them Wizard don't do them and the Fretcetera one is the Eastern section one. I can put them on the next missive to PPD if only I know the info?

Thanks but I knew about this one, Pryer is a bit vague on them and I can find no evidence of them on the LSWR.

You could try looking up Swindon Font, I can't remember where I got it from but certainly looks the business to me.

I have no idea if this is available in the Mac world but in PC Land there is a known problem with trying to print a large number of sheets with Acrobat. The limit on pages can be overcome by using a PDF reader of a different type such PDF-Exchange lite, which doesn't impose such a limitation. Of course Templot has it's own built in limit of how many you can print at any one time. Yes you can export a group of templates to a PDF

As far as the so-called Legacy chairs are concerned, I did understand that they were in fact Bridge Chairs, apart from their use on Longitudinal sleepers such as on bridges (hence the name) they can be found in small numbers in pointwork where space won't allow the use of a normal chair. It seems an odd choice to produce. In any event, chairs from C&L or Exactoscale can be used, which will be a easier to fit on the rail and be a more correct pattern. Exactoscale have a wider range of chairs but only available to members of Scalefour or EMGS.

It's a long time since I travelled to London by train, and when I did, it was always quicker (I think) to not go via Birmingham, I can walk to the local station, change at Crewe and be at Euston in a relatively short time, HS2 would have been absolutely no use to me but that wasn't the reason it was supposed to be built and that hasn't changed. It is just not politically expedient at least at the moment.

Bill stated in his book that there were in fact 2 separate station, one each side of the track opposite each other, each with their own station master. So probably no through trains until 1922 or shortly thereafter. Pity the poor traveller!

The hood looks a little bent compared to other examples, however best photos yet. I have included the indicator (both types) in a design for etching, my requirement will be for a 4mm version, along with other parts that I will be needing. Thanks again. Whilst looking for something else (alwasy the way) I chanced upon a photo of a model of this signal I built a few years ago in 4mm scale, the indicator was a non-working one though. I will see if I can find it again.

I believe I know from where the drawing came from and is a matter of embarrassment to them as they admit they should have known. Personally I am trying to get etches done for myself (in 4mm scale), which are closer to reality though still some are insisting on the offset. At least some 7mm scale ones (t least the better ones) have only a small offset.

no end of trouble using the plug-on connectors and won't use them now.

The originals were in 2 halves the middle portions were chamfered to maintain the gap but that is really optional as the method you suggested should work.

Have you looked in "The Signal Box" by the Signalling Study Group? It has details on most if not all UK Signal boxes.

You could try using them in the old style way. They were originally in 2 parts, so could be used after track laid. Just cut in two and superglue.