Signal Dimensions

Borg2657

New Member
Morning Group

First post in a long while.

The club I belong to (Stevenage MRC) is creating an exhibition layout in O and was wondering if there is somewhere to get dimensions of signals they could build. Is it worth it or is the cost, more or the same as buying some signal kits from somewhere? If kits who would you suggest? The layout is based loosely around Cambridge / March area and in the transition Steam to Diesel period.

Thanks
 

simond

Western Thunderer
There are a number of suppliers who make signal bits and kits - Scale Signal Supply, Model Signal Engineering & Jon Fitness, spring to mind and I'm sure there are others.

I think I'd start there, rather than trying to scratchbuild, though, of course, that might be satisfying as an exercise. If you want to measure up some Eastern signals, I think there are some at the museum at Mangapps near Burnham on Crouch.

hth
Simon
 

Tim Humphreys ex Mudhen

Western Thunderer
I'd never built a signal before a couple of years or so ago. I then volunteered to build some for Love Lane so I know how you feel. As Simon says there are 3 principal suppliers of parts. I ordered a selection of posts, arms, ladders and associated hardware based on the signals we required for the layout, a mixture of GER, LNER and BR. Once I had the parts I started looking through photographs looking for signals similar to those we wanted. Finding some that suited and knowing the size of signals etc from the etches I started to estimate the dimensions needed to build them. In the instructions for the parts there is also quite a lot of information. I would advise you to draw rough sketches and mark on them all the various dimensions. Then steadily work through each of the parts needed, post, ladder, signal arms, lamps, platforms, operating mechanism. I like to use small screws and nuts for the pivots, 12ba and 14 ba are useful. They are then made to operate with servo motors which are connected to the signal by another of the group. Initially they were a bit fiddly but soon became quite a pleasure to build,

all the best
Tim
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
I know nothing about signals but have built some for my club. The book you've mentioned there, Adrian, has been a great help.

Brian
 

jcm@gwr

Active Member
Morning Group

First post in a long while.

The club I belong to (Stevenage MRC) is creating an exhibition layout in O and was wondering if there is somewhere to get dimensions of signals they could build. Is it worth it or is the cost, more or the same as buying some signal kits from somewhere? If kits who would you suggest? The layout is based loosely around Cambridge / March area and in the transition Steam to Diesel period.

Thanks

I think you forgot to mention that they are going to be colour light signals!
 

simond

Western Thunderer
I did scratch build one of those, from a drawing in a GW book, though I can’t remember which. It was nigh 20 years back.

A9DE83AF-A890-4F26-8929-4E5C60490B10.jpeg

I used coloured GoW bulbs, I would certainly use LEDs now.

atb
Simon
 

Borg2657

New Member
Thanks to all of you who replied and yes "Colour Lights" is what we seem to be going for. Not sure if they were about in the Transition period in Cambridge / March area but its our railway :)
 

Peter

Western Thunderer
Thanks to all of you who replied and yes "Colour Lights" is what we seem to be going for. Not sure if they were about in the Transition period in Cambridge / March area but its our railway :)

Hi,

There is a good article by Tony Sissons, "Scratchbuilding a Modern Bracket Signal" in Model Railway Journal Number 171 that might help.

Best regards,

Peter
 
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