I know I can buy these from Tichy. But I would like to make them myself if I can. Does anyone have any ideas what material to use , etc?
Thanks
wdcrvr
I have seen them made of square wood posts and mast arms. Round wood, and metal. The telltales themselves are usually chain. So you can actually here it hit. That what I have seen through many photos over theyears
shane
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Tichy's are cheap so spend your modeling time on something you can't buy for a cheap price.
I built several of these using styrene rod and tubing for the poles, and strip styrene for the suspension bar and associated bracing. Because the real ones I'd seen had rope as the dangling get-yer-attention items, I used phosphor-bronze wire, probably .010" diameter, as thread wouldn't hang realistically.The wire is cemented into holes drilled in the bar below the support arm, with the bar also attached to the support arm with wire...
(Click on the photos for enlargements)
The standpipe shown above is a scratchbuilt copy of the one from Tichy, built-up from styrene rod and tubing, and wire, with the bottom flange made from the tip of a Bic pen-barrel. There's an identical one between these same tracks beyond the station. Both utilise Grandt Line spouts, which are longer than the ones from Tichy, necessary due to the widely-spaced tracks here.
There are a couple more here, although the "rope" on the wooden one doesn't show very well with the black bridge in the background...
There are two more, elsewhere on the layout, acting as warning for an upcoming tunnel.
Wayne
I have an old B&O print that may help you out:
B&Odwg by Edmund, on Flickr
Good Luck, Ed
rrebell
I am retired and have more time than I have money. Plus, the idea of figuring out how to build something from scratch appeals to me. For me, model railroading is more about building things and making them look as realistic as possible. When someone comes to see my layout I will be able to say "I built those telltales from plastic, wood, metal, etc." That, for me is much more satisfying than saying "I bought those from Tichy". And I am not in a hurry to get things done because I have accepted the reality that my layout will never be done in the time I have left on this planet. I will not buy pre-built structures, trees, etc because I enjoy the process more than the acquisition. Everyone has their own way of enjoying this wonderful hobby and everyone is right. Hope no one takes offense at any of this, I just felt in a talkative mood today. I do recognize your valid point that maybe I could buy the telltales and spend my time on other construction projects but since I have responses with good information already, I will likely build them. Thanks wdcrvr
NVSRRThe telltales themselves are usually chain. So you can actually here it hit.
What would Brakie say if he got hit by a piece of chain? They were there to warn the brakemen, not tell the engineer his autorack wasn't going to fit in the tunnel.
OP I agree, I want to build my own. This if from Howard Zane's layout.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Never mind, did some research. It was to warn the brakeman working on the running boards of the cars.
Mike.
My You Tube