Scratchbuilding an N scale searchlight signal.

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone.

Since I couldn't find any N scale signals for under $13, I decided to scratchbuild
some myself. Something like this: http://www.sodigi.com/ns1052.gif

My question: what is the propper height for a standard searchlight signal?
I couldn't find any kind of specs regarding the dimensions of such signal anywhere.
If you have a source to that, or have bought a signal and can share how tall it is,
that would be great.

Also, if you have scratchbuild a signal before, maybe you can share some tips.

I have the copper and styrene tubing, washers and styrene sheets ready to go.
LEDs are on their way.

Thanks.

[orsonroy]

Kyle,

There are a couple of RR signalling Yahoo Groups. You might want to check there, considering I haven't seen much hard data on signal equipment online either:
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/railroadsignals/
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/BlockTower/
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Railway-Signaling/
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/NYC-RRsignaling/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wigwag_Fan/

In addition, you might want to check out some real RR signalling companies, to see if they have any specs available. A friendly email to their sales department might do the trick:
http://www.wch.com/home.htm
http://www.railroadsignalinc.com/
http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/signal/
http://www.safetran.com/product/signal.asp
http://www.railroadsignalinc.com/about.html

[Anonymous]

Ok,

here are some pictures of the first signal that I put together, with a
red/green LED. Still needs to get painted though.
It wasn't as easy as I thought, but it all came together in the end.
Visible height is 1.5" base to top.



I'll post a picture when it's finished.

[orsonroy]

VERY nice Kyle! I'd post this to the N scale forum at Atlas too.

Great: now I'll have to scratchbuild a few for my next set of Ntrak modules...
Any idea what you're going to use as signal drivers?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy

VERY nice Kyle! I'd post this to the N scale forum at Atlas too.

Great: now I'll have to scratchbuild a few for my next set of Ntrak modules...
Any idea what you're going to use as signal drivers?

Thanks Ray, I'm glad you like it.
For about a $1 for material a piece, it's worth putting them together yourself I think.

I'll probably go with block occupancy detection to drive the signals.

Here's the finished signal:

[Benjamin Maggi]

I don't see the pictures. What's wrong?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by scoobster28

I don't see the pictures. What's wrong?

Sorry, my server that holds the pictures was down.
I'll move them to a different server that is more reliable.

[orsonroy]

Thanks Kay. I tried showing them to a few N scale friends this morning, and they were GONE! This work is too nice not to show off to folks, so thanks for getting the pics back up.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy

Thanks Kay. I tried showing them to a few N scale friends this morning, and they were GONE! This work is too nice not to show off to folks, so thanks for getting the pics back up.

Thank you for your kind words, Ray.
I hope that this article might inspire some other N scalers to build their own
signals too. It really isn't that difficult and it'll save some bucks to get that
new engine! [:)]

[Benjamin Maggi]

Where did you ge the plans for them? I might want to try myself if I can see the electrical schematics. I am an idiot when it comes to wiring!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by scoobster28

Where did you ge the plans for them? I might want to try myself if I can see the electrical schematics. I am an idiot when it comes to wiring!

I couldn't find plans to build an N scale signal, so I put it together going by what
information I could find, mostly for HO signals.
I'll put up a webpage on how to build a signal as soon as I have the time.

[Benjamin Maggi]

That would be awesome. Thanks. Ben

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by scoobster28

That would be awesome. Thanks. Ben

Here you go: http://nscalers.com/signal.shtml

I hope this helps. Let me know, if you need more info on this.

[oleirish]

"I'll probably go with block occupancy detection to drive the signals." Ok where do I find the block occupancy detection things?[:P]I think I can bulid the signals my self. ( I do H.O.)

OLE'IRISH[8D][:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by oleirishOk where do I find the block occupancy detection things?

Just do a Google on "block occupancy detection". That'll give you plenty of info
on that subject. There are different approaches on train detection out there.