Ball signal

[tstage]

Does anyone know of any manufacturer's who make a ball signal for HO?

I read about them in an issue of Classic Trains a number of months ago and thought it might be really neat to have "working" one on my steam layout. I've seen ones for semaphones (from Tomar) but I haven't been able to locate any highball signals. (They can be already bulit or a kit, I don't care.)

I'm assuming that they probably don't exist and that I'll most likely have to build it from scratch myself. I would appreciate any help, if you know otherwise. Thanks!

Tom

[cacole]

I don't recall ever seeing an actual kit offered by anyone of a true highball signal. It shouldn't be too hard to scratch build one out of styrene or stripwood shapes for the pole, top beam, and angled support. I have seen different sized plastic beads in the crafts section of the local Wal-mart, and one of these might be the right size for the ball itself. The ball was bright red, and raised and lowered on a chain or cable. Common sewing thread could be used for a cable. The pulley at the top and the crank at the bottom would probably be the most difficult parts to model.

[jrbarney]

Tom,
I don't know of any manufacturers that make ball signal models so I did a search at the Index of Magazines and the search identified six articles:
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=S&cmdtext=ball+signal&MAG=ANY&output=3&sort=A
I think the article by Irv Schultz in NG&SLG will probably be the best one. Of course he had to include banjo signals, and I think years ago there was a model of that (and it wasn't made by Gibson!).
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[Anonymous]

From what I recall, that's just what it is, a mounted white ball, that was raised or lowered to signal the engineer to proceed. An Eastern rail line was the first to
use that method back in the mid 1800s.

[jrbarney]

Tom,
While looking for something else I ran across a recent article on making your own ball signal that also includes a good bibliography. It is:
"Realistic Maine Two-Foot Signaling," Stephan Pinkham, Maine 2-Foot Quarterly, Volume 9, Issue 3, Spring 2004, pages 8-10, and "More Ball Signals to Cinsider," Al Churella, pg 14. You'll either have to order a photocopy from the NMRA's Kalmbach Memorial LIbrary:
http://www.nmra.org/library/
Or, order a back issue from the publisher:
http://www.maine2footquarterly.com
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[tstage]

Thanks, Bob! I was surprised to see my old post bounced back up to p. 1. I will look into that and let you know what I find. Many thanks! [:D]

Tom

[Anonymous]

In northern NH there is still a ball signal guarding the diamond at Whitefield. While the tracks are not used very often its still active. Up until the Maine Central and the Boston and Maine stopped running thru freights, these signals were used. If the ball was up then the train on the Maine Central had the right of way, if it was down the B&M had it. Very neat to see.


Josh

[tstage]

Josh,

Yes! I found out about the Whitefield ball signal just recently when I was surfing the Net. I was able to download some various pictures of it - even some of the working mechanisms. It's the last remaining working ball signal in NA.

I'd like to make one of the taller versions - i.e. with 3 or more balls that hide in the 'can'. One of these days I'm hoping to make it up to Whitefield, NH to photograph the signal before it goes the way of its siblings. Thanks for your input!

Tom [:)]

[Anonymous]

Tom, where were the 3 ball signals located ??? The only ones I have ever seen pictures of are Whitefield and I believe Wisscassett at the Maine Central ? WW&F crossing. I can't remember if it was a 2 or 3 ball signal.

Josh

[tstage]

Josh,

According to the Fall 2003 article in Classic Trains called "Ball Signals of Vermont" by Jim Shaughnessy, there was a 3-ball, ball signal in Bellows Falls and St Albans (Lake Street & Walden Street Cabin). There was also 1-, 2-, 4-, and 5-ball, ball signals in the state of Vermont. These, I'm sure, are no longer standing. The 2-ball, ball signal in Whitefield, NH still remains. Pick up a back issue of the article. I think you would enjoy it very much. I wonder if there are any around that are still standing but non-operational? Anybody know?

Tom