I finally ordered an HO Scale BLMA Cantilever signal bridge kit after wanting one for a while as there is a perfect spot on my Santa Fe layout for it.
Oh I also ordered some BLMA Searchlight signal heads for it. Although I think I have some Oregon Rail Supply signal heads I can use as well.
I searched the forums here to see if anyone has built one of these, but I couldn't find any posts.
If anyone has built this model I'd appreciate any tips, photos, etc...
Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, COClick Here for my model train photo website
It's all unpainted etched metal. Assembly was very difficult, especially since I added LED's to mine. As near as I recall, super glue was used to assemble it.
It has been several years ago, and it was broken and removed from the club layout because some members kept bumping into it and breaking bits and pieces here and there.
I learned after that experience to never put something like this near the front edge of a layout where it can be easily bumped into. It was replaced with dwarf signals.
While I haven't built one of these, I'm certain that the construction is going to be similar between this and the signal bridge. The best advice I can give you on this is...do not use regular CA/Superglue. It has almost no shear strength, and even the slightest flex of the parts will result in the parts coming apart followed by naughty language.
Use rubberized CA instead. The one I use (mainly because it's what is sold locally) is Bob Smith Industries Insta-Flex+. It has all the adhesive capability of normal CA, but with the added benefit of being flexible when cured. I built the BLMA Signal Bridge several years ago for a module (removable from said module for safe-keeping), and hasn't come apart on me yet.
Granted, you will want to place it where heavy hands won't be grabbing/pushing/pulling it all the time. No guarantees there!
Robert Beaty
The Laughing Hippie
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The CF-7...a waste of a perfectly good F-unit!
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the
end of your tunnel, Was just a freight train coming
your way. -Metallica, No Leaf Clover
Among the many recognizable features at Dearborn Station in Chicago was the ATSF cantilever signal bridge. If you model Santa Fe, you need at least one of these distinctive signal bridges.
Rich
Alton Junction
cacole It's all unpainted etched metal. Assembly was very difficult, especially since I added LED's to mine. As near as I recall, super glue was used to assemble it. It has been several years ago, and it was broken and removed from the club layout because some members kept bumping into it and breaking bits and pieces here and there. I learned after that experience to never put something like this near the front edge of a layout where it can be easily bumped into. It was replaced with dwarf signals.
A few years ago, I purchased two of the NJ International cantilever signal bridge kits. Those kits are made of plastic, with many small, delicate parts, and tough to assemble securely. Like cacole, my signal bridges were near the edge of the layout and were easily brushed against or bumped, resulting in flying parts. I finally took them down. You may have more luck with the metal parts. I had better luck with the Bachmann and Model Power signal bridges (non-cantilever) on which I installed working LED signals.
I built one of the Oregon Rail Supply cantelever signal bridges which is plastic, and although a little delicate when assembling it, has been at the edge of my layout for about a year now. I added LED's and it looks great. I don't think any cantelever signal bridge like these will withstand much of a 'brush' with humans, no mater what it is made from, it is just a fragile structure.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Appreciate the info thus far.
Ugg, I'm locating this right on the edge of the layout. However rarely does anyone walk back there. But I'll have to be careful. I did pick up some ruberized super glue.
The red arrow shows where I'd like to put it, although I have to add some plaster/Durhams to fill in the area for the signal base:
And this is what I plan the signal apsects to look like:
When the signal arrives and I start to build it I'll post updates and photos here.
Would you consider installing a plexiglass shield on the aisle side? I know they kinda take the realism away, but from operating on several layouts in my area, it's only a matter of time before a human meets the signal bridge. OR...would you consider using a signal bridge that is left hand running instead (at least for that one area)?
I've had to do that in a couple of places on my layout.
I'm building an operations based layout with a lot of ground throws and although I want my layout to be a "display" layout as well as an "operations" layout, I'm constantly having to move cool features away from the aisle and arms. Just sayin' misery loves company ;-) Somewhere on this forum, I had a lengthly and helpful discussion concerning my reluctance to move the Walther's Wooden Coaling Tower away from the aisle side servicing tracks. It might help you to decide either way or to just go for it and take the chance.
Jim
Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.
Capt. Grimek ...OR...would you consider using a signal bridge that is left hand running instead (at least for that one area)?
...OR...would you consider using a signal bridge that is left hand running instead (at least for that one area)?
That should be easy enough to do with the Cantilever. Just reverse the signal head placement.
Southwest Chief Capt. Grimek ...OR...would you consider using a signal bridge that is left hand running instead (at least for that one area)? That should be easy enough to do with the Cantilever. Just reverse the signal head placement.
Pretty easy to build kit. I used Loctite rubberized CA.
Still have to install the signal heads/poles/wiring.., but I'll paint the cantilever first.
I have a metal tube holding it in place for the photo:
Very nice, a gorgeous signal bridge.
It is very close to the edge of your layout.
Be careful !
P.S. Good looking scene.
Wow that looks pretty good, nice job. At least it wasn't hard to build it. Now you need about 4 more of them?
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
That looks fantastic, Matt! Being that closeto the edge of the layout though, it's going to be damaged...no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Someone made the suggestion of putting up a small piece of plexiglass there to protect it, and I second that recommendation.
Anyone know which is the "correct" signal arrangement to use for my ATSF layout?
(Note: I editied out the right upper signal head on the first image):
This second image is unaltered, but is an SP signal I think:
Here is a super crude drawing of my track setup: Two main tracks with a spur off to the left of the left main (call it main 2):
Looks like this:
Which of the two signal arrangements is correct for my track?
The spur off main 2 (calling the left track main 2) is easy...two signal heads.
But what about main 1 (calling the right track main 1)?
A low mounted block signal for main 1 or a high mounted block signal for main 1?