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Best HO signals

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  • Member since
    December 2010
  • 85 posts
Best HO signals
Posted by wyldmanr8cer on Thursday, January 13, 2011 11:23 PM

What are the best HO scale signals (actual operating and non-operating) on the market today? I know NJ International has very realistic signals.

Tags: HO
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Carmichael, CA
  • 8,055 posts
Posted by twhite on Thursday, January 13, 2011 11:39 PM

NJ International has always had good signals.  You might also check out the Tomar signals--I'm in the process of replacing my old signal system with the Tomar upper-quadrant semaphores (back-dating as it were) and they're beautifully made and fully functional.   Tomar has a large selection of signals and at quite reasonable prices, considering the quality.

Tom

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Ft. Wayne Indiana Home of the Lake Division
  • 574 posts
Posted by Ibflattop on Friday, January 14, 2011 4:42 AM

Try Oragon Rail Supply and Atlas. those are a couple of more that have been good.      Kevin

Home of the NS Lake Division.....(but NKP and Wabash rule!!!!!!!! ) :-) NMRA # 103172 Ham callsign KC9QZW
  • Member since
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  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, January 14, 2011 6:15 AM

What type of signals are you considering?  Do you want them to be operating signals?

Tomar Industries makes a very nice line of metal operating signals including dwarfs, searchlights, semaphores and others. 

Besides Tomar Industries, NJ International, Oregon Rail Supply and Atlas, BLMA makes some very nice signals as well including signal bridges and cantilever signal bridges.

Rich

Alton Junction

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  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, January 14, 2011 6:30 AM

Remember that most of the signals available are just signals.  They do not include the sensors and electronics required to make them respond to train motions, etc.

I recently bought an Oregon Rail Supply two-track signal bridge.  It didn't even come with lights, just empty targets.  Lights are cheap, and the model is reasonably priced as is.  Besides, some of us prefer LEDs, while others like incandescents.  I will be wiring this as a simple turnout position indicator, going through a Tortoise switch machine.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
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  • From: SE Minnesota
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Posted by jrbernier on Friday, January 14, 2011 8:39 AM

  There are multiple brands of HO signals.  The 'Best' one depends on your needs:

  • Type of signal - Color Light/Target/Semaphore?
  • Type of Lamps - Bulbs or LED?
  • If LED - Common Cathode or Common Anode?
  • Signal System Logic - Related to the above questions - What type of output can it drive?

  Myself, I am using South Bend signals and logic.

Jim Bernier

 

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 7,500 posts
Posted by 7j43k on Friday, January 14, 2011 11:12 AM

The BLMA signals look good to me, though I haven't bought any--I'm waiting for the SP&S style.

 

Ed

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