Does any one know of a manfucaturer for working HO wig wags

[John Busby]

Hi all

Does any one know of a manufacturer of HO scale working wig wag level crossing signals and the control circuit board to go with them.

I am running an analogue DC layout

So far all I have been able to find are kits for or ready made dummy wig wags

and I really want working ones.

regards John

[mbinsewi]

Check Ebay

Scroll down, there's more.

Mike.

[tstage]

Mike,

Those are all static models; the price being the giveaway.  A working unit would be a lot more.

 

John,

I remember seeing a working wigwag on someone's layout (probably from an online video) but I don't recollect the manufacturer.  It was very cool and looked believeable.

[Edit: Looks like American Limited Models (ALM) made a working two-signal set at one time.  (See this link from Walthers website).  The ALM website only shows a static model available.]

Tom

[mbinsewi]

Ooops!  I didn't look that far, sorry.  And I see that American Limited is no more.

Mike.

[tstage]

According to the ALM website they are still up and running, Mike.  They're just working a limited staff.  The working wigwag, however, is no longer available, which is a shame.   The OP may be able to pick one up on eBay, should one become available.

Tom

[doctorwayne]

mbinsewi

....I see that American Limited is no more....

Naw, they're still in business, as I bought enough diaphragms from them to equip a dozen passenger and baggage cars, only a few weeks ago.

Here's their static model of a wigwag....

...modified into a working one....

...by the "magic" of photography.

Wayne

[tstage]

I wish the NYC had used wigwags.   Obviously they are better suited for warmer and drier climates where snow and freezing rain is less likely to occur.  I just find them fascinating to watch, as well as unusual.  I also have a soft spot for ball signals.

[Marc_Magnus]

I'm not sure but it seems to me an article was published in MR (may be an another magazine, don't remember) about to make a working Wig Wag signals.

But I don't remember the year and the scale used

 

[richhotrain]

Complicating the whole issue of operating grade crossing signals is the use of gates. No one to my knowledge makes a "do it all" kit. You have to buy individual components and build the operating grade crossing signals yourself.

When I first got into HO scale back in 2004, I asked my LHS guys about a single kit and they just laughed. When you think about it, you need the wig-wag signals, alternating flashers, bells, and occupancy detectors. 

Rich

[RR_Mel]

I bought an American Limited non working wig-wag kit and I’m using it as a go-by to make my own brass working signals.  Very slow going, several years.  At first I was dinged by eye cataracts then by shaky hands.  I still pick away at it, maybe some day I’ll have an operating pair.  

 

 

 

Mel

 

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[SeeYou190]

For you guys that use operating signals... Do you have a means to turn them off, or do they work all the time? It seems to me in out model railroad world they would activate very often as we run our trains.

-Kevin

[RR_Mel]

SeeYou190

For you guys that use operating signals... Do you have a means to turn them off, or do they work all the time? It seems to me in out model railroad world they would activate very often as we run our trains.

-Kevin

 

Kevin, if and when I get my home brew wig-wags working I plan to control them with my Arduino crossing gate controller.

 

 

 

Mel

 

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

 

[fmilhaupt]

tstage

I wish the NYC had used wigwags.   [snip]

 

 

One of the last hanging wig-wag signals in Michigan, if not the last one along a working line in Michigan, was on a former NYC line in Lansing. The signal had been out of service for well over a decade the last time I saw it, though the line was still in use. This was a former Lake Shore & Michigan Southern line.

 

 

[dknelson]

I do believe Rich Eaton's working wig wags are no longer  on the market (HO scale).  

Don Fowler made and sold working wig wags in HO years ago.

Both might be found on the auction site.

Dave Nelson

 

 

[tstage]

fmilhaupt

tstage

I wish the NYC had used wigwags.   [snip]

One of the last hanging wig-wag signals in Michigan, if not the last one along a working line in Michigan, was on a former NYC line in Lansing. The signal had been out of service for well over a decade the last time I saw it, though the line was still in use. This was a former Lake Shore & Michigan Southern line.

How 'bout that!  I would love to have a wigwag on my next NYC layout.  I'll definitely look into it.  Thanks, fmilhaupt!

Tom

[RR_Mel]

Check out this wig-wag

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1PEkGib2EE

 

I tried making that one but couldn't get the Arduino to stop the moving arm centered.

 

 

Mel

 

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[tstage]

I watched that one last night, Mel, along with some actual wigwag footage.  The model is pretty spot-on with the oscillation speed.

And I just ran across this MR thread from 2014 by Ed (gmpullman), indicating that he briefly spotted a working wigwag (possibly located in central or western OH ) on an NYC video.

Sweet! - Thanks, Ed!

Tom

[maxman]

American Limited Models at one time sold an operating wig wag, https://www.walthers.com/operating-wigwag-crossing-signal-kit-without-detector,

now shown as out of stock.  But you can probably find one either via Ebay or maybe through that HOSwap.io website.

There was also a thread on this circa, 2011, http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/189984.aspx which has some more information model and prototype.

[richhotrain]

SeeYou190

For you guys that use operating signals... Do you have a means to turn them off, or do they work all the time? 

I use a pair of opti-sensors to turn the alternating red lamps on and off.

No experience with hanging wig-wags.

Rich

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

richhotrain

 

 

SeeYou190

For you guys that use operating signals... Do you have a means to turn them off, or do they work all the time? 

 

 

 

I use a pair of opti-sensors to turn the alternating red lamps on and off.

 

No experience with hanging wig-wags.

Rich

 

Yes, opti-sensors are the best way to control crossing gates and crossing signals.

I plan to have a few sets on the new layout.

Working wigwag, sounds like a lot of fussy work, even more so than working gates.

From the quick research I did, I doubt very many were ever used here in the Mid Atlantic. Seems to have been more popular out west, and maybe in New England.

I've seen them in museums, never saw one in actual service.

Sheldon

[Mykhalin]

The April 1992 issue of MR has a detailed article on how to build your own working wig-wag signal. If the static kit others have mentioned is an actual kit, then maybe you can use it as a launching pad for a working one.

[andrechapelon]

John Busby

Hi all

Does any one know of a manufacturer of HO scale working wig wag level crossing signals and the control circuit board to go with them.

I am running an analogue DC layout

So far all I have been able to find are kits for or ready made dummy wig wags

and I really want working ones.

regards John

 

 

Don't know if they make operating models, but Showcase Miniatures  makes quite a few varieties.

https://www.showcaseminiatures.net/ho_scale/ho_scale_signals_wigwags_trackside_details/

 

[John Busby]

Hi andrechapelon

Doesn't look like they do working ones but they do some interesting bits and pieces

Including a wig wag with open location case posibilities of an interesting scene there, if suitable figures and ute are avalable.

Then it doesn't need to work just have the right figures and posibley a working red LED ?

regards John

[tstage]

Actually, the YouTube link that Mel provided is a Showcase Miniatures wigwag that has been animated with a tiny motor.  The view angle in the clip doesn't indicate if the target is wired for lighting.  However, the oscillation of the wigwag (i.e. rate and dimunition) is pretty spot-on from the prototype footage that I've viewed on the internet.

Tom

[sschnabl]

Enginehouse Services, LLC in Green Bay makes one, but it looks like they are currently out of stock.

https://enginehouseservices.com/model-railroad/operating-banjo-wig-wag-grade-crossing-signal-kit-lighted-working-replica-of-the-model-5-auto-flag-wig-wag-l/

 

Scott

[tstage]

At $339...it better be operational with a lighted target...AND walk your dog.

[sschnabl]

Well, I didn't say they were cheap... 

I know it won't walk your dog, but it is operational and the target is lighted.  I've seen one of them in their shop, and it looks great.  But, yes, that is a lot for one  crossing.

[mbinsewi]

sschnabl

Well, I didn't say they were cheap... 

Wow, I guess not!    And not even a picture, with it working?  

Mike.

[trainnut1250]

I think Wayne has the right idea. LOL!

Many years ago a local modeler I know built the working wig wag from ALM.  It was an extremely difficult build. He got it to work but not in a very smooth manner.

Today he doesn't operate it due to problems with the mechanism. I suspect if his experience with this kit was the norm, that might be why ALM no longer sells the operating kit version. I bought a couple of the non operating versions - they look great.

Guy

[BATMAN]

There are a lot of very smart capable housebound modelers here on this forum, we should turn this working wig wag thread into a group developement project.

Suggestions of gears, piano wire, cams and such will give people ideas. I have often thought of using Ngineering stainless tubing and an aquarium pump as a means of propulsion. An intermittent puff of air could get the thing rockin. 

Being the dummy in the crowd, I'll sit back and take notes.