These signals are PRR prototypes: they have a light in the center, and B&O signals don't. But is is the closest match. I will store these URL's. I didn't know that there were so many manufacturers! Thanks!
CPL signals they would look like this, just in N-scale http://www.integratedsignalsystems.com/media/photos/layout/Naperville-Curve_web.jpg choices for signals is still a bit limited.. (3 businesses bit the dust on signals and) Sunrise Enterprises is no longer making signals at this time, go to there page to learn why. Your choices for most other types of signal in N scale, is NJinternational, The world need to start bugging them to make other kinds of signals, and maybe they will finally do it, at the moment they and SMD Products seems to be your best bet, however SMD products will do custom products.. I just do not have the guy's email anymore, however I think his name is Serge Lebel ( aka Maritimer). I did notice when he had his own web page, the prices for his signals were not as much as they are in the stores that now sell his products.. Particularly the 3 light vertical back to back signals, I do not remember them originally being $56 each. IF u are able to find contact info on him, u may be able to work something out in the making of CPL signals.. Do not confuse CPL with PL, PL have a center lamp and are generally all yellow lamps.. this was PRR's solution to replace the semaphore. You would need to however remove the middle lamp and hood and seal it up, paint it black to hide it as best as possible, but you will also need to change the lighting kit, and that will be the most painful. Uh, I think in the prototypical world, when a PL signal is converted to a PCL it looks like a PRR signal with color, Railway signal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia CPL signals have 3-4 aspects, actually they had as many 4 or a few as 1, aspect on the main head, Never a center lamp, and up to 6 marker lights.. 3 on top, 3 below and probably be best accomplished by with Warm White or pale white Leds, not cool white lunar coloring. The 4 aspect head includes lunar lamps, there is a difference in color with the 4 marker lamps and the lunar aspect.. Two markers top and bottom on the right side are amber/yellow. NJ International, Inc, Model Railroad Accessories if u want to know what the different types of signals that exist, visit Integrated Signal Systems please do not skip over this part when u read this text where I say, their signals are NOT available in N-scale, just use them for reference.. There use to be Jay's engineering that made custom signals as well.. I have a few, they look like the same signal heads used by NJinternational, except NJInternational was not carrying such signals are the time, they are to scale, not the %#@! they sold that was out of scale. I'm guessing he got the parts from the same supplier(??). This guy once did custom stuff, I do not know if the info is good, have not checked it out, but u might want to try; Joe Kocsis @ Jay's Engineering 32164 Palmer Road Westland, Michigan 48185 Telephone # (734) 326-7753 Signals in N won't be cheap, but for the most part, well worth the investment. buy the NJInternational exact scale signals, the other NJInternational ones are just %$#@! note even the exact sized signals do not have hoods. Signals made from SMD Products may look a bit out of scale, but they are not, and in reality, prototypical signals do too, the size of the head is quite large compared to a human being.. SMD are in the proper scale. SINGLE TRACK HOBBIES Homepage has some pictures of SMD Products, as well as Single Track Hobbies : HomeSMD Products also the user on this trainboard by the nick of Maritimer would probably be able to help u out with signals.. (being that his SMD products are of his own creation..) If u want PRR PL signals, Alkem Scale Models: Finescale HO and N Scale Kits and Detail Parts for Model Railroaders If you want G-type signals Atlas N Signal System General info on CPL signals, ( not n-scale) http://cg-tower.com/cpl/ another site I found was, N Scale Signal Heads but beware they are kits. building HO scale is not so bad, being the LED's are 3mm Leds, usually easy to work with, N-scale however, not so good. B-type and D-type (vertical color lights), SMD Products and NJInternational. Railroad specific such as C&O, N&W and B&O?, SMD Products probably your best bet, being he does custom work. If Jay's Engineering still does N-scale, Jay's Engineering might as well. As for the LED's used in signals, if u are really wanting the self-abuse of building your own, try getting the LED's from either LED Lamp, Bulb Lighting, LED Light Bulbs, Landscape Lighting or Model Railroad Products Services as for the brass heads and other components, you are on your own.. Sorry this was so long and winded, I Hope this helps someone, if not, print it out and use it as a sleep aid.:tb-err:
What would it cost to get a specific sheet made up? Mostly exactly like you have, but with a variation...
Very interesting Bob! Will there be lighting options? Next up Amtrak/N&W style CPLs? http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=198077&nseq=44
Drool (and I don't even model the Pennsy)! Bob I really need to order a bunch of your mast D-type signals before you run out...I'm going to need a bunch. Hard to remember since I am not even laying track just yet. Jamie
B&O CPLs Mark. Target and Lunars are done. Working on the platform now. Trying to have ready for the Timonium show.
BK666 Great picture. I love the signals, the trackwork and the scenery. Awesome. Here's some fun with signals... [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MkcZqGGzX0"]YouTube - N Scale Union Pacific Rochelle Sub Preview 2[/ame] Daryl
Tim Masyln of Integrated Signal Systems (ISS) is working on N-Scale modules, but I don't know when he will have them ready. I have been using Ledtronic 0603 style SMD LED's for quite awhile. http://www.ledtronics.com/ds/smd-0603/ There is a button on the top right for distributers in your area. Just click on your state. Some people call them "Nano LED's" and THEY ARE SMALL at only 1/32" high. This size allows for the most realistic use. Once on, they actually look like the back of the bulb housing. I usually secure the LED's to the target first aligning the common anode (or cathode) to the same side and then attach the wires. I use super fine magnet wire and have never had a problem soldering the wires. afterwards, I paint the back black and install the assembly on the masts.
Well at least I can use the platform, as N&W used some that are pretty close: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=162501&nseq=7 http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=162353&nseq=8 To make the Amtrak/N&W style targets you just need to "fill" some of them holes (notably the center one) on the PRR/N&W/LV/NH "yellow"s. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=152946&nseq=9 Not sure if the other parts of the mast match up to N&W though.
I'm thinking ahead to one day when I would like to add PRR type signals (probably 4) and lighted crossing gates (one or two pair) to my smaller layout. Since I didn't plan on doing it from the start, and most scenery will be done by then, I'm thinking that it may be better to use current sensing train detection with some kind of signal block circuit. I know that there is a lot to consider and decisions that I haven't made yet, but I'm wondering if it would be a good first step to add some kind of current sensing train detection first that could be tried to signaling later, or do they have to be the same brand/system so integration later will work? Jim
Mark, The circles (in red, top left) are to cover the hole as in your modified illustration as is done on prototype. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=232538&nseq=12
Will the targets have the "hoods"? Or do we have to bend them from the red things to the right of the red "circles"?
Yes Mark, those are the sunshades. They are .003" thin and roll around a .062 tube/rod and are then inserted into the arcs above the hole from behind. A tiny drop of CA and on to the next. .
Finding decent signals for N-Scale is like finding decent crossing gates. They basically come in two varieties; cheap plastic c*&p or mucho denaro. I’m pretty sure Sunrise is out of business. I’ve recently ordered some TrainCat kits with the hope they will be satisfactory. Everything else I’ve got form him has been so I have a good feeling.
I'd also like to see decent signals that don't come as a flat sheet of brass and always available. A lot of modelers don't have, or feel they have the expertise to assemble them (or just lazy like me), if there were more reasonably priced signals out there in between the train set variety and the etched brass we might see more layouts with working signals. Atlas are on the right track but they picked a relatively uncommon prototype. I've always been surprised at the lack of working crossing gates considering how common they are on the prototype, even more so these days now we have things like incredibly detailed locos with DCC and sound, surely some manufacturer could do working crossings.
