-----------SIGNALS-----------

Burnden Junction (Bolton) about 1981. Sadly neither box, gantry or train still exist.

I have been a signalman on BR, Railtrack and Network rail now for close to 30 years, and I have developed a passion for signals and signalboxes (Its not all buses on this site!)

I started as a "booking boy" at the age of 16 at Bolton West Jc, filling in the train register and keeping the box clean and tidy, while supposedly studying the rules, ready to qualify as a signalman at 18,

In reality I was more interested in the history of the boxes and taking pix of trains, signals and boxes, than studying so after a shaky start I finally scraped through, much to everyone's surprise!

I've worked well over 40 different boxes of all sorts and sizes and have finally taken root at Chester PSB.

While working there I got involved with a friends gauge 0 garden railway and rashly offered to build some BR/LMS upper quadrant signals for it.(This railway has its own fotopic site, click on this link (TALACRE)  to visit)

I made some masters for signal arms, lamps, backlight blinders etc and set about casting almost all the parts I needed.

I have produced 10 signals for the layout so far, including a 4 post gantry for the main station with about 4 or 5 yet to do.

Each signal is workable by your chosen method and is fitted with LEDs in the lamps. The arms, lamps, backlight blinds, lampmans platforms are whitemetal. The posts are brass tube or etched brass from MSE. The ladders, coloured lenses and post caps are also from MSE.

Some of them are shown in the gallery to the right in which I will eventually show all the signals I have built. Click on each thumbnail for an enlarged view and then use back button to return to page.

Click on the picture above to see a short clip of the signal operated on memory wire.

Some Working signals I have built for TALACRE with more to come. Click on thumbnail to see enlarged view then use back button to return to page.

Home & Distant for "Llandudno Jc"	Back of Home & Distant for "Llandudno Jc"
Constructing MSE welded stem bracket signal for "Llandudno Jc"	MSE welded stem bracket signal for "Llandudno Jc"
MSE welded stem bracket signal for "Llandudno Jc"	Triple arm shunt signal
Bracket for approach to "Chester"	Back of Bracket for approach to "Chester"
First 4 signals for layout just prior to installation.	Constructing Lattice/tubular triple bracket for approach to "Landudno Jc"
Constructing Lattice/tubular triple bracket for approach to "Landudno Jc"	Constructing Lattice/tubular triple bracket for approach to "Landudno Jc"
Lattice/tubular triple bracket for approach to "Landudno Jc"	Constructing Lattice/tubular triple bracket for approach to "Landudno Jc"
Constructing Lattice/tubular triple bracket for approach to "Landudno Jc"	4 doll gantry for "Chester". Not quite right, its a GNR Lattice but all thats available for now!
4 doll gantry for "Chester". Showing illuminated route indicators working.	4 doll gantry for "Chester".
Bracket, up main/up slow for approach to Chester	Bracket, up main/up slow for approach to Chester

 

As stated above, I can build a limited range of 7mm scale LMS/BR(M) style tubular post signals to order.

The signals I have built so far are mainly designed for garden railway use, and as such they may appear a bit "chunky" and slightly overscale in some respects to be robust, but the main dimensions are from the excellent but now sadly out of print book, "LMS Signals" by L.G.Warburton Have a look at the galleries of photos to the right to get an idea of the end result.

The general specification is as follows:-

Main posts from brass tube, soldered.

Whitemetal castings for arms, lamps, bracket supports, backblinders, post caps, landings and other sundry post fittings.

Machined brass trimmers (the horizontal supports to which each of the "dolls" are fixed)

Brass wire, strip and tube for all necessary operating rods and cross shafts. "Return to danger" springs fitted if required.

OPERATING RODS EXTEND ABOUT 2" BELOW BASEBOARD LEVEL TO ALLOW FITTING OF YOUR OWN PREFERRED OPERATING METHOD.

Brass wire for safety railings around landings.

Etched brass ladders.

LEDs fitted to each lamp  and 500 ohm resistor wired to positive side with rest of signal as negative (if requested.)

Sprayed with primer then finished with appropriate enamels. Light weathering at no extra cost.

How much are they likely to cost?

As a rule an illuminated tubular construction straight post signal will cost £30 with one arm plus £10 per additional arm to a max of 3 arms.(4 if all are shunt arms)

A similar specification bracket signal will cost £50 with one arm plus £10 per additional arm to a maximum of 3 dolls or posts with a maximum of 6 arms in total over entire signal.

The maximum number of arms on each signal reflects what I can reliably guarantee to work! More than that is possible but the workings become a bit too crowded and cumbersome.

As stated elsewhere, a drive rod to approx 2" below baseboard level is provided but operation of the signals is left for the customer to provide their own preferred system.

I cannot as yet build an LMS gantry, but I am looking into getting etches prepared so I can offer these at a later date.

Please deduct £3 per arm for NON illuminated signals.

Feel free to email or phone to discuss your requirements. Full details in the contacts and ordering page.

I can only offer these prices on my own specifications but I will build from kits if requested. These will of course be more expensive due to higher initial costs. I can work to photographs or drawings if supplied.