I imagine that the kind of detailing to add for trackside signal towers, lights and signs etc. is specific to the function and nature of the railroad at that point on the layout…as it is in reality.
However, I am rather bewildered when I go into a hobby shop or look through a catalog of various lights, towers, signals available. And the operating electrical ones are really expensive.
So I was wondering if there are some basic trackside signs and structures that are “generic” to a layout…like signs giving the length of sidings, electrical boxes of some sort, mileposts, height gauges, etc. etc. that I could add to my layout to give some nice detail without a great deal of expense?
As it is, I have some telegraph poles but I have not worked out where I could put a simple country road or asphalt road in yet. So I will not deal with rail and road crossing signalling just yet.
I would be grateful for any terms or even photos of what you might consider easy trackside detailing.
Even things like milepost signs, yard limit signs, whistle signs, and those sorts of things were often RR specific. Heck, even RR crossbucks changed from RR to RR!
Now with items like that you can sometimes use a “close enough” approach, but thats only if your prototype didn’t use something very unusual or offbeat. For example, a standard crossing gate would be a poor standin for a wig-wag signal.
I don’t mean to belabor this any more then necessary, but those signals are very specific. In the last link given it even names the road that they’re specific to. Now, the lineside boxes, those are a bit more generic.
Thanks for all the links and tips, fellows. That is what I was looking for.
Now, that I see some of the generic “stuff”, and the concern for signalling that is road specific, is there a link or guide printed anywhere explaining when and where some of the signalling of the more sophisticated apparatus is/was used?
For example I see many kinds of two and three light pylons and several kinds of signal bridges etc. etc… and some of the signal systems with I believe older style signal boards.
I am not “in the know” about railway details so I could benefit from a little lesson or printed guideline about “what goes where”.
What’s it all about, Alfie? It is pretty. Can I use it anywhere?
new ties along the side of the track waiting to be installed. A spare frog near an important turnout. a spare crossing laying on ties near a major crossing in the event it fails. One rail from a three foot section along a track as a ribbon rail to be replaced. A couple ties at 90 degrees from the track for a handcar to be set out. Speed limit and whistle signs. Begin and end measured mile signs. radio frequency reminder sign. mileposts. Storage shed with track supplies. Dependent on era a call box to contact the dispatcher.
If your talking about signals, they are kind of specific to the individual RR’s. I will give you a couple of examples.
Our club is modeling the B&O in the early to mid 1970’s. I am doing the signal work including building the signals, placement, and all the associated electronics. I didn’t know very much about B&O signals before getting involved in this project, and it has been a constant learning process finding and gathering the information so that the system looks right.
I am also building my own home layout, which is a freelance RR, and I am going to add working signals to it as well.
These two railroads are going to use entirely different signal types. The B&O used color position light signals with marker lights, called CPL signals. My home system is going to use searchlight signals. Each is unique in itself. Each requires research to get them to ‘look’ right. The B&O is a real RR, so I have those resources to fall back on. My freelance RR will require me to find a RR that used searchlight signals, research that, and model something that will ‘look’ right for a railroad. Once I find the RR with the searchlight signals, I am going to have to be faithful in using those signals, even though my RR is freelance. Mixing and matching signal types just won’t work or look right.
So for signaling and their details, you have to start by making a choice of what type of signals you think you want to use, and then stick with it. That includes the types of signals, the types of cantilever signal bridges, large signal bridges, and dwarf signals. Most railroads had their own designs for each of these. There are no ‘generic’ signal systems in the transition time frame. In modern times, there are fewer types to choose from.
I use Life-Like signs for my layout. It takes some painting and detailing to achive a realistic look, but it works. And it’s economical because they come in really big packs. There’s a wide variety, so you can place them wherever they are needed.
You can get by with just one sign (or any other point along the right of way). Learn to estimate 5 seconds while counting. Then count number of 40ft cars (6" actual in HO) going by point in 5 seconds.
For generic details, look in pictures. Type in ‘pictures of railroad yards’ in the search field of your internet and see what comes up. Try ‘trains’ on youtube. Don’t forget to look at all the great photos in Model Railroader, Trains, or Railfan & Railroad for ideas. Drive around a bit and see what you can see from the road (don’t tresspass) or plan a mini-vacation day trip to a close railyard with a friend, maybe you can get them involved in the hobby too. Search your favorite railroad online and see the thousands of search results you get. You can spend months (years!?!) looking at all the content on some sites. Try your local library too. Ask questions or put up a flyer at your local hobby shop (LHS) to find other modelers in your area, most modelers love to talk about trains! Take this post as an example! lol
