Over the weekend I installed BLMA “A” frame and cantilever signal bridges on my HO Scale layout.
Since the layout is Santa Fe themed, these two signal bridges were pretty much must haves.
The kits were fairly simple to build, but super fiddly. I used shock resistant super glue which helped a lot, I think. I made it more difficult then it had to be though as I added diamond tread on both.
For signals, I used BLMA searchlight heads. They look amazing when lit. Very realistic. Twisting the wires to fit into a small pipe to conceal and then untwisting them under the layout board to hook up was pretty tricky.
The signals are hooked up to LogicRail Block Animator boards. However I am still in the process of adding sensing blocks to the entire layout to trigger signals (note the messed up ballast all over). The double head signal on the cantilever is connected to the turnout so it is showing the correct aspect.
OK, enough talk you want pics [;)]
Link to large image
Link to large image
Matt, you did a nice job & the signals look great. I especially like the cantilever signal. Thanks for posting the photos.
As I live very close to Basta Junction, I’ve often driven past the prototype cantilever signal (alas, now gone) that BLMA used for the model. At least it will live on on Matt’s layout!
Nicely done, Matt! You even managed to conceal thetrue nature of the “concrete” piers on the crossover bridge. [:)]
I sure remember the Basta cantilever. Always a must see when heading to the Fullerton DMV [;)]
There used to be some nice signal bridges around Placentia too. But these were also removed. At least the old searchlights are still at Atwood…although the Atwood sign was removed a few years ago. At least I think they are still there as I try to avoid that area now with the road crossover construction.
Concrete paint goes a long way [;)]
This evening I hooked up the signal blocks for track 1…the outer track on my layout. It is so cool to see the signals change aspects when a train passes over the block. It works so well that I’m going with it fully and will now have to make a lot of resistor wheelsets [:S]
When I ordered the Block Animators from LogicRail I requested flashing yellow as an option and they made some for me. For flashing yellow to work, I had to omit approach lighting. But since I wanted normal one direction ABS this was fine for me.
Oh if anyone was interested, I’m using NCE BD20 detectors for current sensing blocks. Nifty little things that work really well. I’m using 20 gauge wire for the track feeders with 4 loops through the BD20. My bus wiring is 14 gauge.
