I have number of signals on my layout, both dwarf signals and searchlight signals, all operating with LED lights, from Tomar Industries. They come fully assembled and ready for installation on the layout after adding resistors. These signals are great.
Recently, I added a lft out section to my layout to reverse the direction of trains. The lift out spans an aisle from one side of the layout to the other. I wanted to install cantilever signal bridges because of the proposed location on either side of the lift out where turnouts leave the main line to access the lift out section.
Not many manufacturers produce cantilever signal sections, but two in particular caught my attention when I scanned the Walthers web site - - BLMA and NJ International. However, neither of these manufacturers produce operating signals - - no LEDs installed - - but they do indicate that operating signals can be accomplished by adding targets and LED lights.
BLMA is an all-metal signal retailing at $60, while NJ International is a plastic signal retailing at only $18. So, I ordered two cantilever signal bridges from Walthers. I was shocked when the package arrived in the mail, and I opened it to find that it was totally unassembled, just a whole bunch of small plastic parts on sprue.
The description on the Walthers web site never mentioned that assembly was required. When I went onto the NJ International web site, most of their signals are assembled, but the cantilever signal bridge is referred to as a “kit” in the title. I overlooked the word kit but, subconsciously, thought it meant that targets and operating lights could be added. My fault! It is worth noting that the BLMA kit also requires assembly.
Yikes, the last thing I wanted to do was to assemble two plastic kits for cantilever signal bridges. I have built a lot of structures from kits but nothing so small or fragile as a cantilever signal bridge. But, I ha
Oregon Rail Supply also make the cantilever signal bridges and they are a lot cheaper. I think they are now producing them with LED’s. I have two kits but haven’t built them yet. I think I paid around $8.00 each, but that was a couple of years ago, they are collecting dust right now (I guess you could say they are being weathered?). Yours look pretty good though and should be reallly nice with LEDs installed.
I built the Oregon Rail cantilever, installed working signal heads, and installed them on my layout.
I used a 1/8 soft brass tube bent to a 90 degree curve and glued inside the box structure to both make the plastic stiffer, run the signal wires through, and help the mounting process to the layout.
Taking your time is important, and let one glue joint dry completely before moving on to the next one. I also made brass wire handrails instead of using the plastic ones.
Not sure exactly what kind of cantelever signal you’re looking for, but I was at my LHS the other day, and they had these 100% assembled RTR BLMA signals, that come with LEDs.
I’m planning on getting a couple of these and using the Logicrail system for detection.
My HO layout is currently under construction, and when “finished” (to the casual observer of course) I would like to add signals. I have checked them out over the years and found you tend to get what you pay for, and the really nice, ready to hook up ones are (to me) expensive.
That being said, there is nothing so impressive (again, to me) as a signaled layout!