I have an area where the only way to put in signals is by means of a cantilever signal tower. Except for the cheap crappy looking Chinese ones all other manufacturers are no longer making them or no longer. Anyone know where I can get the plans to one.
Fergie
Do you mean one similar to the one offered by NJInternational:
or BLMA (Atlas):
https://shop.atlasrr.com/p-53928-ho-scale-signal-modern-cantilever-bridge-2-track-4-head-left.aspx
There is a lot of things in the NJ Signals catalog that is out of stock. Are they having problems?
Can’t even get on the Atlas site. Seems to be down
Atlas $30
I’m in agreement that there are very few “active” suppliers of signal equipment. I really like to have signals on my layout.
I visit several sites in search of signal data. This one has many photos of various signal bridges:
https://www.railroadsignals.us/bridges/signalbridges/index.htm
I’ve used basic girder sections and legs from Walthers conveyor parts, Tichy platform and fire escape parts and parts from Oregon Supply, whos owner recently passed away. You might be able to scale basic dimensions from the photos and use Evergreen styrene or K&S brass to make your own elevated structures.
Here’s another site with a wealth of signal information you may find useful:
http://www.rrsignalpix.com/index.php
If you click “Documents” in the header you will get dozens of signal manufacturers booklets. There “may” be plans for a signal bridge in these. I have also looked through my plan books for PRR, B&O and NYC and there are plenty of drawings for single mast signals but nothing representing a cantilever or bridge.
This is one I built from a Model Memories kit. Their web site seems to be up-to-date so maybe the items are still available?
Here it is again after I put the heads on it:
Beeliner_1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Model Memories etched brass:
Henry
It’s been like that for years. I called and talked to the NJI USA rep about 5 years ago and he told me that they only tool up on one product at a time by demand. At the time I was looking for HO single target heads. I waited for six months and finally ended up making my own heads. It wasn’t hard at all, a standard ⅜” #6S brass washer is the correct size for the sunshield and 5/32” K&S brass tubing is the correct size for the signal housing.
I bought a couple of two track signal bridge kits about 5 years ago from TrainCat Models, Bob Knight is the owner. His wife died sometime back and I haven’t been able to get a hold of him since. His kits are very good laser cut brass kits.
Mel
There’s a guy in Calgary who’s selling target heads
There was a company at the National Train Show who was making signals ‘Custom Signal Systems’ Stuff looked good and I had them make me a two track signal bridge. Working on getting it installed on the layout as we speak. I’m using rotary switches to control the signal aspect since I dispatch during op sessions.
I have a couple of the NJ International HO Scale Cantilever signal kits that I built for my old layout. They are highly detailed but quite flimsy because there are so many small, delicate parts. But, for the price, they are worthwhile additions to a layout if they can still be found available.
Rich
Thank you! Looks like shapeways is my best bet as BLMA and NJI are not presently producing.
How about this company http://www.oregonrail.com/items.html
Ron High
I seem to recall hearing that the owner, Dick Yeager, had passed away in 2015.
From your link the first line at the site:
See our exciting new items for 2010
I have several Oregon kits and several of their signal bridges but I bought these years ago.
Dick’s wife and son were trying to keep business going but I haven’t seen much activity in recent years.
Regards, Ed
I placed an order with Oregon Rail in June and received it in 6 days.
If you are going with single head three color LEDs go with the SMTL4 RGY, you won’t be sorry. Perfect colors.
The SMTL4 doesn’t have a lens but it’s a piece of cake to make one.
BLMA was bought by Atlas.
If you are looking for the modern style cantilever thingy, Atlas has them. Walthers shows them in stock: https://www.walthers.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=+70000098. I’m sure if you search for that you’ll find them less expensively.
Not what the OP wants, but Atlas is working on a signal “system”
So far I haven’t found the the instructions for their signal board.
http://download.atlasrr.com/SignalSupplementCONSUMER.pdf
Found the destructions:
