Can anyone give some advice as to what manufacturer they’ve used (successfully) for their HO signals? I’m trying to pick a good manufacturer for block signals and other signals as appropriate i.e. dwarf signals for yard or station use.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Dusty
Tomar is an excellent company. I have some of there Semaphores and they look and work bueatifully. They also make block siganling and dwarf signals. All are powered by LEDs and you can purchace directly from them.
James
N J International is another. Look for their ads in MR.
I make my own from IHC components.
Although, I’ve never used them, friends say wonderful things about Oregon Rail Supply kits.
Nick
I’ve had great success with Tomar Industries’ signals.
Craig Cooper
I like to scratch build my signals using brass tube, brass bar stock, brass ladder, bi-color leds, small washers, some small wire, balsa wood for the base, and .005 sheet styrene for the lens covers. A bit of soldering, CA glue, and walhaa a signal. They take about three hours to build. It’s the most economical way if you plan on lots of signals but the companies aboved mentioned like Oregon rail supply and tomar make nice pre-assembled signals. I also like to use DALLEE electronics train detection circuits to drive the signal lighting.The DALLEE system components are really simple to wire for train detection and work with both DC and DCC…here’s a pic of one of my scratch built signals.
chuck
At my club, we use Integrated Signal Systems for our custom signals:
http://www.integratedsignalsystems.com/
I know it doesn’t look like much on his website, but ISS will do custom signals…and assemble them for you if you pay a little more.
We also use Tomar signals and have had good success with them.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
THERE ARE TWO THINGS regarding Signals:
Makers of SIGNALs themselves (Hardware). Tomar, Oregon Rail Supply, etc.
Makers of Actuation/ Detection: IE (Software). Relay. IR, Resistance
SOME make one. (ISS makes both).
Most expensive: Semaphor. (Less expensive: LEDs)
More expensive: 3 Color RGY. less expensive: 2 Color RG)
Most expensive: Bi-directional. (least expensive: Single direction).
EXAMPLE: A passing siding needs twin signals/semaphor blades to enter. (Bi-direction needs 2X). SIGNALS require blocks - whether you are DCC or DC.