N scale signals?

Anonymous · April 23, 2005, 11:46pm

Hi,

I’d like to add signals to my layout, but most of what I can find has LEDs build in
already and costs over $10 a piece.

Where can I find some cheap signals that aren’t wired already, since I don’t mind
trying to drop LEDs into those myself?

Thanks!

Kyle.

orsonroy · April 24, 2005, 3:05pm

As usual, dig through Walther’s website:

Plus lots of other signalling goodies that I didn’t bother pasting. They’re all slightly more than you’re looking to spend, but you’ll end up with drop in signals requiring little or no work.

If you REALLY want cheap though, scratchbuild 'em yourself. Head over to www.digikey.com for LED options (including ones in plastic housings), buy some brass tubing and sheet styrene (for reflectors and bases) and get building. In bulk, they shouldn’t cost you more than $2-$3 apiece.

Anonymous · April 24, 2005, 4:13pm

Thanks for your reply!

Most of those signals are already LED equipped and cost more then I’d like to
spend.
The only thing I could find is a set of “no LED” signals made by Busch.
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/189-5850

Scratchbuilding them is an alternative, but I’d like to avoid that if possible…
I might try the Busch ones, although they’re “european” style signals.

I’m somewhat surprised to find out, that there is almost no selection of inexpensive
“no LED” signals out there for N scale. I would think that almost
every layout has at least one location where a signal is appropriate but LEDs
wouldn’t be visible because of the viewing angle. Who wastes money on a
“functioning” signal when a cheap “non-functioning” signal would do?

orsonroy · April 26, 2005, 11:37am

Well, there are relatively inexpensive bulb-type signals, if you include the Model Power stuff. At $13.95 apiece, they’re relatively inexpensive.

If you want cheaper (and more readily available) don’t bother with the Busch stuff. Scratchbuilding the signals out of plastic components wouldn’t be difficult, and would cost less than $5 apiece. Digging through the Walthers catalog (again), I’d go with the following:

NJ International: 4203 3-light head, or 4208 2-light head, both $2.59 apiece, and plastic.
Crest GOW bulbs, red, green & amber, $.40 apiece.
Evergreen tubing (pick a diameter), $2.99 a package, and good for over 20 signals.
Plastruct plastic (not ABS) ladder stock, $2.00 a package, and good for 2-4 signals.
Assorted small pieces of Evergreen strip styrene, too little to price.

With a little liquid plastic cement, you could crank these signals out while watching TV.

Anonymous · April 27, 2005, 10:42am

You’re right, Ray.

It’s realy not that big of a deal to put some signals together myself.
This is even starting to sound like fun.
I’ll get the parts and start building.

Now, speaking about block detection… (just kidding).

Thanks for your help.

Kyle.

*N* scale signals?

N scale signals?