Ok, I am looking for a semaphore signal prototypical to those used by Union Pacific in the 1950’s. I have gotten several suggestions on a different thread however I found a problem. I can’t mount an under the table switch machine to operate it, my layout sits on a chunk of foam glued to plywood, and the whole thing sit flat on top of a table (wchich I am not about to put holes in). Do any signals not require switch machines? Is there another way to power signals? Specifically the ones from Tomar industries looked like what I need, if you need to know a specific brand, but I am willing to change if needed.
Tomar makes a very good looking semaphore. They make it so you can use a tortoise switch machine with there semaphores. ( You could lenghten the metal string so that the switch machine can reach the metal and operate it better.) I donot know of any other companies but another idea would be to keep it the way it is and do not add a switch machine to it.
http://www.tomarindustries.com/
They make probably the best looking Semaphores I’ve seen in a long time and the best running.
James
Putting a hole in the table is not an option! The signals should be located fairly close to the edge of the layout. Is it possible to mount the switch machine on the side of the layout and run the wire through a tube that make a 90 degree angle?
Yes, it should be possible. You might want to e-mail the guys at tomar and ask if the swicth machines can be put at a 90 degree angle. The swicth machines work by moving side to side. (This style of machine is for a turnout… Tomar sells the machine thats moves up and down not side to side.) So if the machine is on its side it should move in an up and down direction making it possible for the semaphor to work that way. Thats a good idea.
If all hope is lost on this idea you may have to result to a none working signal thats just lights or go and find a different company.
James
Operating SEMAPHOR’s is an expen$ive proposition (1) Semaphor (2) Motor drive (3)Electronic’s so they move with the trains. It’s also MECHANICAL.
SEARCHLIGHT signals,while not 50’s, are simpler, replaced semaphor’s
on all mainline’s, and will do what you want, since they use cicuit board’s and LED’s.
How many block’s do you have?
BEFORE you go any further, WORKING Semaphor’s will run you $100 per block (UP).
Searchlight’s half of that.
If you want Semaphor’s, I’d suggest using as dummies for look’s.
No this is a very simple, I don’t have DCC and I don’t have specific blocks. I just want to have a operating semaphore in a scene. Maybe dummies would be better, but it just itsn’t the same.
Duke,
DCC has nothing to do with it. Like others have mentioned, semaphore signals are ‘expensive’ - the signal/Tortoise/electronics to drive the actual signal are very expensive. Tomar does have a ‘remote’ actuator that could be used to drive the Tortoise linkage, but you still will need at least 1" - 2" of vertical clearance under the signal itself. Since you are not linking this to the actual track block, what do you really want? Just the signal to randomly go up and down?
I have a pair of semaphore that guard a crossing with another rail line. I have over $200 sunk into this operation. And another $250 in a ‘signal system’. The other 7 blocks will get ‘normal’ color light signals…
Jim