What did UP use for signals in the '50s
(or did they use semphaores/)
[?]
That’s probably a question to post on “Prototype” forum.
Tom
Well, if we’re on the subject of signals, why not another question?
I know in O you can get the Lionel block signals and those kinds of things, but what do you generally do on a layout signal-wise in HO?
there are electronic modules that are connected to the feeders that are soldered to the rails from your power buss. they detect current flow through the wires and can be used to operate signals or to show block occupancy. your layout will have to be divided into blocks with insulated joints. i’m planning to use several of these but i am not sure if they control a relay or just use a transistorized circuit for the switching. they only operate with the current draw of your locomotives .
If you’re running DCC, Digitrax has a signal system available.
I don’t know about UP, but SP still used semaphores on the Sunset Route through portions of Arizona until the early 1990’s, and only replaced them as they wore out.
www.gatewaynmra.org go to library articles and electronic projects…there is a real good explanation of block occupancy signaling and a step by step instruction on building one for an HO layout Chuck
to answer the first question, UP used semiphore signals and then went to using lighted targets during the 50’s…if you model both you still will be correct
Oregon Rail Supply (see vendors’ links) has good, cheap, easy to construct block signals. Detectors may be electrical, or optical. See Pete Thorn’s book on electronic projects. Also, recently (last 5 years) MR has had articles on signaling control circuts and signal drivers.
I thik MOST RR’s in the 50’s were using Semaphor’s but were changing over to searchlights.
Santa Fe still had semaphor’s on their original Kansas main in the late 80’s, while their other division’s were using searchlight’s. I.S.S. or some other maker of model tsearchlights’s could probably tell you what the UP was using. Currently they are using hooded 3 lamp signals along hiway’s such as I-84. Figure $50 - $100 per block… Still interested?
More to the point, working Semaphor’s offer much more work, maintenance, and expense, should you decide to go that route.
Preference::
I’m very interested in siganling as well. I like the 2 and 3 aspect railroad signals that resemble traffic lights, used here on the east coast for many years and are still in use in some sections. The mast heads are black and the pole and ladder bright silver.
In the Walthers Catalog, the signals from New Jersey International look pretty nice. However, I know nothing about quality. Anyone familiar with NJ signals?
Control:
From the info available it looks like using Digitrax componenets makes setting up detection easier than it was years back.
I’ve always liked seeing signals in action and it looks so neat on a layout.
High Greens (literally!)
i use model power signals work good for me
A couple of notes about signaling:
o - Most semaphores were slowly replaced with either ‘searchlight’ or those stacked color light signals starting in the 50’s. There are variations of course(those tri-head signals that NYC and RI seemed to love). The ‘searchlight’ signal has a single lens, with a vane with different color gels between the lamp and the lens. It has a focused beam that is very directional and is quite strong.
o - Digitrax System. This system provides a computer via Loconet interface to the actual signals. You need to purchase 2 additional items to make the system work:
1 - Detection
2 - Software to do the ‘logic’ of deciding what aspect to display on each signal. This is not a ‘stand-alone’ system.
Other options are complete detection/signal logic systems like those offered by Altaras or LogicRail - Spendy, but very well thought out stuff. Of course you need to buy your favorite signals as well! BTW, Atlas has announced a new signal system with those NYC/RI style signals!
Jim Bernier