I noticed in British Railway Modelling for November a review of a Midland Railway signalbox kit by "York Modelmaking and Display Limited". It is 4mm, but looks to be nicely engineered with a laser cut plywood carcass and cut plasticard overlays. I am no expert on the Midland, but it looks so nice that I wondered about asking them to up-scale it to Gauge 3.
However, it is 4mm and costs £84, plus £9.50 for the staircase (its no good without), £15 for the toilet block, and £14 for the glazing kit. Scaling up would increase the cutting time by a factor of at least 4 (could be more for the thicker materials), which would make it a very expensive kit. It woud also need some re-design to strengthen some parts - notably the walkways.
I concluded that was too much for me, but has anyone else come across a suitable building kit in the smaller scales which lends itself to up-scaling like this?
Mike
I have been talking to them about a possible G3 version of the MR box. More about this in March G3 Newsletter.
Ian
I think if I still 'did' 4mm, I would stick to the old Airfix 'Oakham'. Over one hundred pounds for a signal box seems an aweful lot of money!
The biggest problem in trying to scratch-build a signal I have found is the windows, however it's ammazing to see the variety of window styles used by pre-group companies.
Ian the Gauge '3' Pirate
Hello All
Any one wanting phot's or basic measurements of surviving signal boxes W.Yorks / South Leeds area drop the Wife a line and get her to have a look .
John
Ian - I didn't see it in the March Newsletter, though I do frequently forget even interesting things these days! Is it still on the cards?
Mike
Noticed walsall model ind are bring one out.
In anticipation of getting a resin moulded signal box before too long, I'm looking for a supplier of levers. Any suggestions please?
Oh, and just so that I know, how many levers are normally used for a real double-slip? Our model ones use four sliding bits I think, so does this really translate into four levers full size? 🤔
Thanks, Tim
Hi Tim,
Double slips have 2 sets each of 4 switch rails, where each set has a common tie bar - so only 2 levers needed for the actual turnout operation.
Any additional levers would be for locks - the use of which would depend on the location of the slip.
I'd need to consult my copies of 'British Railway Track' for further details.
Andy
I understand "Kippo" kippomodelsuk.com are working on a signalbox at present.
Tim
That's correct Tim, I'm hoping to get one! Ive seen pictures and the prototype build looks great. I'll let Eddie say more if he wishes.
Regards, Tim
Scale Rail were very happy to enlarge a 7mm signalbox to G3 for me and it worked well. I suspect several of the laser cut wood firms would be happy to do so, especially if you take it "as seen" with no warranty, just in case something doesn't fit perfectly as a result of the enlargement.
Mike
I have for sale a resin kit for a Gwr box,
£75 for the kit, there is a floor but no lever frame,
You will find it on ebay
, search for kippo models signal box,
Its a metal filled resin construction.
(https://i.ibb.co/2SRqcs7/IMG-20190924-134433.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2SRqcs7)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/G-Scale-building-Signal-Box/163877455879?hash=item2627db8807:g:lZIAAOSwCgldif7Z
Rather nice - where was the prototypes location?
Very nice Eddy.
The signal box is based on a mixture of gwr boxes, inspiration taken from toddington, Buckfastleigh, blue anchor crossing ect, It could do with some vents on the roof, something i will think about adding in future.
Hello Eddy,
You can also add the following locations . . .
- Drump Lane (Redruth Cornwall)
- Astrop (Kings Sutton nr Banbury)
- Cranwell (East Somerset Railway)
- Malvern Wells
(https://i.ibb.co/kH2chfd/GWR-7-Malvern-Wells.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kH2chfd)
And there I was expecting you say it was a copy of the RATIO signal box. :-[
(https://i.ibb.co/CBWxb4L/552.jpg) (https://ibb.co/CBWxb4L)
Either way, the technique you have developed for 'interlocking fingers' works really well on your models. ;D
Yes the interlocking fingers works ok, they need to be grouted tho, to fill in any gaps and to make them stronger, easily done with chemical metal or tile groute, i scrape it on then rub it off with a wet cloth, makes for a neat finish.
What would be really nice is a lever frame of sorts, not really sure the best way to go about doing this, the question being, static or the ability to be converted to working, or sorts, i quite like the idea of having the levers on my own box moving in relation to signals and points, even if its just for display purposes
(https://i.ibb.co/9n3YZDn/IMG-20190914-093231.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9n3YZDn)
GEM (as sold by MSE) used to make a white metal "gang of four" frame with brass strip levers. Simple interlocking I did using HGs system.
Regards
Ralph
Eddy
I think the etching process could produce a set of leavers and slotted curved base for your boxes, that could be sold an an accessory
Mike
(https://i.ibb.co/Jcf7qx5/DSC-0022-A.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Jcf7qx5)
Sounfs good mike, i think brass would be an ideal material to use, i will look into this in a few weeks or so, i have a house move coming up.. Railway has been dismantled and stored, hopefully i will be able to transplant the oval pretty much, so once i have got the workshop set up again, i will have some time to look into this lever frame
Wouldn't laser cut parts (in mild steel) be a good alternative for working levers/frames?
IanT
Yes ian, it has crossed my mind, a simple laser cut lever with handle in either thick brass or steel could work well, and the base 3d printed with some threaded rod to slot more levers together, which i can print myself.
I think a trip down south to a preserved railway to measure up some gwr levers might be an idea this summer,
A Scalefour Society member has implemented a sophisticated (interlocked) lever frame using Scalefour Society levers and MERG CBUS components. The levers are available as a 5-lever kit for £26 apparently - see here (which also has a link to the S4S Public Shop...) - which sounds very good value...
http://www.blockpostsoftware.co.uk/L_frame.html
The MSE (Wizard) 7-lever frame is £63 and from what I recall is well made but it would be good to see the two side by side to compare them for size, robustness and 'elegance' etc
BTW Eddy - I'm very sure I have drawings for a number of original lever frames somewhere, if I dig into my old MEs & MRJs - I think they both did articles on the original manufactured items together with scale drawings...
Regards,
IanT