Signal boxes

[Eddy Williams]

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.

[Doddy]

Hello Eddy,

You can also add the following locations . . .

   
• Drump Lane (Redruth Cornwall)
• Astrop (Kings Sutton nr Banbury)
• Cranwell (East Somerset Railway)
• Malvern Wells

And there I was expecting you say it was a copy of the RATIO signal box. 



Either way, the technique you have developed for 'interlocking fingers' works really well on your models. 

[Eddy Williams]

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

[cabbage]

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

[753]

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

[Eddy Williams]

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

[IanT]

Wouldn't laser cut parts (in mild steel) be a good alternative for working levers/frames?

IanT

[Eddy Williams]

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,

[IanT]

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