Pennsy Position Signal Head -- a possible solution?

[DKS]

Getting the PRR position signal head "right" is hard. Mass-producing it is even harder. Here's a little something I've been working on for a while. The master is all brass, with correctly-shaped hoods. The resin casting has a nominal target thickness of .015".





It's not easy to cast, and I'm tempted to re-make the master so the soldering is cleaner, but I believe it may be worth the extra effort.

[Dave V]

You got my attention, sir...   

[Alwyn Cutmore]

David,

Just to stray away from this subject for a minute but I do promise to come back. Finally got your containers. Very salubrious, love the crispness of the castings.

Now back to the subject at hand. Have you thought of having them spun cast in white metal/pewter. Maybe a better option. that way you could also have the mounting brackets on the back.

Regards

Al

[peteski]

David: if you could make these from brass (lost-wax castings?), those would be excellent models.  I think that resin that thin will be quite fragile and easily damaged.

[DKS]

Have you thought of having them spun cast in white metal/pewter. Maybe a better option. that way you could also have the mounting brackets on the back.

David: if you could make these from brass (lost-wax castings?), those would be excellent models.  I think that resin that thin will be quite fragile and easily damaged.

Presumably these would be attached to an LED assembly, which in turn would have a mounting bracket, and provide added strength, although they're not as fragile as they appear. (Not to mention they're already the right color.)

I could also cast on a mounting bracket; it would just mean going to a two-part mold. But I'm not sure it would be worth the added cost.

I believe both spin-casting and lost-wax brass would be costlier still, but I will investigate.

[eric220]

You got my attention, sir...   

This

[Ed Kapuscinski]

The blanked out holes make me all weak in the knees...

I just had a thought about lighting it too. Has anyone ever tried using electro-luminescent stuff, like the light up signs?

[peteski]

The blanked out holes make me all weak in the knees...

I just had a thought about lighting it too. Has anyone ever tried using electro-luminescent stuff, like the light up signs?

Electroluminescent (EL) panels I've played with are relatively dim and have a fairly short life.  Unless you need a large area of soft and even illumination, there is not reason for using EL panels.  Plus the fact that you need to power them with around 100 V AC makes using them even more complicated.  IMO, LEDs are perfect light source for things liek N scale signals.

[towl1996]

Unreal.  Not only are you the Neil Peart of modeling, you're also doing a nice Geddy Lee.   Insane. A legend and friend to SPFs.

[pjm20]

 
Oh my goodness...
 
So much PRR in so little time! Thanks DKS, these will be a hit. I need lots o' postion signals.

[Mark5]

Hmmm, hope you'll consider these in CPL versions as Amtrak (NEC) and N&W/NS use/used. Mainly this means having the center light blanked out:

http://www.railroadsignals.us/rulebooks/amtraknec/index.htm

http://www.railroadsignals.us/signals/nwcpl/index.htm

Mark

[Bob Bufkin]

Good stuff.  And don't forget thatg B&Os were almost the same except for the color aspects.

[Lemosteam]

DING DING DING!  I'm in if you decide to produce.

David, in the short time I've been aquainted with you here on TRW, you have blown me away with your capability, kindness and creativeness.  Just awesome.

[nscaleSPF2]

David,  Really like the appearance.  Much better that the clunky head that I am trying to have Shapeways make.  Have submitted the design that appears in another thread (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=28968.0), and so far they have required 2 design revisions to the part.  At this stage, though, I am not going to give up.  Just my nature.

The trick with your design may be the LED light board.  Bob from TrainCat had some prototypes made, but I don't think that any were sold.

Jim

[sizemore]

Do I smell B&O hotness in the future?

The S.