New TrainCat Signals

[TrainCat2]

All,

Since these signals are designed to a new level of detail while the modeler is to be given more ability to create most signal types with these kits, I thought it might be worthwhile giving you a heads-up. My website has been updated with all of the information except for pricing, which will be forthcoming. The biggest departure is that each kit will have several styles of parts for customizing to your needs. The kits will come with dummy heads. Assembled heads and/or LED modules can be purchased separately. I will be also offering a wide range of bases that can be purchased to accommodate your needs.

Take a moment and peruse the website for Mast Signals (or just click the Signal image at the top) to see the different configurations. Please give your feedback as some changes can still be made if worthwhile.

[Scottl]

Any chance you can post a picture of the back of the searchlight heads?  They look very nice, just need to see how adaptable they will be to other configurations.

[ryan_wilkerson]

I'm interested in hearing more details about the LEDs available to light them.

[prdave]

Will the LED modules work with the old version PRR signal heads?

[Sokramiketes]

What diameter mast are you planning?  The sample looks larger than 3/64" that I've been using.  The 3/64" is even a bit oversize, but a good compromise when needing to feed 9 magnet wires down the shaft for a triple headed signal.

[randgust]

Bob, I've got to make a couple of these, and these are the tallest single-aspect searchlight I've ever seen.
http://www.rrsignals.net/Atsf/Albuquerque/2ndDistrict/EastPass/EastPass.jpg
http://www.rrsignals.net/Atsf/Albuquerque/2ndDistrict/WinslowYard/WinslowYard.jpg

When you're looking at the kits, any way to see if the mast & ladder length can accommodate anything this tall?  Or any way to modify (i.e solder ladders together, or have a longer piece of tubing would do it)?

[TrainCat2]

Bob, I've got to make a couple of these, and these are the tallest single-aspect searchlight I've ever seen.
http://www.rrsignals.net/Atsf/Albuquerque/2ndDistrict/EastPass/EastPass.jpg
http://www.rrsignals.net/Atsf/Albuquerque/2ndDistrict/WinslowYard/WinslowYard.jpg

When you're looking at the kits, any way to see if the mast & ladder length can accommodate anything this tall?  Or any way to modify (i.e solder ladders together, or have a longer piece of tubing would do it)?

Already done Randy, look at the center sheet of ladders I posted here:
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=31944.75

The electrical box base was done for these styles

[TrainCat2]

What diameter mast are you planning?  The sample looks larger than 3/64" that I've been using.  The 3/64" is even a bit oversize, but a good compromise when needing to feed 9 magnet wires down the shaft for a triple headed signal.

All of the signals are based on a .047" mast.

[TrainCat2]

Will the LED modules work with the old version PRR signal heads?

Yes, but they would short out. The new heads are non metallic.

[robert3985]

Several years ago, I went out along the UP mainline at Morgan and in Echo Canyon and measured the diameter of the mast on old D-type signal masts.  They are 6" in diameter (.0375"in N-scale).

So, I went online to Small Parts Inc. (since purchased by Amazon and Hypodermic tubing is no longer available.  It's available at Component Supply Company now, here: http://www.componentsupplycompany.com/hypodermictubing-size-chart.html   ) and found some stainless steel 304 hypodermic thin-wall tubing that with a coat of paint, would be perfect.  It has a .0355"/.036" outside diameter, with a .025"/.027" inside diameter, which makes the wall thickness around .005".  With an opaque, thin coat of paint (.0015") that'd make the OD .037"/.0375"....6" being .0375" in 1:160th.

If you buy a 60" length, it's $12.41 or app. 21 cents per inch.

Buy a 100' or more and the price drops to $9.20 per 60" length or app. 15 cents per inch.

All of my old D-Type signal heads will be mounted on this tubing because not only is it the correct diameter (with paint), it's also very strong and I don't have a problem soldering SS.

Unfortunately for me, it looks as if the projected TrainCat D-Type signal with the big hood isn't UP's style, which has an even bigger hood.  However, I'm pretty excited about the double relay base!  I'll have to machine a small adapter for my tubing to fit tightly into it, but that's not a problem for me and my old Clausing lathe.

Keep up the good work Bob!  These parts are sorely needed and I'm crazy about the etched detail on the targets. What a great touch!

[jagged ben]

Bob, I've got to make a couple of these, and these are the tallest single-aspect searchlight I've ever seen.
http://www.rrsignals.net/Atsf/Albuquerque/2ndDistrict/EastPass/EastPass.jpg
http://www.rrsignals.net/Atsf/Albuquerque/2ndDistrict/WinslowYard/WinslowYard.jpg

I daresay these were taller.   
http://redoveryellow.com/signals/tehachapi/030_West_Marcel_29190.jpg
http://redoveryellow.com/signals/tehachapi/040_West_Rowen_36164.jpg

...available at Component Supply Company now, here: http://www.componentsupplycompany.com/hypodermictubing-size-chart.html   ) and found some stainless steel 304 hypodermic thin-wall tubing that with a coat of paint, would be perfect.  It has a .0355"/.036" outside diameter, with a .025"/.027" inside diameter, which makes the wall thickness around .005".  With an opaque, thin coat of paint (.0015") that'd make the OD .037"/.0375"....6" being .0375" in 1:160th.

...

Nice.  I daresay that may be better than the 3/64 tubing by K&S that's available at hobbylinc and some other places.  Somewhere or other the old guy at Sunrise found some thinwall brass of about the same dimensions.  Curious if anyone knows of other sources.

[randgust]

Already done Randy, look at the center sheet of ladders I posted here:
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=31944.75

The electrical box base was done for these styles

I'm counting 18 rungs on the ladders on the Winslow signals and 12 on yours; your mileage may vary, and they are absurdly high for no particular reason.     That photo link above has mine beat by a mile, too.  I don't think the solution is to have to etch longer ladders, Bob, as those can be patched together, but the length of the mast (or more mast material available) will be the key.

[TrainCat2]

I have them both, ATSF and SP Tehachapi tall searchlights. Once I finish these, I will all of the types used on the loop!  As I am awaiting the photo tool, i'll post the pics when Etched.  BTW, the SP is taller by a half foot.

[peteski]

Nice.  I daresay that may be better than the 3/64 tubing by K&S that's available at hobbylinc and some other places.  Somewhere or other the old guy at Sunrise found some thinwall brass of about the same dimensions.  Curious if anyone knows of other sources.

I get my thin-wall brass tubing (and other shapes) from http://www.specialshapes.com/ . They are now a division of K&S, but they still carry a full range of excellent scratch-building supplies.  The website is not the greatest - but they are easy to deal with over the phone.

[robert3985]

I get my thin-wall brass tubing (and other shapes) from http://www.specialshapes.com/ . They are now a division of K&S, but they still carry a full range of excellent scratch-building supplies.  The website is not the greatest - but they are easy to deal with over the phone.

I get a lot of my scratchbuilding materials from them also.  Unfortunately, 3/64" tubing (with a thin coat of paint) is 1 3/4" too big in diameter (the closest to 6" that K&S carries). Now...you wouldn't think you could actually see a difference of .0109375"...but I think it's pretty evident.

Just sayin'...