I have a double crossover and I would like some info on how to apply proper signaling to it? For signals I would like to use semaphores! If anyone has any info or recomendations it would be helpful. Thanks
Term Clarifications and Layout Location of Elements Hello: Are we to assume that you have a stretch of double track with two pair of turnouts that allow trains traveling in either direction to switch from one track to the other? This is done without any form of "x" crossing of the diagonal trackage between the mains? Where is this trackage - is it within a yard or some other location cluttered with either other surrounding trackage, structures, and/or terrain features? Are you planning to buy or build the signals and related switching interface elements? These are all relevant questions because they control what you are up to, and how you go about it. For instance: a simple double cross over on a mainline track in an area uncluttered with any cultural or 'natural' scenic features, is only constrained by the size of the turnouts which is a function of the planned speed of train operation. In the real world these would run from a twelve up. In our modelled world a six would be the base, with a twelve being the upper limits of what you can buy preassembled. I assume that you are aware that semaphores cost more to either build or purchase than equivalent color lamp signals. They also are far more complex elements as operating units to ammend in order to get them to operate on signal bridges, and so forth. Since, unlike alternative searchlight, CPS, and colored lantern signalling, they cannot be produced as solid state units, there will be a tendency for the micro-mechanical elements to malfunction from time to time in an interlocked group of semaphores. Hence, any cumulation of four to eight blades on some smaller number of masts are likely to find gremlins at work for some part of the time. Like the real world the greater the mass of the components involved the more positive will be the operations. Presumably you are in 'HO', or you wouldn't be on this list, and ' HO' semaphores (using memory/muscle wire) can be made reliabily, with some success. 'T' and 'Z' scalers, are totally out of luck. 'TT' and 'N' scalers will not find any ready made bridge semaphores, as far as I am aware, because of the difficulty of dealing with the lack of mass in the components , and the difficulty of making small precision components at prices affordable to hobbyists. So give us more details of what you are up to, and also let us know what you fell your facility with model railroad "engineering" is like. Good-Luck, Peter Boylan
Replying I am using the double crossover (with a x betwene two main lines) to switch from a upper track to a lower track and on the semaphors, I am going for a 1930s-1940s forest look with two chalengers for my layout.I could go with target signals but semaphores look cool (when they work properly).I am going with circuitrons tortoise,remote signal activator,semaphore driver and opto block occupancy detector for electronics and mechanisms. For semaphores tomars double head semaphore is what I think I need to use. What do you think??? My other quistion is blade colors?
