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2mm scale model signalbox with working mechanical levers and illuminated signal repeaters.
Dia:M1 Front & End elevations showing equipment locations.
Mechanical .
Stoneybridge West signalbox started life as a Ratio N gauge G.W.R. wooden signalbox kit. (Ref: 223) this has been heavily modified with selected levers being operated with mechanical rodding below the baseboards which also operated the visible point rodding & cranks on the layout. (See Dia: M2) The Lever Control Rod (CR) below the baseboard will be used to operate a hidden crank (B) attached to a spindle (A) which will transmit the rotary motion through the baseboard to surface crank (C) which will directly operate the visible point rodding (D and E). The lever control rod (CR) will also operate detector switches (SW) for electrical interlocking. This rodding mechanism will also be electrically interlocked at the point it controls to ensure the point has actually operated correctly.
Dia:M2 Section through baseboard showing mechanical linkages.
The signalbox is lit by a small 12v bulb fitted in the roofspace which is fed from the 4.5v DC lighting ring. Some of the block instruments are fitted with fiber optics that drop through the floor of the box to a group of LEDs in the interlocking room below. The LEDs are controlled by the signalling system and train detection circuits. Using LEDs to drive fiber optics is easily achieved by carefully drilling a small hole into an LED to accept the fiber optic cable, taking care not to get too close to the actual diode. Do not use a glue that will "frost" the surface of the optic fiber, this will create a rough surface and will diffuse the light instead of transmitting it to the end of the fiber.
Signalbox Interior viewed from above.
I painted the upper half of the interior bulb silver to direct light down into the box, the inside of the roof is also painted silver with the outside having 3 coats of paint to ensure light does not seep through the roof when operating the layout in darkness. The power feed wires to the interior bulb have been glued to the back wall and to each other making the wires support the bulb in position. The third lever from the right is operational, the gaps in the frame where floor colour shows through will be filled and painted black matching the rest of the frame. The stove and chair are not yet finished and have been placed in the box to get an idea of how it will look, I am not entirely happy with the position of the chair which may be moved to the other end of the box to help hide the interior lamp wires. The box will be viewed from the rear allowing the illuminated train indicators to be seen, all operating levers will be located at the ends of the lever frame as they can be viewed through the end windows. (Instrument shelf not fitted at this stage)
Copyright Notes
