Hey Craig - BLMA Signal Offerings?

[cv_acr]

I know Craig hangs out around here so here goes. I'm sort of asking this from an HO perspective, but I know the N-scale side is more active here, and this question kinda cuts across both scales.

BLMA currently offers basically one style of pre-assembled searchlight signal - well, OK, two: one with a single head, and one with two. Both variations with an integral signal relay box built into the base of the signal mast. The little video that's on the signal page on the site promises more variations down the road. So far only the one style is out there. Are there still plans to produce other styles?

My HO club is considering our options for signal kits to use, as we're wanting to get installation of our CTC/ABS signalling system off the group and hopefully actually start installing some signals this year. Up to this point, we've basically been considering using some modified Oregon Rail Supplies signal kits to build/bash the signals we need.
The other possible option is to scratchbuild some signals using BLMA signal heads. The scale-size heads are somewhat more expensive than the ORS parts, but finer detailed and better looking. It also looks like the best candidate for modifying into proper dwarf signals by removing the signal target, especially for those dwarf signals that we need that have double heads.

Questions:
- are the target and shade plastic? Etched brass? Are they separate pieces that are [relatively] easy to remove and reassemble, or are they soldered together? (for modifying into dwarf signals)

- our club is located in Canada and modelling a Canadian prototype. The integral relay box is not accurate for most or all of the signals we need to install on our layout. Neither is the wide spacing between the two heads on your double head signal (obviously it's dead accurate to the [UP or ATSF?] example in the video that the assembled model is based on, but up here the heads of a double-head signal are much closer together than that.) We have need of double [staggered] and single head block signals, and double [vertical] and _triple_ head interlocking signals. We DO expect to kitbash or scratchbuild many or most of these installations with whatever manufacturer's kits/parts we go with, but it'd be neat of some of the most common varieties were available ready to go.

Any plans to continue the BLMA signal line, especially with at least a version of the signal with a simple base and no relay cabinet?

The video also mentioned making dwarfs available. Any plans for those to still come out? (In particular, we need to install a number of dwarf signals with heads with no targets, and some of these dwarfs need to be 2-headed. If the target can be removed from BLMA's individually packaged heads, this can probably be kitbashed, but will still required scratchbuilding bases.

If you need/want any photos of some typical Canadian searchlight installations, I'm happy to do some legwork over the next couple months while I'm travelling around. Let me know what sort of angles or details, or anything to do that would be particularly helpful.

[ednadolski]

+1

Love to see some signal kits, esp, in N scale.   The SRE shutdown has left a void for signals, as well as lots of other parts.

And it's way cool that Craig always produces great, top-notch stuff


Ed

[Craig Martyn]

Thanks for the interest, Chris.  Let's get to the current state of facts:

1.  HO Scale Searchlight Signal Heads (#4001 and on our built-up signals) are a combination of brass target/visor and plastic head.
2.  Our second design release of signals will include single and dual head signals without the relay cabinet, with a straight (no platform) ladder and closer head spacing. 
3.  All of our HO Scale signals have done well.  We will continue to expand the Searchlight and Modern signal lines as time/resources permit.
4.  Dwarfs are scheduled for release with the next batch of signals (mentioned in line 2).
5.  Thanks for the note on Canadian prototype photos.  You're not the first to ask, and I think we've got our resources in line should we produce them sometime in the future.

As for the N Scale signals, I have no further update on them at this time.  They've been more challenging then expected, and I want to make sure we hit my objectives on price, fidelity and durability before we go into production. 

Thanks for your patience; it's just a matter of time...

I know Craig hangs out around here so here goes. I'm sort of asking this from an HO perspective, but I know the N-scale side is more active here, and this question kinda cuts across both scales.

BLMA currently offers basically one style of pre-assembled searchlight signal - well, OK, two: one with a single head, and one with two. Both variations with an integral signal relay box built into the base of the signal mast. The little video that's on the signal page on the site promises more variations down the road. So far only the one style is out there. Are there still plans to produce other styles?

My HO club is considering our options for signal kits to use, as we're wanting to get installation of our CTC/ABS signalling system off the group and hopefully actually start installing some signals this year. Up to this point, we've basically been considering using some modified Oregon Rail Supplies signal kits to build/bash the signals we need.
The other possible option is to scratchbuild some signals using BLMA signal heads. The scale-size heads are somewhat more expensive than the ORS parts, but finer detailed and better looking. It also looks like the best candidate for modifying into proper dwarf signals by removing the signal target, especially for those dwarf signals that we need that have double heads.

Questions:
- are the target and shade plastic? Etched brass? Are they separate pieces that are [relatively] easy to remove and reassemble, or are they soldered together? (for modifying into dwarf signals)

- our club is located in Canada and modelling a Canadian prototype. The integral relay box is not accurate for most or all of the signals we need to install on our layout. Neither is the wide spacing between the two heads on your double head signal (obviously it's dead accurate to the [UP or ATSF?] example in the video that the assembled model is based on, but up here the heads of a double-head signal are much closer together than that.) We have need of double [staggered] and single head block signals, and double [vertical] and _triple_ head interlocking signals. We DO expect to kitbash or scratchbuild many or most of these installations with whatever manufacturer's kits/parts we go with, but it'd be neat of some of the most common varieties were available ready to go.

Any plans to continue the BLMA signal line, especially with at least a version of the signal with a simple base and no relay cabinet?

The video also mentioned making dwarfs available. Any plans for those to still come out? (In particular, we need to install a number of dwarf signals with heads with no targets, and some of these dwarfs need to be 2-headed. If the target can be removed from BLMA's individually packaged heads, this can probably be kitbashed, but will still required scratchbuilding bases.

If you need/want any photos of some typical Canadian searchlight installations, I'm happy to do some legwork over the next couple months while I'm travelling around. Let me know what sort of angles or details, or anything to do that would be particularly helpful.

[cv_acr]

4.  Dwarfs are scheduled for release with the next batch of signals (mentioned in line 2).

Good to know.

5.  Thanks for the note on Canadian prototype photos.  You're not the first to ask, and I think we've got our resources in line should we produce them sometime in the future.

Cool. Here's hoping. If there's anything I can send your way, just let me know.

Our Canadian signals would include the ladder platforms and normally plain bases.

[cv_acr]

Any idea on when the next signal release is planned, including dwarfs? (esp. HO?)

[Bremner]

any chance for dummies?