Lehigh Valley signal bridge at Phillipsburg, NJ

[Frank Amato]

Fellas!  I'm not sure if this belongs in the electronics sub-forum or here, but I'll let the mods call it.  Anyway, I'm building the Traincat NYC B&O 4-track signal bridge with modifications to match the LV prototype:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=174442

The main structure is straightforward to build.  I have primed the main assembly with Tamiya Nato Black, added a wood walkway, and attached one of the handrails:





I am using short sections of the kit parts with Ngineering .042 tubing for the signal masts.  I cut small holes using a Dremel cutoff wheel which will allow me to route the LED wiring to the heads:



These last shots show the LED's and magnet wire leads.  Don't try this without good lighting and magnification! 





Next tasks are to complete the BLMA signal heads and mount them to the masts.

   Frank

[C855B]

... Next tasks are to complete the BLMA signal heads and mount them to the masts.

By BLMA heads, it take it that you are referring to the SA-type heads that you fold-up from an etched sheet. They are close facsimiles, but I find them a little oversized, and they draw the eye away from the rest of the model. Since you are (evidently) going single-color in the heads, given the level of detail with the bridge, take a look at the cast Showcase Miniatures dwarf signal as a source for the SA body. It has enough room to drill out for a single 0402 ("nano"), and you can tail the leads out the back, just like conduit. Might be worth a try!

[Frank Amato]

By BLMA heads, it take it that you are referring to the SA-type heads that you fold-up from an etched sheet. They are close facsimiles, but I find them a little oversized, and they draw the eye away from the rest of the model.

Mike, yes you are correct, I have the fold-up BLMA heads.  True they are a little larger than the GRS proto used by the LV, and yea I am skimping by using single-color 1206 size LED's.  I am planning to show the STOP aspect (red over red) on the westbound track, and APPROACH MEDIUM (yellow over green) on the eastbound track.  I'll just have to ignore any crew members running against the grain...

The Showcase dwarfs look awesome, but damn those nano-size LED's are TINY!  The rear of the signals will be facing away from the viewers, so I should have some slack on this project.  For the next one I may have to step up my game...

  Frank

[C855B]

By coincidence of timing Showcase Miniatures just posted (this morning, maybe?) that they revised the dwarf kit to make it more easily lighted. Not to steal JoeW's thunder, but this is along with officially releasing the full signal kits. When Joe posts, we need to suggest a signal bridge kit, basically consisting of dwarfs (dwarves?), heads without bases, and targets... all stuff Walter already has molds for.

[Frank Amato]

Quick update tonight.  The heat and humidity here in the midwest broke and I hit the four finished heads with a coat of dark grey metal primer:



This profile shot shows the detail of the hoods.  These were tricky to bend and secure with the LEDs inside:



Next up is securing these to the two masts and carefully fishing the magnet wires inside the tubing.

  Frank

[Frank Amato]

Spent some time at the workbench today and attached the four heads to the masts:



The most tedious part was fishing the magnet wires down the inside of the tubing!  These are now ready to attach to the signal bridge.

  Frank

[C855B]

Nice work, Frank. Looking forward to to the lighting ceremony!

[Frank Amato]

A little more progress...  The masts have been attached to the bridge, as have the remaining railings.  Additionally, I secured the magnet wires inside the framework, leaving enough to fish down through the layout base:





Some paint touch up remains, and then it should be ready to attach to the layout!

  Frank

[engineshop]

Very nice.
To solder the nano LEDs, I actually use a microscope now. They are just too small even with the best visor.

[CodyO]

Looks great I've wondered how these signal bridges will look and how easy they would be and I like them!!

[Frank Amato]

Following some fun soldering under the layout, I shot a few quick pics of the completed signal bridge:





I also managed to catch a set of GP38ACs heading westbound (looks like I need to tweak the DCC settings so the headlight on the trailing unit is off):



  Frank

[bdennis]

Very nice work Frank... They look great!

[TrainCat2]

Oooooooo . . . . . . . . . . . Shiney!

That is one HELL of a good modeling job Frank. Could have sworn that was a B&O than a NYC.

[Smike]

Very nice work! Since I live not to far from that bridge I've really enjoyed your modeling and would love to see more pictures of the layout. Love the GP's.  That area is in the short list of proto locations I'm considering for my layout.

Mike

[unittrain]

That is totally owesome  I got my Traincat lines west 4 tracker assembled and need to paint and weather it then see about leds.