PRR signal bridges in N scale... An idea?

[Dave V]

OK guys, I know I'm probably starting to annoy people now with all my Pennsy questions...sorry!

I regret that when TrainCat was still making etched brass PRR signal bridges, I didn't grab a few. I missed out on a number of opportunities for Pennsy N scale stuff, but that was a big one.

So, no currently manufactured signal bridges match a PRR Lines East design, such as below:

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Something I did notice is that--while crude--the OOP Bachmann N scale signal bridge approximates PRR Lines East construction, albeit with non-PL signals.

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Now, what I don't know is whether a single bridge will span a pair of Unitrack straights on a T-TRAK module or if I'd need two and splice them. I could also spruce up those handrails on top that don't look amazing. Lastly I also have some Alkem operating PL heads I could see if I could run up the signal bridge sides and actually illuminate.

There are a few Bachmann signal bridges out there on eBay.

What do you guys think? Or are there other options? Or does someone have a TrainCat bridge they want to sell?

[arbomambo]

Seems to me the Showcase Miniatures signal bridge would be a better starting point…
https://www.showcaseminiatures.net/n_scale/n_scale_century_foundry_signals/586.html

[bbussey]

It makes sense that the Bachmann model would be based on a Pennsy prototype given their proximity to the source reference material. I don’t think it’s that crude once the handrails are replaced. Showcase makes the target signals I think, so a combination of components from both manufacturers probably is the most expedient path.

[Dave V]

Seems to me the Showcase Miniatures signal bridge would be a better starting point…
https://www.showcaseminiatures.net/n_scale/n_scale_century_foundry_signals/586.html

I'm not seeing it... Very different truss configuration on the bridge itself. I agree that it's a much finer model, but it's clearly a RDG prototype and not at PRR prototype.

[Mark5]

I regret that when TrainCat was still making etched brass PRR signal bridges, I didn't grab a few. I missed out on a number of opportunities for Pennsy N scale stuff, but that was a big one.

I see your dilemma. https://www.traincat2.com/d_prr24.htm

Bob popped up near the end of last year with talk of a tank car platform kit and the resurrection of select existing kits, but then he promptly vanished again in January.

Mark

[delamaize]

this seems like it would be a great 3D printing Project.
That reminds me that I need to try to get back into 3D designing, like I was back when I was deep into MSTS mods.

[Dave V]

this seems like it would be a great 3D printing Project.
That reminds me that I need to try to get back into 3D designing, like I was back when I was deep into MSTS mods.

One wonders how well it'd render... Would all those fine structural members end up straight?

[peteski]

One wonders how well it'd render... Would all those fine structural members end up straight?

And how fragile those close-to-scale cross-section structural members be.

[Lackawannae8]

https://customsignalsystems.com/n-scale-signals
Give Him a shout he might be able to help. builds nice stuff

[reinhardtjh]

Bob popped up near the end of last year with talk of a tank car platform kit and the resurrection of select existing kits, but then he promptly vanished again in January.

Mark

I think we overwhelmed him and he said "Nah, I'd rather fly my planes."  I hope it was something like that at least.