signals3

Signals, Introduction SUMMARY Signalling was designed in from the start with my model. I wanted it working and in place. It also had to look authentic. There are plenty of pictures of signals available in the press, but I do not think it gives an introduction to the details. For Clutton, I needed basic straight post signals and a couple of brackets. THE PROTOTYPE I thought I would start by looking at basic signals, and build up to more complicated structures. So I started with fixed distants. Now I know these are not often modelled, but they form the building blocks towards the other signals. GWR posts are made of wood, concrete or even lattice. I will deal with tubular posts if I have room on the site. From 6" square at the top, they taper at 1" in 5'. Fittings are of cast iron. Finials are many and varied, I will try to illustrate a few here.

Cranmore, down fixed distant, note cut out behind arm, as this was at one time a working signal. (1976)
	A useful way of calculating the height of signals is by counting the rungs of the ladder. The rungs are 10¼" apart. The stiles were 10" apart. The rungs were ½" diameter. The post at Mells Road is 27'6" high. Posts over 26' high were fitted with 5' long arms. The other arms here are all 4' long.
Mells Road up fixed distant. (1978)


	Note how the lamp is mounted on a small bracket. The ladder incorporates a handhold at the top. The other stile is attached to the post.
Lostwithiel up branch distant. Lostwithiel is 21' high. Note that, unlike the other signals here, this one is complete, it is connected to the lamp out indicator. The battery box at the base is also complete. The battery supplied power to the "lamp out" indicator in the signal box.(1978) This would represent one wire to the box. Note the single insulator on the post.