Accuracy of signals for a "fun" layout

[garrettendi]

I'm creating an oval-based layout, with plans for inner loops, fiddle yards etc. It's purely for fun, but I want to focus on GWR and early BR locos.

 

Having said this, to make it more fun I'm tempted to get Train-Tech One-Touch DCC light signals, but doing this would sacrifice any accuracy to GWR/BR in place of just "more fun".

 

Sorry if this is the wrong forum, but what do my fellow modellers think? How do I trade the accuracy/fun of a purely personal layout?

[LCDR]

 You can get working GWR pattern  semaphores but these will require a bit more work to make them work on DCC.  However it is your layout and if you want to put colour light signals on for 'play value' (more fun) you should just do it.

[Ruffnut Thorston]

It is worth remembering that the first Colour Light Signals were on the Liverpool Overhead Railway opened way back in 1893 with lightweight electic trains . It was the world's first electric elevated railway, the first to use automatic signalling and electric colour light signals.

 

The GWR had colour light installations at Paddington, and some other installations as well....

 

At the end of the day, it is your own world! 😉

[The son of Triangman]

If it's truly a fun layout why bother using exact scale signals. It's worth bearing in mind OO scale track is narrow gauge with a 16.5mm back to back measurement instead of 18.83 scale and the sleeper spacing of mainstream manufacturers track is wrong. Just enjoy and make it a fun layout, who cares about accuracy when the track is all wrong

[Buz]

 Hi garrettendi

Well GWR electric semaphores are avalable as are early colour light signals.

Well your never going to have an acurate signaling system basicaly no one has enough room to do full signaling.

My first question is if its play value you want what do you actually want the signals to do run automaticaly

or strategicaly control trains under your comand just like in a signal box

Or nothing just something for you to play with changing aspects with no other effect.

There are enough signals out there to get at least Period suitable ones and the Cct's to DCC them or control lthem in association with DCC

Or just set them up to play with.

Its all a what do you want and how much it costs exercise then do it.

regards John

[walkingthedog]

You're always saying about the track SoT. It's just over 2mm. Miniscule to most eyes. 

[garrettendi]

Thanks for the advice everyone. So basically the general trend is that if I want more accuracy, there are options that are slightly more complex, but if it's just a fan layout, why not just go with what I want?

 

I think for the time being I'll go with the signals I wanted, they are simple to set up and to take down when I want to go more complex.

 

Thanks, all!

[walkingthedog]

I have non working Dapol semaphore signals on my layout. They are roughly in the correct place and look OK to me. That's all that matters. I should have loads more to make it accurate but it would look stupid. 

[96RAF]

On one of my earlier layouts, I had some DIY dual red/green led 'signals' at my junctions.

The road given the right of way (i.e. the direction the point was set) showed green and the other road showed red.

When the point was switched the other way the colours swapped over.

Totally unrealistic, but good enough for my purpose (i.e. to indicate which way the points were set) as I could see them from across the layout.

Here's a picture...

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/1294780820/gallery_7193_1326_7128.jpg

[RB51]

Does the job RAF96. R-

[96RAF]

Does the job RAF96. R-

 

I tried various configurations Rog

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/1294780820/gallery_7193_1326_241.jpg

[garrettendi]

@RAF96

 

Those look amazing!

[96RAF]

@garrattendi

Unfortunately Maplins dont appear to stock the bicolour red/green leds in a pcb mount black plastic housing any more but RS Components do similar http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/pcb-led-indicators/6163983/

 

These are the bases 21mm square  - http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/small-cable-tie-base-black-100-pack-sj14q you can get them larger at 28mm square.

 

The post was a large diameter black plastic straw. Apart from a couple of 1K resistors and a bit of wiring thats it.

[96RAF]

For anyone interested in the above diy lights here is the circuit, which could be applied to a more protypical 2 aspect lamp..

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/1294780820/gallery_7193_1326_1962.gif