Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2012 21:58:01 GMT
Hi All
Any suggestions for colour light signals for our 4mm LUL model railway
The signals do not have to work just look like LUL ones
I have seen the Dapol airfix signal gantery used as a LUL cable bridge and Metro or Radley used to sell the arched version but do not sell it now
Again any ideas?
Many thanks
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
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Post by neilw on Nov 7, 2012 15:18:38 GMT
For signals I use Traintronics two-aspects with the edges filed round to give the characteristic "oval" shape. The metromodels cable bridge lacked the depth of the prototype. Plastrut bent with the aid of some heat (water) does the trick.......
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2012 15:26:45 GMT
I've been working on modeling a two aspect signal head for 3D printout, using an Absolute Aspects ladder and safety rail (very similar to LU). I'm some months away from a final printout version, however.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2012 17:28:08 GMT
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metman
Global Moderator
5056 05/12/1961-23/04/2012 RIP
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Post by metman on Nov 7, 2012 17:44:41 GMT
I know Radley Models is currently working on one at the moment - due next year....
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2012 18:22:42 GMT
Hi Metman
that is good to know
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Post by railtechnician on Nov 7, 2012 18:45:49 GMT
I've been working on modeling a two aspect signal head for 3D printout, using an Absolute Aspects ladder and safety rail (very similar to LU). I'm some months away from a final printout version, however. Otherwise known as a short range colour light (SRCL) having larger lenses than a tunnel signal head and smaller lenses than a long range colour light (LRCL). |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2012 15:58:09 GMT
Railtechnician, I plan on producing more LU type signals for distance and "fog repeater", so your input would be useful.
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Post by railtechnician on Nov 11, 2012 12:14:00 GMT
Railtechnician, I plan on producing more LU type signals for distance and "fog repeater", so your input would be useful. I see the cost of 3D printing is coming down! One can produce one's own models on a home built 3D printer costing around £500 now. Mind you I don't know what the cost of raw materials is for plastics. I expect it won't be too long before everyone could afford their own proprietary 3D printer and create in plastics, rubber and metals although such machines are perhaps a year or two away yet. 3D printing seems likely to put lots of traditional modelmaking and other businesses out of business in the next decade. The machines seem to be moving away from the etching technique and more towards the depositing technique making items cheaper to produce through less wastage and are set to revolutionise the way that all sorts of things are manufactured. |
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
Posts: 284
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Post by neilw on Nov 11, 2012 17:31:40 GMT
The Traintronics heads are plastic and file down quite easily. I can't remember the exact plastruct part number now, sorry, but grab a handful of useful sizes and it's quite easy to do.
Regarding 3D printing, I've just been chatting to John Polley of Metromodels. He believes that most people will have a 3D printer at home in the next 10 years or so. He was also talking about the fact that you can now do it in materials like stainless steel. If you need a new hip, they will soon be able to 3D scan your own, knock up an exact replica by 3D printing, and away you go...........
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Post by railtechnician on Nov 12, 2012 4:10:56 GMT
The Traintronics heads are plastic and file down quite easily. I can't remember the exact plastruct part number now, sorry, but grab a handful of useful sizes and it's quite easy to do. Regarding 3D printing, I've just been chatting to John Polley of Metromodels. He believes that most people will have a 3D printer at home in the next 10 years or so. He was also talking about the fact that you can now do it in materials like stainless steel. If you need a new hip, they will soon be able to 3D scan your own, knock up an exact replica by 3D printing, and away you go........... A week or so ago Newsnight had a couple of minutes with a 3D printer and his machine which was producing pens in rubber. Metals were mentioned as were those medical uses which included dental work which is already in use for rebuilding people's jaws. What was also illustrated was the ability to manufacture items with mixed materials i.e. part metal and part plastics. Somehow I think it will be a lot less than 10 years before 3D printing is in general use. The rate of acceleration of technical expertise does seem to be exponential. In my 59 years on the planet I have seen such progress but in the last 20 years so much has happened that I could not have imagined as a 30 year old or even a 35 year old. I'm looking forward to the next 60+ years! |
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