Sending Out The Right Signals...

Berko Colour Light Signals

To give myself a break from working on rolling stock, I like to occasionally have a go at something else that will contribute to the layout in the end. Signalling on many model layouts is often overlooked, or if not, the signals used are normally nothing like the real item and are either just overscale or are poor 'bare bulb' representations of colour light signals. You can get very accurate bespoke models made up by a couple of specialist suppliers, but these are normally quite expensive and I fancied having a go at adapting some of the current better ones that are available.

After having a look at what was around, the prebuilt Berko signals offered not only a wide choice of variants but also looked pretty good to me once I had 'tweaked' them a bit to how I wanted them. Consulting my design plans for how the layout will eventually appear, I managed to come up with a list for the different types of signal needed. Where non were available, I intended to alter the prebuilt ones to fit in with the design I required.

In all I needed a mix of 2, 3 and 4 aspect signals. Some with junction feathers, some with route indicators and some with call-on lights. When purchased, the Berko lights are basic but the detail that is there can be added to. For each signal the first thing I did was to remove the oversize telephone box and replace it with a white metal scale sized one. The signal base was then given an overall wash of Sky Grey (Tamiya Acrylic) and the signal head was given a coat of Nato Black (Tamiya Acrylic) which transformed them from their original glossy silver and black 'plastic' finish to something far more realistic. In time, no doubt, some subtle hints of weathering and rusting will be added to them also.  

This shows the initial models for the 2 and 3 aspect signals. A couple more junction 'feathers' still need to be added. The route indicators on the two rear 2 aspect signals are non-working. I've mounted them all on a balsa box for the time being so as to keep them safe but also so that I can test wire them up - photos of them lit and working will appear soon.

Signal numbers were then added to correspond with wherever the signal appeared on the track plan. These were drawn up in Adobe Illustrator and printed off, then stuck to pre fitted mounting plates. All in all I'm really pleased with how they've turned out. I've still to tackle the 4 aspect signals for the main line and also have some plans to produce a few ground signals too. For the time being the plan is to operate these manually with 2 and 3 way switches, but in the end I'm hoping that some kind of IR control (Heathcote Electronics) will be able to automate many of these - being triggered when the train passes by the signal and so starting the red to green sequence.