O scale Double Head signals

If you had a few thousand friends that also wanted signals like that, maybe Atlas would make them.  It's a sad fact about O-scale that we are a small group compared to HO and N-scale, and the subgroup interested in specialized things like signals is even smaller.  Companies need to make a profit, and sales volume is king.

gwoods27,

I frequently ask the same thing but Bob is correct. It's a sad reality and a sacrifice you make to model in the king of scales.

Dave

I'm planning a BNSF/UP-themed O-Scale Layout set in the modern day. I would like to have some of those hooded signal heads when I get to that point. If you want some, K&R Custom Signals will make them custom for you. Just email them. I don't know the link, but if you look up K&R Custom Signals on the internet, you can find their email easily.

I looked for K&R Custom Signals, but was not able to find a home page -- only a couple of sellers, including Mr. Muffin. A company called Custom Signals, now out of business, used to produce variants of the Atlas O-scale signal line (with circuit boards) that were very nice. They produced searchlight and Style G heads. I guess the comments made earlier, about insufficient demand in O-scale, also apply to the products Atlas produced.

Atlas had advertised a style D signal head, but the line was discontinued before that one appeared on the market, unfortunately (I wanted some for my D&RGW layout).

it's a simple 3D model.

but I dont have actual dimensions.

I agree with the original poster,  those signals would be great to have.  Signal bridges generally seem to be a weak spot in O gauge.  MTH had some nice scale signals and crossing gates, but the signal bridges don't seem to be a priority.  Seems like it would be a good opportunity for Atlas.  Maybe Menards could step in here.  Could sell components in kit form, so you could customize for single track, double track, etc. 

@Bob posted:

If you had a few thousand friends that also wanted signals like that, maybe Atlas would make them.  It's a sad fact about O-scale that we are a small group compared to HO and N-scale, and the subgroup interested in specialized things like signals is even smaller.  Companies need to make a profit, and sales volume is king.

I have always wondered just how many HO scale trains are in places? (homes, clubs, etc.)

vs

O scale

100/1

1000/1???

What's the consensus?

Unfortunately, even when you add the 3RS numbers to the mix, there aren't enough of us to justify mass production of a lot of items that are offered in HO. I was lucky enough to find a couple of three head, single mast signals.

there aren't enough of us to justify mass production

that's where 3D printing comes in to fill that gap.

then I came across this 2015 thread....

Modern cantilever signal bridge | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum (ogaugerr.com)

This  was hand built...... before 3D printing.

there is enough in the thread to design a 3D model, actually one  is in the thread.

designed by our French member. jeanpat.vincent

Hi all,

I found the contact info for K&R Custom Models and contacted them. They offer a cantilevered signal bridge, seen in the last photo, similar to the one the original poster shows. I think it could be a good model if they thinned all of the supports. They do custom work as all of their signals are 3D printed, so this could be a good solution!

Their contact info is below:

Ken Oehrig <ken.oehrig@gmail.com>

Richard Oehrig <richardoehrig@gmail.com>

I have permission from Ken and Richard to share these photos.

I returned their dual search-light signal. The installed heads were too misaligned for me.

You can see the misalignment in the photo above.  They need alter their design to force correct straight alignment.

@luvindemtrains posted:

gwoods27,

It's a sad reality and a sacrifice you make to model in the king of scales.

Dave

There's no sadness in this.  It's just a simple fact.

When we, or a manufacturer, or a marketer, or anyone for that matter, start attaching emotions to a situation the analysis will get skewed very quickly.  Instead we need tom stick to the technical facts.

If there's no present market for them, then there is none. It is what it is.

So, for those of us who absolutely must have these, in spite of overwhelming odds, then 3D Printing will have to save us.

Fortunately it appears to be capable of doing so.

Mike

I can totally understand now why these manufacturers don’t produce much in the way of Signal Systems in O. For one a group of us don’t have the Layouts large enough to fit them. It takes a decent sized space to make these look at home. I once had a layout big enough and bought the Atlas Signals in a 4 pack but soon after took the layout down. Since then I’ve had the system up for sale and can’t seem to sell them. So I’m guessing there is no interest. So that is probably another reason why they don’t manufacture them.

I've got some single, double and triple head G signals from Custom Signals/Atlas that I have been trying to sell for several years without any takers.  Erik Peterson at the Denver National was looking for people who were interested in modern signals.   I don't have contact information but as he was part of the convention committee he can probably be easily contacted.

Here's another photo of the cantilever that K & R has that seems to be an even better match for the OP is asking for.

That one looks awesome, I’ll need to get in contact with them, I didn’t realize they had so many other ones outside the ones for same thru Mr Muffin, Legacy Station, etc…

I’ve already got a double street light style one I’m very happy with.

They really need to get their own website up for custom orders.

O-scale modern cantilever signal bridge model with searchlight style signals----  not yet printed.

3D model based on jeanpat.vincent's designs

https://ogrforum.com/...8#175850073690928988

Very cool Alan!  I’ve been tinkering with the idea of getting a 3D printer, got any suggestions?

It's difficult to achieve the look of the modern signal bridges without making the poles and lattice oversized.  It appears to be a delicate balance between appearance and durability?  The durability isn't important until someone accidently hits it and destroys it.  Most signals are by nature in a vulnerable location along the outside edge of the layout.  One solution is to install rigid plexiglass on the layout fascia to protect them, but that detracts from the beauty of the signals. 

Alan your design seems like it does a good job of achieving this balance to me.  Nice job as always.

Art

Moved my part of this thread to the 3D print discussions

https://ogrforum.com/...2#175850073693806472

Got the link?