I am using WeHonest O Gauge Railroad Crossing Signals on my layout but you should be able to adapt whatever brand you have to secure them better. I have 2 inch foamboard on top of 1/2 inch plywood. The signal base only has a 15 mm (9/16 ") threaded base on it to secure it. I found all these products I used at my local big box store. In the electrical department I found self adhesive backed 1"x1" outdoor rated mounting pads (Also used as a mount for securing cable ties). In hardware I found packages of M4-.70 nuts, 5 mm flat washers (4 mm were sold out), and single aluminum 3/16" x 6 " round tube. I purchased two tubes to be able to do 4 signals by cutting the tubes in half. I already had super glue. I popped a 1/4" hole through the center opening of the mounting pad, slid my wires through 1 nut and tightened the nut to the top of the threaded shaft of the fixture, then slid a flat washer and the wires through the mounting pad, then slid another flat washer and nut through the wires, put them on the threaded shaft, straightened the mounting pad to be straight with the front of the signal crossing, and tightened the nuts together. I cut the aluminum round tube into 2 - 3" pieces, slid the wires through the tube onto the end of the shaft, put super glue on the threads, and let dry. When I'm ready to install the lights on the layout, all I need to do is push a drill bit down through the foam until I hit the plywood, then drill the hole through the plywood, tape the wires together with a piece of thin solid wire to feed down through the foam and plywood, remove the backing off the mounting pad then slide the round tube down the hole and out the bottom of the plywood, then secure the mounting pad with the crossing signal to the top of the layout. Now it will be secured in place at both the top and bottom of the layout. Enough to do 4 crossing signals for approx $25 including super glue.
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Thank you for an informative post!
Very nice use if cable tie connector.
@Mark V. Spadaro posted:Thank you for an informative post!
You're very welcome!
Very creative idea!
Thanks for sharing!
You're very welcome! They weren't standing up well for me just stuck into the foamboard, they kept wanting to tip. Plus I have a Cat that manages to sneak into the train room and likes to play with things like this. I came up with this idea so it extends down through the plywood underneath to stabilize it plus the adhesive backing on the bottom of the square base helps hold the top section in place.. I thought maybe someone else might be having the same problem so I shared this hoping it helps others. You should be able to adapt to any brand railroad crossing signals.
Thanks for the tip. I have had my eyes on them for a while, and had questions about the length of the mounting stem through the benchwork. This answered my question!
Thanks for this! I just finished wiring all of my Wehonest signal lights and was trying to figure out a better mounting system. I am heading to Lowes tonight!!!!!