While building the 3-Light Signal Drivers on printed circuit boards (PCBs) I bought from Rob Paisley, it occurred to me that the resistors in the original circuit (which I had been using in my breadboard test circuits) aren’t necessarily of the rating that I’ll need for the signals that I’ll build. They were fine for the testing I was doing with some generic LEDs on a breadboard, but I think the LEDs on my signals will need to be a little less bright than that in order to look realistic. The circuit has separate resistors for each of the three LEDs in the signal (red, yellow and green), so I just assembled all parts of the circuits except for those three resistors. Once I know which LEDs I’ll use in the signals, I’ll be able to determine the appropriate resistors to use. This has prompted me to start some more serious planning for building signals.
While I had free trial access to the Model Railroader Digital Archive last year, I downloaded a PDF of an article they published in July 2006 about building your own signals from commercially available parts. I’m going to base my signals off of that plan, with minor modifications. I plan to make at least four signals to start, to go with the four signal driver circuits (four are required to display all aspects).
I’m optimistic about how the finished signals will look, but I also think that with practice, I’ll be able to build them faster and better than on the first batch of four. In order to hone my skills and end up with good-looking signals to use on my own future railroad down the line, I might sell some signals on eBay at a profit, and continue making more signals. I’m not sure what the market is like for selling small quantities of hand-made signals on eBay, but if I can at least break even, then I’ll end up getting a lot of practice modeling signals without losing much money on it.
The first batch of four signals will be 3-light target signals. I’m considering using signal heads from Integrated Signal Systems or Oregon Rail Supply, with ladders, platforms, finials and flange bases from Integrated.
After my first batch of four signals, I might try making position lights like those used by the PRR and B&O. Those would use the same basic signal driver circuits, despite the additional lights.