The ROCK 3.0: Progress Report 02.14.14 - Signaling!

Late last night, I got up nerve to work on the signals.  Although, I'm anxious to see the signals lit, I have been somewhat apprehensive of this project.  It seems overwhelming, but so far it hasn't been.

So, the signal heads from BeNScale arrive like this.  Tiny little suckers!  Believe it or not that wire bundle has either three or four wires depending on the head.  I'm not sure if this is one of the Red/Yellow heads or the Red/Yellow/Green signal heads.  There is a brass wire for each color LED and one silver common wire.  It's hard to see the difference, but I was able to make it out (with my color blind self).

So, to mount these signals, you cut the tape, carefully unwind the wire.  There is a eyelet hook on the back of the signal head.  You need to acquire some 3/64" round brass tube and slide into the eyelet.  I bought mine at M.B. Klein.  It's a tight fit.  I had to lay the eyelet flat on the desk and press down hard to get the brass rod to slip into the eyelet.  Once in, I was able to slide the signal head down with my finger nail.  I then cut the .020" brass wire that extends down from the bottom of the signal head.  That is used in the manufacturing process by BeNScale.  

I'm working on the signal bridge at West Utica.  I'm using the BLMA Double Track Signal bridge brass kit that I built a few weeks back.  I had to ream out the hole a little bit with one of my mini-files.  I then simply slid the brass tube with signal heads down into the hole.  I added a small amount of CA glue where the brass tube and signal bridge meet to secure.

Here are pics of what it looks like.  Note, I will cut the brass tube underneath the bridge once completed.  Overall, the process has been very easy so far.

So, what's next?  I painted the signal heads and brass tubing this evening.   

Next...

• Remove the small tape that is applied over the lens (provide by BeNScale when shipped)
• Route the wires down through the top of the signal bridge (there is another hole already punched out for this by BLMA)
• Route the wires down the side supports and drill holes to route through the benchwork.
• Test each signal aspect remembering to use resistors as not to burn out an LED.
• Connect the wires to my signal control board I built.

I'm hoping to get West Utica setup before the end of this weekend.  East Utica requires me to construct another signal bridge like this which I have not done yet.  I have a feeling after we have light on this signal bridge, that project will be bumped up to the top of the list.  :-)

Just seeing the signal heads on the bridge was very exciting this evening.  I can't wait to see the signals lit up!  I'm very excited!!!!!