[John Webb]

Re your question 3 about telegraph poles, you may find this topic Telegraph Poles of intererst.

I have seen an article in one of the model railway mags in the past year where an 'O' (7mm/ft) layout did have the wires modelled in such a way that they could be moved for storage or for the layout to be taken to an exhibition. I'll post details when I can locate the article.
In 4mm ('OO') layouts there are considerable problems:
(i) getting a thin enough 'wire' (thread may be used);
(ii) if you do get a thin wire/thread it is difficult to tension;
(iii) very likely to get damaged during use or other work on the layout;
which are the reasons why very few modellers attempt to include such fine detail. It probably is better done on permanent layouts that are not likely to move.

Regards,
John Webb

 

[John Webb]

QUOTE (alastairq @ 15 Aug 2007, 19:39) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>...and needs colouring.

now, is it black, or is it green?

There are several factors in the colour. Seen from a train silouetted against the sky they appear black. Seen from above (ie from a bridge) they were originally a greeny colour where 'verdegrise' (copper carbonate) had formed on the surface of the bare wire. But in later years (and currently on some preserved railways) black plastic-covered wires were (or are) used, I think because this gives better protection from weather and improved insulation when tied to an insulator. Also allows the use of paired cables for better transmission and reduced interference without loosing the traditional 'single wire' appearence.

Regards,
John Webb

 

[John Webb]

Re Telegraph poles and wires:
I've found an article which describes how these were fitted to a 7mm scale layout, using an American product for the 'wire' - actually a latex product which appears to have some elasticity so that the 'wires' can be lightly tensioned.

Look for "Telegraph poles in 7mm scale for Long Preston" by Jamie Guest, published in 'Railway Modeller' for July 2006. (Volume 57, No. 669, pages 418-421).

The American product is 'EZ Line'; the author of the above article got it via www.berkshirejunction.com - please note I haven't tried this site myself. He says that there is a thin version suitable for 4mm scale telegraph wires.

Hope this is of help.
Regards,
John Webb

 

[John Webb]

QUOTE (john woodall @ 17 Mar 2008, 07:57) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I find this discussion somewhat strange.

As a German modeller (based in New Zealand) all my locomotives come pre equiped with lights, my semaphore signals are all lit and have slow motion motors on them.

Am I taking to much for granted?

John

In a word: "Yes"!! In the UK there is no one selling 'off the shelf' complete 4mm scale signals of British prototypes complete with working signal lamp and operating motor that I am aware of. I can only guess at some of the reasons for this, not least that such an item would, I expect, be very expensive. It may be too that there are so many different prototypes to choose from that no single one would do. Even in BR days the Western Region stuck with lower-quadrant semaphores and there were still many other variations about from the 'Big Four' elsewhere on BR, many of which did not get changed other than when the area they were in was resignalled or closed down.

I must admit I am currently struggling with the construction of some working signals, but I quite enjoy it when I can find the time, or the loft is not too cold or .....

Regards,
John Webb