[MOC] Improved signal arm.

[JopieK]

I have created an improved signal arm. I have been using signal arms for my trains for years but I did not really liked the way they looked (using normal 1 x 1 round bricks) and also it was difficult to adjust them. For the old version I also needed a counter-weight (lead). For the new version I cheated a little bit since there are no 4274 with friction as far as I know, so I added the friction by wrapping some plastic around the ends (you can't see it and it does not damage them pens).

I used some relatively new parts to let the arms work including a 'Fez' as counter balance. I also used the 20482 parts on the top for possible signal lights (I already have black enamel coated copper wire for the possibility of adding LED's to the masts). For now I have created five, but I have wired only one (using original LEGO thread).

 

Here is the lxf.

This is what an original Dutch arm signal looks like:

These are the typical Dutch signals, they are not used on normal lines, but they are still used on Museum lines. The round end shows that it is a main signal, without the round end it is a distant signal.

I will automate them using a small lineair servo, I also created some dedicated Bluetooth LE controllers for it (Adafruit Bluefruit compatible), still need to solder / test them (first version so they probably will have some bugs). One could of course also use a LEGO dc motor or servo (and WeDo 2.0 / Boost).

 

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Wow ...what a lovely creation!

Thanks for sharing!

[dr_spock]

Nice.  Look forward to seeing them in action. 

 

[pirzyk]

On 7/6/2018 at 7:11 PM, dr_spock said:

Nice.  Look forward to seeing them in action. 

Me too!  Very interested in how you automate something so small

[zephyr1934]

Excellently detailed bit of the trackside environment

[Feuer Zug]

Nice work. I recently built some German style semaphores, but they aren't lit or as functional as yours.