This is an excellent "miniature" reproduction of the real thing!! I am thoroughly impressed. When I was 16 years old, I made a 1-1/2 scale model of a GRS SA1 searchlight signal with compound lens system (2 plano convex lenses) and a working inner mechanism patterned after the real thing, color spectacle arm, electromagnetic coil, glass housing and all. Well, that was 45 years ago. My question now is, can the average "Joe Blow" like myself purchase the signal you've highlighted in this video? And if so, who do I contact and how much does it cost?????
Thank you for your "excellent" comment. At 16-years-old, an SA-1model would be quite an accomplishment. Would love to see some photos and learn more about your GRS searchlight. Does it still exist? I wonder if you might be the same person who wrote to me back in the '90s? Did you build a semaphore too by chance?
Thanks for the reply. As I said, I actually fabricated the GRS SA1 out of plexiglass and other materials based on detailed images I saw in a Burlington Northern signal maintainer's guide that was given to me. Keep in mind this was long before the advent of the Internet and "UA-cam", where it is now so easy to see images and get info to replicate almost anything you want if you're willing to use a bit of ingenuity. Searchlight signals were my signal of choice since the age of 12 and still are. Unfortunately, through moving and relocating, I lost this miniature "replica". And I have never found the time afterward to construct another. After all, we're talking about 40+ years ago. As for semaphores, they have a measure of interest to me, but I've never had the desire to build one.
@@AtkinsonRailroad This video never fails to impress me everytime I look at it. But more than that, it inspired me to fulfill what I tried to do when I was a teenager, namely to scratch-build a half-scale searchlight signal. Now that I am retired and got lots of time, I have constructed two GRS SA1 searchlight signals; on as a dwarf (or "pot" signal) and the other will shortly be mounted on a mass as a "high" signal. Both use doublet or compound lens arrangements and working internal electromagnetic induction mechanisms with miniature spectacle arms and colored filters. The mechanisms closely mirror the real prototype, although not completely in appearance, but definitely in function. So now I can truly say that I, not only own a searchlight signal, but I own two that i made with my own hands!!!!
@@TheChicagoL Thank you for checking back in with your news in modeling your searchlight. What an impressive accomplishment in how you have rekindled your inner teenage passion. It is a refreshing and inspiring report. I bet you learned some new things in your quest, and can also claim you are all the smarter now in understanding how something works. Thank you again for taking the time to let me know about your success. Signed, "John".
Back in 1974 at the "NMRA" National Convention, I showed and later produced the first ever H0 scale models of US&S Style H-2 searchlight signals. These had (have) a scale tolerance of + or - .002" . Also shown at the convention was a silicon bronze 1/4 scale three position upper quadrant R.S.A. Type A semaphore I'd made. One of the live steam manufacturers now has the patterns for that 1/4 scale semaphore. Those exact H0 searchlights were done in investment cast brass, with photo-etched ladders and platforms. They were (and are) fully functional by way of fiber-optics to R.S.A. color correct lamps in the base with an injection molded crystal styrene compound lens system in the scale signal head's lens "Barrel". I later produced P-2 and R Color light signals in 2 and 3 aspect in high and dwarf as well as US&S Style "B", "S" and G.R.S. 2A semaphores all motor driven. I also did up upper and lower quadrant Train Order semaphores, even telegraph poles with clear insulators, all in H0 (and 0 scale too). You neither said nor denied these H-5's are available for sale, lol! ----HOW ABOUT IT!?
How nice! I have real GRS and US&Searchlight signals. The backgroundisk indicates th.is a US&Signal. How does thisignal work? Electro magnet on each side of the weight/armature? Just like real: No power = Red. + to - = Yellow, reverse polarity - to + = Green Where does one obtain this scale signal?
The unit employs one electro-magnet coil. Current fed one direction causes a projected green aspect. Reversing polarity, the unit projects a yellow aspect. Unit returns to red with no current flow through coil.
I have been DESPERATE to finally find a video with detail about these scale signals. I have a US&S Co searchlight signal head and have been using a 3D modeling program called SketchUp Make to draw a ¼ scale model of the signal (inside included).
Sir my hat is off to you! That is absolutely beautiful!
Would love to get one of these
Nice !!
Who carries those signals, and where can they be purchased?
This is an excellent "miniature" reproduction of the real thing!! I am thoroughly impressed. When I was 16 years old, I made a 1-1/2 scale model of a GRS SA1 searchlight signal with compound lens system (2 plano convex lenses) and a working inner mechanism patterned after the real thing, color spectacle arm, electromagnetic coil, glass housing and all. Well, that was 45 years ago. My question now is, can the average "Joe Blow" like myself purchase the signal you've highlighted in this video? And if so, who do I contact and how much does it cost?????
Thank you for your "excellent" comment. At 16-years-old, an SA-1model would be quite an accomplishment. Would love to see some photos and learn more about your GRS searchlight. Does it still exist? I wonder if you might be the same person who wrote to me back in the '90s? Did you build a semaphore too by chance?
Thanks for the reply. As I said, I actually fabricated the GRS SA1 out of plexiglass and other materials based on detailed images I saw in a Burlington Northern signal maintainer's guide that was given to me. Keep in mind this was long before the advent of the Internet and "UA-cam", where it is now so easy to see images and get info to replicate almost anything you want if you're willing to use a bit of ingenuity. Searchlight signals were my signal of choice since the age of 12 and still are. Unfortunately, through moving and relocating, I lost this miniature "replica". And I have never found the time afterward to construct another. After all, we're talking about 40+ years ago. As for semaphores, they have a measure of interest to me, but I've never had the desire to build one.
@@AtkinsonRailroad
This video never fails to impress me everytime I look at it. But more than that, it inspired me to fulfill what I tried to do when I was a teenager, namely to scratch-build a half-scale searchlight signal. Now that I am retired and got lots of time, I have constructed two GRS SA1 searchlight signals; on as a dwarf (or "pot" signal) and the other will shortly be mounted on a mass as a "high" signal. Both use doublet or compound lens arrangements and working internal electromagnetic induction mechanisms with miniature spectacle arms and colored filters. The mechanisms closely mirror the real prototype, although not completely in appearance, but definitely in function. So now I can truly say that I, not only own a searchlight signal, but I own two that i made with my own hands!!!!
@@TheChicagoL Thank you for checking back in with your news in modeling your searchlight.
What an impressive accomplishment in how you have rekindled your inner teenage passion.
It is a refreshing and inspiring report. I bet you learned some new things in your quest, and can also claim you are all the smarter now in understanding how something works.
Thank you again for taking the time to let me know about your success. Signed, "John".
Back in 1974 at the "NMRA" National Convention, I showed and later produced the first ever H0 scale models of US&S Style H-2 searchlight signals. These had (have) a scale tolerance of + or - .002" . Also shown at the convention was a silicon bronze 1/4 scale three position upper quadrant R.S.A. Type A semaphore I'd made. One of the live steam manufacturers now has the patterns for that 1/4 scale semaphore.
Those exact H0 searchlights were done in investment cast brass, with photo-etched ladders and platforms. They were (and are) fully functional by way of fiber-optics to R.S.A. color correct lamps in the base with an injection molded crystal styrene compound lens system in the scale signal head's lens "Barrel". I later produced P-2 and R Color light signals in 2 and 3 aspect in high and dwarf as well as US&S Style "B", "S" and G.R.S. 2A semaphores all motor driven.
I also did up upper and lower quadrant Train Order semaphores, even telegraph poles with clear insulators, all in H0 (and 0 scale too). You neither said nor denied these H-5's are available for sale, lol! ----HOW ABOUT IT!?
That's very impressive Paul. As for your question on availability, the units are in the process of being marketed again after their 15 year absence.
WHERE and WHEN will the units be available?
How nice! I have real GRS and US&Searchlight signals. The backgroundisk indicates th.is a US&Signal.
How does thisignal work? Electro magnet on each side of the weight/armature? Just like real: No power = Red.
+ to - = Yellow, reverse polarity - to + = Green Where does one obtain this scale signal?
The unit employs one electro-magnet coil. Current fed one direction causes a projected green aspect. Reversing polarity, the unit projects a yellow aspect. Unit returns to red with no current flow through coil.
I have been DESPERATE to finally find a video with detail about these scale signals. I have a US&S Co searchlight signal head and have been using a 3D modeling program called SketchUp Make to draw a ¼ scale model of the signal (inside included).
Cameron, You may communicate with me directly using (atkinsonworks) (at) gmail (dot) you know the rest.
Us&s H5
Aidan CP Rail yep, very realistic too, I compared it to one of my actual H5 signals in my collection and there identical up to where the bolts are!
Hello, dose anyone know where I can get one of these target signals?
could you sell one to me?