September 2019 59(^7) ⁄ 32 " styrene tube,
Evergreen 227
Concrete foun-
dation blocks
(^5) ⁄ 32 " styrene tube, Evergreen 225
.040" square styrene with
four^7 ⁄ 32 " diameter holes
Reamer
(^5) ⁄ 32 " styrene tube
Signal heads
painted black
Assembled base
Signal tower
Signal socket
(^5) ⁄ 32 " styrene tube
Paint concrete color
Drill four^7 ⁄ 32 " holes Socket glued to tabletop
Signal
bridge
removable
- Pelle made the sockets from styrene shapes and concrete
foundation blocks from a Walthers conveyor kit. Each signal
required four tubes to mount it.
2. The inside diameter of the^5 ⁄ 32 " tube was too tight to fit
over the legs at the base of the signal tower, so Pelle enlarged
it with a reamer for a snug fit. - Besides making the mounting system, Pelle also painted
the signal heads flat black to kill the plastic shine. He added a
few drops of light gray to the black to lighten it.
4. With the socket assembled and the support tubes added
to the tower, Pelle test fit the socket before he mounted it to
the layout. - He painted the base a concrete color, and drilled four^7 ⁄ 32 "
holes in the plywood tabletop. Pelle placed the socket in
them and secured it with glue.
6. When the glue was dry, Pelle plugged the signal into the
socket. The tight fit holds the signal stable, and he can
remove the signal before working on the scenery around it.