Would someone be in a position to advise me where I could obtain the spectacle plates and their colours as the "Green" ones that IU have seen in situ seem to be a Blueish colour?

Also, the dimension of Main Line signal arms as compared to Branch Line ones? Are the juction form of these different dimensions?

Many thanks for any assistance.

Bluish spectacles are prototypical - when lit by a kero lamp the colour appears as green. Wikipedia says "Later signals using electric lamps used green lenses. Some signals converted to electric lamps from oil used a yellow-tinted bulb with the original blue lens to maintain the correct colour." I don't know what NSWGR did when semaphore signals were electrically lit.

Would someone be in a position to advise me where I could obtain the spectacle plates and their colours as the "Green" ones that IU have seen in situ seem to be a Blueish colour? Also, the dimension of Main Line signal arms as compared to Branch Line ones? Are the juction form of these different dimensions? Many thanks for any assistance.

Thanks for the reply. All the NSWGR Lower Quadrants I have seen have had the blueish spectacle platers. The only ones with green I have seen are on the SMR.

 

Still seeking answers regarding colour names and dimensions. Anyone able to assist?

 

Also, the dimension of Main Line signal arms as compared to Branch Line ones? Are the juction form of these different dimensions?

I'm not sure what you are referring to. I'm not an expert on NSW signals, but according to the drawing of 'Standard Signals/Mechanically Worked', the basic dimensions were as follows:

Main line signals (homes and distants) were 3'3 1/4" long (from pivot to end of arm) by 9 7/8" wide (at outer end). There were also short arms for  home, starting and distants that were 3'0" long by 9 3/4" wide. From the diagram it appears that short arms were used where a smaller overall signal was required; and short arms and normal arms were not mixed on the one post.

Subsidiary arms signals were: Loop signals were 2'6" long by 9 1/8" wide. Siding signals were 2'0" long by 8" wide. Wrong Road Shunt were 2'0" by 8 5/8". Calling-on and Shunt Ahead signals were 2'0" by 8".

Also, the dimension of Main Line signal arms as compared to Branch Line ones? Are the juction form of these different dimensions?

I'm not sure what you are referring to. I'm not an expert on NSW signals, but according to the drawing of 'Standard Signals/Mechanically Worked', the basic dimensions were as follows:

Main line signals (homes and distants) were 3'3 1/4" long (from pivot to end of arm) by 9 7/8" wide (at outer end). There were also short arms for  home, starting and distants that were 3'0" long by 9 3/4" wide. From the diagram it appears that short arms were used where a smaller overall signal was required; and short arms and normal arms were not mixed on the one post.

Subsidiary arms signals were: Loop signals were 2'6" long by 9 1/8" wide. Siding signals were 2'0" long by 8" wide. Wrong Road Shunt were 2'0" by 8 5/8". Calling-on and Shunt Ahead signals were 2'0" by 8".

 

Thank you "Historian" that certainly answers some of my questions.

Does your reference material mention the colours of the spectacle plates by any stretch?

The information provided has been of assistance and I have recently found a photograph of a staggered post set of Home Signals and they both appear to be the same length.

I am after a set of, or good colour photograph, (so I can have some made), of the spectacle plates for a NSWGR Home Signal arm.

If anyone can assist with these or the names of the colours it would be great!

Thanks.

The information provided has been of assistance and I have recently found a photograph of a staggered post set of Home Signals and they both appear to be the same length.

I am after a set of, or good colour photograph, (so I can have some made), of the spectacle plates for a NSWGR Home Signal arm.

If anyone can assist with these or the names of the colours it would be great!

Thanks.

As others have said the shade in all the old mechanical signals was a blue colour & the old style kero lights as well as the incandescent bulbs where they were fitted gave out a yellowish colour which reflected on the shade to produce a green colour, although it was often not a real true green.

There is a company that makes the signals for models which are very good, called McKenzie, also Gwyder Valley has just produced a HO kit for home & starting signals.


When you say Staggered what do you mean by that?  A home signal is a full sized arm, & usually another signal on the post, such as being staggered would mean its an automatic signal which does not fit in with Lower Quadrant signals, but would be found on Upper Quadrant types.

If you are refering to another signal on the side of the post at a slightly lower position, it could be the signal for the loop or a branch line, the former was not full sized but the later could be.

Can you provide any further information as to what you are asking for, & is it lower or upper quadrant types, also a signal for a straight main line, with loop or branch line, all that helps with providing answers.


To give an example if you go to the NSW rail net page & look to the main south & go to Cootamundra, IIRC there is a photo there of one of the old gantry signals which shows several types, & its on display outside the station now.       
 

Pretty straight forward I would have thought. As the thread title suggests, NSWGR LOWER quadrant signals!

Historian gave a pretty good answer re dimensions but I would also like to know if the arms, when 2 on a post and staggered in height are different dimensions? Think Binnaway here.

I am after 1. A set of spectacle plates for one, RED & BLUE, or 2. The colour of the blue so I can get some spectacle plates made.

Pretty straight forward I would have thought. As the thread title suggests, NSWGR LOWER quadrant signals!

Historian gave a pretty good answer re dimensions but I would also like to know if the arms, when 2 on a post and staggered in height are different dimensions? Think Binnaway here.

I am after 1. A set of spectacle plates for one, RED & BLUE, or 2. The colour of the blue so I can get some spectacle plates made.

Binnaway for trains departing for WCK & Dubbo?  They are main line starting signals thus full size, the term staggered is not correct for those signals as they are bracket types. Staggered signals refers to automatic signals that have the main signal indication lights, on both sides of the main post.  Thus, when asking it helps to know the terminology & why I asked.


Perhaps "Signal Red" would be ideal for the red, but blue, well, most modellers get some blue celephane cut to shape & glue that in place, or you could venture out & cut some thin clear styrene & try to get some clear blue type paint such as made by Tamiya to use.

My questions and requests relate directly to the Prototype. Not everyone has an encyclopaedic knowledge of rail terminology and I put my best foot forward with the description I gave!

Once again, I am after a set of spectacle plates, (Red/Blue) or the colour of the Blue so I can have some made. Scale? 1/1!

Keep your pants on, 4815.

a6et's trying to help, but you're succeeding in being a douche.

The mast heights weren't always staggered at a set height.  Look through any collection of historic pictures, and you'll see that the heights varied wildly.

There were three sizes of arms; main line, branch and siding.   Is that what you want to know?