Want to add some fun and a great bit of realism to your layout? Consider adding model railroad signals. Watch as modeler and DCC expert, Steve Barkley, describes how a signal driver card operates your model railroad signals system. Actually, they operate like a decoder for your signaling system. Steve grew up in the 1950s watching the Northern Pacific railroad operate semaphores to give a green (Go), yellow (Proceed with Caution) or red (Stop) signal to oncoming trains. He wanted the same kind of realism for his NP layout which models from Livingston to Billings, Montana. He found some DCC companies manufacture signal driver cards that operate either colored lights or semaphore systems. Choose the model railroad signals system that’s right for your railroad in the era in which you model and get ready for an added texture of realism for your pike!
-
4:47Behind the Scenes Model Railroad Video: Baldwin, CO
For the next stop on our tour of the Colorado and Southern Railway, we explore the layout and scenery of Baldwin. Baldwin, which is located in Gunnison County, Colorado and serves as midpoint in the Ohio Creek Extension, was once an important hub for the C&S Railway. Toeing the narrow ledges of coal mines buried…
Watch Now >> -
7:32Painting Backdrops for Model Railroads
Nothing completes a model railroad quite like a well-made backdrop. You can add a remarkable amount of realism to your model railroad layouts by setting the scene for a nice blue sky day with a painted backdrop. To create your own illuminating backdrops for model railroads, all you’ll need are a few basic materials and…
Watch Now >> -
8:09Building Multi-Level Model Train Benchwork
Oftentimes when building a model railroad layout, it’s beneficial to utilize a stacked scene with multiple levels. Multilevel model train benchwork offers a number of unique advantages to a scene, one of which being the illusion of grander scale. For instance, you might employ the layout of the multilevel model train benchwork if you were…
Watch Now >> -
1:51Model Railroad Construction: Passing Through Cooper
Not every stop along a major railroad is complete with town center, service station and saloon–some components of a railway are just small stopovers en route to the final destination. This is the case for Cooper, a long passing siding that connects the main lines of C&S Railway. In our next segment covering the branch…
Watch Now >>
video didn’t describe how to use the card or set up the system. very poor !!
Hi, John. Sorry about that. We’ll have to look into that one. A local club here in town is using JMRI to operate their signals.
Very good written article. It will be useful to everyone who utilizes it, including me. Keep doing what you are doing – i will definitely read more posts.
What is this, a teaser? I’m a member, I want some information on this topic: power supplies, wiring tips, typical controller boards, finding the right equipment for my era (1956 SP, Southern Oregon). Come on MRA where is the beef?
Hi Greg,
Thank you for contacting us. While on the membership if you go to the Menu drop down you will see a category “Wiring” you will find a lot of what you are looking for here. If there is a specific question you need answered by our experts you can ask it at the bottom of the page under the customer service header. “Contact Us” The experts will get back to you in 2 to 3 business days via email.
If you need further assistance please contact us at 1-855-208-7399, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Joan
Model Railroad Academy Video Membership
Could have given more info. Also you have almost nothing on O gauge. Very Dissatisfied & Disappointed!
Hello Leon,
Thank you for your feedback. I have forwarded your comment to the proper department. We value your opinion and it will help with the development of our online streaming community. We will continue to listen and work hard for your complete satisfaction.
If you have any other questions, please chat, email, or contact Customer Service at 1-855-208-7399.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Joan
Model Railroad Academy Video Membership
I see you insist on being authentic to N.P. prototype, but the semaphores you are using are semi-scale, more S gauge that H0. Why not make the effort and find some N&G Railway Signal Company’s Model 2A Base of Mast, true H0 scale models. They’re perfect for the N.P. you know. You have some nice N.P. Athearn Genesis F Units so these semaphores (being of the same “family”) are a real “must”!