Recreation of a semaphore signal arm

[DanGB]

Hi all,

I am about to starting producing a replacement semaphore signal arm for a GER signal. I have the original drawings.
I am undecided which wood to use. I believe the original used cedar.
Do people know what wood was typically used to make the wooden semaphore signal arms?

Its approx 249mm wide.

Thanks.
Dan

 

[AM9]

From the title, I thought that this thread was about what signals do when they are bored waiting for the next train to come along.

 

[John Webb]

"Midland Style" by the Historical Model Railway Society (2nd Ed, published 1978) also says that signal arms were made of cedar "and sometimes of mahogany.". Arms are circa 0.75" thick (20mm).

Make sure the end grain is well protected by paint to maximise the life of the arm. We did try plywood at St Albans, but eventually went over to cedar or another close-grained wood with better results. (Our first arm, of 6mm ply, broke in a strong wind only a year or so after we put it up!)

 

[DanGB]

"Midland Style" by the Historical Model Railway Society (2nd Ed, published 1978) also says that signal arms were made of cedar "and sometimes of mahogany.". Arms are circa 0.75" thick (20mm).

Make sure the end grain is well protected by paint to maximise the life of the arm. We did try plywood at St Albans, but eventually went over to cedar or another close-grained wood with better results. (Our first arm, of 6mm ply, broke in a strong wind only a year or so after we put it up!)

Hi John,

Very useful thanks. so you have done something similar? How was cedar to work with. Did you choose this for historical reasons, or because it was an ideal choice? Did you look at any other woods apart from the ones you mentioned?
Cedar does seem a good choice as its also quite lightweight.

 

[John Webb]

Hi John,

Very useful thanks. so you have done something similar? How was cedar to work with. Did you choose this for historical reasons, or because it was an ideal choice? Did you look at any other woods apart from the ones you mentioned?
Cedar does seem a good choice as its also quite lightweight.

I didn't do the work, only saw it being done. Have a look at http://www.sigbox.co.uk/sigbox/news/news_2017.eb and scroll down to 'March' to see the broken arm and its replacement. We used cedar as that's what the book said was used!