Welcome to the Blog

Welcome to the blog for the NSW  HO Lattice Post Signal Kit.

The Idea of this blog is to provide an interactive site for those who wish to construct the KRM HO 008 Lattice Post Signal Kit and to provide updates and hints and tips and any information that will make the construction of this kit easier for the modeller.

Normally I provide a PDF file with a image based instruction format. This kit will be no different except that the information will be in the form of this blog that can be updated quickly.
So lets get started.

THE KIT.

Why do an etched kit in the first place ---- Simple really, "I wanted this signal on a layout" and the other reason is so that I can provide an excuse for modellers to capture new skills, such as soldering, patience, working with metal, painting, electronics, and depending on the person many other potential skills.
The Kit is based on the Lattice Post Signal that is located on the Narromine end of the Peak Hill Yard in central West NSW. Because of its location, and the topography, the signal stands approximately 29 ft tall. Like most lower quad semaphore signals in  NSW, this signal has been removed.

I would have usually had the kit etched in 0.3 mm brass sheet, but this kit is etched in 0.3 mm nickel silver and from feedback that I have received, it makes for a stronger end result that is much easier to solder, clean up and generally work with. While the cost of nickel silver compared to brass is minimal, it is well worth the effort to use this material.
lets have a look at the etch.

I think it may be a good idea to give  the modeller a little insight into the etching process so that they can fully understand the process and the ideas behind some of the design work that goes into an etch.

PROCESS.
The process is simple, a Photo Tool (Image of the etch) is made on 2 pieces of film, a view from the front and a view from the rear. depending on what is required to make the etch work. The film is registered (both side EXACTLY in the same position ) and located on both sides of a sheet of material (in this case nickel silver), and under vacuum and light, the film is exposed to a high intense light source that leaves the film image on the treated material.  The film is then sent through a photo developer that removes the portions of the etch that are required to be etched (Black above) and leaves the portions of the etch that need to kept (White above).

You will also notice that the above image on the left is reversed on the (rear) and also has tabs to hold the parts in place through the etching process, so that you do not loose anything into the bottom of the etching tank.

In the next instalment, I will go through the etch and indicate the parts for construction of the kit, and the methods used.

Regards Keiran Ryan.