Some many years ago I obtained in a Bachman Train Set 2 of these Crossing Poles:-
They are not very East Germanic so I decided to have a go at them. First I needed some Metal:-
There is 3.5 mm tube, 5mm Square some that fits in it and some plus odd bits. I also used some 10BA nuts and Bolts plus Red Insulation Tape.
First I drilled the Tube Through in 2 places and into the Bachman Poles. 2 of the 10 BA Screws attached the Metal to the Plastic Poles. Best to remove them for this process. In fact the bases had been in place on the layout for some weeks. Next Step is to spray the Poles Matt White, a couple of Coats is good. Now I Wrap Red Insulation Tape in place, just slightly longer then the Pole is Round and make the Joint on the Side that you cannot see. Here is a Pole prior to placement on the Layout:-
I then made some Up stands to support the Poles when in the Rail Traffic Pass Condition, here is the up stand in place made from the Square Brass, some odd Brass Soldered to the Top for the Post to Drop into a Washer and the Smaller Tube stuffed into it. Glued into a hoke it looks like this:-
I then used an Old Chimney spare from a Pola Kit as the Equipment Box:-
This has been filled with Concrete and Glued in place to stop it wandering off. Finally here is the effect, two pictures one Open and one Closed. I will leave the Brass over the Winter to Tarnish naturally, preferring this effect to weathering paint.
Hope this helps to show what can be achieved with some small parts and a Propriety starting point.
JonD
They are not very East Germanic so I decided to have a go at them. First I needed some Metal:-
There is 3.5 mm tube, 5mm Square some that fits in it and some plus odd bits. I also used some 10BA nuts and Bolts plus Red Insulation Tape.
First I drilled the Tube Through in 2 places and into the Bachman Poles. 2 of the 10 BA Screws attached the Metal to the Plastic Poles. Best to remove them for this process. In fact the bases had been in place on the layout for some weeks. Next Step is to spray the Poles Matt White, a couple of Coats is good. Now I Wrap Red Insulation Tape in place, just slightly longer then the Pole is Round and make the Joint on the Side that you cannot see. Here is a Pole prior to placement on the Layout:-
I then made some Up stands to support the Poles when in the Rail Traffic Pass Condition, here is the up stand in place made from the Square Brass, some odd Brass Soldered to the Top for the Post to Drop into a Washer and the Smaller Tube stuffed into it. Glued into a hoke it looks like this:-
I then used an Old Chimney spare from a Pola Kit as the Equipment Box:-
This has been filled with Concrete and Glued in place to stop it wandering off. Finally here is the effect, two pictures one Open and one Closed. I will leave the Brass over the Winter to Tarnish naturally, preferring this effect to weathering paint.
Hope this helps to show what can be achieved with some small parts and a Propriety starting point.
JonD
