Work (at least real work) is now over for 2025 so I can get a bit of time in for turkey, mincepies and, of course, some signals.

I have built up a number of promises to make people signals; more than enough to keep me fully entertained for not only Christmas but quite a lot of time afterwards! It is time to start delivering on these promises.

First uo has been to paint the arms. I know do these in advance as there is a lot of effort to paint them well and the best finish is by masking and spraying most of the colours. I can’t seem to brush paint to a good enough standard. I do, however, form the black shevron on the distant signals with black transfers as it is difficult to mask this neatly and the bars on the ground signals are a transfer from 51L.

I should be busy with this lot…………

In another departure, i have borrowed a milling machine to assist me in making the tapered timber posts. I form these from 4mm square brass section, a selection of files and a lot of elbow grease. It is a chunk of work for one signal but I have six taper posts and eleven taper dolls to do – I am not sure i have enough elbow grease to do this many!

I propped one end of the post to form the correct taper with the mill travelling level. it was not without problems as the brass tended to flex (upwards oddly) where it was not supported. I ended up using the mill to take most of the weight off the metal and then went back to the files to finish the task off. It does reduce the effort, but it is still hardwork – and i have only done half of them so far!

The first signal up is a LNWR three doll signal with three moving arms plus a fixed distant. Nearly as shown in this official drawing.

The basic posts and dolls are now in place; with various scarp etch temporary strutts to keep it square. Still a long way to go though!

So i wish you all a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.