Garden Railway Forum

I am building an SM32 layout in my garden. As a long-time real railway operator I would like to provide suitable signalling (semaphore or colour light) and operate the signals and points from a lever frame. Are there systems available to do this?

Narrowmindedted wrote: Thu Jun 05, 2025 5:43 pm I am building an SM32 layout in my garden. As a long-time real railway operator I would like to provide suitable signalling (semaphore or colour light) and operate the signals and points from a lever frame. Are there systems available to do this?

Welcome to the forum Ted(?)

I'm not aware of any commercial mechanical systems for signal and points control suitable for the great outdoors but LGB produce electrical equipment which could form the basis of a centralised or localised control system.

A few of us have developed our own bespoke systems for signal and points control which we'd be more than happy to share with you.

Rik

Hello Ted,

A praiseworthy ambition in my view!

You could have a look at the product offered by Cliff Barker. I've not used them myself (yet!) but they look like an option. I've seen one or two lever frames commercially available but nothing that really 'comes up to snuff' for practical operation outside (In my humble opinion anyway).

SVLR Andrew

Cliff Barker also does point-rodding etc.

Unfortunately, 'you canna break the laws of physics'. Weather, and the coefficient of expansion of metals, don't scale.

So if you have a length of rodding in the sun, that 2-3mm of expansion, is multiplied by 19 (insert your scaling fraction).

Phil.P

I'm cheating a bit by having my point levers make a microswitch which the activates a servo under a base board to move the points.
I could add cosmetic rodding I suppose.

This person sells the stl file for working levers for about 2 pounds (AU$ 4.16). If you can find someone with a printer or you have one of your own you could make a whole bank as described in the text.
https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/various ... nal-levers

GAP wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 11:17 pm
This person sells the stl file for working levers for about 2 pounds (AU$ 4.16). If you can find someone with a printer or you have one of your own you could make a whole bank as described in the text.
https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/various ... nal-levers

Not sure how robust they would be,

Rik

These are very robust, home construction based on McKenzie Holland levers. A completely mechanical system, no electronics involved.
Will outlast me. Grant

Another option could be pneumatic. There is a US company that does suitable components and I think in the UK Anything Narrowgauge does, or used to, stock their system. It's something I've considered, but until my railway is operational again it will remain an 'idea'.

LNR wrote: Sat Jun 14, 2025 9:09 am These are very robust, home construction based on McKenzie Holland levers. A completely mechanical system, no electronics involved.
Will outlast me.


Grant

I'm just catching up on posts. These look really impressive Grant. Once again, you inspire me to greater things!

SVLR Andrew