3D levers

Discussion in '3D Modeling Projects' started by Andy_Sollis, Dec 3, 2020.

  1. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    I’ve designed these to slide over the Hornby style lever frame.

    623A5B9E-09F0-4C80-B664-C4598BEBA30D.jpeg just a few more to add..

    2095EB04-E9A1-4CCD-B3F4-1709B59528C9.jpeg

    if anyone is interested they will soon be for sale on my website.
     
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  2. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    Very effective Andy.....:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
    :tophat:Gormo
     
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  3. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    http://shpws.me/SoU2

    If anyone is interested. The levers are numbered 1-12 but I can do more should anyone desire.
     
  4. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Cheers Gormo.. they have come out better than expected. I can’t wait to fit the rest. Sadly, they are all black (may be one white spare) when we have the full frame of 12. at the moment we don’t have working signals as some will be outside. I think we worked out a 38 lever frame! :scratchchin:
     
  5. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    10 of the 12 levers fitted (we need two more switches yet)

    DBB17B4D-C239-482D-BDE7-F6A141859471.jpeg A75F8DC0-F416-4906-AFCC-3F0800DCB52C.jpeg F49903CD-D914-4455-8F17-7E5B359DE074.jpeg
     
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  6. Dublo

    Dublo Full Member

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    Love your levers Andy. Fantastic idea well done.
     
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  7. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    [​IMG]

    Jeez... are you modelling something that the Swoop or Bumpy put together on the CVR :avatar::avatar::avatar::avatar:
     
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  8. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Would you let felswoop or Bumpy near signal equipment?
     
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  9. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Bumpy would probably get the back of his tank top caught in a signal lever handle then catapult himself out through the box window and Swoop would just paint the levers the wrong colour... guaranteed :avatar: My nightmare scenario beaten only by Gasbomb with a set of plans on day release at Consall station:facepalm::faint::avatar::avatar:
     
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  10. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    So you can paint them green, pink, orange, purple..... :avatar::avatar:

    Brilliant work Andy, they look awesome !

    Cheers, Gary.
     
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  11. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    Love these :tophat::tophat::tophat:
     
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  12. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Very impressive - pity Hornby never came up with the idea it would sell well.

    Paul
     
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  13. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    Very nice lever frame Andy,
    You better take a deep breath and sit down before you are flooded with orders........:avatar::avatar::avatar:
    :tophat:Gormo
     
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  14. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Shhh, don't say it too loud Paul, Hornby are listening.... :avatar::avatar:

    Cheers, Gary.
     
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  15. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Well Andy and I would never do something like that because we are purists but we both know certain people from the past who didn't totally understand the meaning of "historical accuracy" . Yes there was indeed a character nicknamed Bumpy who actually got caught up in a signal lever and tripped up heading towards an open window in the box... we caught him in time before anything bad happened, but yes Gary this is all true. There were may other such "preservationists" I met over the years some with weird and wonderful ideas about signalling and a few who were just plainly deranged which is sad to say. :avatar:

    Indeed Andy's design modelling skills are initiative and brilliant and this shines through. :tophat:
     
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  16. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Thank you Paul!
     
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  17. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Thanks Gormo
     
  18. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Potential for other styles.
    There is a little inaccuracy in that these should be verticals when set back, but artistic licensing is permitted.

    where as others would be more prototypical to this angle(s)
     
  19. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    :cheers: Thanks!
     
  20. Echidna

    Echidna Full Member

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    Dear Andy,

    very impressive, and well done. An elegant solution to enhance your lever switches.

    Actually, the Midland Railway of England lever frames were just one design where the normal / back in frame position was angled similar to what you have depicted above.

    Whilst you have modelled a McKenzie & Holland / Westinghouse Brake & Signal style lever as commonly used in Australia and the UK. different interlocking frame manufacturers, due to the design of the locking, used different angles for "in the frame" and "out of the frame" positions. The spacings between levers also varied, as did the block of levers grouped together ( 4, 5, or 6 per block was usual )

    The use of round lever numbers was a MK&H trait, though many railways did prefer a plate which listed associated lever numbers, others used a lever plate that was descriptive of what the lever operated. It was not unknown for Signal Maintenance to fit replacement plates to a "new" standard if required.

    Also, after 1923, frame renewals, replacements, or extensions may result in a former railways frame ending up out of its territory. In instances when signal boxes were amalgamated, or removed, the old frame was sent to store for spares, and at some future time, was relocked for a new location. Mechanical frames are infinitely repairable, and have a very long life, 90 years of service is not unusual, and even then, it can still be repaired and reused; as many preserved railways have
    demonstrated.

    At the end of the day, your purchaser can repaint the lever as they deem appropriate !

    Speaking of lever colours, for the VR, Black was points, Red was signals, Light Blue was lockbars. Top half white with bottom half black was a magpie lever, which secured the locking for a particular signal and route ( and was used when a colour light dwarf signal replaced a group of disc signals, thereby obviating the need to completely relock the frame ), white was spare ( MK&H frames were usually in groups of 5 ), though was usually the result of a particular lever function becoming redundant, and leaving the lever in place was preferable to removing it ). New frames rarely had white levers, new frames would either have gaps, or were specifically built for a specific location. Recycled ( or relocked ) frames may result in a white lever, though it was unusual.

    In the UK, Brown was used for gate wheels and wicket gates ( both Black on the VR ), Green, and later, Yellow was used for Distant signals ( always Red on the VR ). There were other colours as well, though not applicable to a model railway. If you controlled power switches via a model lever frame, Yellow or Black & White may be worth considering.

    Finally, a question please. As I am unaware of the Tri-Ang lever dimensions, is it possible for your design to also fit a Hornby Dublo or GEM lever ?

    Regards, Echidna.
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2020
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