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New Searchligh signals

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New Searchligh signals 10/07/2013 at 11:32 #46889
Simdmuk
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Hi all

With the impending demise of Trent PSB I have noticed some new "searchlight" style signals being installed in some locations like this one:



However most of the new signalling is the more usual LED style with the big maintenance cages and ladders as seen here :




The searchlight versions have no cages or ladders ! I've seen a load of these between Ely and Norwich and there's one at the end of Platform 4 at Peterborough which has indicators and feathers.
Why question is why are two very different designs of signal being installed at the same time in certain locations in the Nottingham area ?

EG All the signals bar one around the Lenton Junction area are "Nornal" type.However the exit signal of what is now going to be the single line Lenton Curve to the main lines is a "searchlight" type.

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Last edited: 10/07/2013 at 11:36 by Simdmuk
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New Searchligh signals 10/07/2013 at 11:42 #46891
jc92
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the searchlights look like invensys/siemens/whatever they choose to call themselves now's modular signals which "plug in" to a base, hence they can be taken down for maintenance rather than requiring a ladder.

are the conventional signals actually new, or have they simply been refitted with LED lamps?

"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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New Searchligh signals 10/07/2013 at 11:49 #46893
headshot119
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" said:
the searchlights look like invensys/siemens/whatever they choose to call themselves now's modular signals which "plug in" to a base, hence they can be taken down for maintenance rather than requiring a ladder.

are the conventional signals actually new, or have they simply been refitted with LED lamps?
They are also a lot easier to install apparently, "plug & Play" as it was described to me once the base is installed.

"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
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New Searchligh signals 10/07/2013 at 11:56 #46894
UKTrainMan
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" said:
" said:
the searchlights look like invensys/siemens/whatever they choose to call themselves now's modular signals which "plug in" to a base, hence they can be taken down for maintenance rather than requiring a ladder.

are the conventional signals actually new, or have they simply been refitted with LED lamps?
They are also a lot easier to install apparently, "plug & Play" as it was described to me once the base is installed.
Sounds like / reminds me of a Minecraft torch!

Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for.
Last edited: 10/07/2013 at 11:57 by UKTrainMan
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New Searchligh signals 10/07/2013 at 12:04 #46895
postal
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Lot of stuff about the new signals in July Modern Railways as part of their coverage of the Ely - Norwich re-signalling
“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
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New Searchligh signals 10/07/2013 at 13:41 #46902
outofsection
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" said:
" said:
the searchlights look like invensys/siemens/whatever they choose to call themselves now's modular signals which "plug in" to a base, hence they can be taken down for maintenance rather than requiring a ladder.

are the conventional signals actually new, or have they simply been refitted with LED lamps?
They are also a lot easier to install apparently, "plug & Play" as it was described to me once the base is installed.
Shouldn't that read "Plug & Pray?)

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New Searchligh signals 10/07/2013 at 16:38 #46920
Simdmuk
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" said:

are the conventional signals actually new, or have they simply been refitted with LED lamps?
Everything else is conventional but new. A few of these bases appear on the Trowell line but all the other signals in the Lenton/Mansfield Junction area are new conventional types with new bases/ladders heads etc.So it seems odd that they place an odd one in that location when everything else of the other type. Again looking at new (to be commissioned) signals between Netherfield Jn and towards Attenborough,99% are of the conventional type but I have spied a couple of these "plug & Play" bases along what is at present the Up Goods.

Edit: Having now got an idea of what these things are from the replies and googled a few things, it seems that NR are aiming to install these on secondary lines so hence the mix.Found another pic on Tyneside here :


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Last edited: 10/07/2013 at 17:06 by Simdmuk
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New Searchligh signals 10/07/2013 at 19:04 #46927
Ron_J
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Those are the version of LED lightweight signals made by VMS, which also fold down for maintenance access. See here or here for further examples.
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New Searchligh signals 11/07/2013 at 07:07 #46974
sorabain
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seems ironic that in the last decade or so that the model railway ready-made signalling equipment available has improved in quality with many fine details to stop looking toy-like, but now in the real world signals are starting to lose those details and look like toys!
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New Searchligh signals 11/07/2013 at 12:16 #46990
Stephen Fulcher
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Whilst they might be easier to maintain in some ways such as not having to go up a ladder, they are a pain in others. For example to clean the lenses on a conventional signal one simply climbs the ladder with the glass cleaner and rag, cleans lens and then comes down again. With these, a line blockage is required as the signal is effectively removed whilst it is lowered.
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New Searchligh signals 16/07/2013 at 17:48 #47235
welshdragon
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Or a sponge on a stick?
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