Install a Working Semaphore Signal from Dapol

Jenny explains how to install a working semaphore signal from Dapol on your model railway, in today's video.
If you like the look of these signals and would like some for your layout, here's a link to help you out: bit.ly/3Ios1vB
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[@jamesgilbart2672]

Interesting video and new developments in Dapol signals. Yes, I also like the 'bounce' effect. I'm hoping Dapol will extend their range of motorised bracket signals to include some upper quadrant types and maybe even some gantry-mountable ones.

[@paulnorthcott6634]

Great video Jenny. Glad they worked for you. I’ve installed two of these junction signals and they have been nothing short of an expensive disaster. Firstly 9 of the 12 soldered connections to the switches were so brittle they just fell off, and one of the switches wouldn’t work at all. Having resoldered the switches one arm on one signal didn’t work at all. The other signal has a life of its own, with the arms bouncing up and down constantly without me doing anything. They’re on their way back.

[@richardswiderski4985]

Great video Dapol have made a super job of the signal and the bounce looks great.

[@roystudds1944]

Interesting video, I liked these a lot, but quite a price! Thanks for sharing Jenny. Happy New Year to you both. Roy.

[@MarkVoce]

Excellent video. If you are using the Cobalt IP Digital point motors I guess you can wire straight into the S2 L, R & C terminals as that is essentially a SPDT switch, same as the mechanical ones supplied. That way you have an interlocked point and signal. The frog terminal will output the DCC track voltage so can't see how that will work. I didn't realise the older signals just toggled their state, these look much better.

[@mels1811]

Wonderful video

[@mels4796]

wonderful video

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

Thnx for the info 👍👍👍👍👍

[@1701_FyldeFlyer]

Good review, jen. Have to say I prefer MegaPoints Controller's solution.

[@peterjackson-cheadleheath1182]

Yes another great video, with an easy explaination of 'how to' fit it. I really do like your style of doing these! Servo's are the way forward for me at least. Thank you Jenny.

[@kodibellchambers1290]

Hi Jenny! Loving the videos, Giving a very clear and concise set of instructions! As someone who has heavily invested in DCC Concepts gear. I am running DCC IP Digital Point motors throughout my entire layout. I was wondering if it's possible to wire these DAPOL Signals in to be thrown when I throw a point? Ultimately removing the requirement for me to get the Train-Tech Signal controller box.

[@paulredding5864]

Another useful video Jenny insofar as awareness of what is coming out but, my oh my, what a price; £57 each at Hattons (I had guessed around £44 before looking). It's the time immemorial offset of cost v convenience and as you mention, if you have the ability to build eg Ratio signals, and then use with MegaPoints controllers for instance, after 2x signals you will have the costs matched. The MPC system also has a prototypical arm 'bounce' built in and is automatically switched through track sensors. Neither system is wrong or right but for multiple signal installs, the costs need to be carefully weighed up. The Dapol LED feature and connection is very nice indeed though

[@JenniferEKirk]

Convenience counts for a lot though. I think a lot of people will baulk at the fiddly nature of the Ratio kits and their fragility.

[@melchestermodelrailway]

A very interesting review of this new development from Dapol, Jenny. I invested a lot in these signals when they first came out, and although they are Great, the mechanism was not always as reliable as one would like, so I welcome any improvement to the mechanism that Dapol has made. I hope they will update their previous single arm signals with this new mechanism; and produce some Southern railway versions as well!

[@MarkInLA]

HOers: Note this is OO, 1:76 only.. May be too big for 1:87. Also, I think it is for left side driver view whereas US driver (engineer) is on the right..But I could be mistaken on that... Anyway, it does look really nice Jenny. Los Angeles

[@loucosmotivaferromodelismo6560]

Muito legal gostei 😜👍🏼🇧🇷

[@larryduncan6756]

THANKS SO MUCH JENNY,,BEEN FOLLOWING YOU ON HERE A LONG TIME.I RUN 0FF OF MULTIY TRACK IN OO. TO POWER 17 !DO I NEED TO GET A SECOND POWER SUPLY?" THANKS FOR THE VID!!!

[@michaelmorgan7893]

I wonder whether that same actuation system can be used with the control rods on the Tomar Semaphore Signals in H.O. scale.

[@wamgoc]

Brilliant Jenny! Could we use this and interlock them with Colbalt Digital point motors? Dapol are really uping their game!👏👏

[@gunterfessler1520]

Schöne Anlage

[@josefbuckland]

JK I use DCC concepts cobalt alpha and all my signals are wired directly to the point motors thanks to a 1cent diode excellent results. QUESTION would not see any reason I could not carry on the same approach. Just wondering if that’s something you dabbled with on the bench. Cheers Josef Model Railway & Toy Room

[@stevio7777]

Thanks Jen do you think an MP5 point motor will work these signals? I've only used the 3 wires to connect my MP5 to my points? so I think I've got 2 relays spare? Thanks

[@JamesPetts]

I approve of working signals.

[@mikebuckner2663]

I know many people like the bounce, but I don't - can the bounce be disabled?

[@tenterdentown2452]

This Dapol signal is a reprise of the old Hornby Dublo electrically-controlled signal. That has a large base to accommodate the solenoid, but no work under the baseboard is necessary! Trix electrically operated semaphores are similar if you can't afford this Dapol offering. I would advise you not to wire the signal into the position of the point as this is very aggravating when you get a derailment! Thanks for uploading.

[@JenniferEKirk]

The old Hornby Dublo signals were the best for a long time. But they are actually solenoid operated and looking very dated next to these new offerings it has to be said. The HD colour aspect signals though still hold their own.

[@tenterdentown2452]

@@JenniferEKirk I have not got any Dublo solenoid Signals. Maybe you could make a video comparing them to the modern Dapol offering? You can operate Hornby R171/2 with a (discontinued) R664 point motor. This would work if you wanted to site a signal where you cannot drill through the baseboard! HD colour light signals are useful in that they do not require polarity to be observed. Some modellers have replaced the bulbs with LEDs where extra brightness is required. Motorised semaphore signals have the advantage over colour lights in that the signal state can be seen from any direction, which is useful if you want to know which way a point is set! According to this video, that's your next project. Have fun,

[@Cthulhu1970]

I wonder what the long term reliablity of these will be like?

[@bazza3643]

Hi Sir William, In June 2018 I installed 6 Dapol SR semephor signals,, controlled by 3 Train-Tech Automatic control units, each signal also has a manual override. I estimate that over the past nearly four years each signal has operated realiably at least 20 times per night, 4 times per week, 40 weeks a year, times 4 years = 12,000 times. In that time I've had 2 locomotive decoders burn out. So I believe that Dapol semephor signals are realiable enough for my model railway use.

[@Cthulhu1970]

@@bazza3643 Excellent. It's always good to get positive reports. Thanks for taking the trouble to respond. ✔️

[@ianbaker1279]

Mornin , has't thee bin up all neet ??

[@JenniferEKirk]

The cupboard Monkey has! I filmed this last week.

[@GameHammerCG]

@@JenniferEKirk I think pulling an all-nighter turned out to be worth it

[@andrewross3293]

Thank you very much for a superb video. So clear and well presented. Will these kits fit a one inch baseboard? Take care. Kind regards.

[@staffordstationngauge8359]

Very good, just a shame re all the packaging.

[@hamshackleton]

Price - ouch!

[@barleyarrish]

be careful taking your signal out of it's packaging, even exercising the greatest care, I damaged one beyond repair!