Semaphore Signal System for TMSRR: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:SigOS]]
[[Category:Construction]]
[[Category:Construction]]
[[Category:Right of Way]]
[[Category:Right of Way]]
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This article is a work in progress, so please check back frequently.
This article is a work in progress, so please check back frequently.


During the COVID-19 year of 2020 I decided it was time to start work on my own backyard railroad.  After all, that is why I purchased a home on 2.5 acres just outside of the DFW metroplex.
During the COVID-19 year of 2020 I decided it was time to start work on my own backyard railroad, the [[Thurber Mingus & Southern Railroad]].  After all, that is why I purchased a home on 2.5 acres just outside of the DFW metroplex.


I have some "blind" spots to protect, as well as the approaches to a draw bridge, so I decided to use scale semaphore signals. After reviewing different kinds I decided to use the Santa Fe style semaphore motor box.
I have some "blind" spots to protect, as well as the approaches to a draw bridge, so I decided to use scale semaphore signals. After reviewing different kinds I decided to use the Santa Fe style semaphore motor box.


The components have been designed in Fusion360 in 1/8 inch scale and 3D printed in PLA (plastic).  The parts will eventually be recast in a more durable substance, as a test showed major part warping when left in the hot Texas sun.
The components have been designed in Fusion360 in 1/8 inch scale and 3D printed in PLA (plastic).  The parts will eventually be recast in a more durable substance, as a test showed major part warping when left in the hot Texas sun. It looks like PETG should hold up well (more testing to follow).
 
== Software ==
* [[SigOS: The Signal Operating System]]
* [[SigOS: Installing Software]]
 
== Hardware ==
* [[SigOS: Hardware]]
* [https://righttracksignals.com/ Signal Heads]


== Files ==
== Files ==
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* [https://micropython.org/download/ESP8266_GENERIC/ ESP8266 Info]
* [https://micropython.org/download/ESP8266_GENERIC/ ESP8266 Info]
* [https://docs.micropython.org/en/latest/reference/mpremote.html#mpremote-command-mount Mount local filesystem]
* [https://docs.micropython.org/en/latest/reference/mpremote.html#mpremote-command-mount Mount local filesystem]
== Gallery ==
<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:SigOS Signal components October 2025 Daris A Nevil.jpeg|A signal running SigOS software on the small computer board in the center.  The signal head is by [[Ron Light]]. October 2025.
File:Semaphore arm one eighth scale October 2025 Daris A Nevil.jpeg|A one-eighth scale semaphore arm printed in PLA, including the lenses.
</gallery>


== References ==
== References ==


* [[Semaphore]]
* [[Semaphore]]
 
* [[SigOS: The Signal Operating System]]
* IBLS Source Code
* [[SigOS: Printing Plastic Lenses]]
** [https://github.com/IBLS/SigOS IBLS SigOS on Github]
 
* ESP32 boards
** [https://www.wemos.cc/en/latest/s2/s2_mini.html ESP32 S2 mini]
*** [https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802958877264.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt Buy at <i>AliExpress</i>]
*** [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=esp32+s2+mini&crid=2QFU31EY6WTR4&sprefix=esp32+s2+mini%2Caps%2C100&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 buy at <i>Amazon</i>]
** [https://www.sparkfun.com/products/17146 ESP8266 w/4M Flash]
 
* [https://micropython.org/ MicroPython]
** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W3WvXAmDJc MicroPython - Getting Started, <i>YouTube</i>]
** [https://micropython.org/download/ESP32_GENERIC_S2/ MicroPython for ESP32 S2 mini]
** [https://www.espressif.com/en/support/download/other-tools ESPRESSIF flash download tool]
** [https://github.com/dhylands/rshell rshell]
 
* Micro Servo
** [https://www.adafruit.com/product/169#description SG92R micro servo for $5.95 at <i>AdaFruit.com</i>]
** [https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832828324906.html SG90 micro server, <i>AliExpress</i>]
** [http://www.ee.ic.ac.uk/pcheung/teaching/DE1_EE/stores/sg90_datasheet.pdf Datasheet for SD90 micro servo]
** [https://docs.arduino.cc/learn/electronics/servo-motors Arduino code for controlling a servo]
** [https://www.arduino.cc/reference/en/libraries/servo/ Arduino servo code library description]
 
* Arduino code C/C++
** [https://github.com/arduino-libraries/NTPClient/blob/master/NTPClient.h NTP Client]
** [https://github.com/LennartHennigs/ESPTelnet/blob/master/src/ESPTelnet.cpp ESPTelnet]
** [https://techtutorialsx.com/2018/06/02/esp8266-arduino-socket-server/ ESP8266 Socket Server]
** [https://arduino-esp8266.readthedocs.io/en/latest/esp8266wifi/readme.html#quick-start ESP8266 WiFi Quickstart]
** [https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino/blob/master/libraries/ESP8266WiFi/examples/PagerServer/PagerServer.ino ESP8266 WiFi Server]
** [https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino/blob/master/cores/esp8266/IPAddress.h IPAddress]
** [https://www.arduino.cc/reference/en/language/variables/data-types/stringobject/ String]
** [https://www.arduino.cc/reference/en/language/variables/data-types/string/functions/tochararray/ toCharArray]
** [https://www.arduino.cc/reference/en/language/functions/digital-io/pinmode/ pinMode]
 
* [https://wiki.fryktoria.com/doku.php?id=esp8266:how-to-use-all-esp01-gpio-pins How to use all pins of the ESP8266]
* [https://www.instructables.com/How-to-use-the-ESP8266-01-pins/ How to use the ESP8266 pins]
* [https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Gravitech/4Fx2-254mm?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvlX3nhDDO4AEv6E4QfciU7uyb2vcKwETw%3D Socket for ESP8266]

Latest revision as of 07:40, 22 October 2025


by Daris A Nevil

January 2022

This article is a work in progress, so please check back frequently.

During the COVID-19 year of 2020 I decided it was time to start work on my own backyard railroad, the Thurber Mingus & Southern Railroad. After all, that is why I purchased a home on 2.5 acres just outside of the DFW metroplex.

I have some "blind" spots to protect, as well as the approaches to a draw bridge, so I decided to use scale semaphore signals. After reviewing different kinds I decided to use the Santa Fe style semaphore motor box.

The components have been designed in Fusion360 in 1/8 inch scale and 3D printed in PLA (plastic). The parts will eventually be recast in a more durable substance, as a test showed major part warping when left in the hot Texas sun. It looks like PETG should hold up well (more testing to follow).

Software

Hardware

Files

Setup

ESP8266

Gallery

  • A signal running SigOS software on the small computer board in the center. The signal head is by Ron Light. October 2025.

    A signal running SigOS software on the small computer board in the center. The signal head is by Ron Light. October 2025.

  • A one-eighth scale semaphore arm printed in PLA, including the lenses.

    A one-eighth scale semaphore arm printed in PLA, including the lenses.

References

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