Semaphore Signal System for TMSRR

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. 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.

Files

• CAD Files
• Photos and drawings

References

• Semaphore

• IBLS Source Code
  • IBLS SigOS on Github

• ESP32 boards
  • ESP32 S2 mini
    • Buy at AliExpress
    • buy at Amazon
  • ESP8266 w/4M Flash

• MicroPython
  • MicroPython - Getting Started, YouTube
  • MicroPython for ESP32 S2 mini
  • ESPRESSIF flash download tool
  • rshell

• Micro Servo
  • SG92R micro servo for $5.95 at AdaFruit.com
  • Datasheet for SD90 micro servo
  • Arduino code for controlling a servo
  • Arduino servo code library description

• Arduino code C/C++
  • NTP Client
  • ESPTelnet
  • ESP8266 Socket Server
  • ESP8266 WiFi Quickstart
  • ESP8266 WiFi Server
  • IPAddress
  • String
  • toCharArray
  • pinMode

• How to use all pins of the ESP8266
• How to use the ESP8266 pins
• Socket for ESP8266