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

Setup

ESP8266

• Installing MicroPython
• ESP8266 Info
• Mount local filesystem

References

• Semaphore
• SigOS: Printing Plastic Lenses

IBLS Source Code

• IBLS SigOS on Github

ESP32 boards

• ESP32 S2 mini
  • Buy at AliExpress
  • buy at Amazon
• ESP8266 w/4M Flash
  • How to use all pins of the ESP8266
  • How to use the ESP8266 pins
  • Socket for ESP8266

MicroPython

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

Servos

Be sure to use the "Tower" or "Miuzei" servos with metal gears, as the cheaper ones have plastic gears

• [1]
• Datasheet for SD90 micro servo