Permanent fold-down and hinged signals
In situations where blue signals are used repeatedly and don’t need to be moved, permanent fold-down and hinged signals are used. The design for both styles is similar. The main difference is fold-down signals lack the locking mechanism and springs found on hinged versions.
On both versions, a base plate is mounted on a crosstie between the rails. The signals can be raised and lowered as needed. Permanent folddown and hinged signals are typically found in engine terminals, passenger layover tracks, and shop and carinspection tracks.
I made my fold-down signal using a combination of styrene and metal parts. Those with moderate or advanced metal working skills could fashion a sign using metal exclusively.
Start by cutting a short length of .060" x .060" styrene strip and drill a hole through it close to one end ❶.
Next, cut the styrene to the width of a crosstie and bevel the top edges with a file or sanding stick ❷.
Take a length of wire (any diameter between .019" through .028") and bend one end to a right angle. Insert the wire through the hole in the styrene block, allowing the short leg to extend through the other side. Cut the staff to a scale 40" ❸.
Mount the styrene block on a .015" styrene strip base the same width as the crosstie using plastic solvent cement ❹.
Hold the staff upright and pull it out slightly. Then attach two styrene strips to the base, one on each side of the horizontal section of the staff. Leave a small gap between the strips and the block so the staff can lay down flat ❺.
Then trim the styrene strips and the base so they’re roughly the same size as the block ❻.
Complete the blue signal by attaching a square or rectangular sign plate to the staff. Paint the sign and staff blue and the base weathered black. Once dry, secure the base to a crosstie using cyanoacrylate adhesive or plastic solvent cement.