PRR Dwarf Signals

George,

House of Duddy used to make them, not sure the compatibility with any Z stuff electronics - I know the signals operate off 12V DC.

Check out this thread.

As a side note - were dwarf signals used to show switch position? I always thought they showed aspects for reverse moves.

I was also looking for PRR style dwarfs.  The closest I found was Shapeways.  It seems to be only the head, you add the lights and, maybe the back.  I didn’t pull the trigger, so I can’t say more.

Here is the link:

https://www.shapeways.com/prod...osition-light-signal

Both NJ International and Custom Signals (Terry Terrance) used to provide them, but as far as I know, Terry retired and no one bought his business (his helpful websites are now off the internet).  I'm not sure what happened to NJ International, but I haven't seen anything from them in years.  Personally, I don't recall seeing anything like PRR style dwarf signals made by either MTH, Lionel or Atlas, though MTH and Atlas still occasionally make PRR style full signals.

Unless another manufacturer appears, only options seem to be second-hand market or custom build starting with 3D printed pieces and adding your own lights and electronics.  The nice thing about Terry's operation was that he provided signals, prototypical placement assistance for your personal layout, and electronics to make it all work.

And, in an answer to PRR7688's side note question, dwarfs were not used to show switch positions or for reverse moves.  They were generally used at terminals and interlockings to provide added info to engineers about track occupancy ahead, routing, and speed governance where high signals were either not practical (took too much space between tracks) or just couldn't provide enough of the same info.

Good luck with your search.

Chuck

George,

Go to the big auction site and type in O Scale dwarf signals.

Dave

George,

You might also want to look at The Keystone Modeler issue #105 from 2018.  There was a nice article about using the Shapeways 3D printed dwarf signals, albeit in HO.  Maybe the owner will scale it up for you (us)?  Looks like the product is sold in strips of 10 signals.

Chuck

@PRR1950 posted:

George,

You might also want to look at The Keystone Modeler issue #105 from 2018.  There was a nice article about using the Shapeways 3D printed dwarf signals, albeit in HO.  Maybe the owner will scale it up for you (us)?  Looks like the product is sold in strips of 10 signals.

Chuck

The Shapeways already has the dwarf in O.

@PRR1950 posted:

Both NJ International and Custom Signals (Terry Terrance) used to provide them

Custom Signals was run by Terry Christopher, not Terry Terrance.

House of Duddy once offered them, although I do not know who might have made them. I once found some years ago a seller on ebay that had a quantity (sold individually) and bought  a few.

I also have an MTH one, it is marginally better overall than the Duddy.