Servo Gadgets
Why servos? The answer is simple. Availability, or lack thereof, anything that moves that isn't a locomotive. Good luck finding any kind of operating items, short of remote control switch machines. No operating crossing gates. No operating semaphore signals. Nothing. Even those remote control switch machines are generally unavailable, and expensive when they can be had. I must admit, we have yet to venture into servo driven anything on the Barkyard Railroad. And yes, you guessed it, coming soon!
That's not to say we haven't done any research on the subject. Obviously we've looked into remote control switch machines. We even looked into signals, especially semaphore signals. I have done enough with the control of servo (and stepper) motors to know it's possible, so it's not like we haven't done anything. We've invested more in those ideas than research, but with all the other more pressing necessities for the Barkyard that remain incomplete, they are currently much less important.
I mention controlling servo and stepper motors because my first thought is how to "cram" everything into one of those manual switch machines that come with the Aristocraft switches. It's difficult enough to stuff a servo motor, even a micro servo, into one of those enclosures. But where to fit an arduino, motor driver, AND battery as well? The obvious answer is hide everything but the servos in a lineside relay box or equipment rack. Better yet, an interlocking shanty or tower where we can hide a solar panel to charge the battery!
This is the concept developed by others for converting rotary to linear motion.
I have seen sporadic signal offerings, including the more recent Split Jaw (previously BridgeWerks, not sponsored) incarnation, but they disappear almost as quickly as they appear. It's not like my HO days where multiple signal offerings are available. Even then, when I had a layout that spanned two rooms of the house, I had yet to incorporate signals. Those readily available kits or other manufactured signals never really addressed my need for PRR position lights, let alone B&O colored position light signals.
I dabbled with plastic and etched brass versions, and the electronics, but still had issues sourcing those 505nm blue green LEDs for the colored position light. That works well for an inside layout, protected from the elements, and the pounding of puppy paws. Between the already limited availability of anything garden scale related and the fragile nature of anything entirely plastic left to bake in sun, it's difficult to model a credible scene, let alone a lasting one.
The issue we'd have with signals is the constant threat of destruction. They would have to be removable, that is to say insert the signals into some sort of socket or receptacle when running and remove them when done and take our chances with the pups in between. That adds a level of complexity, both mechanical and electronic. One common thread on the forums is lack of detection using the old style infrared (IR) sensors, so wondering if incorporating those new fangled proximity sensors into the signals themselves may be a better approach (think approach lighting too).