Wood for a railway signal arm

[DanGB]

Hi all,
Something a little different here.
I have been tasked to recreate a railway semaphore signal arm.

Size approx 1400mm, 249mm, 20mm.

I believe the original is cedar wood (says on some old drawings of these arms)

I am trying to decide what wood to use now. I think it should be a single piece (for strength?). So needs something wide enough.

I think cedar was maybe a good choice as it was not too heavy?

It will be external but fully primed and painted so that should protect it.
It should be strong as it bounces up and down when the signal moves.

Suggestions for wood to use would be great!

Here is the arm in question:

Many thanks!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Would it not be better in alloy, maybe 3mm? Once painted it would be impossible to see any difference and it would last much longer..

 

[DanGB]

Would it not be better in alloy, maybe 3mm? Once painted it would be impossible to see any difference and it would last much longer..

Would probably be better yes, but people would complain its not heritage, trust me, they would know somehow.

 

[EddieM]

Have you not just answered your own question? For originally and a quiet life, cedar it is.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Cedar withstands harsh weather well whilst being relatively light and cheap (or rather it was)

 

[DanGB]

Thanks for the input guys!

 

[Gerrydelasel]

Or larch

 

[Notch7]

Western red cedar.

Or siberian larch, douglas fir, iroko.

For the longest lifespan accoya.....