Demian, the "things that poke out" and the "thing on the the side telegraphs (main engine telegraphs) that isn't on the middle (emergency) one" refer to the same thing; sorry about the ambiguous wording.
As for how they move, I refer to them as "tell-tales" when describing movement. Basically, they just snap between "Ahead" "Stop" and "Astern," depending on how the telegraph handles are set.
For straight on views of the telegraph faces, all that I can find in terms of direct source material I know of for that is this very brief video of the engine order telegraph on the Olympic:
http://www.bbcmotiongallery.co.uk/gallery/clip/1BK6413_0002.do?assetId=clip_16308366. (You can also use that to double check your needle sizes; I suspect that they might be a tad over-exaggerated in your model.)
Otherwise, programs like Gmod and Google Sketchup often have user-created content of the Titanic. They typically include the faces of at least the engine order telegraphs!
If you still feel uncomfortable with making the other faces, or aren't certain how to go about coloring the old footage, I have 2 fall back planes:
1) I have someone here willing to do decals, and I can inform him of the task.
2) I know of someone who is making the Titanic in Crysis. I might be able to ask him for his telegraph decals, though it may or may not take a while for him to reply.
Other than that, I love how the models are progressing! I think the telegraphs rather wide. Like I said, the 2 stud depth was only a vague estimate (and one that would have included the handles at that). Feel free to keep playing with the dimensions until you have a result virtually identical to the images. (I know that most 3D editing software lets you set images behind the model.)
Also, to make sure we're clear on one of the concepts for the telegraphs: If possible, set the needles that point to the commands to a different brick in such a way where the base brick can be made invisible and the needle can find its place within the telegraph. The needles do NOT move immediately with the handles on the same telegraph.
:(
Don't worry, there are plenty more requests on the way!
