The Beginning Phases:
Signalling may look like a daunting task to begin with, but actually once you get some basics down, it's really not that hard. For this whole guide, I will be using the Jointedrail Safetran signals which can be found at their website under the links section of this page. They provide the most realistic operations possible so, this is why they are the preferred.
Once we get them installed, it's time to start working in the planning phase. If you're in the planning phase of signals, it means you probably have some track already laid down. Simply plopping down signals is not enough for a good operation, we need to think about what kind of things are going to be going on in the track.
Here are some things to think about before laying signals down:
Is it a dual track main capable of bi-directional running on both tracks? (Not exactly AI friendly)
Single track main with Bi-directional running capabilities? (You can work this to be AI friendly if you wanted too, but I'm not big on AI running actually)
(FYI: Bi-directional running means that if you have a north-south track, it means trains will run the north-bound direction and the southbound direction on the same track)
Are there sidings for trains to tie down and wait?
Is there a yard?
Will trains be stopping somewhere to perform crew changes?
Are there crossovers?
What will the trains on this line be doing?
Is it a class 1, 2, or 3 line? (This is huge)
If it is class 3, then they don't typically have signals.
Class 1's always have signals.
Class 2's have signals most of the time, but there are some dark territories.
Is there an approach where a dual-track main becomes just a single track?
Are there curves mixed with hills and trees that block visibility of serious situations ahead?
All of those factors need to be considered before signalling a route because those factors affect the operations of the RR itself.
Once we get them installed, it's time to start working in the planning phase. If you're in the planning phase of signals, it means you probably have some track already laid down. Simply plopping down signals is not enough for a good operation, we need to think about what kind of things are going to be going on in the track.
Here are some things to think about before laying signals down:
Is it a dual track main capable of bi-directional running on both tracks? (Not exactly AI friendly)
Single track main with Bi-directional running capabilities? (You can work this to be AI friendly if you wanted too, but I'm not big on AI running actually)
(FYI: Bi-directional running means that if you have a north-south track, it means trains will run the north-bound direction and the southbound direction on the same track)
Are there sidings for trains to tie down and wait?
Is there a yard?
Will trains be stopping somewhere to perform crew changes?
Are there crossovers?
What will the trains on this line be doing?
Is it a class 1, 2, or 3 line? (This is huge)
If it is class 3, then they don't typically have signals.
Class 1's always have signals.
Class 2's have signals most of the time, but there are some dark territories.
Is there an approach where a dual-track main becomes just a single track?
Are there curves mixed with hills and trees that block visibility of serious situations ahead?
All of those factors need to be considered before signalling a route because those factors affect the operations of the RR itself.
Actually getting to work:
Signal placing for single track mains
Signalling single track mainlines is actually probably the most easy thing you'll ever do. It's gets trickier if you're preferring AI running, but since I never signal for AI's because it is a complete PITA, you'll be signalling a mainline for you to be the engineer of your trains.
So to do this, I will be laying down a long section of single track main. This is so we can begin placing signals. Once you have that done, pick a spot, preferably away from the end of the line at the end of the baseboard.
There's going to be a couple specific assets I'm going to use for this. The first signals are going to use the Safetran signal Mast and the JR Safetran signal 04 head and the left allotted version.
So to do this, I will be laying down a long section of single track main. This is so we can begin placing signals. Once you have that done, pick a spot, preferably away from the end of the line at the end of the baseboard.
There's going to be a couple specific assets I'm going to use for this. The first signals are going to use the Safetran signal Mast and the JR Safetran signal 04 head and the left allotted version.