Large Scale Central

Signals

General Discussion
#1

I have 2 South bend 3 way signals to put on my layout, question, where would normally they go, right out of the yard, or at a crossover, looking at what position to put them.

Thanks for the help.

Tom H

Side note, getting a little frustrated with the other website, had 2 posts that noone ever responded, I have met people from both sides, always very helpful, but lately getting turned off by lack of response, I know I dont post often, because i am new, dont have experience yet to post.

Sorry for the rant, and hope I did not offend anyone.

#2

Tom,
I’m surprised you’ve not had a response at the other site.
I’m no expert on signals. But signals can be placed most anywhere on a GRR.
Signals control “blocks” of track. The RR’s generally keep an empty block between trains traveling the same direction.
Nearly everywhere I set up for Railfanning, there usually is a signal visible.
ralph

#3

Possible useful info in here? http://www.lundsten.dk/us_signaling/movement.html
Color choices for background and lettering make it a bit of work to read, though.
Railroad Rules, Signaling, Operations:
North American Signaling Basics
by Carsten S. Lundsten
Updated 27-09-1998

#4

Maybe this helpful? http://www.railroadsignals.us/indexa.htm#A
A - SIGNAL BASICS

  1. Introduction
  2. Signals In Use In The U.S.A. Today
  3. Glossary Of Signal Terms
  4. Reading Signals and Rules 1
  5. Reading Signals and Rules 2
  6. Train Control Methods by Signals
  7. AAR Abbreviations and Circuit and Drawing Symbols
  8. Chromaticity Charts for the railroad and other services
  9. Signal Timeline
  10. Signal Survey - 8/2005
#5

I guess the answer to the question of where they might be placed is what do you want them to control? Once you have answered that, the where question falls easily into place.

#6

Aside from doing a whole bunch of reading, there are usually always signals, where there’s a switch to a passing siding… At points along a single track mainline, they would be at whatever distance you feel would be appropriate for a ““Block length””.

#7

The wiki has a pretty good section on signals and CTC control.

http://www.largescalecentral.com/wiki/index.php?title=CTC

Explains why signals are where they are.