New layout - signaling advice

[LMSFan72]

Hi

I have decided to remodel my layout in a new room. The room will be shared as a tv-room so I am restricting the layout to the edges. To avoid having to get too complex with the base and to give lots of operating interest I have decided that it will be a C shape with 2 terminuses. The room is approximately 6m x 4m.

I will operate steam as well as diesel (including HSTs) - possibly having removable scenery to reflect different eras, although the turntables will always be in situ!

I was wondering if there are any signalling experts here who would give me an idea of what semaphore signals I ought to place where! The outer track runs clockwise, the inner anti-clockwise. I know the stations/yards are somewhat cobbled together but I am hoping I have some degree of practicality!

The top terminus has a goods yard at the end of the top platform, the bottom has a goods yard with run around at the very bottom prior to the station entry.

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Any comment or help would be very gratefully appreciated.

 

 

[RB51]

I can't answer the signalling question - but the layout looks great. Well done. R-

[2e0dtoeric]

Do you intend to put signals as in real life, or just enough to make it look like there are?

In real life, each set of points/junction would be protected by a signal, either ground-frame or post, for each direction of operation.

In model terms, as the long distances between stations is compressed into a few feet, at best, it can get very cluttered!

[LCDR]

 Some basic 'rules' for semaphore signals.

 

Every passenger train movement that passes over points needs a signal to indicate that the points are correctly set for it. However one signal can protect or indicate more than one set of points.  So a signal on each platform end can protect all the points at the station throat.  Also a signal protecting the crossovers against incoming trains can apply all the way into each of the platforms.

 

From sidings a small signal or a ground disc signal can be used instead of a main one, but if the siding can approach into the 'Section' (see later) then if there isn't a section signal ahead, a proper signal may be necessary.

 

Where one or more routes turn out from the main one some means of indicating which way the pointrs are lying is needed. With semaphore signals this is usually achieved by having a different signal for each route arranged geographically. The left most signal applying to the route furthest left and so in. These are arranged along a bracket or gantry close to the track that they apply to. Signals for other than passenger trains, that is those leading into sidings,  usually have smaller arms than normal.  It is not always necessary to have a signal for every siding.  One small one could apply to a fan of sidings.

 

The track between signal boxes / stations is usually referred to as the 'Section'.  Before a train can enter a 'Section' the signalman at the box ahead must give permission using block telegraph.  The last signal at a station before a train enters the section is usually locked by the block instrument.  Once a train has passed the 'Section' signal it remains locked at danger until the signalman ahead sends an electronic release, which he doesn't do until the first train has passed his 'Home' signal and then gone a safe distance into his station area.

 

The 'home' signal is the first signal at the approach to the station. It can be the one that shows which route is set into the platforms, or it can be another (outer home) which the approaching train passes before reaching it.  Having an 'outer home' signal give the signalman more flexibility for shunting.

 

In the 'Section' approaching the station but at a distance from the home signal sufficient to give a driver a warning will be a distant signal which is a yellow one with a fishtail end.  In real life these are at least 3/4 mile on the approach to the home signal. The Distant signal remains at 'Caution' (arm horizontal) until all the signals at the station have been cleared.

 

These are very general 'rules' for signalling, which can be a very complex subject.

[LCDR]

This sketch shows the basics for a terminus.

 

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[RDS]

Great post LC&DR, very informative.

[LMSFan72]

Thanks 2e0 and LC. LC's great posts help me to answer 2e0! I envisage something very much like LC's diagram, so, I am going to have a good long digest of this and try and come up with a plan! Huge thanks to all.

[LCDR]

 The gantry in more modern installations might be replaced by a single main arm and a route indicator, there were mechanical route indicators long before there were electric light ones. A number or letter in  display frame would be shown as soon as the correct route signal lever  was operated, and at the same time the arm would be cleared to a proceed aspect. There was a complex system of levers and catches which achieved this.

 

Each company did their own thing.If anyone is interested in how the LMS did it Noodle Books publish a paperback reprint of "A pictorial record of LMS signals"  ISBN 978 1 906419 7 for £14-95. A mechanical route indicator appears on page 26.