I feel like a real stooge for asking this, but I'm relatively new to model railroading and I really don't know what to do about signal devices on my layout. Can anyone tell me if I can get a book or some other information about what all those lights along the tracks mean? Thanks for your help. I'm learning as fast as I can.
Mike: Hail, well met and so forth. Unfortunately, it's my experience that there is no one answer to the question. Signal aspects, that is, what the different signals mean, were governed by each railroad's rule book which means (yes you guessed it) it could and did differ from road to road. So, the best place to start with a realistic system would be with a rule book (try flea markets, swap meets, ebay) Another solution I have heard of is to use the three color signals like a traffic light, where green means proceed, red means stop and yellow is for proceed at reduced speed or caution (as for a turnout or a red signal further down the line. Hope this helps and hope to hear more from you.
Mike, Welcome to TrainBoard! There is an out-of-print book by Kalmbach called "All About Signals" that is useful. Probably the only place to find it now is at a swap meet or train show. Another good book (which should still be in print) is Kalmbach's "How to Operate Your Model Railroad." It has a good section on signals in general. There's also information on web site, but my links no longer work. Maybe someone else can help out there. "Look Ahead, Look South" Southern Railway
Wow guys, thanks for the info!! I love this web site already. Looks like I'll be spending a LOT of time here. Thanks again.
Hi Mike, welcome to our family here on the TrainBoard! Glad to have you as a member! Here is a photo out of my signal book in case you are talking about the older steam engine days. However, I think you would maybe start out with red and green lights for your turnouts, then progress to blocks, unless you go to DCC. I have green turnout lights for when a turnout is set for straight through traffic, and red for turning off the straight. Pretty straight foreward and relatively easy to wire. If you went with separate blocks, then a green light would mean a block of track has power, and red means it is dead. Both of the above would run automatically so nothing to switch on or off. If you have the money, you can also go off the deep end and automate the whole layout so all you get to do is sit around and watch it run on its own.
Mike, Welcome to Trainboard I would have replied earlier but I've been away the past 4 days. what is it you would like to have operate on your layout? I have signals on mine that when show a red aspect the train stops on approach, however at this stage the signal does not go back to stop automatically, maybe one day. I have scratchbuilt my own signals which is far cheaper than buying sunrise signals. I also made my own crossbuckes for my 2 level crossings. If you go to my website you will see more about controlling my layout (link is under my signature) Once again welcome to Trainboard I hope you find our site a wealth of information. If you need any help about the site we ahve a FAQ page or feel free to email me.
All my signals on my layout are controled by myself. I turn the LEDs on and off by toggle switches and so on, same goes for the switch indicator signals. Red is stop on mainline signals, green is go you all know the therory. But I do all the controling by hand for opperation purposes and to keep it simple, and still be fun... I made most of the electrical harnesses myself and all and wired it to work as a real RR would have by alot of guys in different places, but my controls are all controled by me and all. So I go from an Engineer to a Brakeman, to a tower opperator... Its all the fun of going from one to the other and all so... And learning to do it till its perfected....
