yard signals??

[mmr1229]

i am currently in the process of installing signals on my layout, i for the most part understand where the signals should go around the layout. however, im not sure how signals should be arranged in a yard, or if a yard even gets signals. any suggestions??

[richhotrain]

mmr1229

i am currently in the process of installing signals on my layout, i for the most part understand where the signals should go around the layout. however, im not sure how signals should be arranged in a yard, or if a yard even gets signals. any suggestions??

I use dwarf signals (green over red) from Tomar Industries next to each turnout in the yard.  They are Tortoise controlled, look great, operate just fine, and appear to be prototypical.

Rich

[dehusman]

99% of yards don't have any signals other than those required to control access to the main track or a controlled siding.  Switch stands will have targets or lamps to indicate how they are lined, but they aren't usually dwarf signals.

You can, of course, install anything you want.

[tangerine-jack]

Dave is quite correct, most yards have only approach signals, while inside the yard the switches are thrown manualy and use only a green/red target.  It is the responsibility of the conductor and engineer to make darn sure the switch is thrown properly.  Dwarf signals are often used in yards only on the tracks that approach a main line or through track of some kind, generaly any switch that has a signal lamp of some type is a switch that is controlled remotely by a dispatcher, not one that comes under the umbrella of a yard master. 

 I've waited hours on end for a foreman to come out and throw a manual switch so I could go 100 ft onto another railroad's line, then waited hours on end for the other railroad to get me through that section of yard, only to wait for hours again to get the dispatcher to give me track (remote switch on a signal) so I could get on the main.  Yard operations are rather much like watching paint dry, and dont' expect anything but a Fed-Ex train to go through fast.  I've been stuck in yards for days at a time (my personal record was 5 days at Enola yard in Harrisburg PA) wating for track time.  But I digress.