Signal lights - for show or operations?

[richhotrain]

My signal system is somewhere between active elements of my operating sessions and just there for visual effects? What I mean by that is that my signals are all wired to turnouts to indicate straight through (green) and divergent (red). So, in that sense, the signals are operational, permitting me to visually check my routes. However, the signals on my layout are not used to indicate block occupancy and are not automated in that fashion.

Rich

[oldline1]

Personally, I'm not smart enough to figure out fully functioning signals. I operate a dark railroad. I have operated on and seen layouts using great working signal systems and just assumed they worked by magic! I've also seen quite a few layouts with signals that light up but have no control over the trains.

Wish I could help with your situation.

oldline1

 

[gmpullman]

I really enjoy having signals on my layout. Most are, as you say, just for visual effects, but they do change to red when the engine passes, using mainly IR detectors from Logic-Rail. I decided early on that having a true automatic block system was somewhat futile for my "lone-wolf" operation. Having signals in true prototype locations on the layout would be nearly impossible to see most of the time.

I would have to stop the train until I could run around to see what the signal is, anyway. Still, there are some "absolute" signals that must be obeyed, at a raised drawbridge or a crossing where the roundhouse lead crosses the main.

I have some B&O color position lights:

IMG_5968_fix by Edmund, on Flickr

 Some Pennsy position light signals:

IMG_3607_fix by Edmund, on Flickr

IMG_2666 by Edmund, on Flickr

Some manual semaphore train order signals. These are controlled using Humpyard lever controls. In the background you can see some GRS searchlight signals, too.

BnO_5300_full-sm1800 by Edmund, on Flickr

Here are some more GRS searchlights on a cantilever bridge. I really get a kick out of seeing the signal color reflect off the stainless cars and polished rail.

PRR_diner by Edmund, on Flickr

Same signal in daylight:

Beeliner_1 by Edmund, on Flickr

I have one place where I have a five-minute fusee burning. Trains have to stop until it burns out before proceeding. Probably the most rudimentary type of signal, other than torpedoes, which I'll leave alone for now. The fusee is on a one minute timer and toward the end it actually sputters out like a real fusee.

car_stop3 by Edmund, on Flickr

Presently, I'm building some PRR style position-light dwarf signals. These things are really tiny!

PRR_PL2 by Edmund, on Flickr

PRR_PL by Edmund, on Flickr

Nearly all of my signals are wired to Logic-Rail controllers and most have overrides to compensate for switch positions or traffic direction (nothing worse than seeing an oncoming train and a green signal facing you, too). 

 

IMG_6236 by Edmund, on Flickr

Signals are a fun and visually interesting addition to a layout. I still have a few more places where I want to have additional signals. 

IMG_2679 by Edmund, on Flickr

This set of Logic-Rail boards is just for one signal bridge:

IMG_2745fix by Edmund, on Flickr

Have Fun, Ed

 

[PED]

I am interested in adding signal lights to my layout. The use of blocks and signals is an area I have not approached yet for my layout but I anticipate jumping into that area in near future. My biggest question at this point is how the signal lights are actually used. I know some people use them as an active part of their operations while other just have a few lights for visual effects and the lights are not actually used by operators to control trains. 

I am curious how many of you have a layout that use signal lights as active elements of your operating sessions vs the lights are just there for visual effects?