Signals

While visiting the Ballarat Model Railway Show, I came across a trade stand that was selling signals amongst other items.

 
With the limited operational capabilities of this small layout, I thought the provision of working signals would add interest for operators and viewers. The price was right, the friendly stand holder gave me all the instructions I needed so I bought a handful and headed home to create the "Signal Department". A couple of nights work later and I had a signaled layout.

Simple two aspect led signals

The railcar waits in the platform for the "down" oil train to pass.

With the oil train gone, the points have been set, the signal cleared and the railcar continues on its way.

I used six signals in total. In effect two signals protecting the points in each direction and an "exit" signal for trains leaving the layout in each direction. There is no interlocking and no track power isolations linked to signal aspects. Trains can pass signals with disregard and conflicting aspects are possible. Their purpose is purely cosmetic. My grandson who plays trains with Grandad prefers to be the signalman and gets upset when I sail through a signal.  

The signal control panel

The signal control panel is a row of six switches that control the signal aspects. A very simple "pull chart" indicates which switch controls which signal. A nicer diagram will eventually be made but the hand drawn one does the job at the moment. If a six year old can make sense of it, it has achieved its purpose.