I think I might have said this before on forum but........gantry wrote:A good comment Chaz : I agree but have to own up to being a long term "offender" myself. I am busy with my 7th. layout and making big efforts this time to include signalling....albeit strictly scenic and non functional although attempting to at least get some of it in the correct location.
I think a possible reason for the absence of , or omission, of signals in many layouts is that they are the first items to get flattened by wayward hands.... Gantry
A nice way to operate a layout if you have two operators (and I always do) is to make one of them the signalman and the other the driver. SPADs are met by some robust banter and tardy signalling by a blast on the horn or whistle. (All my 7mm diesels have sound - steam locos next!) This is very satisfying and realistic.
As to "flattening by wayward hands" it hasn't happened in the several years that my signals have been in place. It would be a brave man who damaged one of my signals (all my operator friends are aware of just how long the signals took to make). So, bite the bullet, make 'em work. I have made a working semaphore in 2mm - you 4mm boys should be OK!
Chaz