How to use signals

Updated: 04/2006

If you would like to use more than one train on a rail, you have to place signals.

Some important signal types

Signal	Description
	Two-Way-Signal You should not use two-way signals, because the will increase the risk of jams.
	One-Way-Signal (left direction)
	One-Way-Signal (right direction)
...	...

You can place a signal as following:

1. activate the signal-building mode (you can do this with the signal-icon in the rail-tools menu)
2. click on a rail

If click on an existing signal (and the signal building mode is active) the signal will be replaced with another signal. This happens in the following order:

An example station which has some one-way-signals

Image: A station and a crossing

You can build signals on bridges.

Image: A signal on a bridge

You can build a signal between two switches.

Image: A signal between two switches

Choose signals

Links (Simutrans-Forum archive, english):
- Choose signal station layouts
- Choose signals hints
- Simutrans release notes
- Choose-signals for waiting area

Links (german Simutrans forum):
- Simutrans release notes
- Choose Signale im 88.06.2

Presignals

What is a presignal?
A train will cross a pre-signal only if the pre-signal and the following signal is green. That means that in the following example no train will enter the block in front of the station if there is a train on the destination plattform. Because of this no arriving train will block leaving trains.

When should I use presignals?
As example in front of big stations and big crossings.

I use them only in front of very big stations with a much traffic.

Example 1 (Head station)

Image: Head station with presignals (scaled image from the 128x128 imageset)

Notes:

• There is a crossing at the front of the station.
• At this crossing three signal types are used:
  - Two-Way-Signals! (in front of the station)
  - Pre-Signal (rail for arriving trains)
  - One-Way-Signal (rail for leaving trains)
• See "(Railway stations|How to use stations-Tutorial))" to learn more about head-stations

Example 2 (cross-station)

Image: cross-station with presignals (scaled image from the 128x128 imageset)

Notes:

• In front of the stations one-way-signals are used (because the trains are driving throught the station)

Alternatives to presignals (Choosesignals):

• English: Simutrans forum archive (external link)
• German: Simutrans forum (external link)