About Signals
Signals are an important part of LEGO train layouts. The bring light and action to your layout and improves the fun factor and experience on the layout significantly.
Signals can be separated into two groups:
- Form signals (semaphores),
- light signals.
Additionally, signals can be grouped into:
- main signals and
- distant signals.
Main signals must be obeyed in regards to their present aspect. A distant signal indicates the status of the next main signal.
Design examples
Designing fully functional, lighted and realistic form signals for the LEGO train system is a very challenging task.
Here is an example of a German semaphore main signal (design by MattzoBricks, building instructions):
The next picture shows an example of a German semaphore distant signal, probably one of the most iconic form signals in the world (design by MattzoBricks, building instructions):
This is a combination of a German light main signal and a distant signal (H/V system; design by MattzoBricks):
This is a stand-alone light distant signal (H/V system; design by Mattzobricks):
The are additional pages with more information on light main signals and light distant signals.
This is a dwarf light signal:
More information on the dwarf signal can be found here.
Signals in MattzoBricks Train Automation System
The following diagram show the integration of signals into the overall MattzoBricks Train Automation System:
In the Mattzobricks Train Automation System 2.0, all signals are operated automatically.
Our signals are controlled with a MattzoLayoutController. Check out this page to find out how to build such a controller yourself.
Hi Mattzo,
I’m new to automation and I am wondering if you can automate the signals and occupation of the rails when the trains are driven manually. In your videos the trains are also automated, but I would like the same system but where I can manually drive the trains. Are there any ideas or instructions on how to do this?
Thank you in advance for your reply.
Best regards,
Koen Schreurs
The Netherlands
Hi Koen,
sure you can – just control the trains manually and here you go.
Cheers,
Mattze
Hallöchen, ich wollte fragen ob du sagen könntest wo es die teile der Lichtsignale zu erwerben sind da ich großes Interesse daran habe diese in meiner Anlage zu verbauen.
Auf den Seiten zu den Lichtsignalen steht unter “Required Parts” was man braucht. Bezugsquellen von Nicht-LEGO-Teilen findet man auf der Material-Seite (https://mattzobricks.com/build/bill-of-material).
Ist es irgendwie auch möglich die alten LEGO Signale 7860, welche durch änderung der Polarität rot/grün leuchten, in dieses Automatisierungssystem zu integrieren?
Klar, das wäre grundsätzlich möglich. Du brauchst allerdings 12V Eingangsspannung und einen Logic Level Converter dafür, sonst wird das mit dem ESP-12 / ESP-8266 nichts.
hallo
kann mir jemand sagen wo ich zum bau der Sgnale die sogenante Bügelperle kleiner schwazer Ring 5 x 4 mit einen Loch von 3 mm bekommen kann.
Wäre für eine info sehrer dankbar:
Gruß Pit
email
el-dim@web.de
Klick auf den Bluebrixx-Link auf dieser Seite: https://mattzobricks.com/automation/signals/semaphore-main-signal
🙂
very nice
Thank you, Jerome.
Dear Matthias,
I recently came across your blog and your amazing LEGO reproductions of railway signals – truly impressive work! Your attention to detail and creativity are remarkable, and I wanted to congratulate you on such a fantastic project.
I was wondering if you might be available, for a fee, to build one of these signal models for me and, of course, sell it. I would be thrilled to have one of your creations in my collection.
Please let me know if this could be possible and what the conditions would be.
Thank you for your time and for sharing your inspiring work!
Best regards,
Daniele