Signals

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 ):

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. How this is being done is shown in this video:

Our signals are controlled with a component called MattzoLayoutController. Check out this page to find out how to build such a controller yourself.

If you are a purist and you find MattzoControllers are not for you, you may of course also build manually controlled form signals with pure LEGO Power Functions components, as in the example below.