Hi Ish!
What railroad are you modelling? How detailed do you want the signals to be?
The simplest thing to do is to pick a signal type that looks the way you want and search for "full aspect" in the name. 1-headed signals are used for the automatic blocks, so use a 3-0-0a signal. 2-headed signals are usually used on the distants to an interlocking, so use a 3-3-0a. At the interlockings themselves, use a 3-3-0i to guard the entrances to the junction(s), unless you need to support Slow speed moves. In that case, you need a 3-headed signal, like a 3-3-3i. 'i' means interlocking, 'a' means automatic. All signals are automatics except the ones guarding the controlled junctions themselves, and you do not need interlocking signals at uncontrolled junctions like freight spurs, only mainlines.
If you're going for maximum realism, you can either 1. sit down and study all the intricacies of signalling rules, or 2. just place a bunch of 3-3-3 signals and set them to Automatic mode except for the ones guarding junctions, and experiment with what they will display before and after trains pass them. You can then substitute each 3-3-3 signal with whatever signal can display just enough aspects to display what needs to be displayed, and nothing more.
Hi RR,
How have you been?
Well, I hope --- have not see you around all that much! Correct me if I'm wrong please! LOL
Well, I've been working on a fictional route, my Desert Route, see the link at the bottom of the post, since TR2006 -- TANE has made it possible to work on this massive route, so to get straight to the point, I'm replacing all the signals previously laid with more modem and powerful signals, and yours', sir, fits the bill. I am going to take your advice and select only a few specific signals, and then stick with those. I'll get back to you with that answer in the next few days, which signal I've selected.
Your brief explanation above really helped to guide me even further. Thank you for that, RR!
Ish