Signaling a large passenger terminal (USA)

[acyunczyk]

Hello everyone,

Haven't posted in a while so hopefully everything works.

I'm working on a route that includes a large passenger terminal with 20 platforms. Six are through tracks, the rest are stub-end for commuter trains. There's also a large number of yard and engine tracks but I'm not worried about those for now. I've read a lot of the posts on this forum about signaling but I'm still stumped in regards to this situation. I've made a basic diagram of the station and approaches:

graph hosted at ImgBB

Image graph in the My pics album

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Blue is the signaled tracks, black is yard tracks that only need exit signals, magenta is either where I want signals (lines) or signal bridges (rectangles).

Also some screenshots:

2026 03 29 050939 hosted at ImgBB

Image 2026 03 29 050939 in the My pics album

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2026 03 30 011451 hosted at ImgBB

Image 2026 03 30 011451 in the My pics album

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2026 03 30 011504 hosted at ImgBB

Image 2026 03 30 011504 in the My pics album

ibb.co

2026 03 30 011513 hosted at ImgBB

Image 2026 03 30 011513 in the My pics album

ibb.co

I'm using JR's G-style signals and their PRR signal bridges. I'm wondering which signals do I put where, and how do I use the 06 LD and RD? I think LD and RD mean Left Diverging and Right Diverging, but I'm not sure. Are the 08 signals for when there's two diverging routes in different directions? I've seen two-head signals used on a three-track main without any three-heads but I presume that would be different in a complex station.

Few notes on operations: The two tracks connecting the mainline sections across the diamonds are only for freight, so I'd like to have things signaled so the "straight" route is going into the station around the curves. The 6 through platforms are cut into two sections each by signals in the center. If it makes a difference, I'm trying to use the same signal rules as BNSF does in Chicago commuter territory.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[stagecoach]

This is a situation where the EIT system would be needed to control the paths to the platforms. EIT would also control the signals on each path.

 

[norfolksouthern37]

Looks nice.

I'm using JR's G-style signals and their PRR signal bridges. I'm wondering which signals do I put where, and how do I use the 06 LD and RD? I think LD and RD mean Left Diverging and Right Diverging, but I'm not sure.

RD and LD do designate the default diverging setting of those signals yes, but any signal can be made one way or the other with the routing setup in the dialog. It is therefore not required to use one or the other as they are identical, just with different default directions set. This was for quick placement, and was how the original kuids worked.

Are the 08 signals for when there's two diverging routes in different directions? I've seen two-head signals used on a three-track main without any three-heads but I presume that would be different in a complex station.

see this thread where I address the multiple heads myth and more!


In your example here I would think 08 signals only used on through routes and facing into the interlocking. This is because they would be used to give more info, especially speed indications for more complex track work. 06 everywhere else. a simple 04 dwarf to signal out of platforms - outbound trains will pick up the nearest gantry signal just after.

 

[c44d9w]

The following links are guides to North American signalling (in general):

Tales From The Krug

Railroad Signal Aspect Charts, for assorted railroads

The homepage for signal charts and rules for a variety of North American railroads, which can each be downloaded in PDF format and/or printed for personal reference.

signals.jovet.net

You are correct on the meaning of LD and RD.

The 3-headed signals convey speed, not necessarily direction. The top head is for the fastest route (usually straight ahead), the middle head is for the medium speed route, and the bottom head is for the slow route. When there is only one diverging route, only one of the middle or lower head will show something other than red, depending on the speed allowed on the diverging route.