I'm to the point on my layout I'm almost ready to start laying track soon. That means turnout servos and track power and yes, signal planning at least. My layout is below. I really don't have a plan or know how complex signaling works. Just planning on using JMRI simple signaling (unless it would be better if I did not). That said, I really don't know where to place them if I need both directions and if I need to account for blocks. I'm making my own signals (3D Printing and scratch building) and can create any type and as many as I want. So don't have to worry about cost or availability. Looking to placement guidance and type. Layout is a freelance railroad based in the northwest US as if the Great Northern RR hadn't gone under.
I really don't see a need for any signals, as this appears to be a lot of "yard" trackage. If the through track is the main line and could be extended, then maybe a pair of signals at each end of this section that show green if all switches are lined for the "main" or red if one or more is lined away from the "main".
That is what I'm gathering too. Bummer, was hoping for some signals. I've seen some lighted switch machines in yards. Think I'll 3D design and print something like that for my switches and like you said have one on both ends.
A facility like that would often have dwarf signals that mimic the main signaling but close to the ground. Serves almost the same purpose on the prototype. If you take the blue line as your through track, you could install dwarves th guard movements onto the blue track form the various sidings. Detection would be challenge unless you wired it to the switches somehow.
No experience with signals but we had a discussion about them at this week's NMRA meeting. If you want the signals to automatically change (as opposed to changing each one manually by switch or DCC command) then you will need detectors, and current detectors need isolated blocks which are best created while wiring your track. No idea as to where those blocks should be on your diagram though.
