OpenTTD | Building signals

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[[Translation:en/Manual/Building signals]]
{{en/Manual/Tutorial/Navigation}}
'''[[en/Manual/Signals]]''' are used to direct your trains and prevent railway crashes.

This tutorial is designed to give a basic introduction to signalling. For in depth information on the different signal types and applications, see [[en/Manual/Signals]].
__TOC__
== Limitations ==
* Cannot place signals in squares containing junctions or level crossing with roadway.
* Cannot place signals on a [[en/Manual/Bridges]] or inside a [[en/Manual/Tunnels]]. But a [[en/Community/Patches/Tunnel Signals|patch by HackaLittleBit]] can simulate signals being placed automatically.

== Constructing a signal ==
#Click the '''Build railway track''' [[File:en/Manual/Manual html m772c5b23.png]] button on the [[en/Manual/Game interface#the-menu-bar|menu bar]] to display the Railway Construction toolbar:<br/>[[File:en/Manual/Railroad Construction.png|none|frame|The Railway Construction toolbar]]
#Click the '''Build railway signals''' [[File:en/Manual/Place signal.png]] button from the Railway Construction toolbar to display the Signal Selection toolbar:<br/>[[File:en/Manual/Signal Selection.png|none|frame|The Signal Selection toolbar]]<br/>Explanation (you can ignore everything except path signals, they're all you need - see also [[en/Manual/Building signals#which-signal-type-to-use|Which signal type to use]]):
{|
|-
|colspan=2|'''Signal types'''
|-
|[[File:en/Manual/Signal Semaphore.png]] and [[File:en/Manual/Signal Electric.png]]||[[en/Manual/Signals#block-signals|Block signal]]
|-
|[[File:en/Manual/Signal Semaphore Pre-Signal.png]] and [[File:en/Manual/Signal Electric Pre-Signal.png]]||[[en/Manual/Signals#entry-pre-signals|Entry pre-signal]]
|-
|[[File:en/Manual/Signal Semaphore Exit-Signal.png]] and [[File:en/Manual/Signal Electric Exit-Signal.png]]||[[en/Manual/Signals#exit-signals|Exit-signal]]
|-
|[[File:en/Manual/Signal Semaphore Combo-Signal.png]] and [[File:en/Manual/Signal Electric Combo-Signal.png]]||[[en/Manual/Signals#combo-signals|Combo-signal]]
|-
|[[File:en/Manual/Signal Semaphore Path.png]] and [[File:en/Manual/Signal Electric Path.png]]||[[en/Manual/Signals#path-signals|Standard path signal]] (can be passed in the reverse direction, and is ignored in that case)
|-
|[[File:en/Manual/Signal Semaphore Path One-Way.png]] and [[File:en/Manual/Signal Electric Path One-Way.png]]||[[en/Manual/Signals#path-signals|One-way path signal]] (can not be passed in the reverse direction)
|-
|-
|colspan=2|'''Other icons'''
|-
|[[File:en/Manual/Signal Convert.png]]|| Signal conversion tool - converts the signal type on the ''track'' to the one selected in the ''gui''. See [[en/Manual/Building signals#converting-signals-to-different-types|Building signals]]
|-
|[[File:en/Manual/Signal Density.png]]|| Signal density tool - sets how closely the signals are placed when auto build of signals are used. See [[en/Manual/Building signals#constructing-a-line-of-signals|Building signals]]
|}<br/>There is no functional difference between the signal styles - it's only a question of aesthetics which one you use. Generally speaking, the left style (semaphores - older electro-mechanical signals) is appropriate until the 1970s, and the right style (modern electric light signals) afterwards.<br/>Furthermore, semaphores will be created by default instead of light signals before a configurable year, 1950 by default. The setting is called "Automatically build semaphores before" and can be found in the "Advanced settings" under "Construction" and then "Signals"..<br/>
#Once you have selected a signal type, '''position your cursor over the railway tracks''', where you wish to build your signal.<br/>[[File:en/Manual/SignalTutorial2.png|none|frame]]
#'''Click once''' to construct a signal on the track. ''Unless you chose a path signal'', you will build a '''two-way signal'''. Path signals always face one direction only.<br/>[[File:en/Manual/Two-way signal.png|frame|left]][[File:en/Manual/SignalTutorial3.png|none|frame]]
#'''Click again''' to convert your signal to a '''one-way signal'''. Now, unless you have built a standard path signal, only trains coming from the direction the signal faces will be able to pass it. You can change a signal's direction for free by selecting the matching signal type and then clicking on the signal.<br/>[[File:en/Manual/One-way signal.png|frame|left]][[File:en/Manual/SignalTutorial4.png|none|frame]]
#'''Click again''' to convert the signal to face the opposite direction.<br/>[[File:en/Manual/SignalTutorial5.png|none|frame]]
#'''Click again''' to convert your signal back to a '''two-way signal''' again.<br/>[[File:en/Manual/SignalTutorial5b.png|none|frame]]

== Constructing a line of signals ==
You can also build several signals of the same type at once by clicking and dragging along the section of track you want signals built on. However you may find it more useful to click and drag from an existing signal, as doing so will construct a line of signals facing the same direction:
#While the '''Build railway signals''' [[File:en/Manual/Place signal.png]] tool is selected, '''position your cursor over an existing signal'''.<br/>[[File:en/Manual/SignalTutorial4.png|none|frame]]
#'''Click and drag''' the mouse along the railway track.<br/><b>Note:</b> If you hold Ctrl and drag one or more squares, signals will be automatically built in the direction you dragged until either a station, another signal or a fork in the track is found.<br/>[[File:en/Manual/SignalTutorial20.png|none|frame]]
#'''Release the mouse''' to place the signals.<br/>[[File:en/Manual/SignalTutorial21.png|none|frame]]<br/>Depending on the value displayed on the '''Dragging signal density''' [[File:en/Manual/Signal Density.png]] button on the Signal Selection toolbar, signals will be placed every N game tiles (the default value for N is 4) when constructing a line of signals this way.<br/>You may change the dragging signal density by clicking the small arrows on the button. Also note that if you click and drag from entry, exit or combo signals, this method will construct block signals facing the same direction.

== Removing signals ==
You can remove existing signals by clicking the '''Bulldozer''' [[File:en/Manual/Toggle clear active.png|Clear button]] button on the Railway Construction toolbar, while having the Signal Selection toolbar open.

The white square will change to a red square. Then you may click on individual signals to remove them or click and drag along a section of track to remove a line of signals. Click the tool button again to deselect it. You can also use the '''R''' key shortcut.

This tool obeys the value displayed on the '''Dragging signal density'''[[File:en/Manual/Signal Density.png]] button on the Signal Selection toolbar.

== Converting signals to different types ==
You can convert an existing signal to a different signal type by clicking the '''Signal Convert''' [[File:en/Manual/Signal Convert.png]] button on the Signal Selection toolbar. Then, when you click on an existing signal it will be converted free of charge to the signal type selected in the Signal Selection toolbar.

To turn signal conversion off (if you want to return to constructing signals), click the Signal Convert button again.

Holding the CTRL key while clicking on a signal (with signal conversion off) toggles the signal through the available signal types.

Holding the CTRL key while clicking on a signal (with signal conversion on) changes the style of a signal (semaphores/ modern signals) to the signal style selected in the Signal Selection toolbar. This will however cost money.

== Which signal type to use ==
Unless you are building some really crazy setups, you'll only ever need standard path signals.

Assuming all of your tracks are only used in one direction, simply place a one-way path signal anywhere it would be OK for a train to stop, facing in the direction the train would be coming from. Just imagine your longest train waiting at the signal and work out if it could block something; if so, the signal is in the wrong place.

The block signals can be used for some more advanced constructions.

More details about all types of signals, including examples, can be found in the [[en/Manual/Signals]] section of the manual.

<span style="float: right">[[en/Manual/Buying trains|'''Next:''' Buying trains]] &raquo;</span>
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