Do I need signals on my layout?

The purpose of signals is to let the driver know if there was another train on the line, pretty much the same as traffic lights on the roads.

These are vital to avoid collision, before the days of signals it was done by telegraph and hand, there would be a hut at a specific distance to the nearest station and a telegraph line connecting both, the station would let the fog man in the hut know that the last train had left the station and the track was clear for the next one, he would then use a red or green lantern at the side of the track to inform the driver.

You can run your trains without signals on model railways. It is not necessary to have them but does add to the overall realism of your layout.

Some railway modellers like to create sections of track that they are very familiar with, such as existing railway lines or now disused ones. By adding every minute detail and running to a timetable, they get the absolute maximum from the hobby. So, signals are needed to create that realistic look.

There are signals available that are fully working and look very impressive.

But if operating signals is not your thing then there are static signals in plastic kit form, really nice mouldings, straight forward in putting together, glue, prime and paint

And you are ready to go, and if you don’t fancy making them, there are always the white metal signals available some come pre painted while others you may have to paint yourself.