Hi -

I currently own several of the hobby block signals (74391) and am considering buying a few more along with some of the hobby distant signals (74380). They are okay, not as nice as some of the other signals Marklin makes, but significantly less expensive. I'm now setting up a relatively small layout to be controlled by some PC software and so the signals will be controlled by the software and are really there for purely aesthetic purposes, that is, to add some realism to the layout. The software will turn on the block signal when a block is occupied and will turn on the distance signal if the next block is occupied - I guess I would place it at the spot in the block where the train would need to slow down and stop. I'll probably have only about 5 blocks visible on this new layout, so not too many to purchase.

As I said, these aren't the nicest-looking or perhaps most interesting-looking signals but they are fairly cheap. Has anyone else used these signals in the same way I'm suggesting and likes how they look, that is, would do it again, or did you find them too boring, would you recommend using some of the other signals instead? I guess what I'm asking is, do the other semaphore or multiple light signals looks so much better that they are worth the extra money? I realize this is a very subjective question. Any recommendations are appreciated - it looks like the most cost-effective but interesting of the other signals might be the block/distant combo 76496 or using some Viessmann signals - I'd need to get the associated decoder, etc.

Thank you, John

Edited by moderator 14 February 2018 09:58:46(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I have used Viessmann signals and am very happy with them. Excellent details and technology. I don't have any Märklin hobby signals to compare them to though.

I have a bunch of images of them being installed on this page: https://cabin-layout.blogspot.com/2016/01/Installing-signals.html you may be able to compare them to the Märklin hobby ones.

Hi,

I have some Marklin 76xxx signals and I control my layout with software I wrote. So also for me it is purely aestetics. What I like about this combination is that you can program some real-life sequences like:
- Some waiting time between the signal showing Hp1 and the train departing
- Switchover from Hp1 to Hp0 while the train passes the signal

Best regards.
Gregor

Edited by user 14 February 2018 15:26:28(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I have one semaphore signal also from Viessmann and I like it, its movement is very nice. Since it was way more expensive than the color light signals, I only bought one and I have it in my engine yard which is a railway museum.

For the cosmetic purpose the hobby signals are just fine - they do the job. As you said, its all about what YOU find important, and what fits with any era you are trying to model. From my perspective "any signal" is better than "no signal". From there on its tuning to what you want visually - having an ultra-realistic with extra feature signals doesn't add as much as going from none to a hobby signal, for the money spent.