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Before you start to use Automatic Signalling or Signal Dragging you should check the signal density. You can change it in the Patch Settings -> Construction Tab or easily edit the drag_signals_density value in your openttd.cfg. Make sure the value is set to two.

Basic Signalling

The first thing you should know is how use the basic signal dragging feature of OpenTTD: Build a signal (fastest Shortcut is A & S), left-click it and hold the button, drag it as far as you want to build signals. Release the button and the signals will be built. Very easy.

Automatic Signal Completion

Now we are ready to build signals and know how to use the basic feature of dragging. We can go a step further. Again Build a signal and drag it. While you are dragging it a little bit press the CTRL button and release it. The track will be filled up with signals until a breakpoint which are existing signals on the track, stations and junctions.

Removing Signals

It's also possible to remove Signals with the Automatic Completion feature. If you have build a track with signals, use the signal deletion function (Shortcut: A & S & R): click the signal, drag it while pressing the CTRL button and all the signals will be deleted. The breakpoints are stations and junctions.

Breakpoints

Automatic Signal Completion won't stop at: Tunnels and Bridges
but stops at: Junctions, Stations and Existing Signals

Checking anyway

After you have "signaled" a track, you should optimize signaling at tunnels, bridges and junctions, they need a signal right before or after the interruption. This will minimize train delays and therefor produce a better flow of traffic on high density networks.