Index: lang/english.txt
===================================================================
--- lang/english.txt	(revision 4734)
+++ lang/english.txt	(working copy)
@@ -1012,6 +1012,8 @@
 STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_BRIBE                                        :{LTBLUE}Allow bribing of the local authority: {ORANGE}{STRING1}
 STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_NONUNIFORM_STATIONS                          :{LTBLUE}Nonuniform stations: {ORANGE}{STRING1}
 STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_NEW_PATHFINDING_ALL                          :{LTBLUE}New global pathfinding (NPF, overrides NTP): {ORANGE}{STRING1}
+STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_AUTO_SEMAPHORES_PRE_DATE                     :{LTBLUE}Automatically build semaphores before: {ORANGE}{STRING1}
+STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_AUTO_SEMAPHORES_PRE_DATE_DISABLED            :{LTBLUE}Automatically build semaphores before: {ORANGE}disabled
 
 STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_SMALL_AIRPORTS                               :{LTBLUE}Always allow small airports: {ORANGE}{STRING1}
 
Index: variables.h
===================================================================
--- variables.h	(revision 4734)
+++ variables.h	(working copy)
@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@
 	bool modified_catchment;	//different-size catchment areas
 	bool vehicle_speed;			// show vehicle speed
 	bool build_on_slopes;		// allow building on slopes
+	uint16 semaphore_pre_year;	// automatic semaphores before set date
 	bool mammoth_trains;		// allow very long trains
 	bool join_stations;			// allow joining of train stations
 	bool full_load_any;			// new full load calculation, any cargo must be full
Index: rail_cmd.c
===================================================================
--- rail_cmd.c	(revision 4734)
+++ rail_cmd.c	(working copy)
@@ -627,6 +627,12 @@
 	sigvar = HASBIT(p1, 3) ? SIG_SEMAPHORE : SIG_ELECTRIC;
 	pre_signal = HASBIT(p1, 3);
 
+	/* If the year is before the Light Signals year,
+	 * Build semaphores by default */
+	if ((_cur_year < (_patches.semaphore_pre_year - MAX_YEAR_BEGIN_REAL))
+		|| (_patches.semaphore_pre_year > 2010))
+		sigvar = (sigvar == SIG_SEMAPHORE) ? SIG_ELECTRIC : SIG_SEMAPHORE;	//Swap the Semaphores/Light signals
+
 	if (!ValParamTrackOrientation(track) || !IsTileType(tile, MP_RAILWAY) || !EnsureNoVehicle(tile))
 		return CMD_ERROR;
 
Index: settings.c
===================================================================
--- settings.c	(revision 4734)
+++ settings.c	(working copy)
@@ -1239,12 +1239,13 @@
 
 	/***************************************************************************/
 	/* Construction section of the GUI-configure patches window */
-	SDT_BOOL(Patches, build_on_slopes,               0, 0,  true,    STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_BUILDONSLOPES,       NULL),
-	SDT_BOOL(Patches, extra_dynamite,                0, 0, false,    STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_EXTRADYNAMITE,       NULL),
-	SDT_BOOL(Patches, longbridges,                   0, 0,  true,    STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_LONGBRIDGES,         NULL),
-	SDT_BOOL(Patches, signal_side,                   N, 0,  true,    STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_SIGNALSIDE,          NULL),
-	SDT_BOOL(Patches, always_small_airport,          0, 0, false,    STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_SMALL_AIRPORTS,      NULL),
-	 SDT_VAR(Patches, drag_signals_density,SLE_UINT8,S, 0,  4, 1,20, STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_DRAG_SIGNALS_DENSITY,NULL),
+	SDT_BOOL(Patches, build_on_slopes,                 0, 0,  true,             STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_BUILDONSLOPES,           NULL),
+	SDT_BOOL(Patches, extra_dynamite,                  0, 0, false,             STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_EXTRADYNAMITE,           NULL),
+	SDT_BOOL(Patches, longbridges,                     0, 0,  true,             STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_LONGBRIDGES,             NULL),
+	SDT_BOOL(Patches, signal_side,                     N, 0,  true,             STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_SIGNALSIDE,              NULL),
+	SDT_BOOL(Patches, always_small_airport,            0, 0, false,             STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_SMALL_AIRPORTS,          NULL),
+	 SDT_VAR(Patches, drag_signals_density, SLE_UINT8, S, 0,     4, 1, 20,      STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_DRAG_SIGNALS_DENSITY,    NULL),
+	 SDT_VAR(Patches, semaphore_pre_year,  SLE_UINT16, 0,NC,  1975, MAX_YEAR_BEGIN_REAL, 2015, STR_CONFIG_PATCHES_AUTO_SEMAPHORES_PRE_DATE,NULL),
 
 	/***************************************************************************/
 	/* Vehicle section of the GUI-configure patches window */
Index: settings_gui.c
===================================================================
--- settings_gui.c	(revision 4734)
+++ settings_gui.c	(working copy)
@@ -579,6 +579,7 @@
 	"signal_side",
 	"always_small_airport",
 	"drag_signals_density",
+	"semaphore_pre_year",
 };
 
 static const char *_patches_stations[] = {