replace the chain signals with regular signals, only use chain signals at a track intersection

I'm not really sure that would work. Making the centre section one block would just cause a train to block the entire intersection. If a train left from the other platform first then nothing would be ...

I'm sure this is probably the intended behavior (or is it?!) but I think chain signals are acting a bit...odd. If there are multiple trains waiting for a 'platform' at a station with more than one stop, they seem to decide on which platform they are going to before they reach the chain signals ...