If want to tail chase without using signals for safeworking, DCC is the answer. With my manual controlled block system, you can control any block with any of the walk around controllers, which can be unplugged and plugged into the next block. You would place a walk around plug near each block, forcing the driver to follow his train. To save mounting signal switches on your outside layout the signal switch (push button normally open) could be located on the hand controller. It just depends on what style of control system you wish to implement. Ideally the manual block system should use signalmen to operate each signal block for maximum traffic density.