Hi Iain,
Not sure what you mean by 12" to the foot, or what you haven't heard of on UK layouts.
In your panel xml file look out for? ?
<signalmastlogics class="jmri.managers.configurexml.DefaultSignalMastLogicManagerXml">
? ? <logicDelay>500</logicDelay>
Perhaps increase the logic delay to something like 5,000 ( 5 secs ) so that the signals won't respond as fast?
May be worth having a look at delayed feedback Turnouts?
Perhaps add simulated feedback?
Perhaps add a delay logix to the feedback to operate the real points in a separate turnout address?
Steve