Digital Rails
File: ROUTES/GM&OSS/Permissions/Hank'sread-me.txt
Signal Engineering presents: CSX ex-B&O Color Position Light Signals V2b, November 15, 2002 =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Copyright (c) 2002, Hank Sundermeyer The material contained herein may not be used in "For Sale" products. = If distributed as freeware, please include all files and instructional = material. These signals are ready to go into a new route. Place the S and SD files = in the route Shapes folder and the ACE file in the route Textures = folder. The sigcfg and sigscr files go in the route root directory. If = you do not want the signals provided in the new route creation, let = these files overwrite the old. The script has been developed through my understanding of how MSTS = interprets the signal calls. The sigcfg and sigscr script have been = found to work with the graphics as I intended on the test route included = with this distribution. If adding these signals to a route that already = has some type of signals, the signal scripts need to edited to add these = signals. This should be done only by one who has successfully edited = signal scripts before. (DISCLAIMER-Anything is possible with MSTS, if it can happen it will. So = use at your own peril. Changing the script design may corrupt your = route. These are to be considered a beta release, constructive feedback = may result in changes.) Signal Usage =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D File: "BOCPL7abs.s" Name: "CPL 3Head Absolute Signal" This signal can be used for up to 3 routes at an interlocking:=20 -Normal Speed Route; Link the Top Center Lunar Marker to the main route. -Medium Speed Route; Link the Bottom Center Lunar Marker to the siding = or diverging secondary route. Restricted Speed Route; Select the Restricting Route checkbox and link = to the desired route. Use to enter yard trackage or where a crossover = puts the train on a track opposing the normal flow of traffic. If you use this signal as a home signal on a route that's converging = into another route,select the Bottom Center marker and do no link it. If you use this signal as a home signal on a route that passes through a = switch without any routing possibilty other than the main route, select = the Top Center Marker and do not link it. ----------------- File: "BOCPL3absc.s" Name: "CPL 3 Head Absolute Signal Cantilever" As above, but for mounting on a gantry or cantilever. ----------------- File: "BOCPL3PER.s" Name: "CPL Distant/Permissive Signal" This signal has two main uses; an interval signal which can be used = anywhere on trackage between interlocking(absolute) signals or it can be = used as "distant" signal which is the last signal a train passes before = encountering an interlocking signal and select the 'Distant Signal' = checkbox in its properties dialog. ------------------ File: "BOCPL3PERC.s" Name: "CPL Distant/Permissive Signal CNTLVR" As above, but for mounting on a gantry or cantilever. ----------------- File: "BOCPLdwrf2.s" Name: "CPL Absolute Dwarf Signal Slow" This signal is used on yard or terminal trackage where slow or = restricted speed is needed ----------------- File:"BOCPLdwrf1.s" Name: "CPL Absolute Dwarf Signal" Signalling Terms ---------------- A HOME signal is an absolute signal placed at the entrance to an interlocking. I will refer at times to real railroad terms as well as = sim terms, too. Absolute means just that....Stop and Stay. It is placed anywhere a complete stop is required in lieu of a clear route, generally = an interlocking. The signal is generally controlled by a tower operator manually clears it or sets a route with a machine through an = interlocking. Passing one in the sim will end the session unless you've pressed the = tab key and gotten a verbal permission to proceed. Automatic signals are = BLOCK signals placed at various locations along the track between = interlockings. BLOCK signals usually can give 3 or 4 indications; CLEAR, ADVANCE = APPROACH, APPROACH, STOP AND PROCEED. They are also known as PERMISSIVE signals, because their most restrictive indication is STOP AND PROCEED, which = allows a train to stop and then continue at some slow speed until a more = favorable signal is passed or stops short of some obstruction. This procedure is differs from railroad to railroad. They convey block condition. A DISTANT signal is a type of BLOCK signal and is the last signal passed = by a train before encountering a HOME signal. These signals are generally automatic, but may have some indications that can be set by the tower operator. Besides the 4 indications mentioned, they also show aspects = like APPROACH MEDIUM or APPROACH LIMITED which inform the engineer there = will be a change in route or DIVERGING route at the approaching interlocking. >> What is a trailing point junction vs facing point junction?<< Facing point means the train is approaching a switch where a main route = or diverging route can be taken. Viewed as the letter 'Y', the train is starting at the bottom and heading toward the 2 upper arms and will take = one of them. Referring again to the letter 'Y', trailing point means the = train is approaching from the top on one of the arms and heading down toward = one converged route. There are two other terms referring to routing at a = switch and they are NORMAL and REVERSE. NORMAL means the switch is set to pass through without taking a diverging route. REVERSE means the switch is = set to pass onto the diverging route or set to converge onto one track. Enjoy! Hank Sundermeyer aka Signalmaster sunderhj@railfan.net
