Complex junctions - Need signaling help

[DaHuntha]

Hey everyone,
Can someone help me or give me suggestions signaling the following set of rails? I've made various attempts but most of em ended up with a "line ahead is unsignaled", I have no idea why.

Excuse the poor drawing. The curves are obviously not as sharp.
I've placed direction markers on all of the sections, aswell as priority markers. (The line in the middle had a priority of 1, the others 2)

 

[Dermmy]

Try a screenshot (or several). Your drawing is impossible in trainz - it shows three (and even four) tracks joining at the same palce, max possible is two...

Andy

 

[BLACKWATCH]

Try a screenshot (or several). Your drawing is impossible in trainz - it shows three (and even four) tracks joining at the same palce, max possible is two...

Andy

2 is not the maximum, you can have a 3 way junction, where 1 line splits into 3, (Left - Straight Ahead - Right).
There are 3 Way signals on the DLS for such junctions.

 

[Dermmy]

Oops - I stand corrected, brain freeze The two 4-ways are however not poss....

 

[DaHuntha]

You are right, the four-way ones didn't really work. I've dumbed it down to two three-ways and they can find their paths again. Thanks for the help.

 

[Approach_Medium]

I notice when I set up signals for a set of crossovers, that the signal is red and I get the same message 'line ahead is unsignaled" when the switch is open.

FW

 

[Muliebuck]

The 'line ahead is unsignalled' means there is no signal, between this one, and the next junction. Try using an 'invisible' signal, or a small, dwarf type one near the second junction, in the direction of travel, but before you reach the 'opposing' junction. What I mean by this, is using your diagram as a model, I have a signal at platform one, I wish to go ahead to platform two over the right diverging junction, so I would have a diverge signal protecting platform one junction, a signal about 3/4 the way along that 'single line' section protecting junction two (which, in direction of travel, I'll be trailing through), then at the end of platform two, I'd have a normal 'home' signal, or somesuch.

For the right diverge over to platform four, I'd use a left diverge off platform one, a signal 3/4 the way from the 'trailing' junction', then a 'home' or somesuch at platform four end. I hope I haven't made this too complicated - but feel free to send me a PM, with what Trainz version you're using, and I will do my best to make a 'test board', showing what I mean

and you'll find the signal will clear, but will probably only show 'restricted' if that second junction is not set properly, whilst the second signal will show stop (as it should).

 

[Approach_Medium]

Does sound a bit confusing. The best way to learn is to set up a test layout with some tracks, diverging routes, and signals.

I am also having trouble deciphering what the signals mean, and the logic that controls them.

I have been using 3 tier signals, and am really confused.

What I think we all would like is a set of signals that would show to which route we are diverging.
I believe that in the US, since we don't use the "diverging" arms on the signals, we use multi-tiered signals instead.
If I am continuing on track 1 through an interlocking, the signals would be arranged one way and show the condition ahead.
If I were going to diverge onto track 2, the signals would show a different arrangement, even if the conditions ahead are the same.
This way, the driver knows to which track he is being switched.

I am also getting some really confusing signals when I am trying to set up a CTC circuit which also has automatic signals between interlockings.
Somehow, it appears that the CTC signals don't really mix with the automatic ones.
Maybe I'm using the wrong signals alltogether.

Can signals be scripted to work the way we want them to?

Hope this helps the OP, and anyone else who is signalling a complex interlocking.

FW

 

[DaHuntha]

Right now I only get the "no signaling ahead" thing, but after awhile all seems fine and the driver gets a clearance to enter the line. I've tried all kinds of combinations with my new junction scheme but it wont go away either. The AI still knows it's way around and trains can't collide this way so I'm ok with it.

 

[Approach_Medium]

At least for now, I'm not concerned with AI; just with prototypical operation, which may not be possible in Trainz for CTC lines.
I would need a method to clear routes ahead of the train, and have the signals know this.

My problem is that between CTC signals at the interlockings, I want automatic signals, which are not CTC, but these signals do not work properly if the CTC ahead is not set.

FW