Confused by Shunting Disc Signals?

[epicmek]

Although there is an excellent tutorial on "Block" signaling it didn't cover shunting or branch signals. I was confused and completely ignorant of their use and how to implement them in Trainz. A search of various sites didn't come up with any practical help or tutorials.

Partly inspired by "Ghost42's" thread http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?p=551220&posted=1#post551220 asking about branch signals and in an idle moment I set about trying to understand how "Shunting Disc Signals" are used and how they can be activated in Trainz.

I have written a short tutorial but before I release it on an unsuspecting public I would like somebody who actually understands the subject to check it out for idiot mistakes.

Any offers?

Martin

 

[45581fred]

Hi

Disc signals work just like any other (non-junction) signal. There may be people with more experience out there, but I've not seen any evidence they do anything different. They do sit on the opposite side of the track though! If you place one on the left, as you look forward, it will control trains coming toward you. If you meet this situation, it can prevent an AI train passing the disc signal "wrong direction" .

You can get problems placing them too close to junctions; usually they are placed too close simply because they are so small it is tempting to squeeze them in! Also, because of their size, it is easy to accidentally place one in the wrong location UNNOTICED! At least until your session jams up!!

In real life they are used in yards as the main form of signalling, and on running lines to control wrong line shunting moves. TC3 Settle & Carlisle has one controlling the exit of practically every siding. This may assist AI, but is totally un-prototypical. Fortunately, there are invisible signals available.

 

[hyderpotter]

I use this Signal for my Hogwarts Train route. I use it as I have a junction in my route. There are called semaphore. It works like the same way in Semaphore Flags signal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_semaphore_signal

 

[stagecoach]

They are the same as normal signals but it would get very confusing if they placed normal signals at every junction. If a train was to cross over from a down line to an up line for the purpose of say returning on the up line then a disc signal could be used to inform the driver that the junction was clear to proceed rather than large signals. Ive seen this a lot near ends of platforms when a short haul train terminates at mid route platform but needs to cross over to return.

 

[epicmek]

Sorry I bothered

Hi all

I apologise for offering a tutorial on disc signals I didn't appreciate that everybody apart from me knew how they worked in trainz. In particular the double and triple disc signals had me confused as to how I could get them to activate all of their discs.

In future I won't bother to write something that might help users of Trainz who, like me, are not familiar with the workings of railway signaling.

Regards

Martin

 

[Stationbeem]

Hi all

I apologise for offering a tutorial on disc signals I didn't appreciate that everybody apart from me knew how they worked in trainz. In particular the double and triple disc signals had me confused as to how I could get them to activate all of their discs.

In future I won't bother to write something that might help users of Trainz who, like me, are not familiar with the workings of railway signaling.

Regards

Martin

Don't put your self down buddy. There may be some one out there who may need help. All contributions to the running of trainz is always welcome. Why not post the tutorial on the forums and let people decide for them selves whether or not they use it.

 

[beeb49]

signal tutorial

i dont know a thing about signals-please enlighten me-where is the tutorial-thanks

 

[chefbyte]

Full signal information is available on this site for UK signalling

http://www.signalbox.org/

there is also a brief demo of Bloodnoks signals here, this includes the signal discs

http://forum.uktrainz.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=101&t=3430&start=450#p45342

 

[epicmek]

Need an expert

i dont know a thing about signals-please enlighten me-where is the tutorial-thanks

Hi Beeb49

I've waited in vain for somebody who understands shunting disc signals to look over the tutorial I have written before I make it available.

Last time of asking.

Martin

 

[francelinetony]

If you are referring to the shunting disc signals I have created, they all use Bloodnok's signalling script, and the image below shows how to correctly set up a triple disc/ or stacked semaphore signal using Bloodnok's target system. The top disc reads to the track furthest to the left, and the bottom one furthest to the right. That is all there is to it really.