Crossing Signals

[RailSimulator]

Hey Guys, again,

I was just wondering if it's possible to set up signals that are able to block crossings when the signal(s) is displaying red so that if a train is stopped at a signal located within the vicinity of a crossing, the crossing will not function until the signal(s) is displaying either caution (yellow) or proceed (green)?.

Regards, Railsimulator09.

 

[RailSimulator]

Also if it is possible if this is possible would anyone be so kind as to post a video or linked video showing this.

 

[JCitron]

Hi RailSimulator...

Look for username Boat. He made a series of assets called ATLS which are used to block not only automobiles from crossing the tracks so we can make custom rail crossings. Part of the set contains components to setup automatic diamond crossings using the ASB controller as he calls it. Using this plus some special triggers and linking the signals to them, causes the signals to change to red for the crossing tracks.

I checked quickly for some videos, but for some reason my searching abilities have become dumb and I couldn't quite find anything I thought would show you this in operation.

John

 

[RailSimulator]

Well, it's nice to know it's possible does this method work with every type of signal or only a select few?

 

[JCitron]

Well, it's nice to know it's possible does this method work with every type of signal or only a select few?

It should work in theory for the proper type of signal, meaning using an absolute signals for the crossover and not permissive signals, because the signals have to be named and this is done in Surveyor by using the ? on the asset while in the Trackside objects category.

John

 

[stagecoach]

It is possible to make it work with any type of signal by careful placement of the reverse slave in the crossing. You can also use the Sen city signals which has ATLS capability.

 

[Falcus]

To further explain some of this.

The ATLS system has grown to include hundreds of assets, up to and including fully working Traffic Lights (Non Railroad related). To make ATLS work, you download and install on your route at the grade crossing of your choice a few assets. A couple of them are bog standard to every grade crossing, such as the Controller, Slave, and Traffic Stopper. After that though, you have a wide variety of options for Grade crossings to choose from. Representations from pretty much every nation can be found, though most have been made by other authors (BNSF50 for instance made most of the U.S. ones, I don't know who's done Australian ones, but I'd be surprised if you couldn't find some). There are guides on how to set the system up. Its alot to take in the first couple times, but once you get the hang of it, it really is as easy as dropping half a dozen assets, linking them together with invisible track, and setting the numbers on them so they work together.

There are also numerous other, older, assets that are just static Road/Track Meets. Few of these more simple ones have been made in recent years since ATLS has really taken over prevalence, but they're around if you go digging. Search of "Grade Crossing" and maybe add "Australia" or not to start looking.

Good Luck,
Falcus

 

[RailSimulator]

Thanks for the replies guys, I have been working with it but can't really seem to set them up right I know how to do a standard crossing but traffic lights and signal linking to crossings is something to no surprise that is completely foreign to me any picture tutorials or even videos of both how to set up traffic light and signal linkage to crossings?

 

[leo655annst]

See if this helps you.

http://www.boatztrainz.co.uk/

 

[stagecoach]

With ATLS you will need the controller, traffic stopper & slave. By clicking the properties on each asset you can link them together. Click the channel button in the controller to select the channel. All other assets used on this crossing must use the same channel. Connect road to the traffic stopper and use invisible track to connect the slave to the stopper. You will need the ATLS triggers or driver commands for trains to tell the controller to operate. Other assets like gates and lights can be placed and must use the same channel. I use the reverse slave to force signals to red when the crossing is open to traffic, this asset is also on the same channel and when the train sends the message it is going to leave the reverse slave will vanish and let signals go to auto. Once train has passed the slave will reappear and set the signal red. It is best to search ATLS and download most of the assets. You can also attach the slave to non ATLS crossings.

 

[dougtrain]

If you have a look on youtube you will find a few vids.

Here is one for starters....

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=trainz+12+atls+crossing

Doug

 

[RailSimulator]

Thanks guys been a big help one more thing, is there anyone who could perhaps do a tutorial on how to set up a crossing with signals or at least showing how to link them that would be great I have already seen the tutorials from boat trainz but it would help to see it being done thanks again

Regards, Railsimulator09.

 

[Falcus]

For the purposes of this explanation, I'll use BNSF50 as an example of a Grade Crossing, becuase hes the only creator I know of off the top of my head.

So, open Object Menu in Surveyor, Then Open the Find Asset Search box at the top. In that box type "ATLS". Grab a Slave, a Controller, and a Traffic Stopper of your choice, and drop them down anywhere near where the Road and Track run over each other.

Open Spline Object Menu, create two spline points in the road, 1 each side of the Tracks, and delete the new middle piece. Grab the remaining Ends, and attach them to the Long Sides of the Traffic stopper, and place the Stopper in the correct orientation and height over the Track.

Next, grab one of BNSF50's Grade Crossings, and put it somewhere around the Crossing itself, somewhere that makes sense. In theory, you could put it anywhere, but that would defeat the purpose. You want it over the road, just in front of where it crosses the Rails. Usually you want it just a little closer to the rails then where the spline point for the Traffic Stopper is. Drop a second Grade Crossing Device on the other side and do the same.

Now, open the Track menu. Pick ANY track that says "Invisible" in it. Grab it, and string it from the Pointy end of the Slave, to the first Grade Crossing Device. From the other spline point on that device, string more over to the Traffic Stopper, and then again from the other side of the Traffic stopper to the last Crossing Device. As long as all 4 of these assets are connected with invisible track, the order doesn't really matter, just don't make a junction anywhere along its track path.

While you're in the Track menu, go into the Track Object Sub Menu (Top Middle Tab of the three Tabs at the top of the Track Menu), and grab "ATLS Trigger". Place one each on the Normal Track (Not invisible track), on either side of the road. Grab the "?" tool on the bottom right of that menu, and open them up, and set them each to "Channel 1"

Exit the Track Menu and open the Object Menu. Grab the "?" and select the Controller, set that to Channel 1, and then do the same with Slave.

That should be the basics needed to set up your first ATLS Grade Crossing. Plop a Locomotive down AWAY from the Crossing, Quick Drive it over the Crossing and see if it goes off. There are TONS more options and assets you can use, but these are the basic ones needed.

-Falcus