CTC signal system?

[Approach_Medium]

Hi;
I am building a prototype CTC route and want signals at interlockings to function as though there were a dispatcher setting them.

The passing tracks are between 3 and 4 miles long, and have Safetran 06 signals protecting them in both directions.

There are between 3 and 4 automatic (05 type) signals between each interlocking. These signals are about 2 miles apart.

Here's the scenario: Two trains are being driven by AI.
There are no rules set to control either train.

A southbound train is in the interlocking at the end of a passing track, now entering single track main.

A northbound train is waiting on the passing track about 10 miles south.

AI has stopped the northbound train because the switch at its interlocking is lined main to main. I have set that switch before starting AI.

After the train has been stopped for about 10 seconds, AI changes the switch to reverse, and the signal turns to clear.
The train begins moving off the siding onto the single track main heading north.

Eventually, if I allow both trains to continue, they will come fact to face at stop signals, there will be gridlock, and the train dispatcher will be fired!

The reason both trains were allowed to occupy the same stretch of single track is that I have automatic signals between the "CP" signals, and therefore, each train had two clear blocks ahead when it arrived at the interlocking.

I would like a way to have the interlocking (CP) signals control each other, so that if the southbound is cleared for the single track, the northbound will not get anything but a stop signal.

In real life, the CTC computers take care of this. But as we all know, there is no CTC in TS.

I was wondering whether I could set up some triggers, and use the "trigger multiple signals" rule, but when I tried that, it worked, except that the signal returns to automatic once the trigger is clear.
So, unless I place triggers all along the single track, at distances that do not exceed the shortest train length, the system will not work properly.

Is there a rule like this one that would leave the signal in the stop position until a second trigger was cleared?
Something like the ATLS controller and trigger system.

Any ideas?

Thanks

FW

 

[Approach_Medium]

Well, I should have done a little more experimenting.
When I changed the interlocking signals to "safetran clight signal 08 - interlocking" everything works as expected.

I had been working with these signals before, but I was testing only for indications at crossovers, not with approaching trains at other interlockings.

FW

 

[Lots_Trains]

Hi :wave:

Just sorted a proto CTC system for NZ here, damm complicated to get everything to fuction correctly. Only thing I can't get right is when 2 opposing trains the 1st train at the passing loop stays on the main while the second train arriving enters the loop. Can't see a way of fixing it

Havn't tried those signals you are talking of

Cheers

Lots

 

[Approach_Medium]

The 08 interlocking signals are the only ones (that I know of) that will stop another (opposing) train at the next interlocking if there is already one on the single track.
The whole section of track between the two 08 signals is considered occupied, and all of the automatic signals turn to stop.

Now, I only wish that I could get these signals to properly indicate the junction direction in all situations. Where I have one junction immediately after another, the signal will reflect the position of the second one, but not the first, as long as all tracks are clear.

Maybe someday, I'll understand scripting for TS well enough that I could create a CTC interlocking controller that would allow more flexibility.

FW

 

[backyard]

It's both, CTC & ABS...

There is no system to automatically control all trains for any system...

Having said that, you need to pinpoint opposing movements in a hole...a siding with a trackmark set at a position & arm the desired movement with a direction point at that location....they will stop at the track mark, even so don't take anything for granted...

Especially if your "fleeting" trains, or several trains converging on a known point.

You may actually have to "drive" the train to this point, to allow the "fleeted" trains to pass the movement. Sometimes you only have to negotiate the train a few hundred yards to a point where AI can do nothing else but carry out you orders.

Label all track-marks with full text so that you have a certain object to hit using AI Drivers to accomplish the task.

There is no commercial software to accomplish this & by golly I do this every day using Auran Trainz...go figure...

 

[Approach_Medium]

My route is freight only, so there are no "rules" pertaining to which train takes what track, as there usually are for passenger trains.
So, using direction markers wouldn't work for me.
I do have to start experimenting with track marks and triggers though.

FW