Frustrating signals

[AntonyVW]

Is it just me or does anyone else find signals frustrating? In the real world signals can be set to allow through trains to continue on there way without having to stop at them. But Im frustrated in that the signals in the game just dont act that way. Is there a way to make the signals act more prototypical and not make a train stop at almost every signal?

 

[Kennilworth]

Hi AntonyVW

Unfortunately your post is rather vague. Are you talking about semaphore or colour light signals, scripted or unscripted? What is the situation that is causing you problems? Are you modelling UK or other countries railways?

I normally model UK practice and find that the scripted signals, both colour light and semaphore, are generally very good and work realistically. Having said that I use the Path Rule and driver commands which give precise control over where the train is going and avoids tha AI having to plot its own route. If you are having problems then it could be a number of things such as not setting the route soon enough, not setting the route far enough ahead or incorrectly placed signals.

More information would help.

Regards

Brian

 

[fran1]

When a consist stops at a signal hover the cursor on the red aspect, you should see a message telling you what the problem is.

 

[Bill69]

Also points should be set to default to the main through line. That way your main line train will always have a green unless there is another train just ahead on the main line.

Cheers,
Bill69

 

[AntonyVW]

Ok I will try to fill in the gaps. Im constructing a fictitious route and am currently testing the running length of the line as it stands. I have preset all the points to the mainline as all I am doing is running a light engine from one end to the other. The signals in use are a mixture of the sig BR(w) and sig LMS signals produced by chrisaw and francelinetony respectively. To give an example of one of the problems. The engine starts off in a terminal station - all points in its favour. But despite this - 2 signals up it is set to stop. The train approaches it, slows to a stop then the signal changes. No points have been moved and no other loco is on the line - anywhere. As it winds its way though the station exits it then meets with similar issues further down the line. I can see no reason for it doing this, no reversing or changing of directions - just a straight forward a-b line. There are of course connections to this route but points are all set for the main line where i want it to go.

 

[AntonyVW]

I should add that I have checked all the track connections around the signals, and the messages I get are usually in the vain of - 'waiting for track clearance' - which I dont understand as there is nothing else on the line.

 

[shaneturner12]

It may be that the signals are configured as 'stop then proceed' - this is a valid entry in a signal config file.

Shane

 

[Bill69]

At a guess I would think you have a junction somewhere that is not controled by a signal. The AI is quite reluctant to continue if there is a junction, especially a trailing junction, with no signal.

Cheers,
Bill69

 

[chrisaw]

My guess would be that the signals are in the wrong sequence.
To keep the train moving each stop signal should be preceeded by a distant, or as is uasually the case near large stations where the signals are closer together, combined home/distant configurations.

Chris.

 

[AntonyVW]

My guess would be that the signals are in the wrong sequence.
To keep the train moving each stop signal should be preceeded by a distant, or as is uasually the case near large stations where the signals are closer together, combined home/distant configurations.

Chris.

I have noticed that where I have the combined signals the distant signal is often (but not always), set at caution when the start signal is at green. I will go back and check see if I have any un-signaled junctions that I have missed and I will also check also if I have missed any distant signals. Thanks for the hints folk. I'll let you know what I find.
Also I was not aware of the possibility of 'stop then proceed' as I dont often think of those sort of issues.

 

[Kennilworth]

Hi again

The signals that you list work correctly on the block system and there is a guide explaining how to set them up on this website http://www.trainzclassics.co.uk/

Click on Guides in the menu on the left hand side and you will find it listed as "TC3 signalling tutorial".

Regards

Brian