jimwshipley
New member
2,4,5,6,8 can someone clear up what they mean and how to apply them please!
Semaphore Numbers
- Thread starter jimwshipley
- Start date
Can you expand on that? An example, an asset, a context?
jimwshipley
New member
When I download semaphore assets they are numbered with single and double flags numbering them 2,4,5,6,8. I gather that they are placed in different places on the route but I don't know where to put them.
When you add a semaphore signal to a route, the only name shown will be the name given by the asset creator. You can rename any asset added to a route (or session) to anything that you like but this will only affect the name displayed in your route or session. It will not alter the actual name of the asset.
Likewise when you download a semaphore (or any asset for that matter), the name shown is the name given by the creator.
I suspect, without any evidence but it does seem logical, that the asset creator has simply named the semaphore signals using a numerical sequence of her/his own choosing. Simply adding a number to a signal name seems, to me at least, to be a strange way of indicating its function. Adding a descriptive label to its name and description seems much more useful. Names like "Home", "Depart", "Advance Approach", "Diversion Left", "Diversion Right", "Shunting", "Distant", etc make much more sense.
Do the signals have a description included? This might give more clues but I suspect, without any further information, that you can ignore the numbers.
Likewise when you download a semaphore (or any asset for that matter), the name shown is the name given by the creator.
I suspect, without any evidence but it does seem logical, that the asset creator has simply named the semaphore signals using a numerical sequence of her/his own choosing. Simply adding a number to a signal name seems, to me at least, to be a strange way of indicating its function. Adding a descriptive label to its name and description seems much more useful. Names like "Home", "Depart", "Advance Approach", "Diversion Left", "Diversion Right", "Shunting", "Distant", etc make much more sense.
Do the signals have a description included? This might give more clues but I suspect, without any further information, that you can ignore the numbers.
The numbers must correspond with the different signal-types.
2= Advanced,
4 = Absolute,
5 = Permissive (works like advanced in Trainz but has a single head instead),
6 = Approach
7 ?
8 = Interlocking.
This has pretty much been the "standard" since Auran for US signals and continued by Jointed Rail for their signals.
2= Advanced,
4 = Absolute,
5 = Permissive (works like advanced in Trainz but has a single head instead),
6 = Approach
7 ?
8 = Interlocking.
This has pretty much been the "standard" since Auran for US signals and continued by Jointed Rail for their signals.
jimwshipley
New member
Thanks... Thats what i am looking for. Where can I look to find out how to properly place the signals. I don't know which one to place in places like approaching a yard or say at a crossover. Call me DUMB but it gets confusing for me
Sorry, I can't help you with semaphores per se, but they work similar to colored light signals.
Type 02 you place this way ahead of a crossover. This advanced signal will show the aspects of an upcoming signal.
Type 04 is an Absolute. These are stop signs. These are placed at the end of track such as where a siding meets a mainline. The dwarfs are used in yards.
Type 05 are permissive signals. They work similar to the 2-headed equivalent type 02 except they have a single head.
In real life, the engineer or conductor would call the dispatcher to request permission to pass by the signal. The small black bar, also found on Type 02s, is where a signal number or name is supposed to go. You can edit the signal properties and put the name in there if you want, at least on some signals I've used.
Since the permissive part doesn't work, they can be used to divide up long blocks into smaller segments so that more than one train can follow. Their aspect is that of the next signal, i.e. advance. If there's an upcoming red, they will show a red indicating the next signal is a stop.
Type 06 is an Approach. They show the speed across a junction given the driver directions about an upcoming signal. You place these where two tracks split, such as where two lines come together to a single line at the end of a passing siding.
Type 07s ?
Type 08 are interlocking signals. Place these at crossovers and wyes, to protect each leg.
Hope this helps.
What I've done is look at pictures and videos of signals to get an idea where to use them and I then adopt that setup. For the most part, I've had success doing that, but Trainz AI needs some coaxing once and awhile and extra signals may be needed.
jimwshipley
New member
Thank You So Much John !!!This is really helpful. Maybe I can get it right now. I have used signals with model railroads over the years but this is a bit different. Thanks again
norfolksouthern37
what's a normal map?
Hi John.
I would like to clear up a misunderstanding of what a permissive signal is. Signals with a number plate or sign attachment are typically permissive, but this means that they will allow you to pass them at red after coming to a stop and then continue with speed limited to restricting. If there is a badge on them that says "G" this usually means they are on a grade and you do not have to completely stop the train (as it would be hard to start again) . Now I just gave a very general description and there are different rules that apply to different places and even different signs etc, but generally this is it. This is a very real life thing and is pretty fairly well modeled in Trainz. In real life these types of signals are used to divide up blocks in between absolute signals, which generally guard junctions and splits in the line.
Your description was more of what I believe is called a "Controlled" signal in Trainz, which will be red until a train stops at it, then it will clear up and continue, sort of like having to call dispatch to get them to set the signal.
Thank you for the clarification. I do use them liberally to divide up the blocks between absolute signals.