Trainz semaphore problems

[trainz2010vinny]

I havetrainz 2010. I downloded semaphore signals. I have problem with these signals.These signals are lower quadrant signals. they show aspect of i.e go down only when the train is very close to them, till then they are red in position. why why??

 

[NikkiA]

I havetrainz 2010. I downloded semaphore signals. I have problem with these signals.These signals are lower quadrant signals. they show aspect of i.e go down only when the train is very close to them, till then they are red in position. why why??

Because lower quadrant signals were common in some places, and whoever made the signals you downloaded made lower-quadrant signals.

Download upper-quadrant signals instead, and stop moaning about it

 

[trainz2010vinny]

You are not understanding -suck it

Hey You are not understanding my problem. dont beat about the bush. Come to the genuine answer.

why signals turn green only when the trainz is very close to them
?????????????/

 

[shaneturner12]

Most Trainz signals work on a block system, and if I understand it correctly, the signal will only go green when the train passes the previous signal (the 2 pos signal on the DLS is a good example on what I mean)

Shane

 

[Azervich]

Hey You are not understanding my problem. dont beat about the bush. Come to the genuine answer.

why signals turn green only when the trainz is very close to them
?????????????/

Hi 2010vinny,

It might be that your using a 2 pos "which only turns green when the loco is near it and awaiting the signal box to allow access" or you don't have distant signals about 600 yards from the home signal.

Look at this track plan for a idea what I mean.

http://www.victorianrailways.net/signaling/completedia/sthgee.html

-Aaron

 

[PWeiser]

Short Signal Distance

I'm just guessing here based on experience with making upper-quadrant semaphore signals and cab-riding in-game (sometimes riding on top of a commuter trian to view their behavior, too). But...

First, if they're pre-2010 signals, they may not handle all the new signal states correctly - the number of states went from about 9 to over 30 in TS2009 (or was it TC3?) Anyway, if the game is sending the signal you're watching a 28 and the highest table value in its script is for an 8, something upredictable may happen - for example, it will stay at stop until it gets a very positive message to display proceed, or interpret proceed-with-caution-next-block-semi-clear as stop.

Second, the game (at least 2009, which is as high as I have) doesn't give the absolute highest priority to making signals look right. You can tell this because, as you approach a signal which is at stop, an AI driver will stop... then start moving an appreciable time before the signal actually goes to an approach aspect. In other words, the AI sees that the desired block is clear in-game a long time (in computer terms) before the signal gets the same message and reacts to it.

Finally, most semaphores also have lights - often handled creatively with scripts (so are the animated signal arms, of course) to simulate colored lenses passing over them. There seems to be an incompatibility between previous-version and 2010 scripts, from what I've read in the forum; that may explain some specific visual defects.

 

[colourlight]

I too have Trainz 2009 after having issues with 2010. My pet project at the moment is my version of The Razorback Railway and I have retained semaphore signalling on one of the branch lines to give it a "rural" feel. I find the signals to be less than ideal as sometimes they clear for a train and sometimes they don't. I have tried a different type of signal without success although the system considers the signal to be "off" in any case so the AI just ignores it. Not very realistic but it does show that semaphore signalling is not perfect by any means. I don,t know if you have point switches ahead of the signal(s) you are having problems with but one of the quirks of Trainz Signalling is that if the route is not set ahead of a signal for that train it will sometimes wait for the AI train to stop at the signal before setting the route and clearing the signal. I work around it by manually setting the route, or as much of it as I can. Another problem I have is the Signalling system can,t move a point switch to set up a route. Again I have to operate them manually. I have a few point switches on the Razorback with that problem. I suspect that the reason I have signalling problems is because The Razorback Railway is an older route which was a download for 2004. The point of this post is that the cause of a signalling problem may not be obvious and you have to either put up with it or devise a "work round" As you can see by the replies to your post, if you get stuck there is usually someone out there to make a useful sugestion.

 

[ray_whiley]

It might be that your using a 2 pos "which only turns green when the loco is near it and awaiting the signal box to allow access" or you don't have distant signals about 600 yards from the home signal.

All semaphore signals are two-position, either 'on' (board horizontal) or 'off' (board inclined at an angle, up or down). There can be no third position. Some railways used upper-quadrant (board raised for off), some lower-quadrant (board lowered for off). A few used slotted post where the board was lowered into a slot in the post for off.

For a guide to signalling in the UK, see:
http://www.signalbox.org/

Ray

 

[Azervich]

All semaphore signals are two-position, either 'on' (board horizontal) or 'off' (board inclined at an angle, up or down)

Ray

Hi Ray,

I wasn't thinking right when I said that, I was thinking more of upper quad that needs permission from the signalbox man to proceed "I call them 2 pos" as they are arm up/down, all our new ones replaced now are auto's on Semaphore posts but still called Semaphores, but are not 2 pos as there auto.

for example this one here

VR 2 Pos Sem Home Wooden <kuid2:1854:53010:1>

This one is Always red unless 2 blocks are clear ahead, when the loco drives to it while red it stays red for a min then gives the all clear to proceed.

Edit: also I was only answering his question

why signals turn green only when the trainz is very close to them
?????????????/

"only upper 2 post does that from what I know"

And we do have "3 pos" semaphores here

http://www.victorianrailways.net/signaling/3pos.html

-Aaron

 

[Mike10]

I havetrainz 2010. I downloded semaphore signals. I have problem with these signals.These signals are lower quadrant signals. they show aspect of i.e go down only when the train is very close to them, till then they are red in position. why why??

A lot of the signals need to be setup for block working. From the behaviour you describe, your's are not setup that way.

Here's a guide that covers block working for signals in Trainz: http://www.trainzclassics.co.uk/guides_tips/files/Trainz_TC3_Signalling_Tutorial.pdf

Mike.

 

[ray_whiley]

Hi Aaron

Of course I should have made it clear that I was referring to UK practice only (perhaps I should add that to my signature?) - I'm not familiar with other systems. Thanks for the clarification.

Ray