What length blocks do you use in Trainz ?

[REFJR2]

What length blocks do you use in Trainz ?

Ie when in Surveyor and you are putting tracks down ...
(assumes double track with sidings)

- What is the longest distance (ft) that you use for a siding ?
- What is the shortest distance (ft) that you use for a siding ?

- What is the longest distance (ft) that you use between sidings ?
- What is the shortest distance (ft) that you use between sidings ?

- What is the maximum number of blocks that you use between Sidings ?
- What is the minimum number of blocks that you use between Sidings ?

- Do you run your industry tracks (spur etc) off of a Siding or direct off of the 'mainline' ?

Block = Signal , length of track (Block) , Signal

 

[sniper297]

This is a question that comes up frequently, and the answer is - whatever works for you.

Real railroads build sidings and spurs where they need them, make them long enough for the longest anticipated train length they need to put in there. Because of real estate cost sometimes they underestimate future needs and have to add extensions, or they're overly optimistic and end up with a lot of unused and abandoned track.

Block lengths, depends - got a single track line from Podunk to Poughkipsee and you only have one train to run on it, since there's no potential for traffic conflicts you don't need any blocks. Running six electric powered railcar trains on a rapid transit route 3 minutes apart you can use blocks less than a quarter mile long, since those things can stop from full speed in a little over the length of the train. Running 100 car freight trains the blocks need to be half a mile to a mile long, preferably with 4 aspect instead of 3 aspect interval signals to give advanced warning. Get out in the desert where trains are long and don't need to follow very closely, a block can be five miles long.

It's a variable, for my route I used 1/2 mile for most of the main passenger/freight route, 1/4 mile for most of the transit route, sidings and crossovers where needed.

 

[backyard]

What is a block?

The term "block" refers to "A section of track with defined limits."

I run actual railroad routes using Digital Elevation Maps(DEM) that simply are set up the same as the actual railroad.

For freelance routes, you have the two previous posts to help you determine where your signals should be.

You have two main types of signals, Absolute signals and Intermediate signals.

The Absolute signals are at the ends of sidings in both directions on both tracks.

The intermediate signals are somewhere in between the Absolutes.

The Absolute signal is at no time to be crossed at Stop (all signals are red). In real (prototype) railroading this is a fire-able offense.:hehe:

The intermediate may show red, that means the next signal will be red unless you can see otherwise, when you get to it...you must be prepared to stop for anything after you pass the red Intermediate signal, at a speed determined by the railroad...

In Trainz, when an AI Driver runs a red signal they are penalized by a complete stop order and a two minute wait...Absolute or Intermediate...several of those in a session may terminate the session for that train and the crew is sacked.:hehe:

 

[cascaderailroad]

I choose my longest train that I will operate, and add ten 40' box cars, and make it a "new consist", and use it for measuring my 1 mile long blocks (@ 150 cars and 6 locos), which is an @ 15,000 ton train.