Note: This tutorial is also available in Adobe PDF file format from the following link:
http://rdalton.biz/RR/crossover_tutorial.pdf
Tutorial - Building a Perfect Track Crossover
Recently while working to upgrade one of my TRS2012 layouts I was testing the signals on the double track portion of the route and found that the signals did not display the proper aspect signal light at the crossovers which allowed trains to move from one track to another. This signal aspect problem is a well-known Trainz issue at track crossovers.
Wanting to fix this I tried several different signals which are available and experimented for a number of hours before finally finding a solution that worked flawlessly on my TRS2012 layout. I thought I would pass on this solution to save others from the issues and wasted time I had to face.
Before I begin realize that there are very few available signals on the DLS that will work correctly by displaying the proper aspect signal light with crossovers. The ones I use in the following example are made by norfolksouthern37 and have proven to work correctly and display the proper aspect signal light at all times and require nothing else, such as dwarf lights on the crossover track section, to work.
Here is a screenshot from Surveyor which shows how I laid out the double track double crossover which works flawlessly on my test TRS2012 layout:
List of DLS content items used:
Here is a list of the content items I used to make this double track double crossover:
Downloaded from the DLS:
Ballast Light Brown,<kuid:439337:100843>:
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=217086
Gantry 5m 2 Track,<kuid2:61119:24223:1>:
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=196111
Searchlight Signal 06-LD Gantry,<kuid2:45324:24341:2>:
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=210877
Searchlight Signal 06-RD Gantry,<kuid2:45324:24345:2>:
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=210876
Track Wood SG with light brown ballast-TRS2010,<kuid:439337:100539>:
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=205948
Junction Controller v3,<kuid:439337:100957>
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=235227
Built into TRS2012:
Switch Lever,<kuid:-1:100553>
Note: Feel free to substitute your own favorite ballast, track and switch levers for items above but do not substitute for any of the other items or this won’t work for you as it should.
Placing your signals correctly
To ensure your signals work correctly you must place the correct signal with the junction type it was made for. The Searchlight Signal 06-LD Gantry light should be used on junctions that diverge to the left. The Searchlight Signal 06-RD Gantry light should be used on junctions that diverge to the right. To protect a double track double crossover will require four signals (two of Searchlight Signal 06-LD Gantry and two Searchlight Signal 06-RD Gantry all of which are placed on the gantry correctly).
Enhancing your crossover for ease of use
To enhance these crossovers and make them easier to use I have also added my Junction Control V3 content item which is an update of an item done by MiZi back in 2004. I have updated it to work in later versions of Trainz and not report any warnings in the TRS2012 CMP. I have made no changes to the code or functioning of this item so in all other respects it is identical to the original Junction Controller V2 version done back in 2004.
By using this junction controller you only have to have to click just one switch on either side to align BOTH required switches on the crossover to the correct direction. This helps to idiot proof the crossover process for layout users. In the screenshot above I have configured the junction controller to control all four switches and align them correctly. The popup box to the right of the track in the screenshot shows how I configured the junction controller to do this. To control four switches in a double track double crossover you will need to have eight rules displayed in that junction controller. Based on my own tests in TRS2012 rules you add to the junction controller will be stored persistently in the route layer so a layout session is not required. I can’t say if this will be the case in earlier versions of Trainz.
For a single crossover
This procedure will also work for a single crossover but you will need to use two of the following signal to protect the non-switched track sections around the crossover:
Searchlight Signal 04 Gantry <KUID2:45324:24330:2>:
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=210880
Example 1: For a single crossover that diverges to the right you will need:
2 of Searchlight Signal 06-RD Gantry
2 of Searchlight Signal 04 Gantry
Example 2: For a single crossover that diverges to the left you will need:
2 of Searchlight Signal 06-LD Gantry
2 of Searchlight Signal 04 Gantry
You will also need to adjust the junction controller to control just two switches instead of four.
Finishing cosmetic touches
If you are using my Track Wood SG with light brown ballast-TRS2010 track you might also want to add my matching frog points to the crossover junctions to give it a more prototypical look. Just download the following and apply them to the junctions.
Turnout_Frog_Left_US_SG:
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=234101
Turnout_Frog_Right_US_SG:
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=234102
Summary
If you follow the example layout for a crossover as shown in the screenshot above you will have a perfectly functioning track crossover that will prove to be very easy to use on your TRS2012 layouts.
Author of this tutorial:
Bob Dalton (MSGSapper)
http://rdalton.biz/RR/crossover_tutorial.pdf
Tutorial - Building a Perfect Track Crossover
Recently while working to upgrade one of my TRS2012 layouts I was testing the signals on the double track portion of the route and found that the signals did not display the proper aspect signal light at the crossovers which allowed trains to move from one track to another. This signal aspect problem is a well-known Trainz issue at track crossovers.
Wanting to fix this I tried several different signals which are available and experimented for a number of hours before finally finding a solution that worked flawlessly on my TRS2012 layout. I thought I would pass on this solution to save others from the issues and wasted time I had to face.
Before I begin realize that there are very few available signals on the DLS that will work correctly by displaying the proper aspect signal light with crossovers. The ones I use in the following example are made by norfolksouthern37 and have proven to work correctly and display the proper aspect signal light at all times and require nothing else, such as dwarf lights on the crossover track section, to work.
Here is a screenshot from Surveyor which shows how I laid out the double track double crossover which works flawlessly on my test TRS2012 layout:
List of DLS content items used:
Here is a list of the content items I used to make this double track double crossover:
Downloaded from the DLS:
Ballast Light Brown,<kuid:439337:100843>:
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=217086
Gantry 5m 2 Track,<kuid2:61119:24223:1>:
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=196111
Searchlight Signal 06-LD Gantry,<kuid2:45324:24341:2>:
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=210877
Searchlight Signal 06-RD Gantry,<kuid2:45324:24345:2>:
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=210876
Track Wood SG with light brown ballast-TRS2010,<kuid:439337:100539>:
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=205948
Junction Controller v3,<kuid:439337:100957>
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=235227
Built into TRS2012:
Switch Lever,<kuid:-1:100553>
Note: Feel free to substitute your own favorite ballast, track and switch levers for items above but do not substitute for any of the other items or this won’t work for you as it should.
Placing your signals correctly
To ensure your signals work correctly you must place the correct signal with the junction type it was made for. The Searchlight Signal 06-LD Gantry light should be used on junctions that diverge to the left. The Searchlight Signal 06-RD Gantry light should be used on junctions that diverge to the right. To protect a double track double crossover will require four signals (two of Searchlight Signal 06-LD Gantry and two Searchlight Signal 06-RD Gantry all of which are placed on the gantry correctly).
Enhancing your crossover for ease of use
To enhance these crossovers and make them easier to use I have also added my Junction Control V3 content item which is an update of an item done by MiZi back in 2004. I have updated it to work in later versions of Trainz and not report any warnings in the TRS2012 CMP. I have made no changes to the code or functioning of this item so in all other respects it is identical to the original Junction Controller V2 version done back in 2004.
By using this junction controller you only have to have to click just one switch on either side to align BOTH required switches on the crossover to the correct direction. This helps to idiot proof the crossover process for layout users. In the screenshot above I have configured the junction controller to control all four switches and align them correctly. The popup box to the right of the track in the screenshot shows how I configured the junction controller to do this. To control four switches in a double track double crossover you will need to have eight rules displayed in that junction controller. Based on my own tests in TRS2012 rules you add to the junction controller will be stored persistently in the route layer so a layout session is not required. I can’t say if this will be the case in earlier versions of Trainz.
For a single crossover
This procedure will also work for a single crossover but you will need to use two of the following signal to protect the non-switched track sections around the crossover:
Searchlight Signal 04 Gantry <KUID2:45324:24330:2>:
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=210880
Example 1: For a single crossover that diverges to the right you will need:
2 of Searchlight Signal 06-RD Gantry
2 of Searchlight Signal 04 Gantry
Example 2: For a single crossover that diverges to the left you will need:
2 of Searchlight Signal 06-LD Gantry
2 of Searchlight Signal 04 Gantry
You will also need to adjust the junction controller to control just two switches instead of four.
Finishing cosmetic touches
If you are using my Track Wood SG with light brown ballast-TRS2010 track you might also want to add my matching frog points to the crossover junctions to give it a more prototypical look. Just download the following and apply them to the junctions.
Turnout_Frog_Left_US_SG:
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=234101
Turnout_Frog_Right_US_SG:
http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=234102
Summary
If you follow the example layout for a crossover as shown in the screenshot above you will have a perfectly functioning track crossover that will prove to be very easy to use on your TRS2012 layouts.
Author of this tutorial:
Bob Dalton (MSGSapper)
Last edited: