alangr Posted November 14, 2009 Author Share Posted November 14, 2009 Hi all I agree with John (and as TTG said in his post under 'Questions') this back and forth discussionis what RMweb is all about and it is certainly working - thanks. Well, I am going to stick my neck out and try to summarise the position as I see it from this extremely helpful discussion - and also raise more queries, of course. So; I am now planning to go with Occupancy Sensors (LDT RS8) for all blocks - just one per block. That would be the basic setup and seems to be generally accepted as being OK and now very powerful with V7. Then for points, if I think that they are likely to be problematic as far as routes are concerned, I could add a current sensor or even a momentary contact in order to monitor train progress. I would need to experiment here but as I am planning for minimal future intervention (i.e. adding more contacts/sensors) this seems to me to be sensible - even if they are not all connected up and used straight away. The matter of resistive wheelsets sounds like a substantial point of discussion (as opposed to a major difference of opinion) and could be a hassle to implement. I think I would be happy with putting a momentary contact (with a time delay to stop flickering), for a specific point if needed and use this for 'release'. This might be cleaner than putting a run of points together and would work anywhere - this is a follow on from the above really.. Then because of signals, whistle/horn or anything else, I could add further momentary contacts anywhere I wanted to but could think specifically about something after a block 'stop' marker so that signal release could be smarter than relying on next block release - as TTG comments. Edwin_m; I confess to liking the idea of making a run of points into a group of some kind (even if not actually a block) but this falls foul of TTG's very strong edict 'don't'! As I have not played at all yet, I am minded to go as above and so try to leave my options open so that final decisions can be made after some experimentation. So, do I have a basis for implementation, I wonder! Seems ro me that the first bit is agreed by all but things become murkier as we go down the list! But one thing is crying out to me and that is that I need to get into action and use the software to see, and understand, what can be done. A former colleague of mine (ex army, of course) once said that 'The best laid plans fall at the first contact with the enemy'. For all the planning I do, there can clearly be no substitute for trying things out. I get the UK news here and it seems as though this weekend sees quite a battering from wind/rain. I hope that West Wales doesn't go under! Regards from a sunny but chilly Athens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin_m Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 I would suggest you section the track around the points so you can add current detectors later if necessary without having to cut the track or re-do the track feeds. The logic is to section the non-common rail so that no section can ever contain more than one train (if you've wired a DC layout this will start to sound familiar...). If you are using Electrofrog points you probably don't need to add many more joins than are needed anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alangr Posted November 15, 2009 Author Share Posted November 15, 2009 Thanks for your comments; yes, I use electrofrog points and already have many section gaps. That said, I think momentary contacts (suitably stabilised not to flicker) might suit me better as then I might not need to have resistive wheelsets on all my stock. But something to monitor progress at specific points seems kindof useful to me right now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted November 15, 2009 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 15, 2009 I'm experimenting with doing just that. However if you do it pure and simple then I suspect if any part of the block is occupied, the points behind the train will still be locked up despite the train having moved off them. I'm following prototype practice in that each route is made up of a series of sub-routes. The sub-routes are locked at route setting time and released one by one as the train clears the associated track circuit. This unlocks the points for use by other routes. This bit works fine but I would caution anyone about following me, because due to some hardware problems and lack of time I haven't got far enough to try this in automatic operation. If it doesn't work then I may have to scrap most of it and start again. Also this method needs resistive wheelsets, otherwise the points will be unlocked underneath the train, so it's probably not what you're looking for! Not all prototype installations use TORR (train operated route release, for our layouts we have stayed clear of this due to the problems Edwin mentioned, the risk of the route becoming free under a train and an overset route (a new route which is set but has to wait for part of an existing route to become available) then changing the point under the train was too high, so TORR was not implemented and oversetting is not permitted (which makes it easier for me anyway ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Hi Alan, You have definitely reached the stage when reading and thinking about things needs to be replaced with practical experience. There is still a steep learning curve to be climbed and I think once you do start to play you will realise some of the benefits of one system over another. You mention operating signals and whistle etc and from what you have written, I assume you mean by the use of reed switches, contact types. Don't that these can be operated with great success by the software using event markers triggered by block occupancy. Even outside of blocks in point work without track circuiting as it uses the distance speed calculation to say when the even should happen. My trains sounds a warning before entering tunnels and this is triggered by an event marker that has its operating point 12 inches beyond the end of a block but is triggered by the block occupancy detector. Its easy to set up by measuring the length of the block plus the distance beyond the block you want it to operate. If there are multiple routes beyond the block you set the route as a condition of the event marker. That way if you have more than one tunnel entrances that are not equal distance from the block end, you set the number of event markers you need with one route as a condition in the right event marker. Understand. You will once you can play. Keep going, you are doing well with all the learning going on. I am still finding out things in V7. The differences between V5.8 and V7 Gold are providing a lot of fun finding out just what I can do and also how I can simplify things after the complexities of earlier versions. Regards TTG Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alangr Posted November 15, 2009 Author Share Posted November 15, 2009 Hi TTG Thanks - I thnk we certainly agree about the 'getting down to using it' part. That said, I am only too well aware that reading and talking is one thing - doing will be quite another and take some time and patience. As a totally different comment, I was going to go for a (more or less dedicated) laptop for control but to get a 'decent' sized screen (at least 20 inches) the cost is steep! So I am now thinking about a relatively cheap base unit and a separate (flat) screen. OK...... I see from your other thread though that you use two screens; how does this work (I cannot find anything in the manual)? Also, I have created two switchboards (main level and upper level - with appropriate connectors) and while one is tabbed (the first I created) the second just sits in the way and has to be moved to see the first one. I can't seem to change it to a tab. Is this right? But if I went for two smaller screens, presumably I could put one on each screen? This may be me trying to run before even crawling (or a more appropriate topic for the RR&Co forum), but I just thought I would ask! Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 I use two screens because I want to see as much as possible all at once without switching between all the different switchboards and other items I want to see like the turntable, loco list etc. I intend in going up to three screens soon so I can see the dispatcher all the time as well but this is not really required. Once most things are set up, the dispatcher is not needed all the time. As for setting things up for multiple screens, its more of a windows function that RR&Co. You just set the computer up for multiple monitors and drag the switch boards around and set them in the order you want. Don't forget that you may need two graphics cards to drive multiple monitors depending on what you have installed. I have tow cards in mine which will handle four screens. As for a laptop, for me its OK for setting things up but from an operating point of view, you will find that you keep having to look up and down between monitor and laptop screens and during intense operating sessions, it can give you a right pain in the neck. I use a fairly powerful desk top. There is a a calculation some place on the RR&Co forum to do with how much processor power you need per running train taking into account all the other things the software has to do at the same time. I saw your YRR files but due to other things not had much chance to play with them. But they can be tweaked to make them a bit more usable on one screen. Try to get away from trying to draw things to scale. Its not needed for operating purposes. More later on this when I have had more time to look at them. TTG Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted November 15, 2009 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 15, 2009 Hi Alan You have probably seen this thread http://www.freiwald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11558 on the RR&co forum discussing the way the software handles cars (waggons/carriages to us) without contacts. In case you havent its well worth reading ,even though its dealling with stopping trains that are being pushed, I believe it supports my view that it will be possible to operate without the complication of resistive wheel sets. Following on EdwinMs comments about occupancy sensing routes/points.....I think that is the way I will handle my terminus throat.....right now on the storage yards the points are fed by individual droppers or convenient nodes off the power bus .....retro fitting occupancy detectors would be a nightmare......when I wire the terminus I am going to do it so that the power feed to groups of points can be easily accessed should I subsequently find that I cant control route release thru the software. I think a base unit and big screen is definitely the way to go.....its certainly my plan....right now I use the laptop and TTG is correct it can be a right pain. With my limited operation I can already see the need for two screens.....it will save a huge amount of shuffling between windows.......there are a couple of threads on the RR&co Forum dealing with connectors.....I havent read them yet because 2 screens are some way off for me Kind Regards from Vancouver where it is very wet and snowing at higher elevations....the local ski mountains are already open...a month early! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Digital Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Railroad & Co can be as complicated or as easy as what you want it to be. I find there is nothing easier than to actually try things out on the layout and find the best way of using the software to meet your needs. I would suggest trying the software on a small part of your layout first by say fitting a few occupancy detectors on a small route say 3 or 4 and then trying out all the various options the software has to offer. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alangr Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 Hi TTG OK, so multi-screen is a Windows issue - That's good as I can leave screens for now and get on with trying things out. As far as my .yrr files are concerned, I sent them as requested as we were speaking about point runs, detection, etc. Now that, and much else, is much further ahead in terms of understanding, please don't feel the need to take time on them. I have already amended the originals substantially, adding blocks..... I will look for the RR&Co computational thread though before looking for a suitable desktop; thanks for the pointer. Hi John Thanks for the pointer to the RR&Co thread about 'car' handling; I will check that out. The idea of fitting resistive wheelsets does not exactly appeal and I (think that I) can see some ways that this might be avoided...But as all are saying, including me, it is time to start doing. Digital; yes, that is exactly where I will be heading once I get the PC. I have plenty of places to try things out before doing everything so I will make a small-scale trial area that can be a playground for me as soon as possible. Regards to all from a dry, cold but sunny Athens - so no snow yet, John! Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Hi Alan, Send me your updated YRR files if you want and I will look at them, I promise I will. Will be interesting to see what you have in mind for blocks etc. As for a test area. I built a two metre test layout with all the elements on it that would be in my layout. It has twenty six blocks in two metres !!!!!!!!!! Its arranged as a engine shed type layout but it has given me great fun and almost a stand alone layout. But the things I learned from it and the ability to test things made it invaluable. Wet at times and still windy. That is England where I am now but back in Wales its the normal 26C sunny and lovely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Forgot to add in my last post. Alan, do you intend running a mix of sound fitted and non sound fitted locos ? John are you running sound fitted locos on your layout ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alangr Posted November 17, 2009 Author Share Posted November 17, 2009 Hi TTG Yes, I have one sound equipped loco at the moment any may get, or fit to have, more. As far as the .yrr files go, OK I will send them but please don't feel under any pressure to comment! No way can I match 26 blocks in two metres...and I am not going to try! I had in mind something like Digital mentioned; say three or four points in an 'interestibng' part of my layout just to get the hang of it all before diving in more fully. My present question (to myself, that is) is just where to position the screen, given I have a layout that is operated from the middle and has a lifting bridge between the two parts of the middle! Oh well; more fun there..... Regards Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted November 17, 2009 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 17, 2009 Hi TTG I dont have sound and I dont contemplate it right now......I am somewhat deaf (from the Army many many years ago Alan) so it would be a mixed blessing for me and my priority is to finish the layout and chip another 15+ locos....then a dedicated computor with large screen (s).....quite enough capital expenditure for the next little while A thought for your test track Alan.......set up the blocks for speed profiling and brake adjustment.........I have mine in the storage yard so I have to mess around moving the back scene every time I want to run a profile.....which is surprisingly often as TTG says you really have to work to get them spot on and it takes 30 minutes at least for each loco...........it would be neat to have it readily accessible and uncluttered. Its sunny and mild here for a change Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alangr Posted November 17, 2009 Author Share Posted November 17, 2009 Hi John Strangely enough I have a hearing problem too but the (very few) visitors I get really like sounds! It will never be a big thing with me but it is fun on a small scale. As for expenditure, I now have a Lenz LI-USB and one RS8 and I am now estimating costs for the hardware and the bulk of the detectors; it is all...quite...interesting.....; as you say, enough expenditure for (more than) a while........ Your ideas about the test track are very helpful and seem extremely sensible! I have an upper level station which has four lines one of which is part of the main loop and is a long (and accessible!) line that could probably be used for profiling. The station also has a number of points and a headshunt so as a test area it should keep me quiet until 2011 (at least)! The weather here is blue sky and sun. I was downtown today and it was 22+ degrees - just like an English summer (though it was not wet and windy)! Regards Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 My calibration track is in fact platform 2. The block is made up of three detectors as per the 'old way' of setting up blocks and is long enough to give a decent calibration. So the short sections of the block, each with their won block occupancy detector forms the run in and run out with the long centre section forming the important calibration part of things. This leads me into the bit about asking if you use sound equipped locos. I have only got into this in the past year and only really been taking it more seriously in the past three to four months when time allowed. I currently have a HST set with each power car having its own sound decoder in it, 1 X CL40 1 X CL45, 2 X Cl 47's & 1 X CL 52. They are all ESU Loksound decoders V3.5 with a mix of Bachmann pre-fitted ones and SWD decoders. So I suppose they are the same except for the tweaking done by Bachmann to their set up. Previously all my fleet has been fitted as standard with Lenz Gold decoders which worked faultlessly since they were released a few years ago and highly recommend them to any one look for a good decoder. From a RR&Co / DCC decoder point of view, the end result of calibrating a loco fitted with a Lenz Gold decoder was one of accuracy and precision. Precision as it responded in the way that was required and stopped millimetre perfect and accuracy that this was repeatable over all the fleet by calibrating the loco and it would stop with out any further intervention exactly in the same place as every other loco. When it comes to the sound fitted loco's, what a considerable difference to that of the Locos fitted with Lenz Gold. Calibration is is the same process but the end result needs in some cases considerable tweaking and also the introduction of additional brake and stop markers in blocks for sound equipped locos. Even down to extra ones for individual sound equipped locos as the difference in stopping distances is too great to tweak using brake compensation. RR&Co does not have negative brake compensation for some reason ! Yes one of my locos could use some. I tried out of interest calibrating a loco with sound off and this produces a different set of results to that of having the sound on. Of course sound fitted locos are normally run with sound on but I did the calibration with sound off to find out what would happen and I was surprised by the big differences it produced. So my blocks now contain a lot more markers for sound equipped locos than before when things were very quiet in the railway room. Another aspect of running sound fitted trains is the delay in movement of them because of the sound side of things sorting itself out in conjunction with the speed profile. There is also the sound response to speed changes and the time it needs to adjust itself. If your train stops quickly the loco from a sound point of view could still be at max power and only spools down after the loco stops and has been stationary for a few seconds. An annoying things as well is that whilst RR&Co can access functions of the decoder such as notch up and notch down, I have noticed that if the loco is running at high speed where the sound reflects this, the notching function is disabled. So you cannot notch down to get over the slowing of the train and a slow response time of the sound function in relation to speed. This would be very useful on my layout as my trains don't really get much above a scale 30 mph but the locos are already at max power on the sound side of things and it makes it difficult to slow a train in a way that the sound and speed match each other as it should. Its a fault of compression, scale distances are unlikely to be reproduced on most layouts in our homes. But there are some little features buried in RR&Co which allows fine tuning of things that can alleviate some of the problems. Not 100% but near enough for it to look and sound good. If there are any other sound/ RR&Co users out there I would like to hear from them to share thoughts and info. Mr RR&Co for me still seems a little behind the power curve when it comes to certain parts of his software and this for me is one of them. There is more to say about all this but this is turning into a book rather than just a posting on the web. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted November 18, 2009 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 18, 2009 RR&Co does not have negative brake compensation for some reason ! Yes one of my locos could use some. I have the same problem and its so frustrating when you are trying to maych it with the perfect "template" loco.......I have fiddled with the contact distance as a work around with some success. This would be very useful on my layout as my trains don't really get much above a scale 30 mph I suspect I will have the same scenario.....right now I have a 20mph speed limit going into the storage yards and then there is a 10' run before the locos enter the (yet to be built) terminus throat.............I have set my max speeds to what I guess were realistic prototype levels......45-50 mph for a 57xx Tank and 70 mph for a 4-6-0 Grange.................I sometimes wonder if I should set everything at say 40 mph and then get more bang for the buck from the 20 speed steps................just a thought.....dont really fancy reprofiling 10+ locos! There is more to say about all this but this is turning into a book rather than just a posting on the web. Great thread though TTG ps I agree with you about Lenz chips....... although I have only one gold then I added up the dollars and cents but I have decided to standardise on Silver.....I find them to be very smooth and consistent No wearher report its pitch black here Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alangr Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 The comments on sound are certainly interesting and really act as a warning as far as I am concerned; probably sensible not to go too far down this road - at least for some time. I am using (Lenz) Gold decoders too and although I have yet to profile a loco they have performed well for me so far. Regards Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 As I said, I ended up adding extra brake and stop markers to take care of the difference in stopping. Its odd really as the locos still stop in the same place but have different brake and stop markers. If from the point of activation of the block occupancy detector the stopping point is 60 inches for a Lenz Gold fitted loco, a Loksound V3.5 fitted loco has to have the stop point set at say 50 inches to make it stop in the same place as the Lenz Gold !!!!! Yes brake compensation can get rid of some of the 'error' but just what is causing this. Strange. Another strange effect is if a sound fitted loco runs around the layout on a schedule and completes it with out interruptions is stops in the correct place every time. Run the same schedule in conjunction with one or more other schedules that requires the loco to stop and await a clear road, the loco then over shoots the stopping point at then end of a schedule by quite a few inches. It stops perfectly at the stopping point awaiting a clear road but its the end of schedule that then suffers. As for the way the sound is played in relation to speed, a pain really and is a draw back of not having access to the sound project to adjust it. A lot of people on here seem to want nothing else but lots of 'thrash' from their sound fitted locos, me its the opposite end of things I want along with the middle bit of the power curve. As most of my layout is station area, speed normally does not get above 30 mph and a slow departure is more the norm with little need for 'thrash'. But when profiling is done and speeds set via CV settings etc, you can see from the on screen speed indicators that my locos step at almost fixed points with regards the sound they are emitting. Once the initial increase in engine speed and the loco moves, the engine speed returns briefly to idle or just above it. Then at 11mph there is a step and it notches up with max power being attained at around 18 or 19 mph which on my layout sounds odd and can cause the speed of the train to the sound being out of sync. Yes I know about engine loading and the weight of the train but it does not sound right for the way the train accelerates or the speed of the train. So I suppose I am paying the price for using off the shelve preloaded sound decoders or buying Bachmann sound fitted locos, but its still makes me smile when I see my CL40 pulling away with a train slowly and accelerates away even if it does go to max power well before the real thing would. Perhaps in the new Loksound 4 due out then the sound project will be editable by the user but of course not down loadable from the decoder. The extra bass side of things in it 'sounds' like a good idea as well to add to the bottom end of the frequencies. We will see. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alangr Posted February 13, 2010 Author Share Posted February 13, 2010 I am posting here on this 'old' thread as I have a query that arises from the above discussions - which have been incredibly helpful. It is all about blocks and points. OK, I now have RR&Co (Gold) up and running and have nine blocks so far; so I have scope for some playing (e.g. shuttles) and also for reflecting on what is to come. For my two main lines, which run around the layout, there are four blocks each. As the schedules run, either together in conflict, or independently, the switchboard shows just what is going on. It looks good and it is really interesting to see just how the potential conflicts are resolved when two schedules are started together. On each line, the four blocks are not equally spaced being on the North, East and South of the lines. The West side, which has some pointwork, has no blocks as these would need to contain points - and I recall the admonition from TTG about 'no popints in blocks'! However, in operation, although the screen says that the train in in transition between (say) South and North blocks, there is no indication of just where it is. OK, it does not really matter (I think!) as all is resolved once the train reaches the stop marker in the North block (station). My queries are as follows: 1 If I want to be able to see where trains are, I could put a sensor (of some kind) in amongst the points - either at one or more points or in the short lines between points. Doing this I might then be able to set up a switchboard 'marker' that is not a block but that shows when it is activated (not sure how to do this!). This would give me what I want. Does this seem sensible and is it possible? 2 I am concerned about route and point release under trains involved in a long journey over points between two blocks that are far apart. I am assuming that this is not a problem (i.e. that my worry is misplaced) and that the route from block South to block North (say) will be held until the train arrives at the stop marker in block North. If that is correct, and it is certainly what seems to happen, then all will be well. Am I reading this correctly? Every time I manage to do something, so many mnore aspects open up. It is great fun and very rewarding but there is a long way to go yet! Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted February 13, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 13, 2010 On each line, the four blocks are not equally spaced being on the North, East and South of the lines. The West side, which has some pointwork, has no blocks as these would need to contain points - and I recall the admonition from TTG about 'no popints in blocks'! However, in operation, although the screen says that the train in in transition between (say) South and North blocks, there is no indication of just where it is. OK, it does not really matter (I think!) as all is resolved once the train reaches the stop marker in the North block (station). My queries are as follows: 1 If I want to be able to see where trains are, I could put a sensor (of some kind) in amongst the points - either at one or more points or in the short lines between points. Doing this I might then be able to set up a switchboard 'marker' that is not a block but that shows when it is activated (not sure how to do this!). This would give me what I want. Does this seem sensible and is it possible? 2 I am concerned about route and point release under trains involved in a long journey over points between two blocks that are far apart. I am assuming that this is not a problem (i.e. that my worry is misplaced) and that the route from block South to block North (say) will be held until the train arrives at the stop marker in block North. If that is correct, and it is certainly what seems to happen, then all will be well. Am I reading this correctly? Every time I manage to do something, so many mnore aspects open up. It is great fun and very rewarding but there is a long way to go yet! Alan Hi Alan Glad to here that you are making such good progress ......and enjoying it [1] There is nothing wrong with making short additional blocks on some of the lines connecting groups of points. In fact I both apply it and advocate it if any shunting is going to be involved. There are various rules you can employ to ensure that trains dont stop there (unless you specify it....ie as a destination block) [2] TC should take care of it......it might be slower than desirable but again you can fine tune it with schedule rules Hope this helps Living in Athens there is an added point to our traditional exchange of weather information The Winter Olympics opened here last night in torrential rain and the forecast is for more rain with some snow at higher elevations.....which the local mountains desparately need.....and finally fog may prevent the Mens Downhill running today. ..........the opening ceremony, however was fantastic. Kind Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alangr Posted February 14, 2010 Author Share Posted February 14, 2010 Hi John, thanks for your response. Let me have a go at your what you say! Clearly my two queries are inter-related but there are two issues of concern for me; these are train tracking through a point intensive route and train/route safety in the same situation. I think from your response to my second query that TC should manage to hold a (complete) route through a set of points until a (possibly far away) destination block is reached. This seems sensible (and understandable) though I don't understand your 'might be slower than desirable' comment. Do you mean the system generally will be slower as other trains may wait a long time for part of the protected route to be released or do you have something else in mind? Then again, if the above is the case, what happens with short blocks put into a point run which is part of the route between two distant blocks? I get stuck in my thinking when considering the use of these (short) blocks as surely then the first bit of the route would get released as the next short block was reached. In this way my first concern (points changing under trains) might become a real possibility - particularly if the train was a long one. Unless of course I put conditions on release of the short blocks on the route to say 'don't release until the final destination is reached' - or have resistive wheelsets, I suppose. Am I on the right track (so to speak) here? I am just trying to get clear in my mind about what I should be doing to reach the point that I am aiming for and I am very grateful for your helpful comments. As for the weather reports, the bit about Vancouver (which we cannot escape these days, even in Google!) that we smiled at was pictures of massive lorries delivering snow from up the mountains down to where it was needed! Here, we now have it warmer again after a cold snap (all of -1 degree one night!!). Kind regards Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted February 14, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 14, 2010 Clearly my two queries are inter-related but there are two issues of concern for me; these are train tracking through a point intensive route and train/route safety in the same situation. I think from your response to my second query that TC should manage to hold a (complete) route through a set of points until a (possibly far away) destination block is reached. This seems sensible (and understandable) though I don't understand your 'might be slower than desirable' comment. Do you mean the system generally will be slower as other trains may wait a long time for part of the protected route to be released or do you have something else in mind? Imagine a schedule that consists of a 84" start block then a fan of points say 84" long and finally an 84" destination block. TC would control ie lock the both blocks and the route until the schedule was complete.............and it would be hazardous to do otherwise........thus no other schedule could transit the points while the first schedule was running............inserting a block, however small, in the middle of the points would mean that you could release the first half of the points earlier.........on entry to the last block or with reistive wheel sets when ceasing to occupy the centre block The above is, perhaps, oversimplified but hopefully you get my drift Then again, if the above is the case, what happens with short blocks put into a point run which is part of the route between two distant blocks? I get stuck in my thinking when considering the use of these (short) blocks as surely then the first bit of the route would get released as the next short block was reached. In this way my first concern (points changing under trains) might become a real possibility - particularly if the train was a long one. Unless of course I put conditions on release of the short blocks on the route to say 'don't release until the final destination is reached' - or have resistive wheelsets, I suppose. Am I on the right track (so to speak) here? Kind regards Alan Yes you are on the right lines..... you can control the release using rules and the memory property of the contact indicator Hope this helps Its briefly stopped raining........they found the money to air lift the snow (they used helicopters) from the virtually unused snow clearing budget Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alangr Posted February 15, 2010 Author Share Posted February 15, 2010 Hi John Thanks for the comments; I think that I am happy now with the position and will look to set up some indicators and/or short blocks once I can check the use of controlling the release of blocks under appropriate 'conditions'. Blue skies and sun today here for our 'Clean Monday'. Kind regards Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan1 Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Hi Alan, Been reading this topic with interest. Although i haven't contributed i have gained a lot of useful information from it. Actually writing to ask if you've ever been to Aegina? We go every year, love the place! Barry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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