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"Interlocking Signals - Help rid me of my nightmare!"

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ceo492 (109 posts)
Aug-22-01, 06:13 PM (EST) "Interlocking Signals - Help rid me of my nightmare!" I am starting to loose hair again using the Route Editor tool. I don't mind loosing hair due to aging, but this rapid loss in my fingers is not acceptable. )LINKING SIGNAL HEADS - using the Searchlight 3-aspect Absolute signals downloadable here at Train-Sim, by Conn McCarthy. (I have version 2.1).INTERLOCKING SIGNALS - Direction of travel is LEFT TO RIGHT (EAST)
So here we have a typical cross-over configuration along my route. Obviously, there is a great distance (about a mile at least) between signal "A" and signal "B". I condensed for the sake of the picture.I never have a problem "linking" my 3-head signals as shown by signal "A". Linking the top signal head with the track section directly ahead of the signal, then linking the middle head with the track section betweeen the interlockings, and finally linking the bottom head with the north track.HOWEVER, when I try to do the same at signal "B" (note the different cross-over configuration), I can never link the bottom (3rd) head to the north track as I did with signal "A".
I could REALLY use some direction on this linking thing... what are the requirements for signals along the route or facing of signals, to ensure you can link those lower heads properly to tell you what is happening on the other side of a cross over.I'm looking for "Dummies Guide to Interlocking Signal Placement and Linking" - someone to walk me through this, preferably with pictures or detailed steps. I never have problems with single or double aspect signals. But Canadian routes most often have triple aspect signals on parallel cross overs, so that you know what the next block is (clear or expect stop) when you're going to cross over.
Kern Pegg - Route Developer

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Table of Contents

Subject Author Message Date ID RE: Interlocking Signals - Help rid... railtester Aug-22-01 1 RE: Interlocking Signals - Help rid... ceo492 Aug-22-01 2 RE: Interlocking Signals - Help rid... Signalmaster Aug-22-01 3 RE: Interlocking Signals - Help rid... ceo492 Aug-22-01 4 RE: Interlocking Signals - Help rid... Signalmaster Aug-22-01 5 RE: Interlocking Signals - Help rid... ragmop Aug-22-01 6 RE: Interlocking Signals - Help rid... Signalmaster Aug-23-01 7 RE: Interlocking Signals - Help rid... jkcooney Aug-24-01 8

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railtester (280 posts)
Aug-22-01, 06:25 PM (EST) 1. "RE: Interlocking Signals - Help rid me of my nightmare!" Kern, I'm afraid we're just going to have to shot you!David Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
ceo492 (109 posts)
Aug-22-01, 07:06 PM (EST) 2. "RE: Interlocking Signals - Help rid me of my nightmare!" Why?Because I'm being an idiot? Please help. There must be something I'm missing in this scheme of things. I wonder, is it the placement of the red triangle (marker) of the signal in case "B" that is the issue? Does it need to be in between these two like this?Man, if I get this all figured out, I need to write a book on it. Bring back those heddy days of being a contributing editor on commercial technical manuals. )Kern Pegg - Route Developer

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Signalmaster (64 posts)
Aug-22-01, 07:52 PM (EST) 3. "RE: Interlocking Signals - Help rid me of my nightmare!" Kem,
If I understand what you're trying to do, the way the signals are'wired' in MSTS is too simplistic. In a nut shell, 'one head, one route.' That means one diverging route per junction despite two plus main being available. Though I haven't done exhaustive tests, I think the triple head interlocking signal is meant for two diverging routes off one main track; eg., main and two right or two left, main and one right and one left.A credible use based on this understanding would be: Double track main w/single crossover( a reverse perhaps w/2head signal) with an industial/yard/branch spur following the crossover off the same main track.
Lettered from top/bottom the 3 head signal:
A main route (normal speed)
B crossover route (medium speed)
C spur(slow speed)In the example you give with the track with the opposing signal markers between the lower turnouts, I would guess if a train on the top track heading right taking the crossover to the lower track, the home signal on the lower track is going to clear. Unfortuately, trailing point switches are inconsequential in a sim circuit like this and nothing could be further from prototypical. Especially since the marker is AFTER the intersection. When the lower signal does the 'route set' test, it's going to return true and clear. I may be way off base, this is my understanding.
Hank Sundermeyer Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
ceo492 (109 posts)
Aug-22-01, 08:01 PM (EST) 4. "RE: Interlocking Signals - Help rid me of my nightmare!" Thanks Hank,I think for now I'll stick to double aspect signals, unless I can figure out the scripting differences that are common on Canadian routes.I found a page (finally) that outlines what the Canadian rules of the rails are, but I'm not a script expert by any means. As you can see at this site, three-head signals are the norm for parallel track configurations, and the bottom signal is heavily used.<http://niagara.railfan.net/spotguide/signals/signals.htm>;Kern Pegg - Route Developer

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Signalmaster (64 posts)
Aug-22-01, 08:15 PM (EST) 5. "RE: Interlocking Signals - Help rid me of my nightmare!" In US routes, the bottom head will govern the slow speed route. There is a 'medium approach medium' indication which would involve the bottom two heads and would show RYG. This would mean take diverging route at medium speed proceed at medium speed to the next signal which will be displaying approach.This is impossible unless you bind the bottom two heads in the script.Visit my website, has lots of track diagrams and signal stuff.
<http://raildata.railfan.net>;Hank Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
ragmop (80 posts)
Aug-22-01, 09:57 PM (EST) 6. "RE: Interlocking Signals - Help rid me of my nightmare!" yo! hank! link don't work! Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Signalmaster (64 posts)
Aug-23-01, 07:41 AM (EST) 7. "RE: Interlocking Signals - Help rid me of my nightmare!" Here's the fixed linkhttp://raildata.railfan.net Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
jkcooney (404 posts)
Aug-24-01, 09:40 AM (EST) 8. "RE: Interlocking Signals - Help rid me of my nightmare!" Conn McCarthy who wrote the script files for the searchlight signals is Canadian so he could be contacted directly for help. I forgot his email but it might be in the searchlight text file.
Joe Cooney Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

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