They do, they'll never replace it.

The next step is no signals at all.

Late Turn wrote:
It does

Peter

The problem with approach locking not applying to stationary trains is how does the interlocking know that the train has stopped?

In SimSig we can all look via F2, but no real Signaller in a power box can do so (mechanical boxes can sometimes, but not always, see trains standing at their signals). When no route is set from a signal, the overlap will time out after a preset time, usually but not always, 2 minutes after the last track circuit or axle counter before the signal is occupied, but that is a time calculated by the designer as to when a train could reasonably be expected- to have stopped at the signal, and theoretically is no guarantee.

With a signal off, the interlocking will be "expecting" a train to pass that signal at the proceed aspect, hence the timeout when you replace it to danger in front of the train regardless of the speed of the train. In real life Signallers can, and often do, contact drivers to inform them that they will be replacing the signal to danger in front of them, for instance by asking the relevant Station Staff at Newton Abbot in this case to tell the driver to phone the signal box, or by using Cab Secure Radio to contact the driver directly if it is fitted. The signal will still time out however.

In this incident above, you have had your chance as stated above to put the road back, when the driver first telephoned to say he was delayed. AndyG has the best method of working here, which is one I follow too. If you always say you will be replacing the signal whenever there is a delay, and then replace it, then there are options for running other trains. If you leave the signal off then you have effectively stitched yourself up until the delayed train departs.

Thanks Stephen, Peter and Andy for clarifying this issue.

So if I always replace the signal, I will always get 120 seconds approach locking (unavoidable, due to the interlocking mechanism), but not incur an ACOA penalty provided I do it within one minute of responding to the driver's call. Fine.

maxand wrote:
As we get every time at work a driver phones in delayed somewhere. You give a driver in real life an ACOA and be wary, he may asked to be relieved from duty due to the shock, and management will *not* be happy...

In the instance maxand was referring to, there is no problem because the driver will have been told during the initial phone call that the signal will be replaced, so will be expecting to see a G-R COA.

However, also be wary because if you say yes and then take too long about doing it, you will get an ACOA penalty anyway, so when you do say yes, make sure you pull the route straight away.

Maxand

You will get which ever timeout applies to that signal. Some signals will be as little as 30 seconds and some could be 3 or 4 minutes depending on what the timeout in the real life box is and therefore what the developer of that simulation has coded into the simulation.

Paul C

DriverCurran wrote:
As a rule of thumb: 120 seconds for main signals, 30 seconds for shunt signals (including subsiduary signals). The only Sims that time out for longer are (I think) parts of CScot and Trent.

Think there's some at 240 secs on Sheffield, in the Aldwarke-Masborough Jns area. I guess these longer time-outs are related to higher line speeds/stopping distances.

Distance between previous signal and the signal that's been replaced.