Real old newbie

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Real old newbie 31/03/2012 at 20:43 #31106
Bill Seiko
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15 posts 		Hello there, I played a signalling sim a long time ago on the Amiga but this one is baffling to me.
For my starter I have got Liverpool Lime Street and Sim time is 00.23 , I prsume it is auto Timetable on easy level level with Non Scenario set. Is that a good starting point as I have not got a clue what to do? I read somewhere about an idiots guide and that is what I need. my old (71) brain does not work that well now.
Hope someone can get me started please or advise which route is easy to play with auto timetable, I just want to control trains not plan routes
.

Bill
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Re: Real old newbie 31/03/2012 at 21:12 #31108
Steamer
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3923 posts 		Hi Bill,
It sounds like you've not loaded a timetable. Click 'File'>New Game. In the 'Scenario' tab, double click 'None', in the 'Timetable' tab, double click 'Lime St 15th Oct 09 v1.1. In the 'Simulation Options' tab, ensure 'Scale of problems' is set to 'beginner', Difficulty setting is set to 'Standard' (I don't think the 'Easy' option has an effect), ensure the box next to TORR is ticked, and 'Bad Weather' is unticked. Then click 'OK'. The simulation will then start at 04:45, and the 1st two trains of the day will enter.

(added)

" said:
I read somewhere about an idiots guide and that is what I need.

I think this is what you're looking for. It uses a different simulation (Royston), but it is a really good begginer's guide to SimSig.
"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
Last edited: 31/03/2012 at 21:26 by Steamer
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Re: Real old newbie 01/04/2012 at 01:31 #31115
Bill Seiko
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15 posts 		Thanks for your help, I got Royston running but cannot get it in Windows mode, Lime St runs in windowed mode as standard but not Royston. I haven't actually played any control yet just reading guide.

Bill
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Re: Real old newbie 01/04/2012 at 08:46 #31119
Steamer
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3923 posts 		Royston is a 'paged' simulation, and Lime St. is a 'scrolly' simulation.

There are two ways to minimise paged simulations:
1. Press the windows key (between Ctrl and Alt), right-click the 'Royston' icon at the bottom and click 'mnimise'.
2. Ensure your screen resolution is greater than 1024x768, start the simulation, press F3, and in the 'Display' tick 'Windowed' mode. Then exit the Simulation, re-start it, and the simulation will be in a window.

Personally, I find 1 is easier.
"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
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Re: Real old newbie 01/04/2012 at 12:56 #31121
Bill Seiko
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15 posts 		Thanks again, I found it easier printing out the tutorial. But wow it looks so complicated to my old brain that even with 8 pages of instructions i think I will really struggle.

Bill
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Re: Real old newbie 01/04/2012 at 13:59 #31126
Meyshollop
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7 posts 		Okay, to make it simpler, signal aspects should be fairly simple;

Red - stop
Single orange - Next signal is showing red
Double orange - the signal after the next is showing red
Green - Clear line

You set routes for trains by clicking from one red signal to the next, taking into account points and other trains.

Royston is a good example to start with, as its just a simple in and out panel.

Good luck! I'm still relatively new here, and although its confusing to start with, its easy once you get the hang of it, and if you have any issues, this community is definitely the most friendly and helpful community of any sim that I've come across, so don't be afraid to ask for help :)

Wishing you luck!

Meyshollop
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Re: Real old newbie 01/04/2012 at 14:11 #31129
ipswich
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247 posts 		its

red
yellow
double yellow
green
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Re: Real old newbie 01/04/2012 at 15:53 #31141
Bill Seiko
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15 posts 		Ok on Royston Route coming from Baldock towards Royston I got train on time but then held up no way can I get it to head to station without passing under red danger signal, it just gets stuck there till driver calls. Seems Ok coming the other way . I must be doing something wrong.
Any help please.

Bill
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Re: Real old newbie 01/04/2012 at 16:03 #31143
postal
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5190 posts 		" said:
Ok on Royston Route coming from Baldock towards Royston I got train on time but then held up no way can I get it to head to station without passing under red danger signal, it just gets stuck there till driver calls. Seems Ok coming the other way . I must be doing something wrong.
Any help please.

Bill
Bill

Have you looked at the Wiki (particularly this page or this page)?
“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
Last edited: 01/04/2012 at 16:04 by postal
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Re: Real old newbie 02/04/2012 at 15:47 #31160
Bill Seiko
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15 posts 		Sorry to be a pain but have read the tutorial pages on Wiki ,but still get same problem with train 1T77 which I can't control till it comes to bottom section of map, then it still gets stuck and only way past signal which is always on red is to ask driver to pass on danger because by the time the phone rings there is anothe train coming up behind it. I am onTT starting Summer 2003 time at start is 0618. This is really blowing my mind now.

Bill
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Re: Real old newbie 02/04/2012 at 16:01 #31162
postal
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5190 posts 		Bill

If you could either post a screenshot or at least some more details like the signal number at which 1T77 is being held, then I am sure someone will come up with the answer for you. If you right click on the signal the number is displayed (if it doesn't show, press the F3 key and make sure that "right click cancels route" is not checked on the "display" tab").

As a starter for 10, I am guessing that you have the train waiting as signal K975. To set the route from K975, click on the signal which should start a white cursor flashing on the track adjacent to K975. Then click on signal K977 (not the triangular LOS signal between K975 and K977) and the route should set.
“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
Last edited: 02/04/2012 at 16:12 by postal
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Re: Real old newbie 02/04/2012 at 16:45 #31166
Steamer
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3923 posts 		postal said:
If you right click on the signal the number is displayed (if it doesn't show, press the F3 key and make sure that "right click cancels route" is not checked on the "display" tab").
Alternatively, use this plan.
"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
Last edited: 02/04/2012 at 16:46 by Steamer
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Re: Real old newbie 02/04/2012 at 17:05 #31167
Lardybiker
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771 posts 		Bill,

The tracks at the top on Royston contain mainly automatic signals over which, you as the signaller, have no control. You can tell these signals are automatic as they spend most of their time at green where as signals you control spend most of there time at red (there are some exceptions but I'll leave that for the time being).

Couple of things to do before you go any further
1) Open the options menu and ensure the "Right-click to cancel route" option is NOT checked.
2) Again in the options, find the "show shunt signals" option and make sure it IS checked.

Once that's done, firstly you should see more signals. Secondly, if you right-click on a signal, it will now show its number at the top of the menu that appears.

You also need to know the difference between a Ground Position signal (or GPL) an a main signal. The main signals show circles of green or red. GPL signals are shown as a quarter circle. Passenger trains such as 1T77 should typically only be routed between main signals. Other trains (anything whose description starts with 1 or 2) can use the shunt signals. The other thing to be aware of is the direction a singal is. Signal only apply to trains travelling in one direciton. You can tell which direction by looking at the signal stem. A signal is facing the oncoming train if the stem is show before the the signal head. If the signal head is first and the stem afterwards, its facing the opposite direction and the train will ignore it.

If you click on the signal just ahead of 1T77, a little cursor should start flashing just ahead of it. If it doesn't, click the signal again. If there is still no cursor then the signal is likely to be an automatic and is being held at red for some reason. Assuming you get the flashing cursor, follow the track from that signal tracing the route you want the train to take and find the first main signal that is facing the same way as the original. It doesn't matter if the singal is above or below the track. Once you find it, make sure the cursor is still flashing on the start signal ans then click this signal you just found.

If there is a route between the two, it will illuminate white and points will set and the signal at the start of the route should change to yellow or green.

If you are still having issues after doing the above, can you tell us what signal the train is at (right click to get the number) and where it needs to go (click on the train description to show the trains Timetable) and someone will tell you what you need to do next.


In order to set a route, lick on the controlled signal at the beginning of the route. This will be the one the train is at. You should see a little white square blinking ahead of the signal when you've done that. Next, trace the line to the next signal ahead.
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Re: Real old newbie 02/04/2012 at 17:46 #31169
Bill Seiko
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15 posts 		Thanks for help, the signal giving trouble is K977, it has stayed red for 2 trains now. One needed platform2 and I made it pass on red, the other needs platform 1 but still sticks at K 977.
Driving me mad now. coming the other way seems Ok.

Bill
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Re: Real old newbie 02/04/2012 at 17:48 #31171
jc92
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3630 posts 		" said:
Thanks for help, the signal giving trouble is K977, it has stayed red for 2 trains now. One needed platform2 and I made it pass on red, the other needs platform 1 but still sticks at K 977.
Driving me mad now. coming the other way seems Ok.

Bill
have you set the route for a train? or have you let the sim do it itself? as it wont.

to set a route. left click on the signal you want to route from (the entrance signal) a small amount of track in front of it will flash. then click on the NEXT signal the train will want to move towards (the exit signal) this should set the route and provided all the points are free to move and have done so, the signal should then clear

joe
"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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Re: Real old newbie 02/04/2012 at 17:59 #31173
jrr
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95 posts 		K977 should be followed by K981 (right hand end of platform 2) to enter platform 2.

jrr
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Re: Real old newbie 02/04/2012 at 18:26 #31174
Steamer
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3923 posts 		" said:
Thanks for help, the signal giving trouble is K977, it has stayed red for 2 trains now. One needed platform2 and I made it pass on red, the other needs platform 1 but still sticks at K 977.
I don't know what has happened with platform 2, but when you set a route into P.1 from K977, the signal is approach released- it will stay at red until the train gets near to it. This is to ensure that the driver has slowed down enough so that he won't derail on the crossover, which has a 15mph speed limit, as opposed to the 80mph speed limit on the main line. Wait for the train to get to the signal, and see if it clears. If the driver comes on the phone, something else is wrong.
"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
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Re: Real old newbie 02/04/2012 at 20:08 #31180
Bill Seiko
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15 posts 		Thanks very much for all your advice, I think I have finally got it sorted in my old brain.
Just hope I can keep it going now, only running 8 minutes late and scoring about 75% on report page and managed to run 4 trains through Royston :woohoo: . No doubt I will need more help sooner than later :blush:

Bill
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Re: Real old newbie 03/04/2012 at 00:25 #31182
Bill Seiko
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15 posts 		got it upto 96% so improving. Now does anyone know of a good starter map for real rather than Royston, feeling a bit more confident

Bill
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Re: Real old newbie 03/04/2012 at 05:10 #31183
mfcooper
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707 posts 		" said:
...Now does anyone know of a good starter map for real rather than Royston, feeling a bit more confident ...
Royston is real...
(admittedly it's a small part of King's Cross signal box, but the layout is as per real life)

Lime St is a nice little sim which gets you used to platforming a terminus station, but there are lots of possibilities. Download a few and have a look around them.
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Re: Real old newbie 03/04/2012 at 08:48 #31186
BoxBoyKit
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166 posts 		In my opinion Oxted would be a good one to try next. Small amounts of shunting, train regulation, terminating trains, and a few UWCs to get the hang of (but I believe you can turn the amount of calls from them to a minimum, if not off altogether).
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Re: Real old newbie 03/04/2012 at 19:28 #31201
Bill Seiko
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15 posts 		Thanks again, sorry I did not mean Royston was not real, I am using it has a tutorial but just fancied another easy route. Downloaded Oxted but not tried it yet. Wish me luck

Bill
Last edited: 03/04/2012 at 19:29 by Bill Seiko
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Re: Real old newbie 03/04/2012 at 21:51 #31202
DriverCurran
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683 posts 		Bill, as the developer of Oxted you need to make sure you have got the correct timetable, the one that is supplied with the sim has got a rogue train that terminates at Sanderstead, there is a corrected version on the forum.

Paul
You have to get a red before you can get any other colour
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Re: Real old newbie 03/04/2012 at 22:31 #31204
Bill Seiko
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15 posts 		Thanks Paul, glad I found out before I got too far into it. Could you please tell me the name of timetable, I found one by JC which is 1993 but not sure if it is the correct one.
A link would be a great help for a dummy like me .

Bill
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Re: Real old newbie 03/04/2012 at 22:45 #31205
AndyG
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1835 posts 		Bill,
Think this is what you need - http://www.SimSig.co.uk/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=56&func=fileinfo&id=331

extract/copy the WTT and WTR files into the Oxted folder (where the default TT should be)
I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either.
Last edited: 03/04/2012 at 22:47 by AndyG
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