Asking railway operators for information...

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Asking railway operators for information... 28/07/2012 at 16:52 #34413
alvinhochun
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249 posts 		I wonder how you all (especially the SimSig developers) ask those railway operators for any internal (signalling, etc.) information. As I am living in Hong Kong the main railway operator is MTR, many "railfans" in Hong Kong "believed" that MTR is so secure, i.e. afraid of any internal information being leaked to the public... As a result very few places actually have members discussing about those information (even if there are they are rather secret).

I really don't dare to ask MTR for any information and support... even not asking for a technical visit. (There were visits held by groups though, but staffs won't let you take photos.) As long as I could remember, there had only been two visits to the depot that is open to (part of) the public since it's foundation in 1979.

So seems that it's not the case in UK? Is that you developers can access the signal box and also get signalling arrangements, track circuit arrangements and etc. directly from the railway operators? How do you ask them for those?
_ _ _ _，_ _ _ _！ (censored by the Hong Kong national security law)
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Asking railway operators for information... 28/07/2012 at 17:21 #34419
Steamer
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3923 posts 		" said:
I wonder how you all (especially the SimSig developers) ask those railway operators for any internal (signalling, etc.) information.
[EDIT]
[Accidentally implied something here that I didn't mean to, thought best to remove]
{/EDIT]

Quite a few people who work on the railway are members of various forums, and they post titbits of information, and various documents (generally out-of-date) leak out one way or another.

Network Rail have also published the Sectional Appendix, Timetable Planning Rules and WTT on their website, which contain a lot of information (although not enough signalling data to build a proper Sim).

I also imagine that the Freedom of Information Act can be used to crowbar quite a lot of data.
"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: 28/07/2012 at 20:11 by Steamer
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Asking railway operators for information... 28/07/2012 at 18:14 #34420
Danny252
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1461 posts 		Developers get them through knowing the right people to ask, as far as I'm aware.

As for the FOIA, it doesn't apply to NR, as it's not a government-run (only government-funded) body.
Last edited: 28/07/2012 at 18:14 by Danny252
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Asking railway operators for information... 28/07/2012 at 19:44 #34435
GeoffM
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6287 posts
Online 		" said:
SimSig is slightly different, since its 'big brother' TRESim is used by Network Rail to train its signallers. Although the data given to TRE can't be used by SimSig, it provides a foot in the door for SimSig to ask for visits/information. For the public
For the record, I have NEVER used TRE to make contacts, source data, or arrange visits and it would have been highly inappropriate to do so. With the conflict of interest, it's rare that SimSig would want to visit a box simulated by TRE anyway.

However, I did use the SimSig name to get into a box where they hadn't been told of our organised visit and who didn't know what TRESIM was or who TRE were. Mentioned SimSig as a way of explanation and the door opened.

All contacts and visits have been formally arranged through Network Rail. Over the years it's become easier as they come to know us - and we've even been invited out of the blue on occasion.
SimSig Boss
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Asking railway operators for information... 28/07/2012 at 20:09 #34436
Steamer
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3923 posts 		" said:
" said:
SimSig is slightly different, since its 'big brother' TRESim is used by Network Rail to train its signallers. Although the data given to TRE can't be used by SimSig, it provides a foot in the door for SimSig to ask for visits/information. For the public
For the record, I have NEVER used TRE to make contacts, source data, or arrange visits and it would have been highly inappropriate to do so. With the conflict of interest, it's rare that SimSig would want to visit a box simulated by TRE anyway.

However, I did use the SimSig name to get into a box where they hadn't been told of our organised visit and who didn't know what TRESIM was or who TRE were. Mentioned SimSig as a way of explanation and the door opened.

All contacts and visits have been formally arranged through Network Rail. Over the years it's become easier as they come to know us - and we've even been invited out of the blue on occasion.
Oops. Sorry, Geoff. I didn't realise what I was actually implying when I wrote that.
"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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