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| Put The Block On? 31/08/2020 at 08:15 #131126 | |
NorthernWarrior
74 posts |
Apologies if this already in the sim or previously suggested. As a former (retired) Western Route Train Running Controller, I was having great fun yesterday evening with the Swindon A/B simulation with incidents on. A "simple" TCF on the Relief Line at Didcot West @0020 has brought the Didcot area to a virtual standstill, after the examining train stopped short and reported incorrectly set points. I now have trains queued back to Pangbourne on both lines! Back in the real world, we would not generally have allowed that to happen. We would have put the block straight on to (then) Reading Panel or latterly the relevant TVSC workstation. If the route via Newbury and the Avon Valley was open we would have started work on diversions to take trains away from the affected area. Obviously the latter is beyond the scope of the sim, from the signaller's POV, but it would be a useful function to take the pressure off. It is also likely, with the agreement of the TOC, that we would have terminated selected Oxford services at Reading, particularly anything due to come back to Reading to thin out the service a bit. Vern Log in to reply |
| Put The Block On? 31/08/2020 at 09:20 #131129 | |
sunocske
113 posts |
You can do it, as per the User Manual: "Line Blockage The user (or Server in multiplay) can block the Down Main and Down Relief lines at Moreton crossing by the insertion of a blockage code (BLOK, SHUT, *T1*, *T2* or *T3*) in the TD berths associated with Signal 901 or 903 respectively. The insertion of a blockage code will cause all trains to enter on the alternative line." Log in to reply The following user said thank you: NorthernWarrior |
| Put The Block On? 31/08/2020 at 11:03 #131133 | |
Steamer
3920 posts |
You can also go into the Timetable Editor (F4), select a train and click 'Mark as entered', which effectively cancels it for that game. However, when doing so, check if any timetable rules (see the rules tab in F4) are applied to the train, and what the impact of that train not running will be. "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) Log in to reply |
| Put The Block On? 31/08/2020 at 11:06 #131134 | |
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NorthernWarrior
74 posts |
I'll try that, thanks.
Vern Log in to reply |
| Put The Block On? 31/08/2020 at 15:16 #131145 | |
elltrain3
359 posts |
Stafford has this function was using it in a single-player game, you had the ability to phone the neighbouring boxes (Basford Hall/Wolves/Stoke/Nuneaton in this case) but was incredibly handy, is there a reason this was dropped? would be very handy for larger sims. and a simple phone call to change the entry point seemed a good idea!
Resident Mock Maker! / "The Out Of Control Host" Log in to reply |
| Put The Block On? 31/08/2020 at 18:48 #131149 | |
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UKTrainMan
1803 posts |
elltrain3 in post 131145 said:Stafford has this function was using it in a single-player game, you had the ability to phone the neighbouring boxes (Basford Hall/Wolves/Stoke/Nuneaton in this case) but was incredibly handy, is there a reason this was dropped? would be very handy for larger sims. and a simple phone call to change the entry point seemed a good idea!I think that this is because the Stafford simulation is of what was then Stafford PSB, which fringed with what was then, for example, Nuneaton PSB. Nowadays, Nuneaton is a part of Rugby S.C.C. and if I'm not mistaken some of the Stafford PSB area is now also a part of Rugby S.C.C as well. You would highly unlikely phone a neighbouring workstation in the same room to request a specific line block if your colleague is located right next to you. I am sure someone else can confirm this - and maybe even mention whereabouts on the operating floor the Colwich workstation is in relation to where the Lichfield workstation is. Per the Staffordshire manual, you can still have trains from either Lichfield Trent Valley [Junction] or Crewe Basford Hall [Junction] diverted onto the adjacent line through interposing BLOK at a predefined signal (see link). Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for. Last edited: 31/08/2020 at 19:00 by UKTrainMan Reason: None given Log in to reply |
| Put The Block On? 31/08/2020 at 18:55 #131150 | |
headshot119
4869 posts |
Well the Stafford workstation is in Rugby ROC, so he'd need walk next door to have a chat with Rugby SCC Trent Valley workstation. Then if either want to have a chat with the Colwich workstation they'd have to jump on the train and head to Stoke on Trent to visit the SCC.
"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer Log in to reply |
| Put The Block On? 31/08/2020 at 19:29 #131153 | |
GeoffM
6281 posts |
Simulations can only do so much when it comes to overall train running control. I know different controllers may have different ideas of handling the situation - perhaps one would be cautious and start diversions/cancellations immediately something happens, while another might be a bit more gung ho and have a bit more of a "let's wait and see if they fix it soon" attitude. So in the first scenario trains might stop entering immediately, while in the other you could get a queue of trains before following ones are cancelled, terminated short, or diverted. Ideally, if you get a lull in up trains due to diversions/cancellation, then at some point the down trains will probably also be affected (ie on their return journey). Easy if the trains remain in-sim, but what about trains terminating 100 miles off-sim? Will the return be cancelled, or delayed, or will set swaps take place, or can the depot send out replacement sets (with possible VSTP ECS positioning moves)? I feel this is more in the "dungeon master" realm: in a multiplayer I'd expect the host to assume the position of train running controller; in a solo game then it's on you - the latter not so realistic, but I refer to my comments above! SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Put The Block On? 02/09/2020 at 10:32 #131217 | |
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NorthernWarrior
74 posts |
Another tool in the TRC’s arsenal is the “run fast”, which was common on Thames Valley if you had a Class 2 leaving (say) Reading 12 late, you would run fast to Hayes, usually restored it to time especially if it got a nice run up the Main to Dolphin. The same technique also applied to branch services, running the Exmouth branch the previous contingency of turning round at Topsham was replaced by running fast from Exeter Central to Topsham. The facility to issue a run fast to... instruction in the train commands could therefore be useful. Of course when I did this as a TRC, I couldn’t help pondering the hapless passengers waiting on the platform watching helplessly as their train thundered through non stop! Vern Log in to reply |
| Put The Block On? 02/09/2020 at 10:48 #131218 | |
DriverCurran
682 posts |
You can issue a 'run fast to' order, in the f2 menu select edit timetable and tick the box marked "Pass" which will turn the departure time into a passing time. As for the customers waiting on the platform, what will happen there is the driver will give a nice blast on the audible warning device to get their attention and then give a nice friendly wave to them as (s)he hurtles past. Oh wait... Or was that just me (Large evil grin) Paul You have to get a red before you can get any other colour Log in to reply The following user said thank you: NorthernWarrior |
| Put The Block On? 02/09/2020 at 11:19 #131220 | |
postal
5190 posts |
DriverCurran in post 131218 said:You can issue a 'run fast to' order, in the f2 menu select edit timetable and tick the box marked "Pass" which will turn the departure time into a passing time.Or again in the F2 menu open up the TT and change the Next/Current location to the first place where you want the train to stop. “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 Log in to reply |
| Put The Block On? 02/09/2020 at 12:04 #131221 | |
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bill_gensheet
1314 posts |
NorthernWarrior in post 131217 said:A variation I experienced to Blackpool South was to stop outwards, but pick everyone up and then back fast to Kirkham. Bill Log in to reply |
| Put The Block On? 02/09/2020 at 13:00 #131223 | |
ajax103
1104 posts |
DriverCurran in post 131218 said:You can issue a 'run fast to' order, in the f2 menu select edit timetable and tick the box marked "Pass" which will turn the departure time into a passing time.Otherwise known as a Not to Stop Order north of the Thames for stations on the service that are not to be called at but equally also known as a Special Stop Order for stations on the route that are to be called at additionally. Log in to reply |
| Put The Block On? 02/09/2020 at 18:46 #131236 | |
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NorthernWarrior
74 posts |
Great, I'll give that a try as the Exmouth branch is now in a bit of dis-array!
Vern Log in to reply |
| Put The Block On? 03/09/2020 at 09:25 #131257 | |
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clive
2737 posts |
ajax103 in post 131223 said:I've at least twice got staff to issue a Special Stop Order for a train I was (going to be) on. In the first case, there was lots of work at King's Cross and the Underground was exit-only from 08:00 to 10:00, meaning you'd have to walk to another station or catch a bus. I was waiting for a fast from Cambridge that was booked to arrive at 07:50 or so, so plenty of time. It was announced as delayed for 20 to 25 minutes. So I went to the station master's office, explained the situation, and asked them to put in a SSO for Finsbury Park. A few minutes later I saw him walk, piece of paper in hand, to the front of the train. And, yes, we stopped at Finsbury Park. The second time was when things were well and truly messed up on the south end of the ECML. I was trying to get to Huntingdon, where my car was parked. Some long-distance services were running but the Great Northern service was only doing Stevenage to Cambridge and Peterborough and very erratic. I got on a Leeds (I think) train that was booked first stop Peterborough but announced as making a special stop at Stevenage, tickets accepted, etc. So I caught that. At Stevenage the train slowed down to about 20 mph and then just went through the station without stopping. I did think about pulling the PassCom but by the time I'd made my mind up it was too late. I went and found the Guard/Conductor and complained but he claimed to know nothing about the extra stop. At Peterborough there were no stoppers south again for the next 90 or 120 minutes. I again went to the office, followed by some others in the same situation, and demanded that they put in a SSO for Huntingdon on the next southbound train. "Yes, it will fit in the platform; you used to stop one there every morning". To my slight surprise but great relief, they agreed and an HST did. (I don't know recall they did all the stops to Hitchin or not.) This one required the signallers to co-operate, so it was a bit more significant. Log in to reply The following user said thank you: DonRiver |