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| Bell codes? 13/04/2022 at 07:09 #146122 | |
Anothersignalman
72 posts |
Are there any sims at present that use single line block, double line block or electric staff instruments to adjacent sims, which provide for the use of bell codes? I've attached the VR codes for electric staff and tablet sections; I don't have the equivalent document for double line block, and I know in some instances codes used long and short rings in combination like morse code rather than just a sequence of rings.
Post has attachments. Log in to view them. Last edited: 13/04/2022 at 07:11 by Anothersignalman Reason: None given Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Newhampshires |
| Bell codes? 13/04/2022 at 07:25 #146123 | |
kaiwhara
584 posts |
Anothersignalman in post 146122 said:Are there any sims at present that use single line block, double line block or electric staff instruments to adjacent sims, which provide for the use of bell codes? I've attached the VR codes for electric staff and tablet sections; I don't have the equivalent document for double line block, and I know in some instances codes used long and short rings in combination like morse code rather than just a sequence of rings.Absolute block instruments (similar to what VR call both Single Line and Souble Line Block) are provided for in multiple sims, as well as tokens, but not with bellcodes. They are a single click arrangement because of the way they need to be programmed. Bell Codes would be difficult to physically implement on this platform, but the concept of block working using instruments is quite straightforward. Sorry guys, I am in the business of making people wait! Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Newhampshires |
| Bell codes? 13/04/2022 at 07:58 #146125 | |
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kbarber
1711 posts |
Anothersignalman in post 146122 said:Are there any sims at present that use single line block, double line block or electric staff instruments to adjacent sims, which provide for the use of bell codes? I've attached the VR codes for electric staff and tablet sections; I don't have the equivalent document for double line block, and I know in some instances codes used long and short rings in combination like morse code rather than just a sequence of rings.Fascinating to see both the similarities and the differences to our bell codes. The standard 1960 codes are here https://signalbox.org/block-system/bell-signals-in-use-in-1960/ although they're arranged in order of number of beats, not the usual order in the Block Regs. I might have time to scan my copy of the 1972 codes later today. As bell codes used single stroke bells, it was impossible to send long and short rings (although a 'flat one' - holding the tapper down so the sound at the other end was deadened - was often an unofficial way of calling your mate to the phone). Codes of long & short rings were used on omnibus telephone circuits, which were once very common in signalboxes. Log in to reply |
| Bell codes? 13/04/2022 at 11:25 #146127 | |
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Anothersignalman
72 posts |
kbarber in post 146125 said:Anothersignalman in post 146122 said:Are there any sims at present that use single line block, double line block or electric staff instruments to adjacent sims, which provide for the use of bell codes? I've attached the VR codes for electric staff and tablet sections; I don't have the equivalent document for double line block, and I know in some instances codes used long and short rings in combination like morse code rather than just a sequence of rings. Notably, the one combination missing from the Victorian code was 1-3; my local model railway club has decided to use that for "Is Line Clear for Railmotor or Short Passenger Train?", which is a useful distinction. I gather there were other, unofficial codes occasionally used to warn adjacent signal boxes that the Block and Signal Inspector was approaching. The last section of double line block in Victoria (Craigieburn - Wallan - Kilmore East - Seymour) has been out of use due to stolen copper wires for a few years now, but before then the codes had devolved to 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 respectively for call attention, train departure, train arrival, is line clear for passenger (any type)?, and is line clear for non-passenger (any type)?. Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Newhampshires |
| Bell codes? 13/04/2022 at 12:07 #146128 | |
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Anothersignalman
72 posts |
Ah, found the DLB codes. Attached, sourced from Vicsig. Apparently a late-80s / early-90s rule book change abolished the various types of "Is Line Clear?" signals in lieu of a simple 4 beats.
Post has attachments. Log in to view them. Last edited: 13/04/2022 at 12:26 by Anothersignalman Reason: None given Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Newhampshires |
| Bell codes? 13/04/2022 at 21:38 #146132 | |
ajax103
1104 posts |
If you would like to play a signalling simulation with full AB signalling then PC Rail offers quite a number simulating various eras and areas in the UK. SimSig doesn't fully simulate the AB system or least not in the same way that PC Rail does, PC Rail has also simulated eras from the 1950s including one area that I would have thought was very difficult to recreate but it's been done. It really depends on your tastes, it's good to have a variety of competiting simulation titles. If AB signalling is what you prefer then have a look over there, it doesn't hurt anyone to have choice. Log in to reply |
| Bell codes? 14/04/2022 at 07:40 #146133 | |
Steamer
3920 posts |
ajax103 in post 146132 said:If you would like to play a signalling simulation with full AB signalling then PC Rail offers quite a number simulating various eras and areas in the UK.Don't forget Blockpost Software as well - their range is on the small side, but they're much more detailed than PC Rail. "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 The following user said thank you: Newhampshires |
| Bell codes? 14/04/2022 at 14:13 #146137 | |
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Anothersignalman
72 posts |
Is it possible to have the 'train entering area' sound effect vary based on the ID, i.e. a sound for passenger vs a sound for goods etc? If so, those sounds could be directed to four beats or five beats; I'd consider that a reasonable compromise.
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| Bell codes? 14/04/2022 at 14:55 #146138 | |
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Newhampshires
101 posts |
Anothersignalman in post 146137 said:Is it possible to have the 'train entering area' sound effect vary based on the ID, i.e. a sound for passenger vs a sound for goods etc? If so, those sounds could be directed to four beats or five beats; I'd consider that a reasonable compromise.You really ought to check out Blockpost Software. Log in to reply |
| Bell codes? 18/04/2022 at 01:27 #146185 | |
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Hawk777
386 posts |
I second the Blockpost recommendation. As many SimSig sims as I’ve played, I also enjoy a change of pace with Blockpost from time to time too. While they don’t have very many sims, they do have a pretty good variety of difficulty levels—I started out with Ford and am still working my way through that, and will probably get Barnham afterwards. Exeter West scares me!
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| Bell codes? 18/04/2022 at 07:58 #146189 | |
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Anothersignalman
72 posts |
Is Blockpost linux+wine compatible?
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| Bell codes? 18/04/2022 at 08:31 #146191 | |
postal
5190 posts |
Anothersignalman in post 146189 said:Is Blockpost linux+wine compatible?From the FAQs on the BlockPost website: "Q. Are versions available for MAC Operating Systems? "A. There is no version available to run natively on Apple MAC machines. However, the simulation is understood to run under the "WINE" Windows "emulator" though no support can be offered for any issues arising." “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 |
| Bell codes? 18/04/2022 at 10:50 #146194 | |
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Dionysusnu
575 posts 
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It should be noted that much like SimSig, Blockpost offers short timespan demo versions. You should definitely try those under Wine first to avoid a waste of money if it turns out not to be compatible.
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| Bell codes? 18/04/2022 at 12:52 #146197 | |
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TUT
507 posts |
Anothersignalman in post 146189 said:Is Blockpost linux+wine compatible?It's never worked for me, but then I don't have the know-how nor courage to attempt to use the patch. It doesn't work out of the box though, or didn't the last time I tried https://forum.winehq.org/viewtopic.php?t=24444 (Not my post by the way) I like blockpost's sims, in fact I very nearly bought one before my main (Ubuntu) laptop gave up the ghost a couple of years ago and the Windows machine I had had to step up to the plate and become my primary laptop, which (to me) meant putting Ubuntu on it. However I've never understood why it doesn't allow you to move the block indicator yourself. I think that's all part of it and I would've thought that an absolute block simulator should let you do that. It's like they think that AB = bell codes and bell codes = AB and that's simply not the case. TCB with train description by block bell was once common and is most certainly still to be found around. I also think it would be nice if there were more and longer timetables, without the timetable to send you trains to run any signalling simulator is pretty pointless. However it seems they've started making timetable editors available recently, which is nice. Log in to reply |
| Bell codes? 19/04/2022 at 02:10 #146208 | |
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Hawk777
386 posts |
I also have not gotten it working under Wine, though I haven’t tried the patch linked to in that post—just haven’t gotten around to it yet.
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