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Simsig

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E_Reeves

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Hi all,

I've recently downloaded Simsig and I'm absolutely loving it! I love how you're free to control how you want to and the fact that you can use Automatic Route Setting.

My question is, how realistic is this simulator to real signalling software?
I realise that Simsig has no signal numbers actually next the the signals (which I hope is added in the future), but apart from that how realistic is it from the real thing as in setting routes and signals etc.?

Thanks :)
 
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GusB

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Hi all,

I've recently downloaded Simsig and I'm absolutely loving it! I love how you're free to control how you want to and the fact that you can use Automatic Route Setting.

My question is, how realistic is this simulator to real signalling software?
I realise that Simsig has no signal numbers actually next the the signals (which I hope is added in the future), but apart from that how realistic is it from the real thing as in setting routes and signals etc.?

Thanks :)
I'm in no position to comment on how close it comes to the real thing - only those whose job it is to signal trains will be able to confirm. I've had hours of fun with it, though, and with varying levels of frustration. I've managed to get to grips with Carlisle, although there's one timetable (1979?) that poses some challenges with swapping diesel and electric locos, splitting and joining parcel trains and the likes. My first ARS-enabled route was Swindon, and that took a bit of getting used to.

Which routes have you tried so far?
 

E_Reeves

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I'm in no position to comment on how close it comes to the real thing - only those whose job it is to signal trains will be able to confirm. I've had hours of fun with it, though, and with varying levels of frustration. I've managed to get to grips with Carlisle, although there's one timetable (1979?) that poses some challenges with swapping diesel and electric locos, splitting and joining parcel trains and the likes. My first ARS-enabled route was Swindon, and that took a bit of getting used to.

Which routes have you tried so far?
I've tried Kings Cross which is amazingly difficult without ARS. I have Rugby SCC which is quite fun and a few closure scenarios to play around with. I've been on Exeter mostly and been in a few multiplayer sessions which are very enjoyable!
 

GusB

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I've tried Kings Cross which is amazingly difficult without ARS. I have Rugby SCC which is quite fun and a few closure scenarios to play around with. I've been on Exeter mostly and been in a few multiplayer sessions which are very enjoyable!
I tried Kings Cross once and melt-down happened very quickly. Exeter is a fairly easy sim to do single-handedly, and quite enjoyable. I've never done a multiplayer session yet, though. I'd be interested to give it a go on a less complex route to begin with.

I bought the North East Scotland Sim, and while it's interesting, it's too much for a solo player. There's lots of absolute block and a few manual boxes to contend with.
 

Sacro

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I realise that Simsig has no signal numbers actually next the the signals (which I hope is added in the future), but apart from that how realistic is it from the real thing as in setting routes and signals etc.?

I think it's shift+right click, or go into F3 options and disable "right click cancels route", then it'll just be a right click away.
 

DaveHarries

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I tried Kings Cross once and melt-down happened very quickly. Exeter is a fairly easy sim to do single-handedly, and quite enjoyable. I've never done a multiplayer session yet, though. I'd be interested to give it a go on a less complex route to begin with.

I bought the North East Scotland Sim, and while it's interesting, it's too much for a solo player. There's lots of absolute block and a few manual boxes to contend with.
There is a multiplayer this evening (Sunday 6th) with Exeter as part of the chain. Details on the Games section of the website.

SimSig has given me hours of fun and games too. Currently working on a timetable for the Exeter sim but I have all the sims going. I like the recently released Manchester sims (no order of preference) and, according to a post on the website, there will be more to come from that part of the UK later in the year.

Dave
 

Ianno87

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3 May 2015
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15,215
Hi all,

I've recently downloaded Simsig and I'm absolutely loving it! I love how you're free to control how you want to and the fact that you can use Automatic Route Setting.

My question is, how realistic is this simulator to real signalling software?
I realise that Simsig has no signal numbers actually next the the signals (which I hope is added in the future), but apart from that how realistic is it from the real thing as in setting routes and signals etc.?

Thanks :)

SimSig is a certainly 'not bad' (which I mean of utmost politeness to the developers!) replica of a standard IECC display - so much so that Railtrack/Network Rail asked them to produce a professional version for training back in the early 2000s.

It also replicates train movements and behaviour reasonably well (albeit with some assumptions about acceleration and braking), and signalling arrangements, track layouts and distances are normally replicated exactly as true-to-life as possible.

Of course it doesn't replicate the full workload of a real signaller - phone calls, safety critical comms, dealing with failure scenarios, coordimating unit swaps, liaising with the shift manager, regulation decisions from control, giving information to the shift manager, checking level crossings are clear, taking possessions,...
 

ainsworth74

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Of course it doesn't replicate the full workload of a real signaller - phone calls, safety critical comms, dealing with failure scenarios, coordimating unit swaps, liaising with the shift manager, regulation decisions from control, giving information to the shift manager, checking level crossings are clear, taking possessions,...

Real signallers also don't benefit from a pause button! Which can be very useful when the proverbial hits the spinning device in a simulation :lol:
 

GusB

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Real signallers also don't benefit from a pause button! Which can be very useful when the proverbial hits the spinning device in a simulation :lol:
I'm sure real signallers would also appreciate the ability to speed up or slow down time as appropriate! ;)
 

Statto

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Both Coventry & Wolverhampton are great single player sims, both with plenty of trains both freight & passenger plus ECS throughout the day & not too big an area where multiplay & or ARS is a must, North East Wales is also good sim you get used to using absolute block & level crossings, North East Wales sim you might want to set freight trains to depart Kronspan siding to actual departure time as not to interfere with trains in the absolute block area, as quite often freight trains want to depart early.
 
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