Shunting route from Signal

[ComUtoR]

Evening,

I need to update my knowledge for a very specific reason and it came up in discussion that there are no maps of the routes a specific shunt would take. I know that the singaller has a map in front of them so would be able to see the route set from the signal/dummy etc and they can see the specific points the unit is routed through but none of my maps show this other than stating "signals to the down main" etc.

On simsig you can see the maps etc but its limited to only showing the routes available. Is there any way to have the specific routes for a particular signal/area ? Do signaller have signal maps ? Anything publically available would be great but if there is something restricted to internals only then please pm me and I will get it bumped up the chain.

Cheers in advance,

Com.

 

[Tomnick]

In most cases, there's only one possible route between the signal and the stated destination. If there is more than one route, then often the interlocking will allow either to be selected (either automatically with a 'preferred' option or manually with 'via buttons') with the either the same or a different route indication presented to the driver. In other cases, of course, there's no route indication presented anyway!

 

[High Dyke]

In a lever frame signal box you will have a diagram of the control area, but pulling a particular signal wouldn't specifically indicate on the diagram what route the train would take. However, the information required to get a train from a specific signal to a particular route would be shown on the signal lever plate. As an example, in the attached picture, to operate #18 lever you would need to operate levers#16, #17, #6, #9, #13 in that order first. That knowledge for routing would come down to your training at that signal box.

 

[ComUtoR]

Cheers Gents. Safe to assume then, that a static map wouldn't really be available because of the number of possibilites and local knowledge required ?

 

[High Dyke]

Cheers Gents. Safe to assume then, that a static map wouldn't really be available because of the number of possibilites and local knowledge required ?

I'm not saying a map would not be available, but very unlikely for some things. For example a complex set of sidings may only have one entry signal, but it would rely on the relevant sets of points to be set in order to get a specific route letter in a signal (where such facilities exist).

More modern computer operated systems, like WestCad, do show a route set from signal to signal; much like the route light indications on an NX (Entry & Exit) panel.

 

[TSG]

Ultimately the control table will tell you that, but the more accessible version for ops is the Signallers Route Cards. This is what they'll use to manually set the points for any given route if the route setting has failed for some reason. That should give you what you need but I don't think it's published.

 

[carriageline]

Hi mate.

As we sit on the other sides of the signal in the same area, do you want to PM me some details and I’ll see what I can help with?

 

[ComUtoR]

That would be pretty good.

 

[Tomnick]

On simsig you can see the maps etc but its limited to only showing the routes available.

Just a thought - if there is a Simsig for the area in question, you can try setting the routes in the sim to see where it takes you, and keying points in one position or another to try to force non-preferred alternatives? It's usually a pretty reliable source for that sort of thing (but obviously not if it's for a safety-critical use!).

 

[ComUtoR]

Just a thought - if there is a Simsig for the area in question, you can try setting the routes in the sim to see where it takes you, and keying points in one position or another to try to force non-preferred alternatives? It's usually a pretty reliable source for that sort of thing (but obviously not if it's for a safety-critical use!).

It's a great idea but limited to what maps are available. I'll post the idea to the team. I wonder if I can make my TOC pay for it.....

 

[Tomnick]

It's a great idea but limited to what maps are available. I'll post the idea to the team. I wonder if I can make my TOC pay for it.....

You can run any Simsig sim as a free demo for long enough to play about with stuff like that. There’d definitely be something to be said for TOCs arranging proper signalling sim sessions though!