8th September 2014 - 1st Public Release of Documentation
Introduction
Just trains have created an excellent package of modern UK signals. The signals contain some advanced features. Signalling in RailSimulator can be a bit of an art form. This guide will NOT do any of the following:
- Tell you how to signal a route. The following two old (but still very useful guides) are an excellent starting point for understanding how to signal a route:
- Tell you the principals of UK Railway signalling (other than when relevant to the usage of JustTrains signals)
Simply put, at the time of writing, these signals are the best I have ever come across. The feature set is large and I have been able to signal very complex junctions and large stations 100% prototypically. Here are just a few of the features included:
- 2 Aspect, 3 Aspect, 4 Aspect signals with bulb and LED variations
- The signals have light emitters assigned to them so they actually illuminate passing trains etc with a faint but very visually pleasing / realistic glow. The glow has 3 strength levels customisable in game
- Calling on indicators (Associated Position lights)
- Working TPWS grids for Over Speed Sensors (OSS) and Train Stop Sensors (TSS)
- 4 different types of approach control. Each is fully customisable in terms of when the controlling signal is allowed to clear up to a less restrictive aspect
- Double and single theatres boxes
- Stencil Indicators
- Working signal ID plates
- Automatic and controlled signals are plated up correctly.
- Working SPAD Indicators
- Ground position lights
- Limit of shunt signals
- Off indicators
- Banner repeaters
- Distant signals
- and many more!
How to Obtain the Signal Pack?
Just trains have not released the signal kit as a separate piece of DLC. The only way to obtain the signal kit (at the time of writing) is to purchase one of the following routes from the JustTrains web site:
- Just Trains Marsdonshire
- Just Trains Newcastle to Edinburgh (not released yet)
- Trans Pennine Route (not released yet). Just Trains very generously donated the signals for use in this freeware route. Thank you Just Trains!
- More routes to follow soon
Demonstration Route, Scenarios, Manual and Tools
A demonstration route with scenarios is available to assist with learning how to use the signals. Each scenario is a free roam scenario. In almost all of them you can just watch the AI move the trains and observe the signals. Some require you to drive the trains. Please pay attention to the scenario description which will tell you what (if anything) you need to do.
This route and scenarios were created in conjunction with the tutorial videos (see below). You are encouraged to use the videos in conjunction with the route. The scenarios are numbered in the same way as the videos.
Download Just Trains UK Modern Signals - Demonstration Route, Scenarios, Manual and Tools
Please note this DOES NOT include the signals themselves. Please refer to "How to Obtain the Signal Pack" above if you do not have the signals already.
How to Access the Signals in Game
You need to enable the following developer filter:
JustTrains --> CommonLibrary
Please note. In some early routes the signals were provided in the following developer filter:
JustTrains --> JT_ModernSignals
If you can not find the Common Library folder the JT_ModerSignals is the same.
In the world editor all signals start with "JTMS" so you can find them easily.
Video Tutorials
A series of video tutorials have been created to help illustrate some of the features. It is strongly recommended that you use these videos in conjunction with the demo route and this guide.
Here is a link to the complete YouTube playlist.
Or you can click to watch a specific video below.
- Basic Signal Placement
- Naming Signals
- Placing AWS Magnets
- Signalling a Junction with Junction Indicators
- Approach Control
- Low speed junctions: Approach from red. The signal will clear up to a less restrictive aspect where possible when you pass over the AWS magnet for the red signal
- Low to medium speed junctions: Approach from red. The signal will clear up to a less restrictive aspect (maximum of double yellow) where possible upon passing the preceding signal. Upon passing the AWS magnet for the junction signal the signal will clear to green if possible
- Medium speed junctions: Signal held at single yellow. The signal will clear up to a less restrictive aspect where possible upon passing the AWS magnet for the junction signal.
- High speed junctions: Approach control with flashing yellows. The signal will clear up to a less restrictive aspect upon passing the AWS magnet for the junction signal.
- Special Signal Asset: Approach Box. This is a special signal asset that can be placed to control the exact location where the signal will clear up to a less restrictive aspect when using approach control.
- Low speed junctions: Approach from red. The signal will clear up to a less restrictive aspect where possible when you pass the Special Signal Asset: Approach Box
- Low to medium speed junctions: Approach from red. The signal will clear up to a less restrictive aspect (maximum of double yellow) where possible upon passing the Special Signal Asset: Approach Box. Upon passing the AWS magnet for the junction signal the signal will clear to green if possible
- Medium speed junctions: Signal held at single yellow. The signal will clear up to a less restrictive aspect where possible upon passing the Special Signal Asset: Approach Box.
- High speed junctions: Approach control with flashing yellows. The signal will clear up to a less restrictive aspect upon passing the Special Signal Asset: Approach Box.
- Using multiple Approach Control Boxes with the same signal. You can use multiple boxes to trigger release at different locations for different links
- Signalling a Junction with Theatre Boxes
- Calling on Indicators
- Special Signal Asset: Calling on Box
- Yard Links
- Special Signal Asset: Yard Box
- Adding Theatre boxes or stencil indicators to signals not equipped with them
- Ground Position Lights
- Preset Ground Position Lights
- Limit of Shunt
- End of Track Signal (EOT)
- TPWS Overspeed Sensors (OSS)
- TPWS Permanent Speed Restriction Sensors
- TPWS Train Stop Sensor and Passing Signals at Danger
- Spad Indicator
- Special Signal Asset: AI Only Signal and Stopping Points
- Configuring Signal Glows (High, Medium, Low)
- Trigger TAB (passing signals at danger)
The signal names are structured in a specific way so that you can easily find what you need and understand the options that signal has. The easiest way to explain the naming is to give a few examples. Please refer to the table below.
Signal Name | Bulb or LED | Aspects | Links | Options | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
JTMS B3A 0T | B Bulb | 3A 3 Aspects | 0T Zero | None | 3 aspect bulb signal with no links and plated up as a control signal |
JTMS B3A 0T Auto | B Bulb | 3A 3 Aspects | 0T Zero | Auto Automatic signal | 3 aspect bulb signal with no links plated up as an automatic signal |
JTMS B4A 2T | B Bulb | 4A 4 Aspects | 2T 2 links | None | 4 aspect bulb signal able to signal two routes (2 links) |
JTMS B4A 3T F14 C | B Bulb | 4A 4 Aspect | 3T 3 links | F14 Junction Indicators 1 & 4 C Calling On indicator | 4 aspect bulb signal able to signal 3 routes and with junction indicators 1 & 4 and a calling on indicator |
JTMS B4A 3T F14 CW | B Bulb | 4A 4 Aspect | 3T 3 links | F14 Junction Indicators 1 & 4 C Calling On indicator W Wide / Large signal post | 4 aspect bulb signal on a large post able to signal 3 routes and with junction indicators 1 & 4 and a calling on indicator |
JTMS B3A 3T SI Cs | B Bulb | 3A 3 Aspect | 3T 3 links | SI Stencil Indicator (for calling on indicator) C Calling on indicator s Short post | 3 aspect bulb signal able to signal 3 routes (3 links). Equipped with a calling on indicator with a stencil indicator box to give route information |
JTMS L3A 4T TH | L LED | 3A 3 Aspect | 4T 4 links | TH Theatre box (single character) | 3 aspect LED signal able to signal 4 routes (4 links). Equipped with a single character theatre box |
JTMS L4A 5T THD CW | L LED | 4A 4 Aspect | 5T 5 links | THD Theatre box (double character) C Calling on indicator W Wide / large signal post | 4 aspect LED signal able to signal 4 routes (5 links). Equipped with a double character theatre box, Calling on indicator and on a wide / large signal post |
Some basic points regarding signals and their uses
- Only signals with zero links [0T] will have automatic variants [Auto]. This is because signals that have 1 or more links protect junctions and therefore MUST be control signals.
- Although there are approx. 1350 signal items in the pack you are unlikely to use more than 100 different signals in most routes. The large number of signals allows for the greatest flexibility
- For a particular complex signal it may be possible to build it up from parts if the exact signal is not available. eg. adding a double theatre box to a signal that has junction indicators
- A "Calling on Indicator" could also be called an "Associated Position Light"
- A "Junction Indicator" could also be called a "Feather"
Problem:
All aspects and lights remain illuminated when you play the game (in the world editor it is normal for all aspects of the signal to be illuminated)
Solution:If the signal has junction indicators then a link must be assigned to each junction indicator that the signal has. Example: If you position a "JTMS B4A 3T F14" signal it has two junction indicators (feathers), numbers 1 and 4. You must assign numbers 1 and 4 to the available links. If you forget to assign them the signal will remain illuminated at all times.
Problem:
Calling On Box / Yard Box not working
Solution:
Make sure the calling on box or yard box is placed just after the signal not before. Also if you have just placed the calling on box or yard box you must exit and reload the route for the changes to take effect.
Problem:
A yard link does not allow more than one train to enter. The scenario fails with the 2nd train not being able to get a path.
Solution 1:
This problem is not specific to JTMS signals. When a train enters an area of track designated as a yard using a yard link the signalling system forgets about the train (as it should). This should make it possible for subsequent trains to enter the yard. Unfortunately, the dispatcher does not pay any attention to the signalling system. It still thinks a train is in the section and so will not allow another train to enter. A work around is to make sure that if a yard has several possible sidings or paths that each path is assigned it's own yard link. Then providing each train is routed into it's own siding / path the scenario will work.
Solution 2:
Use the AI Only Signal in the scenario editor to split the yard up into sections. You may also need to add / edit scenario markers (siding, destination, platform etc) or add in scenario specific stop markers. Please refer to this video.
Problem:
Unusual Signal Behaviour
Solution:
Check for links for signals facing the other direction overlapping the link 0 of the signal with problems. This video shows what an overlapping link is.