I am so confused - Railroad Signals

[guitar_xe]

I am trying to make two trains run on the same track from the same load/unload stations. I've put in a little extra segment of track for one train to wait while the other passes, but I can't figure out how to place the signals to accomplish that. I've seen the computer do it many times, but it just doesn't work for me! Can somebody help me with this?

[Ameecher]

Click the signals and click on the square where you want them to be. Then click the signals again to make them one way, again to make them one way in the other direction. A third click will turn them back to the original, two-way signals. Hope that helps

[guitar_xe]

no, I understand how to place them, I just don't understand HOW to place them, to make them work properly

[m3henry]

these are very good guides...

[guitar_xe]

okay, so the entry signal pre-signal tells the train what colour is the next signal on the track? and what does the exit signal do?

[DaleStan]

Tells the entry signal that it's one of the "next" signals.

[AlexW]

For what you are looking to do, try using normal signals before moving on to pre-signals, which are more advanced.
As m3henry said, there are good guides out there, and this is a picture from the link that he sent you:

[guitar_xe]

okay, so then is this a good setup i've made?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v376/ ... _track.jpg
this is my first ever RoRo station setup; before this i just had very simple terminal stations, and if i had multiple stations, i'd just put down another track mirroring the original one, so i don't know if this is a good setup i've made

[Flamelord]

It appears acceptable, but without further detail on signalling and other things, I can't pass further judgement.

I always make my trains "drive" on the right, 'cause driving on the left bugs me. That's pure personal preference, though.

[guitar_xe]

okay now i've decided to run three trains on a single track with pass-over lines, and i have a problem.

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/2200 ... 195yn2.png
why is it that in the above setup the circled light is green? i was trying to make the train wait in that block while the other train finishes loading and passes the pass-over.

as you can guess, this is what keeps happening
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/374/ ... 195zo1.png

[Lakie]

That is the correct thing to do with that signalling setup. As you can see the immediate block is clear thus the signal is green.

~ Lakie

[Flamelord]

If those passing places are the correct length, the first train, heading south into the station, should simply return to the passing place and wait, while the train currently inside the passing place then heads into the station. Once that happened, the train on the mainline could enter the passing place and the first train could continue to the north station.

If the passing place isn't long enough, you can't fit both trains in it, which would cause problems, like all your trains getting stuck.

[guitar_xe]

If the passing place isn't long enough, you can't fit both trains in it, which would cause problems, like all your trains getting stuck.

you were right, my passing place wasn't long enough, and when i made it long enough my trains stopped jamming, but still is there a way to make the train wait at the northern block until the southern block is clear?

[DaleStan]

The proper combination of pre, programmable, and exit signals. Without seeing your new setup, it's hard to determine what is required.

[guitar_xe]

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/1179/setupll0.jpg

referring to the above diagram, i have Train A loading up on the station, with Train B waiting in pass-over Block 2 after returning for more cargo.
in the meantime, Train C has just unloaded it's cargo and is returning for more, and is passing Block 1.

the way i have it now, is that Train C goes into the normal track and comes up to Block 2, which blocks the track until Train a finishes loading, and Train B goes into the station. this causes Train A to wait in Block 2, which reduces my profit.
what i want to do, is to make Train C wait in Block 1 until Train A loads, and passes Block 1. how do i make that work?
(i hope this isn't too confusing)

[Flamelord]

I believe this is what you want:

signals.png (31.27 KiB) Viewed 6649 times

Notice that the presignal exit will be red when a train is waiting in the northern passing place, making the presignal entrance red. This is the reverse of the orientation you'd want; I set it up that way to show the signals clearly. All of the other signals are normal one-way signals.

[guitar_xe]

i've layed down the track like you said, but the train in the northern pass still goes ahead down the track and blocks it until the train in the southern pass gets to the station.

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/3748 ... 196qm8.png

[aahz77]

i've layed down the track like you said, but the train in the northern pass still goes ahead down the track and blocks it until the train in the southern pass gets to the station.

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/3748 ... 196qm8.png

In Flamelord's screenshot, your loading station is at the top (northern) end of the line; you put it on the wrong end.

[guitar_xe]

oh okay, yeah, i forgot that he said he had it reversed so i can see the signals clearly. well, its working now, and i thank you very much for that, but using this example can you explain to me how these signals are working?

[Badger]

You would still be best off reading through this guide , it will answer most of your problems.