Maybe I should have advertised this patch as newsignals and not as PBS, because PBS is only an end to a means. The main point of this patch is to create a more realistic signal system: Instead of the old system of one block - one train with signals that divide the blocks it is now path based (a signal block can have as many trains as possible without crossing paths) and signals as safe waiting points and not block dividers.
And because signals are now waiting positions and not block boundaries, two-sided signals don't really make sens because they only generate deadlocks as two trains waiting on each other on each side are definitly not both on a safe waiting position.
Anyway, enough ranting for today, I may now present you the next version.
Changes:
- Fixed a bug where trains would sometimes crash in terminus stations. (Thanks MarkyParky)
- Fixed a bug where a looping path would lead to crashes. As a side effect this now inhibit trains from leaving a depot if they want to enter the same depot again. Place signals on any track loops to solve that. (Thanks Tekky)
- Improved code style. (Thanks Tron)
- Changed the semantics of no-entry signals, more below.
- Introduced different patch settings to control which signals to build, more below. This breaks savegame compatibility.
- PBS signals can now be build via the signal GUI.
No-entry signals:
There are now two kinds of PBS signals: signals that can be passed from behind and signals that disallow passing just like the regular signals. The passable signals use the old PBS signal graphics, the one-way signals the old PBS pre-signal graphics. If somebody can draw appropriate new sprites for these signals, I will gladly use these to minimise any confusion.
Patch options:
There are now two patch options: 'Signal type to build by default' should be pretty self-explanatory. You can switch between normal, pbs and one-way pbs signals. The second option is 'Cycle through signal types', it controls which signal types are cycled through by ctrl-click. Options are cycle only the regular signals, only the pbs signals or all signals. You can always change these settings in game. Note that both settings aren't synchronised in any way.
First post updated as well.
-- Michael Lutz