Transport Tycoon Forums

I have read everything i can find about signals but just cant seem to figure it out, so here I am begging for help.

First off is with pre-signals, Entry and exit make sense, combos... not so much. When should I be using them?

And what is the deal with the new path signals, I get what the wiki is saying, I just dont understand how to apply it. Should I use path signals everywhere I would use the old block signals? Which path signal should I use?

If you have some photos of things like junctions I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

liquidynamics wrote:I have read everything i can find about signals but just cant seem to figure it out, so here I am begging for help.

First off is with pre-signals, Entry and exit make sense, combos... not so much. When should I be using them?

And what is the deal with the new path signals, I get what the wiki is saying, I just dont understand how to apply it. Should I use path signals everywhere I would use the old block signals? Which path signal should I use?

If you have some photos of things like junctions I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

Use path signals, it allows a train to find its way if possible through junctions, use One Way path signals for the main line and where you would put signals infront of a station, put a regular path signal, that way when that line in the station is occupied, trains on the main line wont enter even if the path signal at the station is facing opposite to them

<| One Way Path |>
> Regular Path
==== Station

-|>-|>-|>-|>-|>-\/->===============
-<|-<|-<|-<|-<|-/\->===============

With the new PBS signals, multiple trains can be in a particular block at one time. In the following picture of a game I'm playing, a train could enter the red track at the same time a train could exit from the green track.

I am getting the feeling that path signals almost completely replace block signals, is that the case?

Not necessarily, there are some cases where block signals are better, like setting up priorities with presignals. That's a bit of an advanced topic, though (I only know the basics about it, so I can't explain in all that well). I'm sure there are other cases where it's better to use block signals, too.

In a way, I miss messing around with Block, Entry, Exit, and Combo signals, not only did it make the game a bit more challenging, it made it slightly more realistic (Do path signals even exist in real life?)

(Do path signals even exist in real life?)

I think path based signals are more realistic than any of the other systems we have in the game, the earlier signals are much easier for a computer to understand and therefore program for since they are effectively just logic gates. It makes sense that railway companies would use path based signals since they are far more efficient in allowing t trains to pass eachother even if there is a set of points connecting the two lines.

NekoMaster wrote:(Do path signals even exist in real life?)

All mainline signals in real life, now and in the past, have been operated more like "path signals" than any other OTTD signal type.

IMO Which signals to use:
Path signals everywhere you want trains to wait for a clear block/path.
1-Way Path signals if you want to prevent a line being used in reverse.

That is all you need.

Well, path-signals are easier to build because you are not forced to concern every possibility for trains. In fact you can use pre-, exit- , combo-signals instead, but you will need more space and trains will be slowed down in a way. In future (I think) path-signals will be the type used.

Older or advanced players may have fun to get the same effect with them or use them to get priorities. At train coming to yellow will check whether there is a train in the block in front and between white and blue (because exit-signals are 2 sided - otherwise trains can not drive through!). Combo-signals are used to get signals between with the same effort.
e.g. 1 exit signal between blue and white and the first exit gets combo ==> should do the same, but you have every tile a signal.

Nearly a year ago I had a station with 500-1000/trains a year build just with pre/exit/combo. With maximum of 1 train waiting in front of a platform but mostly speed limits of 88/130 km/h lateron 88/160 km/h . All trains used belonged to DB-Set XXL so no monorail/maglev for industries... Unfortunately I haven't the exspected ottd version anymore

You may take a look into Uwe´s signalling guide.

regards
Michael

Hi liquidynamics, with regards to combo, exit and entry "Lankku" helped me out

in this topic http://www.tt-forums.net/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=46224

Thanks for all the replies.
-Open Addict thanks for the link, that was helpful!


Now im just trying to figure out which path signal is a one way signal

Okay, my last question was rather dumb and I only asked because I hoped that I didnt just put the wrong path signal on my entire layout... but i did. So now that is fixed.

Next question would be about load balancers... Do I need anything complicated or do path signals work fine with just simple X crossings?

liquidynamics wrote:Okay, my last question was rather dumb and I only asked because I hoped that I didnt just put the wrong path signal on my entire layout... but i did. So now that is fixed.

Next question would be about load balancers... Do I need anything complicated or do path signals work fine with just simple X crossings?

Nope, nothing special really, I use path signals for every thing now, even complex junctions. as long as you didn't mess up the junction putting path signals before the junction would be easier then having to have only one train in the junction at a time or making a huge junction just to add spaces for Block, entry\exit and combo signals.

To Hijack the thread slightly (it is signal related)

Using path based signals; if I use the example by petert


Do trains leaving a station automatically get assigned a path as if they have entered a the track block through a PBS signal?

Or is itp ossible if this was a left hand layout that a train leaving the station could enter the track-block while a train was entering through PBS and cause a crash?

Trains, if entering a PBS block (even without a PBS) will reserve a path through the block. This means if a train turns around at one of those stations, it will reserve a path, preventing a crash. I found that even if a train enters a PBS block through a normal signal it will still reserve a path.

Interesting that makes certain station layouts with PBS signals interesting at best

I found this to be most efficient for trains in and out. The bottom station is better than the top station for getting the most trains in and out quick.

Notice which path signals are used.

Caboosey wrote:I found this to be most efficient for trains in and out. The bottom station is better than the top station for getting the most trains in and out quick.

Notice which path signals are used.

How does this work with the depots? Wouldn't a platform be cleared for another train as soon as the first train has entered for servicing?

The depots have their owns build in signal so they complete the incoming paths,
the trains do not have to enter the depot to allow another to enter the station.

But you're right when a train enters the depot it will make the platfor availabble
thats why I tend to seperate depots from stations unless it serves only 1 train