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Track Builder 3 Manual - Train Dispatcher Simulation

1. Adding Text Areas Modifying Text Moving Text Areas Deleting KENE Changing MAMAS p Duplicating Text Area Bitmaps User Generated Grapbicel ENEE 20 Leslie Let Sege 20 Modityirig LSD EE AA sted EN MOVIDO Deng Te EN Deleting Bitmaps eec rtt a ce S a UE ttti Eu I b ette ddp e EN Changing BMP a ada 21 Duplicating Bitmaps wasn m een t ame it e e RR RR aa 21 Bitmap MaINGE Ee 22 Background and Foreground General Rules EEN 22 Track Layout File Maintenance cce aid AE teense Maan dan ad e e LU aN d 23 New Track Layout File canines ane cali Reina atin ane I ee epee AA 23 Saving a LayOut EIER 23 Opening an Existing Track layout File si ee 23 Loading an Existing Track Execute File eme eorpore eee eto uod bet e ee e3 Undo FUNGON eege A aaa a n 24 General Drawing Guidelmee EEN EEN e4 Miscellaneous Drawing Symbol Siinses a N t de bee ettet deeper tete 24 TRACK AND TRAIN FUNCTIONS 84 Designitig d FebPIEOEM EE 25 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 COMPUTER CONSULTANTS EF Territory OPI ET Block Properties Switch Information Diamond Information Automatic Signaling of Diamonds Diamond Train Frequency A Ee EE Tram ype elle O E Platform Names Train Data sss Train Data General Dialog Train Data Multiple Entries Dialog Train Data Work Sched
2. esee Figure 17 New Signals Right Hand Signaling Oppen Figure 18 Signal Information sese nemen nnen ener Figure 19 Automatic Linking Exvcepttons ene Figure 20 Selecting a Group of Squares sees Figure 21 Adding a Station Name sesenta Figure 22 Added Station Name essere rene ener Ligure 23 Adding Text a eed rt te iere pe ete ese Figure 24 Adding a Bitmap ener enne nnne nentes Figure 25 Foreground and Background BitMApS ieee cece ceseeneceseeeseeneeeneeeaeens Figure 26 Bitmap Maintenance sese ennemi eere Figure 27 Straight Track Symbols sese Figure 28 Miscellaneous Symbols eese Figure 29 Territory Opt Ree p t ert es Figure 30 Track Block Status Line seen emere Figure 31 Block Properties General Figure 32 Block Properties Speed Figure 33 Switch Properties otc ett i pete Figure 34 Diamond Properties eterne reg siroop aias espia Figure 35 Diamond Train Frequency Examples AA Figure 36 Double Track Junction eee enema Figure 37 Signal Properties enne pee tte re ep terree itor den Figure 38 Train Type Data Window eese em eene rennen Figure 39 Train Type Daalog iee oce niter retire Figure 40 Station Platform Window sees nennen Figure 41 Station Platform Example sees Figure 42 Train Data Window ih geiaio oe eaae aanas an a eiS Figure 43 Trai
3. General Block Data Block Speeds BLOCK TRAIN SPEEDS MPH TYPE LEFT CLEARED AHEAD BLOCKS RIGHT CLEARED AHEAD BLOCKS NONE ONE TWO HELPER STARTUP NONE ONE TWO HELPER STARTUP Freight 20 40 50 Yes 120 20 40 50 Yes 120 Po fo frye Pio fm fof or ves Jj 2f 4 50 fF ves 10 al 40 507 Yes 120 20 f 40 f 5 PF ve 120 al 40 50 PT Yes 120 2 40 50 T Yes 120 ol 40 501 Yes 120 ad od so ives f 120 f al af sol wes f 120 5 wf wwe 5 fmf of or ves Ji Po fo frye Pio fom fof or ves Jj Po fo fo Pye Pim E of peg o 20 4 f 50 TF Yes 120 2 40 SOT Yes 120 Copy left to right Use template had Copy right to left Create template 2050 mph Create OK Cancel Apply Heg Figure 32 Block Properties Speed BLOCK TRAIN SPEEDS specifies the speeds of trains based on train type and the number of blocks than are cleared ahead The system is designed to handle up to four speed aspects Default speeds for each of the four speed aspects are pre entered for the ten train types The user modifies these defaults for each type of train for the number of signals that are cleared for the train beyond the current block If the next block is not clear the train will stop when it reaches the end of the current block If the block beyond the next is not cleared the train must travel at a lower speed than its maximum in anticipation of stopping at the end of the next block Either train spee
4. Track Builder 3 III If you make any changes to the track execute file and attempt to save those changes the system will save it as a track layout file and ask you for a track layout file name 7 8 Undo Function To undo your last change to the track layout click the Undo button under the menu bar at the top of the screen The Undo function will only undo your last change to the track layout 7 9 General Drawing Guidelines Track Builder 3 will not prevent you from having conflicts in displaying track symbols miscellaneous drawing symbols and train icons in Train Dispatcher 3 In Train Dispatcher 3 the train icons are the last items displayed on the screen and will write over any drawing symbol on the screen at the same location If possible you should try to keep a minimum of one blank grid square between parallel tracks to prevent this conflict To accommodate the space needed to display train icons and train identification characters in Train Dispatcher 3 the system requires each real block to have at least three adjacent grid squares with straight track symbols Figure 27 shows examples of blocks with and without three valid adjacent straight track symbols Blocks which do not have three valid adjacent straight track symbols F zi fp Straight kg Blocks with three valid adjacent straight track track symbols symbols Figure 27 Straight Track Symbols 7 10 Miscellaneous Drawing Symbo
5. WARNING 100 Block should have a track name KANSAS A B CITY INDEPENDENCE JCT LEE S SUMMIT PI Previous and ROCK GREEK LT next error JCT kx buttons K chen Error message Cy l PM258 CPM250 associated with Block 7 is Block 7 highlighted CEN oe ion DRESDEN SEDALIA Fam Lan WENT UH nr zl lur Figure 62 Highlighted Track Elements Figure 62 was created by double clicking the Warning 100 Block 7 message in the Error Message window The error message text for the highlighted track element is also displayed just above the top of the track layout grid The easiest way to locate and correct problems is to use the Prev Error and Next Error buttons in the tool bar at the top of the screen To see the next error message the user can click the Next Error button which will cause the next message to appear above the top of the grid and the associated track element to be highlighted in blue The Prev Error button performs the same function for the previous error in the Error Message window If the error message is associated with a train start time block permit slow order or platform instead of highlighting a track element on the track layout the program will display the appropriate dialog Train Data dialog Block Permit dialog etc for that device so the user can easily correct the error Any time the user clicks one of the drawing tools to correct a problem the track element
6. This will create the file and automatically open it with the Notepad program See Figure 59 fi tb3 version of kcsl txt Notepad iol x File Edit Search Help UP Sedalia and Jefferson City Subdiusion Notes fll Amtrak trains if on time meet at Centertoun and exchange creus Slou track for freights into Grand fivenue to simulate St Louis yard congestion Don t block Amtrak fll detectors are marked DE but are both hot box and dragging equipment detectors Figure 59 Territory Comments File Every time any territory is re started in Train Dispatcher 3 a new comments file for that territory will be automatically created in the user s computer The comments file name will be the track file name with a txt file extension The file will always contain the comments entered for the territory by the Track Builder 3 user when he she created the territory 9 MISCELLANEOUS TOOLS Track Builder has a number of miscellaneous tools to help the user develop the territory These tools can be used by selecting the various menu items under the Find and Tools menus in the menu bar at the top of the screen The following paragraphs describe these tools 9 1 Find Areas Blocks Diamonds Switches and Signals All track areas blocks diamonds switches and signals are assigned a unique number and may also be assigned a name To find a particular area block diamond switch or signal on the grid select the appropriate menu item under the Fi
7. 7 45 7 46 7 6 7 7 74 1 7 7 2 7 7 3 7 74 7 8 7 10 8 1 COMPUTER CONSULTANTS EEE SEE EEE Table of Contents INSTALLATION A ies Loading the Program Starting the leie Tu EE 1 BRIEF OVERVIEW de 1 WHAT S TEE e Uuz slidBI hiulipee US 3 DESIGNING A SIMPLE TRACK LAYOUT 3 Track Layout Grid SGreen zc aa ur i EU RU e HE ra o RESP gedit te ege GREG Rep a bak 3 Drawing Symbols on the Grid md Drawing a Simple Single Line Territory EEN 5 TRACK BUILDER 3 TERMS AND RULES erer 9 Track Block Definition and LiNkage a a ti i gcc odere peo reped de P rhe nu e cv 9 Switch Definition and Biel ie EE 18 Diamonds Definition arid Link iii occ 18 Signal Definition and binkage cire cette cad A egt a RO beet bd 18 feels Eelere VE 14 Combining BIOCKS EEN 15 DRAWING FUNCTIONS sii 15 Editing rer Lei cf M HH 15 Selecting a Group of Grid Squares s cde n BED IO RE Iu dO EDS I EU amma MSR 15 Deleting a Selected Group of Squarses eise tenente RR 16 Duplicating a Selected Group of Squares ENEE 16 Moving a Selected Group Of Squares EEN 16 Deleting Symbols from the Track Layout ENEE EEN 17 gelee Ein Adding Station Names Modifying Station Names Moving Station Names Deleting Station Names Changing Station Names User TEXG APCS s
8. Builder 3 cannot create Train Dispatcher 2 track files It can only create track files that can be used by Train Dispatcher 3 Track Builder 2 and Track Builder 3 however can coexist in the same computer Please note that the term Dummy Block referred to in Track Builder 2 is called Connecting Line or Connector in Track Builder 3 4 TERRITORY LIBRARIES Signal Computer Consultants will be maintaining two libraries of territory files on our Web Page It is our hope that one day these libraries will contain territory files for all Centralized Traffic Control CTC territories worldwide We encourage owners of Track Builder 3 to contribute territory files to our libraries You can contribute either to the Customer Contributed free Library which will allow Train Dispatcher 3 owners to download and use the territory file you contribute at no charge or you can submit for inclusion in the For Sale paid Library If we decide to add your territory to the For Sale Library we will pay you a 1596 commission on the sales of your territory file The commission will be paid on the 5 00 Track Builder 2 territories or 7 00 Track Builder 3 territories per territory purchase price excluding shipping and handling charges and sales tax 5 DESIGNING A SIMPLE TRACK LAYOUT 5 1 Track Layout Grid Screen The first screen that appears when you run Track Builder 3 is shown in Figure 1 This screen displays the track layout grid for a track layout fi
9. ERROR 750 Territory Could not find or open comments file XXX The system could not find the comments file referred to in the Territory Information dialog To correct this problem either delete this reference from the Territory Information dialog or create a comments file ERROR 800 Start Times You must have at least one startup time The system requires at least one startup time entry To correct this problem go to the Start Times window and make at least one entry ERROR 801 Start Times XX HH MM SuMoTuWeThFrSa Train XXX XX Block XXX not longer exists The referenced start time for the referenced train places that train in a block that no longer exists To correct the problem delete the train entry in the Start Times data dialog or assign the train to a new start block ERROR 802 Start Times XX HH MM SuMoTuWeThFrSa Train XXX XX Block XXX is a connector The referenced start time for the referenced train places that train in a block that is now a connecting line To correct the problem delete the train entry in the Start Times data dialog or assign the train to a new start block WARNING 100 Block XXX should have a track name Track blocks are not required to have names but in order to assign block permits or slow orders to a track block the user must give the block a name via the Block Properties General dialog WARNING 500 Train XXX may be traveling in the wrong direction to exit territory at exit location s Bloc
10. See ERROR 404 for an explanation ERROR 406 Diamond XXX Block XXX assigned to top does not have corresponding right link See ERROR 404 for an explanation ERROR 407 Diamond XXX Block XXX assigned to bottom does not have corresponding right link See ERROR 404 for an explanation ERROR 408 Diamond XXX Switch XXX assigned to left does not have corresponding right link See ERROR 404 for an explanation ERROR 409 Diamond XXX Switch XXX assigned to right does not have corresponding right link See ERROR 404 for an explanation ERROR 410 Diamond XXX Switch XXX assigned to top does not have corresponding right link See ERROR 404 for an explanation ERROR 411 Diamond XXX Switch XXX assigned to bottom does not have corresponding right link See ERROR 404 for an explanation ERROR 412 Diamond XXX Diamond XXX assigned to left does not have corresponding right link See ERROR 404 for an explanation ERROR 413 Diamond XXX Diamond XXX assigned to right does not have corresponding right link See ERROR 404 for an explanation ERROR 414 Diamond XXX Diamond XXX assigned to top does not have corresponding right link See ERROR 404 for an explanation Page 64 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZrO ERROR 415 Diamond XXX Diamond XXX assigned to bottom does not have corresponding right link See ERROR 404 for an explanation ERROR 416 Diamond XXX Block XXX assigned to left does not exist Diamonds
11. a new territory First you must define at least one train type and second you must add the trains To add a train type select the Train Type Description item under the Data menu This will cause a Train Type Data window to appear Click the New button in this window and the Train Type dialog will appear see Figure 6 Page 7 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 JD Train Type ioj xi Description Type Freight Cabs at each end of train direction reversible Startup time E 20 seconds Reverse speed E 0 Locomotive left bitmap file fred diesel left bmp Browse Locomotive right bitmap file fred diesel right bmp Browse Caboose bitmap file fred caboose bmp Browse Cancel Help Figure 6 Train Type Dialog Enter Freight in the Description field and click the OK button to exit the Train Type Data window More information about entering train types can be found in Paragraph 8 7 To enter the information about the trains select the Train Data item in the Data menu of Track Builder 3 This will cause the Train Data window to display To add a train click the Add button and the Add New Train dialog displayed in Figure 7 will appear Add New Train x General Train Data Multiple Entries Local Work Schedule Passenger Schedule Train ID Testi Number o Train Description Direction Left Right Scheduled for Train Type Freight IV Sunday Length 100
12. and releasing the left mouse button move the mouse to any location outside of the interlocking selected squares and again click the left mouse button which will deselect the group of grid squares Now select the interlocking type that is second from the left again and place it at grid location x 27 y 3 You are almost done designing the territory There are still two more things to do You may have noticed that some of the track blocks are gray while others are black If you place the mouse pointer on a gray track block in the device status line at the bottom of the screen you will see it has a name of Connector which means the block is a connecting Page 5 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZONAK line Now place the mouse pointer on a track block that is black Its name is None and it has a length of 5280 feet Any track block that is black has length is a real track block that can hold a train Because Train Dispatcher 3 must be able to display train icons and or train identification characters in blocks that hold trains space must be provided to display these items Real track blocks must therefore have at least three adjacent grid squares that contain straight track drawing symbols to display train icons and identification characters A detailed explanation of real and connecting lines is given in Paragraph 6 1 The track blocks starting at x 3 y 6 and x 33 y 3 are black and do not have three adjacent straight tr
13. contains one of the block s track symbols and click the right mouse once or twice once if the mouse pointer is in the shape of an arrow or twice if the mouse pointer is in the shape of one of the drawing symbols A pop up menu will appear Click on the Properties General menu item and Figure 31 will appear Block Properties 2 x General Block Data Block Speeds Number o From station none To station Section name main Connector Left device finone Manual block none v or Entrance Exit name far Right device Block 0001 Manual block none v or Entrance Exit name I IV Signaledleft v Signaledright Block length 5280 feet C miles Convert to miles Left exit control signal finne v Create Left Right exit control signal Joooo D Create Right Normal crew change point Delay in block because of crew change 5 minutes Time to send crew to block o minutes Platform name none v AreaName none v Wayside detectors none finone v finone y DS Point Corbin v Remote monitor name Cancel Apply Help Figure 31 Block Properties General The following describes each of the fields in this dialog Number the unique block number assigned to the block The user cannot change the value in this field From station the call up character of the station to the left of the block If no character is entered into this field the program will automatically assign a on
14. device Left device the block switch or diamond to the left of the diamond The user cannot change the value in this field and assign to it another device Right device the block switch or diamond to the right of the diamond The user cannot change the value in this field and assign to it another device Bottom device the block switch or diamond connected to the bottom of the diamond The user cannot change the value in this field and assign to it another device 8 5 1 Automatic Signaling of Diamonds Diamonds can be automatically signaled This means that routes can be cleared across a diamond in both directions at the same time If conflicting routes are cleared across a diamond the first train that hits the approach track to the diamond will be cleared to proceed across the diamond The signals governing the diamond for the other routes will Page 34 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZONAK automatically go to stop until the diamond is no longer occupied by the first train at which time the next train to arrive at the approach track to the diamond will be cleared to proceed If the diamond is not set to be automatically signaled only one route across the diamond can be cleared at any given time 8 5 2 Diamond Train Frequency Diamonds are often used at a junction with a foreign railroad Since trains moving across the junction are often controlled by another railroad a great deal of additional data would have to be
15. diamond the left have a left entrance exit location assigned to it by the user Track Builder 3 will automatically link the current block to the block switch or diamond to the left if one is present and if it lines up with the current block This error usually occurs when the block switch or diamond to the left does not line up with the current block if the user forgets to assign an entrance exit location or if the user makes a manual block assignment for a block that no longer exists Page 58 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 Patent E ERROR 101 Block XXX there is no right block switch diamond or entrance location Each block must be linked to the block switch or diamond to its right or if there is no block switch or diamond to the right have a right entrance exit location assigned to it by the user Track Builder 3 will automatically link the current block to the block switch or diamond to the right if one is present and if it lines up with the current block This error usually occurs when the block switch or diamond to the right does not line up with the current block if the user forgets to assign an entrance exit location or if the user makes a manual block assignment for a block that no longer exists ERROR 102 Block XXX Block XXX assigned to left does not have corresponding right link Blocks are double linked together The block linked to the left of the current block must have a corresponding right link back to
16. for the crew to check the train If the crew finds a problem there will be an additional delay Problem delay field for the time it will take the crew to correct the problem In the case of a real hot box the crew would remove the car from the train Warning delay is the time in minutes for the crew to check the train for a problem Problem delay is the time in minutes for the crew to correct the problem 8 13 OS Names Train Dispatcher 3 can create a train graph showing the movement of trains during a simulation The train graph shows when a train arrives at each of the OS points OS is sometimes referred to as on station or out of station Track Builder 3 allows the user to assign OS points to blocks and switches When a train enters a block or goes over a Switch the time the train first hit the track circuit for the block or switch is recorded OS point names are usually assigned to the switches at each end of a siding or to blocks in the middle of a siding The number and location of the OS points are determined by a railroad Their primary purpose is to provide a historical record of train movements OS points are assigned to blocks in the Block Properties General dialog see Figure 31 or to switches in the Switch Properties dialog see Figure 33 Prior to being assigned to blocks and switches the OS point name must be entered into the system To enter OS point names the user must call up the OS Data window by selecting
17. have a reverse right position this field will not appear Normal Left Block the block switch or diamond to the left of the switch when the switch is in the normal position The user cannot change the value in this field Normal Right Block the block switch or diamond to the right of the switch when the switch is in the normal position The user cannot change the value in this field SWITCH REVERSE TRAIN SPEEDS the speeds to which the train will be limited when moving over a switch that is in the reverse position The train will travel at this speed for the length of time it takes the entire train to move over the switch The user specifies the speed for each type of train in the Reverse field If there is no speed in this field for a type of train the train s speed over a switch in the reverse position will not vary from its normal speed in the block Use template the user can create a number of switch reverse speed templates These templates hold data entered previously by the user for other switches which can be quickly transferred to the displayed switch by selecting one of the currently available templates listed in this field and clicking the Insert button Create template the user can create a template of the values entered into this dialog by entering a template name in this field and clicking the Create button You can also add modify and delete switch reverse speed templates by going to the Switch Reverse Speed Temp
18. have changed the track layout since you last saved the file If you save a track layout that was saved previously the system will rename the old file by changing the extension from lay to la This is a backup copy of your track layout file 7 7 3 Opening an Existing Track Layout File To open an existing track layout file click the Open Track Layout File item under the File menu This will cause the Open dialog to appear with a list of existing track layout files You can select one of the files change the directory or enter a file name If there is an existing layout file on the grid that has been changed since you last saved the file the system will before opening and displaying the new track layout file ask if you want to save the changes 7 7 4 Loading an Existing Track Execute File Track Builder 3 can load track execute files allow you to make changes to them and then save them as track layout files To open an existing track execute file click the Load Track Execute File menu item under the File menu This will cause the Open dialog to appear with a list of existing track execute files You can select one of the files change the directory or enter a file name If there is an existing layout file on the grid that has been changed since you last saved the file the system will before opening and displaying the new track execute file ask if you want to save the changes Page 23 6 December 2000
19. least three adjacent grid squares with straight track symbols To correct this problem add straight track symbols or define the block as a connecting line by checking the Connector box in the Block Properties General dialog Page 59 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 III ERROR 108 Block XXX all train types must have a speed greater than 0 if two signals are cleared ahead To correct this problem call up the appropriate Block Properties General dialog and increase the speeds for all train types to a value greater than O ERROR 109 Block XXX has a platform assigned that does not exist This problem usually occurs when a track block was assigned to a platform but later that platform was deleted To correct the problem call up the appropriate Block Properties General dialog and change the value in the Platform name field to none or another platform name ERROR 110 Block XXX a connecting line cannot be assigned an entrance exit location Connecting lines cannot be used to enter or exit the territory To correct this problem either make the block a real block by unchecking the Connector box in the appropriate Block Properties General dialog or clear the entrance exit location by blanking the fields ERROR 111 Block XXX speeds decrease with more signals cleared The system assumes that as the number of signals cleared ahead increases the allowable train speeds will also increase To correct this problem modify the block
20. mouse pointer on its data and click the left mouse button to select the slow order Then click the Delete or Edit buttons The Edit button will cause the Slow Order Data dialog to appear see Figure 57 You can also place the mouse on data in a slow order s row and click the right mouse button which will cause a popup menu having New Edit and Delete menu items to appear Double clicking the left mouse button on data in a slow order s row will automatically cause the Slow Order Data dialog to appear in the edit mode Slow Order Data x Number 5 Track block switch name Aff Permanent From time 00 01 To time 23 59 SLOW ORDER SPEEDS MPH Scheduled for TRAIN TYPE LEFT RIGHT TRAIN TYPE LEFT RIGHT IV Sunday Passenger 30 30 7 Monday Fast Freight 30 30 IV Tuesday Slow Freight 3 3 z beds i Thursday Regular Freight 30 30 mo Saturday Cancel Help Figure 57 Slow Order Data Dialog The following describes each of the fields in the dialog Number is an internal number which cannot be changed by the user given to the slow order by the system Track block switch name is the name of the track a group of blocks block or switch that is affected by the slow order To display a list of allowable track block and switch names click the down arrow at the right side of the entry box Page 53 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 JD Permanent is a che
21. of track blocks with no interposing switches Therefore because by definition there are no switches in a track section the route through the track section is always fixed For each block the user can assign the direction s left right or both in which the block is signaled The signaling direction s the user assigns allow trains to move from left to right right to left or in both directions All blocks in a track section must be signaled in the same direction s To correct this problem call up the Block Properties General dialog and assign the same signaling direction s to all blocks in the section ERROR 117 Block XXX has an entrance exit location that is on a different end of the block than Block XXX The same entrance exit location name can be assigned to a number of track blocks However the same name cannot be as a left entrance for one block and a right entrance for another To correct this problem call up the Block Properties dialog for one of the blocks and change the entrance exit location name Page 60 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZrO ERROR 118 Block XXX vertical track section cannot have manual block linkages A block consisting of a series of vertical track symbols cannot have a manual link to another block To correct this problem remove the manual linkage in the Block Properties General for this block ERROR 119 Block XXX could not find a signal between the entrance exit location and the first switc
22. of Trains 1000 Maximum Number of Block Permits 300 Maximum Number of Slow Orders 200 Maximum Number of OS Points 100 Page 69 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 Maximum Number of Start Times Maximum Number of Areas Maximum Number of Detectors Maximum Individual Bitmaps per Track Layout File Maximum Bitmap Insertions per Track Layout File Maximum Text Areas per Track Layout File Maximum Station Names Maximum Number of Track Layout Files Maximum Number of Track Execute Files Page 70 50 100 10 100 200 200 200 Unlimited Unlimited COMPUTER CONSULTANTS E 6 December 2000 Index add bitmap RU RR RR RE 20 block permits oe estet n 51 entrance exit locations ssssseeee 28 OS NAMES E 50 DSDS a sacco ei EE 38 Slow orders eeepc ai 52 Start UIMES EE eden 47 SERMONES ii R 17 text areaS train types EK 40 wayside detectors 49 area TIN gt automatic signaling at diamonds background drawing rules se bitmap adding ree a Ute 20 defint d eren Aerm 20 A engel eee nuvi EN GUplIGAtING E EN GI reete at nete tied EN rDalnteramnee see e ER ME ETE OIM Ped 22 MOVIA Gs ere EENEG 21 selecting iit aen a E ete EN block COMBINING ertt cot em e connecting lines automatic assignment definition and linkage device status line displaying pumbere ENEE
23. or diamond If there is no block switch or diamond adjacent to a diamond s top location the user must create one by using the appropriate drawing tools If there is a block switch or diamond adjacent to its top location but it does not line up with the current diamond the user must change the grid drawing so that it does line up Page 63 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 SIGNAL COMPUTER CONSULTANTS ERROR 403 Diamond XXX there is no bottom link to a block switch or diamond Each diamond s bottom location must be linked to a block switch or diamond If there is no block switch or diamond adjacent to the diamond s bottom location the user must create one by using the appropriate drawing tools If there is a block switch or diamond adjacent to its bottom location but it does not line up with the current diamond the user must change the grid drawing so that it does line up ERROR 404 Diamond XXX Block XXX assigned to left does not have corresponding right link Diamonds are double linked to blocks switches and other diamonds This error occurs if the device linked to the diamond does not have a corresponding link back to the diamond Because Track Builder 3 automatically creates all diamond linkages this problem should not occur If you receive this message contact Signal Computer Consultants at 412 655 1884 or toll free at 888 872 4812 ERROR 405 Diamond XXX Block XXX assigned to right does not have corresponding right link
24. p t e OU aa ie eee a dE at ds 58 Page iv 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 III 1 INSTALLATION 1 1 Loading the Program Track Builder 3 is a 32 bit Windows program which will run on systems running Windows 95 98 2000 NT 3 51 or NT 4 0 or later It will not run under Windows 3 1 Track Builder comes on a CD ROM To install the program insert the CD ROM into the CD ROM drive and click the Start and then the Run buttons In the Open box type d autorun exe if your CD ROM is the D drive on your computer If it is not the D drive type the drive letter followed by a colon and then autorun exe ex e autorun exe f autorun exe etc Follow the instructions in the installation program to complete the installation The Setup program will ask you for a serial number The serial number for Track Builder is the same serial number you received for Train Dispatcher When Track Builder is installed the Setup program will load the program into the Traine folder default and create a desktop icon 1 2 Starting the Program There are four ways to start the program To start the program Click the Start button point to Program then to the Traine folder and click on the Track Builder 3 program Double click on the Track Builder 3 icon on the desktop Open the Windows Explorer find the Track Builder 3 exe file in the Traing folder and double click on the file Open the Window Explorer find a previously saved layout file layout file
25. previously highlighted in blue will no longer be highlighted Once the user has corrected all of the problems the user should try to create the track execute file again by selecting the Create Track Execute File menu item under the File menu If there are no errors Track Builder 3 will create a track execute file with the same name as the track layout file with the exception that the file extension will be trk instead of lay This file will only be created if there are no errors The file can still be created if warning messages exist however the user will be asked if he or she still wants to create the file when warning messages are present If the user does not want to display warning messages in the Error Message window these can be turned off by deselecting the Display Warning Message menu item under the Tools menu Once the track execute file has been successfully created the user can simulate this territory by selecting in Train Dispatcher 3 the Change Territory Track File menu item under the File menu and selecting the track execute file name 10 1 Error Messages The following describes the error and warning messages generated by Track Builder 3 when a user tries to create a track execute file and describes possible remedies ERROR 100 Block XXX there is no left block switch diamond or entrance location Each block must be linked to the block switch or diamond to its left or if there is no block switch or
26. signal will automatically try to attach itself to a block If the right hand signaling option is selected left signals will check the grid square which is one grid square down and one grid square to the right of the grid square holding the base of the signal If a real block s track symbol is located in the grid square the signal will be assigned to that block Right signals will check the grid square which is one grid square above and one grid square to the left of the grid square holding the base of the signal Again if a real block s track symbol is in that grid square the signal will automatically be assigned to that block Signals can also be manually assigned to blocks To do this place the mouse pointer on the left most grid square of the signal click the right mouse button once or twice and a pop up menu will appear Selecting the Properties menu item will display the Signal Information dialog as shown in Figure 18 Signal Information E Signal number fi v Au Exit signal from block number 4 Signal name Cancel Help Figure 18 Signal Information To manually assign a signal to a block number uncheck the Automatic link to block box and enter the block to which you want the signal linked Please note that if you move the track without moving the signal the manual block assignment may be lost 6 5 Automatic Linking Track Builder 3 automatically links track elements if the track elements line u
27. symbol from a grid square These all start by placing the mouse pointer on the square that contains the symbol to be deleted Once the pointer is on the grid square you can do any one of the following press the Delete key double click the left mouse button click the right mouse button to cause a pop up menu to appear and choose the Delete grid squares menu item If you make a mistake you can always click the Undo button in the top tool bar to return the layout to the configuration prior to your last change 7 2 Station Names The user can add station names to interlockings on the track layout The user can specify the font font size color of the text and station call up character The call up character has two functions In Train Dispatcher 3 if the user wants to quickly move the screen to a station that has a call up character of A all he or she must do is press A on the keyboard and the screen will be scrolled to that station Callup characters are also used to name track sections see Paragraph 8 3 A track section that is between two stations interlockings that have call up characters of A and B would have these two characters incorporated into its name so a user can easily find the track section on the screen Station call up characters should be judiciously assigned The limit of station call up characters is the number of letters in the alphabet There can be many more stations than that in Tra
28. termination in either direction There can be a number of track blocks but none of these track blocks can have an associated entrance exit location In the left example if you specified a top bottom train frequency of 80 you would receive an error when you try to create the track execute file because there are signals in the path that is supposed to be governed only by train frequency Only one direction in a diamond can be governed by train frequency Therefore values cannot be entered in both the Train frequency top bottom and Train frequency left right fields In Figure 36 the foreign railroad is crossing two tracks In this case only one of the two diamonds would specify a top bottom train frequency Any path associated with train frequency can have numerous diamonds but only one of those diamonds can specify the train frequency for that path Page 35 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 JD oH HO 00 Teo Figure 36 Double Track Junction 8 6 Signal Information When the user places the mouse pointer on a grid square that contains a signal symbol the device status line at the bottom of the screen will display information about the signal The information fields from left to right in the signal s device status line are the following The signal number The block to which the signal is assigned The signal name To display and change information about a signal place the mouse pointer on the grid squa
29. the Signal Properties dialog is checked which causes the signal to be automatically assigned to a different block This error occurs if the original assignment is not manually removed To correct the problem call up the Block Properties General dialog for the block identified in the error message and clear the Right exit control signal field by selecting none ERROR 304 Signal XXX cannot be assigned to connecting line Block XXX This problem occurs when a signal is initially manually assigned to a track block and later the track block is changed to a connecting line To correct this problem call up the Block Properties General dialog for the block identified in the error message and select none for either the Left exit control signal or the Right exit control signal field ERROR 305 Signal XXX is too close to edge of grid The signal is too close to the edge of the grid to accommodate the entire signal drawing or the block to which it will be assigned To correct this problem move the signal drawing one grid square to the left or right away from the edge of the grid ERROR 306 Signal XXX is in conflict with another device Fleeted signal symbols on the grid are drawn on two adjacent horizontal grid squares This error message will occur if one of the grid squares contains another device track switch signal diamond or other drawing symbol To correct this problem move the signal or the conflicting device to another g
30. the current block This message indicates the block assigned to the left does not have a corresponding link back to the current block This error will occur if the block to the left was manually assigned a right link to another block by the user To correct this problem uncheck the manual left link check box in the Block Properties General dialog This problem will also occur if the block linked to the left has a right entrance exit location assignment To correct this problem clear the right entrance exit assignment by blanking the appropriate field in the Block Properties General dialog ERROR 103 Block XXX Block XXX assigned to right does not have corresponding left link Blocks are double linked together The block linked to the right of the current block must have a corresponding left link back to the current block This message indicates the block assigned to the right does not have a corresponding link back to the current block This error will occur if the block to the right was manually assigned a left link to another block by the user To correct this problem uncheck the manual right link check box in the Block Properties General dialog This problem will also occur if the block linked to the right has a left entrance exit location assignment To correct this problem clear the left entrance exit assignment by blanking the appropriate field in the Block Properties General dialog ERROR 104 Block XXX Block XXX assigned to le
31. the left hand side of the screen are a number of drawing tools or buttons that represent tracks signals switches and various other devices The meaning of each of these symbols will be discussed later in this manual The last area of interest on the screen is at the top and to the right of the Save button Located there are nine interlocking drawing tools or buttons These tools will also be discussed later in this manual 5 2 Drawing Symbols on the Grid It is very simple to draw a track device symbol on the grid Place the mouse pointer on a drawing tool such as the straight track line which is the top left most drawing tool Click the left mouse button which will turn the drawing tool gray and move the pointer over the grid Once the mouse moves over the grid it will change from a pointer to an icon representing the symbol you have just selected Move the pointer to the grid square on which you want to place the symbol and click the left button The symbol is now drawn on the track layout grid If you move the pointer one grid square to the right and click the left mouse button again the symbol will now also be drawn on this grid square To erase a symbol from a grid square place the mouse pointer on the grid square and press the delete key or double click the left mouse button The symbol has now been erased from the grid square Page 4 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZISDUALO 5 3 Drawing a Simple Single Line Territory The
32. the track layout as its call up character A track block s name is made up of three elements These are the call up character of the station to the left the call up character of the station to the right and the name of one of the possible track sections between the two stations For example a block between stations A and B in a section Main would have a name of A B Main Another block on a parallel track between these two stations might have the name A B Main2 More than one track block can have the same name However if more than one track block has the same name all must be adjacent to one another in the same track section without any intervening switches Track blocks do not have to be named However block permits and slow orders cannot be assigned to a track block that has not been assigned a name To station the call up character of the station to the right of the block If no character is entered into this field the program will automatically assign a on the track layout as its call up character Section name the name the user gives to this particular track section Usually the lower track between two stations is assigned a name of 1 and the parallel track above is named 2 Section names can be up to five characters long Page 27 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ID Connector a check box that indicates if the block is a connecting line and therefore does not have length and cannot
33. track 14 l J Mb 11 01 12 15 TuSa Track Inspector inspect track 5 KL 1a 08 40 12 30 we Track Foreman tamp low spot 10 N D 2a 03 15 05 45 Th Track Foreman repair broken rail vi Figure 54 Block Permits Window This window displays information about all block permits The user can re size any column in this window by placing the mouse on a vertical separator in the columns header and while holding down the left mouse button drag the mouse to the left or right Once the columns are re sized the user can save the column widths for the next time the window is displayed by clicking the Save Column Widths button Page 51 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZONAK This window can be sorted by the block permits track names or the requested times for the block permits to start by clicking the Sort Track or Sort Time buttons To add a new block permit click the New button To delete or edit a block permit first place the mouse pointer on its data and click the left mouse button to select the block permit Then click the Delete or Edit buttons The Edit button will cause the Block Permit dialog to appear see Figure 55 You can also place the mouse on data in a block permit s row and click the right mouse button which will cause a pop up menu having New Edit and Delete menu items to appear Double clicking the left mouse button on data in a block permit s row will automatically cause the Block Permit d
34. train speeds in the Block Properties Speeds dialog ERROR 112 Block XXX has the same track name as Block XXX but is not in the same track section Several track blocks can have the same name However the blocks with the same name must be in the same section oftrack This means that any two track blocks with the same name must be connected or linked together only by track blocks If the linkage contains a switch these two blocks are not in the same section of track and must have different names To correct this problem rename the track block by calling up the appropriate Block Properties General dialog or remove all switches in the links between the two blocks ERROR 114 Block XXX has a left entrance exit location that is too near the edge of the grid A block that starts at grid position of x O is too close to the edge of the grid to allow for the display of an entrance exit name To correct this problem move the block one grid square to the right ERROR 115 Block XXX has a right entrance exit location that is too near the edge of the grid A block that ends at grid position x 199 is too close to the edge of the grid to allow for the display of an entrance exit name To correct this problem move the block one grid square to the left ERROR 116 Block XXX has a different signaling direction than Block XXX Two blocks in the same track section must have the same signaling direction A track section is defined as a series
35. 0 feet Crew time 120 minutes IV Monday IV Tuesday Train enters at location D y at time 0005 IV Wednesday or IV Thursday Train is created from train Inone v IV Friday IV Saturday Train exits at location 81 bd or Train becomes new train none v atlocation none y after minutes and splits into 2nd train none bd Cancel Apply Help Figure 7 Add New Train Dialog For this sample enter Test in the Train ID field make the initial train direction to the right enter Freight into the Train Type field enter A1 into the Train enters at location field enter 0005 84 hour military time into the at time field and enter B1 into the Train exits at location field Click the OK button The train will now appear in the Train Data window see Figure 8 Page 8 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 Gig Tram Data nl x General Passenger Sch Work Schedule Multiple Entries Save Widths Add Edit Delete Sort by ID Sort by Time Train Id Descipton Type Diecon og oss Entenc ne Daye otweek Cmsedhon a Becomes Test D Freight Right 1000 Al 00 05 SuMoTuWe Figure 8 Train Data Window This set of instructions will tell Train Dispatcher 3 that a train called Test1 will enter the territory at entrance exit location A1 at 5 minutes after midnight The train will initially be moving from left to right across the sc
36. 07 Train XXX the train that creates this train no longer exists This problem occurs when a train that is to create a new train is deleted from the system To correct this problem go to the Train Data General dialog and assign another train in the Train is created from train field ERROR 508 Train XXX the train this train becomes no longer exists This problem occurs when a new train this train is to become is deleted from the system To correct the problem go to the Train Data General dialog and assign another train in the Train becomes new train field ERROR 509 Train XXX the train this train splits into no longer exists This problem occurs when one of the trains into which this train splits is deleted from the system To correct the problem go to the Train Data General dialog and assign another train in the and splits into 2 train field ERROR 510 Train XXX territory entrance location s Block XXX is not signaled in the same direction as the train The block associated with the train s entrance location is not signaled in the direction in which the train is initially traveling To correct the problem either change the block s signaling direction by calling up the appropriate Block Properties General dialog or change the train s entrance location by calling up the Train Data General dialog ERROR 511 Train XXX territory exit location s Block XXX is not signaled in the sam
37. 100 To enter 1 PM type 1300 Scheduled for is a group of check boxes that indicate for which days of the week the start time is valid A single start time entry can be used for every day of the week However you cannot have two separate start time entries that are for the same time of the day on the same days of the week No end time Train Dispatcher 3 can run the simulation for multiple days up to 90 If this box is checked Train Dispatcher 3 will not end the simulation until 90 days after the start End time the time the simulation will end The time is entered in 24 hour military time To enter 1 AM type 100 or 0100 To enter 1 PM type 1300 after xx days is the number of days or 24 hour periods the simulation will run If this number is O the start time 00 01 and the end time 23 59 the simulation will start at 00 01 on the first day and end at 23 59 on the first day If the number of days is 1 the simulation will start at 00 01 on the first day and end at 23 59 on the second day Train is the train identifier of a train that will be on the territory when the simulation starts To find the list of allowable trains click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Page 48 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 III NO If you select a train from the Train location at start time list box by placing the mouse on the train identifier and clicking the left mouse button the Train Start block Cre
38. 24 Figure 26 will then appear Bitmap Maintenance x Bitmap Descriptions Bitmap Description Signal Logo Browse File Name E Projects BUILD signal bmp ADD REMOVE SIGMRL CHANGE nn i Figure 26 Bitmap Maintenance To add a bitmap the user must enter a description of the bitmap in the Bitmap Description field on the right hand side of the display and provide the bitmap s file name including its path To help the user find the bitmap file the user can click the Browse File Name button which causes the standard Open File dialog to appear Once a valid bitmap file name is selected the bitmap s graphics will appear in the lower right hand box The graphics shown will not be the actual size of the bitmap but will be sized to fit into this box The user will receive an error message if the bitmap is not valid or the bitmap is greater than 30 000 bits To add this bitmap to the track layout file click the Add button Once added the description the user entered for the bitmap will appear in the Bitmap Description list box on the left hand side of the display To remove a bitmap or change its description or path in the track layout file select the bitmap description in the Bitmap Description list box by clicking on the description with the left mouse The user can then remove it by clicking the Hemove button or change the description or file name by clicking the Change button 7 6 Background and F
39. Blocks and Connecting Lines Both real blocks and connecting lines must be linked to the other track elements to their left and right Track Builder 3 automatically creates these links In Figure 11 the status line at the bottom of the screen shows that Block 2 s left link is B 1 Block 1 and right link is B 3 Block 3 For Block 3 the status line would show its left link as B 2 and its right link as S O Switch 0 Page 10 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZISDUALO Block 2 Left B 1 Right B 3 Feet 5280 Name none Platfor Figure 11 Block Links You can override this linking by using the Block Properties dialog which is called up by pointing the mouse to any one of the track symbols making up the block clicking the right mouse button once or twice to display the pop up menu and selecting the Properties General menu item In the Right device Manual block field in Figure 12 we assigned Block 5 as the device to right of Block 4 Block Properties x General Block Data Block Speeds Number fa From station tnone y To station tnone y Section name Connector Left device Switch 0000 Manual block none v or Entrance Exit name I Right device none Manual block fooos y or Entrance E xit name IV Signaled left v Signaledright Block length 5280 feet C miles Convert to miles Left exit control signal none y Create Left Right eft control
40. MA seas Peer manual linkage assignment properties Oenera properties speed sse dc re numbering speed template block permits comments file create track file eee teret delete BEMAD Spase henep 21 block Ae TEEN 51 drawing symbols sees 17 entrance exit locations ssssseeee 46 OS Dalm BS un ei tese e ERR 50 E sten 38 selected group of grid squares sss 16 SIOW Orders EE 52 SEU ede ete et 47 station names ii nnii an S aiii 18 text a eaS Mt 19 EK 40 wayside detectore EEN 49 design Ste Sire ge ee ERR e p tre 25 diamond automatic signaling sse definition and linkage device status line Properties AE re numbering train frequency dragging equipment detector drawing symbol drawing guidelines drawing Syrmibols zeros vetrine tct drawing tools intePlocklrig eR RR D duplicating a selected group of grid squares 16 len EEN 21 text SUPER ta p ate tb ies 20 edit DIMAS ya e be RR i REA 21 block permits zt mon eH mates 51 entrance exit locations coccion 46 OS Dames ac ORC ea RU 50 Dlatl OTTS st SU he ORE Nen 38 slow orders ii Riesen 52 El Ge 47 Station NAM ES 18 text GPCAS sab oda t Lo t Ond 20 train e 37 transurane enn 40 wayside detectore EEN 49 edit UNC Nuria UN 15 entrance exit location permission to enter territory 47 A ra yard Capacity entrance exit
41. OR 203 for an explanation ERROR 205 Switch XXX Block XXX assigned to the reverse extension does not have a corresponding link See ERROR 203 for an explanation ERROR 206 Switch XXX Switch XXX assigned to left does not have a corresponding right link See ERROR 203 for an explanation Page 61 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 III ERROR 207 Switch XXX Switch XXX assigned to right does not have a corresponding left link See ERROR 203 for an explanation ERROR 208 Switch XXX Switch XXX assigned to reverse extension does not have corresponding reverse link See ERROR 203 for an explanation ERROR 209 Switch XXX Block XXX assigned to left does not exist Switches are linked to blocks diamonds and other switches The device linked to the switch does not exist Because all switch linkages are created automatically by Track Builder this problem should not occur If you receive this message contact Signal Computer Consultants at 412 655 1884 or toll free at 888 872 4612 ERROR 210 Switch XXX Block XXX assigned to right does not exist See ERROR 208 for an explanation ERROR 211 Switch XXX Block XXX assigned to reverse extension does not exist See ERROR 208 for an explanation ERROR 212 Switch XXX Switch XXX assigned to left does not exist See ERROR 208 for an explanation ERROR 213 Switch XXX Switch XXX assigned to right does not exist See ERROR 208 for an explanation ERROR 214 Switch XXX Switch
42. Platform Data dialog to appear in the Edit mode This window lists the block number s of the block s assigned to each platform An unlimited number of blocks can be assigned to each platform but only 10 will be displayed Track Builder 3 neither automatically draws platform symbols on the track next to the blocks assigned to the platform nor does it place station names on the grid The user must do this manually by using the platform drawing tool which looks like a gray rectangle and by using the Add Text Areas Function see Paragraph 7 3 1 Figure 41 shows an example of a layout to which platform symbols and station names have been added Oe EE OG AO X OH Feo Be BWI Airport Figure 41 Station Platform Example 8 9 Train Data There is a considerable amount of data that can be entered about trains Track Builder 3 breaks this data out into four areas The following describes these areas General Information contains general identification information about a particular train such as its type length the time and location of entry onto the territory if it was created from another train if it is to become another train the days of the week it is scheduled to run and where it is to exit the territory Multiple Entries contains specific information about a train that leaves the territory and later returns Work Schedule contains specific information about a train that performs local work in a track
43. TRACK BUILDEH 3 User Manual 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 0 Signal Computer Consultants Tel 412 655 1884 Web www signalcc com File Edit Data Find Territory Options Tools WebPages Help CX ATB3 version of dlw58h lay B C D lt SCRANTON ELMHURST MOSCOW LEHIGH GOULDSBORO TOBYHANNA T 2 F4 AN Ge reo e hm 000 0 BE BB no Bo mo se me mn me me mn med t Helper gt Pushing reo Ready to Lehigh kan Helper Ready Track Led G H l 5 ANALOMINK H GRAVEL PLACE STROUDSBURG e 2 e Delaware Water Ga ES Pete BRANCHVILLE LAFAYETTE Lal Li 9 LS m ANDOVER JCI PORT MC K cha GREENDELL LH LHR to Maybrook gt Pa mm ma TI CH 7 oe z 4 b X7 BU y 35 Copyright 2000 Signal Computer Consultants All rights reserved Track Builder 3 SIGNAL COMPUTER CONSULTANTS Signal Computer Consultants DO Box 18445 Pittsburgh PA 15236 Tel 888 872 4612 toll free US and Canada only Tel 412 655 1884 Fax 412 655 1893 E mail signal Q signalcc com Web Page www signalcc com Train Dispatcher 3 and Track Builder 3 are dedicated to Frank Bryan and Fred Frailey who tested both programs over a four month period and provided many suggestions on improvements It is doubtful that these programs could have been successfully completed without their help and support Page ii 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 7 3 1 7 3 8 7 3 6 741 742 7 43 744
44. WARNING 500 Train WSLSL 54 may be travelling in the wrong direction to exit territory a WARNING 500 Train WSLSL 54 may be travelling in the wrong direction to exit territory a WARHING 500 Train CBTWL 65 may be travelling in the wrong direction to exit territory a WARNING 500 Train CBTWL 65 may be travelling in the wrong direction to exit territory a mimi eN y Figure 61 Error Messages The Error Message window will show up to a total of 50 error and warning messages Of this total the number of warning messages is limited to 25 Each error and warning message is assigned a unique number for easy reference Each also identifies the associated block diamond switch signal train start time block permit slow order or platform that created the error If the message is associated with a track block switch diamond or signal the user can quickly locate the associated track element on the track layout by placing the mouse pointer on the line containing the message and double clicking the left mouse button The will cause the Error Message window to become minimized and the grid squares containing the track element to be highlighted in blue see Figure 62 on the Track Layout Page 57 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZONAK Track Builder 3 0 Signal Computer Consultants Tel 412 655 1884 Web www signalcc com Fie Edit Data Find Territory Options Tools WebPages Help Mest tb3 version of kesl lay Undo Save
45. XXX assigned to reverse extension does not exist See ERROR 208 for an explanation ERROR 215 Switch XXX all train types must have a reverse speed greater than 0 Train speeds can be limited when they travel over a switch in the reverse position Reverse switch speeds must be greater than zero To correct this problem call up the Switch Properties dialog and increase the reverse train speeds ERROR 216 Switch XXX cannot be linked to a diamond that specifies a train frequency Diamonds that specify train frequency automatically create trains that travel over the diamond Since the Train Dispatcher 3 user has no control over these trains there cannot be any switches linked to the portion of the diamond that specifies a train frequency To correct this problem remove all switches linked to the portion of the diamond that specifies a train frequency ERROR 300 Signal XXX signal is not assigned to a block All controlled signals drawn on the grid must be assigned to a block The system will automatically assign a left pointing signal to a track block located one grid square to the right and one grid square below the base of the signal or a right pointing signal to a track block located one grid square to the left and one grid square above the base of the signal if the track block in the grid square is real not a connecting line and the Automatic link to block check box in the Signal Properties dialog is checked If the system cannot automati
46. ack symbols You must add straight track symbols to grid squares x 1 y 6 x 2 y 6 and x 35 y 6 by clicking the straight track symbol tool and then clicking on the appropriate grid squares The track blocks starting at x 1 y 6 and ending at x 35 y 6 are open ended since they do not have any blocks or switches to their left or right respectively Territory entrance exit names must be assigned to these open ended track blocks To assign these names first click the right mouse button anywhere on any grid square that does not contain a drawing symbol The mouse pointer will become an arrow Place the mouse pointer on grid square x 1 y 6 and click the right mouse button again A secondary menu will appear which contains four items Click the Properties General menu item and the display in Figure 3 will appear Block Properties 2 x General Block Data Block Speeds Number o From station Ef To station Irene Section name Connector Left device none Manual block Irene or Entrance Exit name Right device Block 0001 Manual block Irene or Entrance Exit na none Bd IV Signaledleft v Signaledright Block length 5280 feet miles Left exit control signal Irene Create Left Right exit control signal 0000 Nomal crew change point Delay in block beca If not a nomal crew change point time to send Left entrance Platform name none exit name Wayside detector
47. age 43 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 JD 8 9 4 Train Data Passenger Schedule Dialog This function allows a user to define a train s departure time for each platform defined in the territory see Paragraph 8 8 To enter this information the user clicks the Passenger Schedule tab in one of the Train Data dialogs and the Train Data Passenger Schedule dialog will appear see Figure 46 Edit Train 301 1 Amtrak 2 x General Train Data Multiple Entries Local Work Schedule Passenger Schedule Add minutes to departures Add Scheduled Dwell Time Departure in seconds Platform Name Independence 12 41 o Lees Summit 12 25 60 Use template z een Warrensburg 11 41 60 Sedalia 11 07 60 Jefferson City 09 54 180 Create template Gen Hermann 03 04 J o Washington 08 35 J o Kirkwood 07 53 180 Grand Ave by E Figure 46 Train Data Passenger Schedule Dialog Each Train Data Passenger Schedule dialog can display up to 10 station platform names If the territory has more that 10 platforms there will be multiple Train Data Passenger Schedule dialogs Each will have a tab such as nm Passenger Schedule 1 Passenger Schedule 2 etc The following describes the fields in the Train Data Passenger Schedule dialog Platform name names of the platforms defined for the territory The user cannot add or delete platform names in this dialog To perform this func
48. an be easily moved deleted or changed To perform any of these operations the station name must first be selected To select a particular station name first click on the Stat button in the vertical tool bar and then point to the station name area that you want to modify As soon as you point to a station name the mouse pointer will change in shape from the Stat symbol to an arrow 7 2 3 Moving Station Names To move a station name point to the station name then hold down the left mouse button which causes a blue rectangle to appear around the station name While holding the left button down drag the station name to another position on the screen If the station name is dragged near the edge of the screen the screen will automatically scroll in the direction the mouse pointer is moving 7 2 4 Deleting Station Names There are three ways to delete a station name First select the station name Then press the Delete key double click the left mouse button or click the right mouse button The first two options will immediately delete the station name from the display The last option click the right mouse button will cause a pop up menu to appear Click the Delete station name item in this pop up menu to delete the station name 7 2 5 Changing Station Names To change a selected station name click the right mouse button to display the pop up menu and then click on the Properties menu item Figure 21 will then appear Follow the
49. are linked to blocks switches and other diamonds The device linked to the diamond does exist Because Track Builder 3 automatically creates all diamond linkages this problem should not occur If you receive this message contact Signal Computer Consultants at 412 655 1884 or toll free at 888 872 4612 ERROR 417 Diamond XXX Block XXX assigned to right does not exist See ERROR 418 for an explanation ERROR 418 Diamond XXX Block XXX assigned to top does not exist See ERROR 418 for an explanation ERROR 419 Diamond XXX Block XXX assigned to bottom does not exist See ERROR 418 for an explanation ERROR 420 Diamond XXX Switch XXX assigned to left does not exist See ERROR 418 for an explanation ERROR 421 Diamond XXX Switch XXX assigned to right does not exist See ERROR 418 for an explanation ERROR 422 Diamond XXX Switch XXX assigned to top does not exist See ERROR 418 for an explanation ERROR 423 Diamond XXX Switch XXX assigned to bottom does not exist See ERROR 418 for an explanation ERROR 424 Diamond XXX Diamond XXX assigned to left does not exist See ERROR 418 for an explanation ERROR 425 Diamond XXX Diamond XXX assigned to right does not exist See ERROR 418 for an explanation ERROR 426 Diamond XXX Diamond XXX assigned to top does not exist See ERROR 418 for an explanation ERROR 427 Diamond XXX Diamond XXX assigned to bottom does not exist See ERROR 418 for an explanation ERROR 428 Diamon
50. area Page 39 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 COMPUTER CONSULTANTS Passenger Schedule contains specific information about when a train is scheduled to depart station platforms Track Builder 3 has separate windows for each of these data areas and separate dialog displays for entering data To enter train data select the Train Data menu item under the Data menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen The Train Data General window in Figure 42 will appear General Passenger Sch Work Schedule Multiple Entries Save Widths Add Edit Delete Sort by ID Sort by Time 301 1 Amtrak Passen Left SuMoTuwe 303 3 Amtrak Passen Left SuMoTuwe 304 0 Amtrak Passen Right SuMoTuWe 306 2 Amtrak Passen Right SuMoTuWe AASFX 10 GM Auto Fast Fr Left SuMoTuwe AFXAS 11 KC A amp S A Fast Fr Right MoTuWeTh CAENA 35 Empties to Regula Left SuMoTuWe CATNT 51 CoaltolC Slow Fr Right TuThSa CATOV 56 CoaltoCo Slow Fr Right SuTuweThF CATOV 60 Coalto Cora Slow Fr Right MoTuThFrSa CATWL 31 West Lab Slow Fr Right MoweThFrSa PRTIIM Ad Pnaltn Sa Slow Fr Rinht Fr Figure 42 Train Data Window There is a different Train Data window for each of the four train data areas Figure 42 shows the data for the General data area To display data from another data area click the Passenger Sch the Work Schedule or the Multiple Entries button The first column of all disp
51. ared for traffic moving in the opposite direction Automatic signals do not appear on the track layout and are not controlled by the dispatcher Controlled signals are signals that are controlled by the dispatcher and will appear on the track layout The system assumes a block has an automatic signal in any direction in which it does not have a controlled signal Controlled signals can be assigned to any real track block not connecting line displayed on the track diagram Controlled signals are normally located at controlled points switches but can be located anywhere the user wants the dispatcher to have control over the signal There are three ways to add a controlled signal to a block The easiest is to use the Block Properties dialog to create left or right exit signals for a particular track block To bring up the Block Properties dialog point to a track symbol in the block to which you want to add a controlled signal click the right mouse button once or twice to display the pop up menu and select the Properties General menu item In Figure 16 click the Create Left and Create Right buttons to create controlled signals at both ends of the block Block Properties 2 x General Block Data Block Speeds Number fa From station Hf To station inone v Section name Connector Left device Block 0002 Manual block none v or Entrance Exit name I Right device Block 0006 Manual black inone v or Entrance Exit
52. cally link the signal to a block the problem can be corrected by moving the signal to a grid location that will allow for an automatic link by manually assigning a signal to the block or by deleting the signal from the grid ERROR 301 Signal XXX Block XXX assignment does not exist This problem occurs when a signal is manually assigned to a track block and that track block is later deleted To correct this problem move the signal to a grid location that will allow for an automatic link assign the signal manually to another block or delete the signal from the grid square Page 62 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZLOMA ERROR 302 Signal XXX Block XXX s left signal assignment does not have a corresponding link to signal This problem occurs when a signal is manually assigned to a track block and later the Automatic link to block check box in the Signal Properties dialog is checked which causes the signal to be automatically assigned to a different block This error occurs if the original assignment is not manually removed To correct the problem call up the Block Properties General dialog for the block identified in the error message and clear the Left exit control signal field by selecting none ERROR 303 Signal XXX Block XXX s right signal assignment does not have corresponding link to signal This problem occurs when a signal is manually assigned to a track block and later the Automatic link to block check box in
53. can consist of any five alpha numeric characters Control monitor name An advanced version of Train Dispatcher 3 called Train Dispatcher 3 Pro is capable of monitoring and controlling external devices such as real railroad ground equipment or a model railroad display The remote monitor name is used to associate external devices to the devices in the Train Dispatcher 3 display OS point contains the OS point assigned to the switch OS points are used by Train Dispatcher 3 to create a train graph OS points can be assigned to multiple blocks or switches If an OS point is not assigned to the switch none will be displayed in this field A list of available OS points will be displayed when the user clicks on the down arrow in this selection box To add modify or delete OS point see Paragraph 8 13 Reverse Left Block the block switch or diamond to the left of the switch when the switch is in the reverse position The user cannot change the value in this field The switch can either have a value in the Heverse Left Block or Reverse Right Block field but not both If the switch does not have a reverse left position this field will not appear Reverse Right Block the block switch or diamond to the right of the switch when the switch is in the reverse position The user cannot change the value in this field The switch can either have a value in the Heverse Left Block or Reverse Right Block field but not both If the switch does not
54. ck Builder 3 therefore in territories having more than 28 stations some will not have call up characters 7 2 1 Adding Station Names The user adds a station name by clicking on the Stat button in the vertical tool bar placing the mouse pointer at the location on the grid where the station name is to be placed and clicking the left mouse button These actions cause Figure 21 to be displayed Station Name EN Station Name Corbin Station call up character PN Color Font Insert Cancel Help Figure 21 Adding a Station Name To add the station name the user types the name in the Station Name field and the call up character in the Station cal up character field The system creates a station text box that is sized to the length of the name the user entered for the given font and font size If the user wants to change the name s font font size or font style the user clicks the Font button and the standard Font dialog will appear Page 17 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 III To change the name s color the user clicks the Color button and the standard Color dialog will appear The user then clicks on one of the color boxes for the color he or she wants to use for the name The results of adding a station name can be seen in Figure 22 A Corbin Oe oo oH HO N O44 Figure 22 Added Station Name 7 2 2 Modifying Station Names Station names displayed on the track layout c
55. ck box that if checked indicates that the slow order is always in affect From time contains the start time of the slow order The time is entered in 24 hour military time For example 1 AM would be entered as 0100 and 1 PM as 1300 To time contains the end time of the slow order The time is entered in 24 hour military time For example 1 AM would be entered as 0100 and 1 PM as 1300 Scheduled for is a group of check boxes that indicate the days of the week the slow order is in affect SLOW ORDER SPEEDS the maximum speed a train will be allowed to move over a track section block or switch during the slow order Maximum speeds are set for each train type in each direction If there is no speed in this field for a type of train in a specified direction the speed of the train over the track section block or switch during the slow order will not vary from its normal speed over the track section block or switch 8 16 Territory Data The user can enter data about the territory that can be viewed by Train Dispatcher 3 users To enter this information the user selects the About Territory menu item under the Data menu in the menu bar Figure 1 shows the dialog this menu selection produces Territory Information x Territory Name UP JC amp Sedalia Subs Version 25 C Free ForSale Country usa Railroad JUP Division Subdivision Sedalia eff City From Kansas City To st Louis Year Current Track F
56. ctions in more detail 7 7 1 New Track Layout File To create to new track layout file click the New Track Layout File menu item under the File menu This will cause the grid to clear and a file name of newX lay to be created and assigned to the cleared grid The X in the file name is a number from 1 to 99 If for example there is an existing new1 lay the new file will automatically be called newe lay After creating the new track layout you should give the file a more meaningful name before saving it If you click on the New Track Layout File menu item and there is an existing track layout file displayed on the grid that had been changed since you last saved the file the system will before clearing the grid ask if you want to save the changes to the file 7 7 2 Saving a Layout File To save a track layout file click either the Save Track Layout File or Save Track Layout File As menu item under the File menu If you choose Save Track Layout File the file will be saved under its current name If you choose Save Track Layout File As the program will display a Save As dialog asking you to enter a file name For new track layout files you should always use the Save Track Layout File As menu item to give the file a more meaningful name You can also save the file under the existing name if you click the Save button under the menu bar at the top of the screen This button will only be active not gray if you
57. d XXX cannot be linked to a diamond that specifies a train frequency Diamonds that specify train frequency automatically create trains that travel over the diamond A diamond that is linked to another diamond that specifies a train frequency cannot also specify a train frequency for the same path To correct this problem remove the train frequency from all but one of the diamonds in the path ERROR 500 Train XXX must have an entrance location be created from another train or already be on the territory Each train must have an entrance location be created from another train or already be on the territory This error will occur when a train s origin is not specified To correct this problem assign an entrance location for this train or specify Page 65 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 Gig a train that creates this train in the Train Data General dialog or give the train a start location on the territory in the Start Times Data dialog ERROR 501 Train XXX the local work XXX no longer exist This error occurs when a train is assigned to do local work in an area that is subsequently deleted To correct this problem go to the Train Data Work Schedule dialog and assign the local work to another area or remove the scheduled local work order by selecting none ERROR 502 Train XXX entrance location does not exist This problem occurs when a train is assigned to an entrance location and that en
58. d explains how Track Builder 3 builds territories The third section begins at Paragraph 8 and describes in detail all of the features of Track Builder 3 The fourth and final section begins at Paragraph 10 and explains the various error messages Track Builder 3 can generate when it creates a track execute file from a layout file To help users further Track Builder 3 comes with a number of sample track layouts It has the track layouts for the Northeast Corridor track section between Washington DC and Philadelphia and the four other territories that are included in Train Dispatcher 3 3 WHAT S NEW Train Dispatcher 3 and Track Builder 3 have been designed to meet the requirements of a major Class I railroad and also include many of the suggestions from our Train Dispatcher 2 and Track Builder customers The following is a brief list of some of the new features of Track Builder 3 The number of blocks switches signals platforms trains slow orders and block permits have been increased The following table lists the new maximum numbers ITEM OLD MAXIMUM NUIVIBER NEW MAXIMUM NUMBER Blocks 600 2000 Switches 250 1000 Signals 250 1000 Platforms 10 100 Train Types 4 10 Trains 200 1000 Block Permits 40 300 Slow Orders 40 200 Entrance Exits 50 200 Diamonds at grade crossovers can now be inserted Simulations can run for multiple days up to 90 Different block speeds for each direction
59. d location Each switch must be linked to the block switch or diamond to its right If there is no block switch or diamond to the right the user must create one by using the appropriate drawing tools If there is a block switch or diamond to the right but it does not line up with the current switch the user must change the grid drawing so that it will line up ERROR 202 Switch XXX there is no reverse block switch or diamond location Each switch must be linked to the block switch or diamond to its reverse left or right extension If there is no block switch or diamond adjacent to the current switch s reverse left or right extension the user must create one by using the appropriate drawing tools If there is a block switch or diamond adjacent to the current switch s reverse left or right extension but it does not line up with the current switch the user must change the grid drawing so that it will line up ERROR 203 Switch XXX Block XXX assigned to left does not have corresponding right link Switches are double linked to blocks diamonds and other switches The device linked to the switch does not have a corresponding link Because all switch linkages are created automatically by Track Builder 3 this problem should not occur If you receive this message contact Signal Computer Consultants at 412 655 1884 or toll free at 888 872 4612 ERROR 204 Switch XXX Block XXX assigned to right does not have corresponding left link See ERR
60. ds miles per hour or kilometers per hour or run times in minutes or seconds can be entered into these fields depending on the option selected in the Territory Options dialog see Paragraph 8 2 If the signal system only handles three aspects looks only two blocks ahead then the speed values in fields One Cleared Ahead Block and Two Cleared Ahead Blocks should be the same for all train types Other fields pertaining to train speeds are TYPE lists the train type descriptions Train type descriptions cannot be changed in this dialog To change train type descriptions see Paragraph 8 7 NONE Left Right Cleared Ahead Blocks contains the train speed run time in the current block if the next block is not cleared for the train train will stop at the end of the current block ONE Left Right Cleared Ahead Blocks contains the train speed run time in the current block if one block beyond the current block is cleared for the train TWO Left Right Cleared Ahead Blocks contains the train speed run time in the current block if two blocks beyond the current block are cleared for the train HELPER if checked indicates that the train type requires a helper for it to travel through the block In Train Dispatcher 3 the user will have to merge a helper with the train before the train will pass into any block for which a helper is required even if the signal allowing the train to enter the block has been cleared Page 30 6 D
61. e From left to right the information fields in the device status line are as follows The track block number The block switch diamond or entrance exit location to the left of the block if the field starts with a B the device is a block S a switch and D a diamond The block switch or entrance exit location to the right of the block if the field starts with a B the device is a block S a switch and D a diamond The length of the block in feet miles meters or kilometers The name of the block if no name is assigned none will be displayed in this field if it is a connecting line Connector will be displayed in this field The name of the station passenger platform associated with the block if no platform is assigned nothing will be displayed in this field The name of the area to which the block is assigned if the block is not assigned to an area nothing will be displayed in this field The OS name associated with the block OS names are used by Train Dispatcher 3 to draw a train graph if no OS name is assigned nothing will be displayed in this field The wayside detector types located in the block up to three wayside detectors can be located in a block if there are no detectors in the block nothing will be displayed in this field Page 26 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 III NO To display and change information about a track block place the mouse pointer on a grid square that
62. e Startup time so seconds Reverse speed 15 Locomotive left bitmap file fred diesel left bmp Browse Locomotive right bitmap file fred diesel right bmp Browse Caboose bitmap file fred caboose bmp Browse Cancel Help Figure 39 Train Type Dialog The following describes each of the fields in the dialog Description a user entered description of the train type Type a system description of the train type The system has a pre defined list of train types one of which is Helper It is very important that helper trains be assigned a system type of Helper or Train Dispatcher 3 will not recognize them as helpers Cabs at each end of train is a check box that indicates the train has cabs on both ends and therefore has equal performance in both directions In Train Dispatcher 3 these trains are never considered to be moving in 8 reverse direction Trains that have dual cabs are usually transit vehicles or passenger trains Startup time is the time it will take a train to get started after it was stopped waiting for a signal This field is used to assign for the train type the initial default value that appears in the Block Properties Speeds dialog see Figure 32 Reverse speed is the maximum speed of the train when moving in reverse Locomotive left bitmap file custom icons used by Train Dispatcher 3 can be added to the track execute file in Track Builder 3 These icons are created from bi
63. e require the user to individually redefine those track symbols as real blocks To execute this function the user selects the Automatically Assign Connecting Lines menu item under the Tools menu 9 3 Display Block Diamond Switch and Signal Numbers To help the user identify track block switch diamond and signal numbers the user can display these numbers on the track layout grid next to the track element they identify by selecting the appropriate display menu item under the Tools menu Block numbers are displayed is red diamonds in magenta switch numbers in blue and signal numbers in black Since track blocks can consist of a number of individual track symbols the block number will be displayed in each grid square above and below the track symbols 9 4 Re number Blocks Diamonds Switches and Signals Track blocks diamonds switches and signals are assigned unique numbers When they are created the lowest available number for the track element type is assigned For example if the last block number assigned was 50 and a block to which 23 was assigned is deleted the next block created would be assigned 23 not 51 Therefore there may be no relationship between the number assigned to a track element and its location on the grid To help make it easier to find blocks switches diamonds and signals the re number function reassigns device numbers by their location on the grid The numbering is done sequentially with each device typ
64. e direction as the train The block associated with the train s exit location is not signaled in the direction which will allow the train to exit the territory To correct the problem either change the block s signaling direction by calling up the appropriate Block Properties General dialog or change the train s exit location by calling up the Train Data General dialog Page 66 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZLOMA ERROR 512 Train XXX is traveling in the wrong direction to enter territory at entrance location s Block XXX The entrance exit location is on the wrong end of the block for the train to enter the territory in its initial direction To correct this problem assign the entrance exit location a priority of 9 to prevent the train from entering the territory at this location please note there must be at least one other block assigned the same entrance exit name that has an entrance exit location assigned to the proper end of the block for this to be valid change the train s initial direction or change the train s entrance location by calling up the Train Data General dialog ERROR 513 Train XXX there is not a platform or area assigned where the train becomes another train In the Train Data General dialog there is train assigned in the Train becomes new train field but there is not an area or platform assigned in the at location field To correct this problem specify an area or platform in the at
65. e left or right Once the columns are re sized the user can save the column widths for the next time the window is displayed by clicking the Save Column Widths button To add a new wayside detector click the New button To delete or edit a wayside detector first place the mouse pointer on its data in the display and click the left mouse button to select the wayside detector Then click the Delete or Edit buttons The Edit button will cause the VVayside Detectors dialog to appear see Figure 53 Page 49 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 JD You can also place the mouse on data in a wayside detector s row and click the right mouse button which will cause a popup menu having New Edit and Delete menu items to appear Double clicking the left mouse button on data in a wayside detector s row will automatically cause the Wayside Detectors dialog to appear in the edit mode Wayside Detectors X Detector Name Anass IV Generate warning Warning delay 30 minutes Problem delay 50 minutes Cancel Help Figure 52 Wayside Detectors Dialog The following describes each of the fields in the dialog Detector name is the name of the wayside detector Generate warning is a check box that indicates if the alarm will create a warning that will stop the train Hot boxes for example create false alarms If a device creates false alarms you may want to check this box With this box checked the train will stop
66. e numbered separately from the others Page 56 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZISDUALO Most territories are represented on the rectangular computer screen as distinct rows or horizontal sections of track It is assumed the track at the right of the first horizontal section connects with the track at the left of the second horizontal section and so forth The re number function reassigns numbers to track blocks switches diamonds and signals by searching each horizontal track section grid column by grid column For example signals are numbered by starting with the top left most grid square in the horizontal track section searching down a vertical column of grid squares and numbering in sequence the signal symbols that are found When the bottom of the section is reached the search and number function continues with the top grid square in the next vertical column to the right and proceeds to search that column from top to bottom sequentially numbering the signals that are found The procedure continues until the end of the horizontal section is reached Therefore the lowest numbered signal in a horizontal track section will be in the top left most location and the highest numbered signal in the bottom right most location Once all of the vertical columns in a horizontal track section have been searched for signals the re number function proceeds to the next horizontal track section and continues searching and numbering in the same fash
67. eate slow orders optional see Paragraph 8 15 Enter data about the territory optional see Paragraph 8 16 o 9 9 9 9 gt 9 9 Create the track execute file see Paragraph 10 The following paragraphs provide detailed information about entering data for each of the territory data elements 8 2 Territory Options Track Builder 3 is designed to be able to simulate real and imaginary territories from around the world A number of options can be selected to help in the development of different types of territories A territory can be set up for right or left hand signaling measurements in the English or the Metric system block times calculated from user entered speeds or actual run times in minutes or seconds and can be signaled for protection beyond the next block To specify any of these options click the Territory Options item in the menu bar and the dialog in Figure 29 will appear Track Builder 3 can automatically create signals for blocks see Paragraph 8 3 If the right hand signal option is selected automatic signals are assumed to be on the right side of the track and on the left side if the left hand signal option is selected When the user enters speeds for different train types for each block the system assumes each speed is the average speed for the train type in the block and calculates a run time Many expensive railroad train performance calculators generate block run times based on locomotive performance trai
68. ecember 2000 Track Builder 3 COMPUTER CONSULTANTS STARTUP is the time in seconds before the train will start moving into the block if the train is at stop waiting for the signal to be cleared Copy left to right is a button that copies all the speed run times helper indications and startup time fields for trains traveling to the left to the corresponding fields for trains traveling to the right Copy right to left is a button that copies all the speed run times helper indications and startup time fields for trains traveling to the right to the corresponding fields for trains traveling to the left Use template the user can create a number of block speed templates These templates hold data entered previously by the user for another block which can be quickly transferred to the displayed block by selecting one of the currently available templates listed in this field and clicking the Insert button Create template the user can create a template of the values entered into this dialog by entering a template name in this field and clicking the Create button The user can also add modify and delete block speed templates by going to the Block Speed Template item under the Data menu in the menu bar Another method for entering speed run times for each block is to use Track Builder 3 s Import Export Block Speeds function To create an Export Block Speeds file click the Export Block Speeds item under the Data menu i
69. ected group of squares 7 1 4 Moving a Selected Group Of Squares To move the selected group to another location on the grid place the cursor on any grid square in the selected group hold the left mouse down and drag the group to another location A blue rectangle equal to the size of the selected group will appear and move with the cursor As you move the selected rectangle to the edge of the screen the system will automatically scroll the screen in the direction of your movement When you release the left button the selected group will move to the new location but will not change any symbols it may have overlaid until the group of squares is deselected This feature allows the user to move the selected group again without affecting the grid squares it overlaid Once deselected the symbols the group overlaid will be replaced by the symbols in the selected group Again you can use the Undo button to return the display to its configuration before the group was moved If the first straight track symbol in a named track is moved as part of this selected group the track name will move with the symbol The track name will disappear from the remaining straight track symbols that were not moved To deselect a group place the cursor on any grid square outside of the selected group and click the left mouse button Page 16 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZISDUALO 7 1 5 Deleting Symbols from the Track Layout There are several ways to clear a
70. edalia 134 Jefferson City 140 141 Hermann 110 Washington 194 195 Kirkwood 281 282 Grand Ave by 314 315 Figure 40 Station Platform Window This window displays information about all the station platforms The user can re size any column in this window by placing the mouse on a vertical separator in the columns header and while holding down the left mouse button drag the mouse to the left or right Once the columns are re sized the user can save the column widths for the next time the window is displayed by clicking the Save Column Widths button To add a new station platform click the New button To delete edit or advance a station platform first place the mouse pointer on the platform name and click the left mouse to select the platform Then click the Delete Edit or Advance buttons The Edit button will cause the Station Platform Data dialog to appear which will allow the name to be changed The Advance button will cause the selected station platform to move one position up the list The list should represent the physical position of station platforms on the territory and can be in order from left to right or right to left You can also place the mouse on the platform name and click the right mouse button which will cause a pop up menu to appear that has New Edit Delete or Advance menu items Double clicking the left mouse button on the platform name will automatically cause the Station
71. entered into Track Builder 3 to simulate the foreign railroad s traffic data on each train would have to be entered To reduce the amount of data but still allow the system to simulate the impact of a foreign railroad on a simulation Track Builder 3 allows the user to enter the number of trains per day that the foreign railroad will clear across the junction at the diamond In Figure 35 we see two examples of junctions The left example shows train movement from the top to the bottom of the diamond If the top bottom movement is controlled by another railroad the user would have to enter each train the foreign railroad would move across the junction to properly simulate the territory Figure 35 Diamond Train Frequency Examples The example to the right shows the same junction where train frequency is specified for the top bottom movement In this case the user would simply enter a number such as 80 in the Train frequency top bottom field in the Diamond Information Figure 34 dialog to indicate the number of trains per day from the foreign railroad that will cross the junction Train Dispatcher 3 would then automatically clear and move 80 trains a day across this junction Each train s route would be cleared 5 to 15 minutes before the train arrived and be occupied for 2 to 5 minutes Please note that when train frequencies are entered in a diamond there cannot be any switches or signals in the path from the diamond to the path s
72. first task in drawing a new territory is to create a new track layout file To do this click on the item in the menu bar called File On the pop up menu that appears select the New Track Layout File Because if you followed the instructions in Paragraph 5 2 you have modified the sample1 lay file the program will now ask if you want to save the changes you made to this file Answer No The grid will now be cleared of all drawing symbols and the track layout file name will be new1 lay You can now begin drawing a new territory layout Because we are going to draw a simple single line territory we can use some of the interlocking drawing tools that are located to the right of the Undo and Save buttons The interlocking tools draw a group of drawing symbols on the grid that represent an interlocking type This is a much quicker way to draw standard interlockings than by using individual drawing tools Start by placing the mouse pointer on the left interlocking button just right of the Save button and click the left mouse button The interlocking button will turn gray and as you move the mouse pointer over the grid area it will turn to an icon representing the interlocking type Place the mouse on grid square x 3 y 23 and click the left mouse button again The interlocking will now be drawn on the grid and have a blue background see Figure 2 Track Builder 3 0 Signal Computer Consultant File Edit Data Find Terr
73. ft does not exist Blocks are double linked together The block linked to the left of the current block does not exist This usually occurs when a manual left link assignment was made by the user and the block that was manually assigned no longer exists To correct this problem uncheck the manual left link check box in the Block Properties General dialog ERROR 105 Block XXX Block XXX assigned to right does not exist Blocks are double linked together The block linked to the right of the current block does not exist This usually occurs when a manual right link assignment was made by the user and the block that was manually assigned no longer exists To correct this problem uncheck the manual right link check box in the Block Properties General dialog ERROR 106 Block XXX block that is not a connecting line must have length greater than 50 feet or 16 meters Track blocks that are not defined as connecting lines can be occupied and therefore must have length The minimum length is set at 5O feet or 16 meters This error occurs when a length less than 50 feet or 16 meters is assigned To correct this problem change the track length field in the Block Properties General dialog ERROR 107 Block XXX non connecting line blocks must have three continuous straight sections To accommodate the space needed to display a train icon and train identification characters in Train Dispatcher 3 the system requires that each real block have at
74. ge the text color the user clicks the Color button and the standard Color dialog will appear The user then clicks on one of the color boxes for the color he or she wants to use for the text Text areas can be displayed in the background or foreground If in the background all track and train symbols will be displayed on top of the background text areas If the user specifies the text area to be in the foreground the text area will be written on top of the track and train symbols Foreground text areas also are written on top of background bitmaps and background user text areas see Paragraph 7 6 for more information 7 3 2 Modifying Text Text areas displayed on the track layout can be easily moved deleted changed or duplicated To perform any of these operations the text area must first be selected To select a particular text area first click on the Text button in the vertical tool bar and then point to the text area you want to modify As soon as you point to a text area the mouse pointer will change in shape from the Text symbol to an arrow 7 3 3 Moving Text Areas To move a text area select the text area as described above Then hold down the left mouse button which will cause a blue rectangle to appear around the text area While holding down the left button drag the text area to another position on the screen If the text area is dragged near the edge of the screen the screen will automatically scroll in the direction the
75. ght edge of the screen the platform cannot be fully drawn To correct this problem move the platform one or two grid squares to the right ERROR 651 Platform at grid x XXX and grid y XXX is in conflict with another device Platform symbols on the grid are drawn on three adjacent horizontal grid squares This error occurs if one of these grid squares contains another device track switch signal diamond or other drawing symbol To correct this problem move the platform or the conflicting device to another grid square ERROR 700 Train Type XXX XX Could not find or open locomotive or caboose bitmap file XXX The system could not find the bitmap file referred to in the Territory Information dialog To correct this problem either delete this reference from the Territory Information dialog or create the bitrnap file ERROR 701 Train Type XXX XX Locomotive or caboose bitmap file XXX is not a valid bitmap file The locomotive or caboose bitmap file referred to in the Train Type dialog is not a valid bitmap file To correct this problem refer to another bitmap file ERROR 702 Train Type XXX XX Locomotive or caboose bitmap file XXX is not the correct size Locomotive or caboose bitmaps must be 14 pixels high and 32 pixels wide and use a palette of up to 16 colors This error occurs when the given bitmap does not conform to the above criteria To correct this problem modify the bitmap to conform to the criteria
76. h A track section that has one block linked to an entrance exit location and is signaled so that a train can enter the territory at the entrance exit location must have at least one signal between the entrance exit location and the first switch This signal must control traffic for trains moving from the entrance exit location to the switch To correct this problem add a signal to one of the blocks in the track section that controls train movement toward the switch ERROR 120 Block XXX cannot have a entrance exit or signal if linked to a diamond that specifies train frequency Diamonds that specify train frequency automatically create trains that travel over the diamond Blocks that are linked to the portion of the diamond that specifies a train frequency cannot have entrance exit locations or signals To correct this problem remove all signals and entrance exit locations from all blocks linked to the portion of the diamond that specifies a train frequency ERROR 200 Switch XXX there is no left block switch or diamond location Each switch must be linked to the block switch or diamond to its left If there is no block switch or diamond to the left the user must create one by using the appropriate drawing tools If there is a block switch or diamond to the left but it does not line up with the current switch the user must change the grid drawing so that it will line up ERROR 201 Switch XXX there is no right block switch or diamon
77. h Linkages Switches can be linked to other switches as we see in the figure above The automatic switch linkages cannot be overridden by manual linkages 6 3 Diamonds Definition and Linkage Diamonds allow one track to make at grade crossing of another track Each diamond is automatically assigned a unique number by Track Builder 3 and linked to other track elements However unlike track blocks that have two linkages or switches that have three linkages diamonds have four linkages These are left right top and bottom In Figure 15 we see in the status line that Diamond O the left most diamond is linked to Block O to the left to Block 1 to the right and to Block 3 to the top and to Block 2 to the bottom Diamond D Left B 0 Right B 1 Top B 3 Bottom B 2 Au Figure 15 Diamond Linkages Diamonds can be linked to other diamonds and to switches The automatic diamond linkages cannot be overridden by manual linkages 6 4 Signal Definition and Linkage Signals operate like traffic lights and allow trains to depart one block and enter another All real track blocks not connecting lines have signals that prevent more than one train from occupying a block at a given time There are two basic types of signals called controlled and automatic Automatic signals allow a train to exit one block and enter Page 12 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 III NO another when the next block is unoccupied and is not cle
78. he switch is in the normal position if the field starts with a B the device is a block S is for switch and D for diamond The block switch or diamond attached to the switch s reverse trailing position if the field starts with a B the device is a block S is for switch and D for diamond The name of the switch To display and change information about a switch place the mouse pointer on a grid square that contains the switch symbol and click the right mouse once or twice once if the mouse pointer is in the shape of an arrow or twice if the mouse pointer is in the shape of one of the drawing symbols A pop up menu will appear Click on the Properties menu item and the dialog in Figure 33 will appear Switch Information X Switch number p Switch name I Control monitor name OS Point no y Reverse right device Block 0002 Normal left device Block 0001 Normal right device Block 0003 SWITCH REVERSE TRAIN SPEEDS MPH TRAIN TYPE SPEED TRAIN TYPE Freight Use template v Insert Create template 35 mpH Create Cancel Help Figure 33 Switch Properties The following describes each of the fields in this dialog Switch number the unique switch number assigned to this switch The user cannot change the value in this field Page 32 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 Patent nacho ts Switch name the name of the switch A switch name is not required The name
79. hold trains The user can check this box to force a block to become a connecting line or uncheck it to make it a real block Left device the block switch or diamond to the left The user cannot change the value in this field or assign it to another device Manual block Left a block s left and right device linkages are automatically created by the system based on the track drawing However the user can override this automatic linkage creation and manually assign the left or right linkages to another block A list of allowable blocks can be displayed by clicking the down arrow at the right of the input edit box This manual procedure is normally used when the blocks to be linked together are not adjacent to each other on the track drawing such as when the leftmost block of a row is linked to the rightmost most block of the next track row above Entrance Exit name Left the entrance exit name to the left of the block If the block does not have a block or switch assigned to its left the program assumes that area to the left of the block goes off the territory and therefore must be assigned a territory entrance exit name Territory entrance exit names can be made up of any two alpha numeric characters Usually the name starts with the cal up character of the nearest station The same entrance exit name can be assigned to a number of blocks A track block however cannot have a block or switch at its left end and also a left entra
80. ialog to appear in the edit mode Block Permit Track amp Time x Number 7 Scheduled for From time To time 09 45 Sunday v Monday Track name ec Ma E Tuesday Requestor Track Foreman IV Wednesday Reason inspect track IV Thursday IV Friday Cancel Help T Saturday Figure 55 Block Permit Dialog The following describes each of the fields in the dialog Number is the internal number which cannot be changed by the user that is given to the block permit by the system From time contains the requested start time of the block permit The time is entered in 24 hour military time For example 1 AM would be entered as 0100 and 1 PM as 1300 To time contains the requested end time of the block permit The time is entered in 24 hour military time For example 1 AM would be entered as 0100 and 1 PM as 1300 Scheduled for is a group of check boxes that indicate the days of the week the block permit will be active Track name is the name of the track a group of blocks protected by the block permit To display a list of allowable track names click the down arrow at the right side of the selection box Requestor name is a text entry field that holds the name of the person requesting the block permit Reason is a text entry field that holds the reason for the block permit request 8 15 Slow Orders The user can create temporary or permanent slow orders designate whe
81. identifier Train Description contains a description of the train The user can enter up to twenty alpha numeric characters into this field Multiple trains can have the same description Train Direction indicates the train s initial direction of movement on the screen Train Length contains the train length in feet meters The length must be greater than or equal to 50 feet or 16 meters Train Type indicates the type of train See Paragraph 8 7 for more information on assigning train types Crew Time the amount of time the crew has been on duty when it arrived on the territory Train enters at location contains the entrance exit location where the train will come onto the territory This field should be blank if the train was created from another train At time contains the time the train will enter the territory This field should be blank if the train is already on the territory at the start of the simulation The time is entered in 24 hour military time To enter 1 AM type 100 or 0100 To enter 1 PM type 1300 Scheduled for check boxes which indicate the days of the week the train will be scheduled to arrive on the territory Train is created from train trains can be created from other trains To select a train identifier for this field click the down arrow to see a list of trains that could create this train Please note that you must have previously entered these trains into the system Train exi
82. ight speed run time for one signal cleared ahead Second train type s left speed run time for two signals cleared ahead Second train type s right speed run time for two signals cleared ahead 9 9 gt 9 9 9 99 Fields repeated for all other used train types Only speed run times for existing train types are included in the data The Import Block Speeds function will check each line to see if the data is correct It will check to see if the block number referenced in each line and the track name correspond with the current data in the layout file Page 31 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZONAK Because block numbers and names can be changed when the Re number function is used or if changes are made to the track drawing the Re number function and changes to the track drawing should not be used or made from the time the file is exported from Track Builder 3 until the time it is imported by Track Builder 3 8 4 Switch Information When the user places the mouse pointer on a grid square that contains a switch symbol the device status line at the bottom of the screen will display from left to right the following information about the switch The switch number The block switch or diamond to the left of the switch when the switch is in the normal position if the field starts with a B the device is a block S is for switch and D for diamond The block switch or diamond to the right of the switch when t
83. ile Name For Sale USA LIP Sedalia Jeff City Kansas City St Create Track File Name Clear Track File Name Author Frank w Bryan Address 4 Burnside Street washington MO 63090 E mail twtryantfidnet com C Public Domain Copyright 2000 Frank W Bryan a All rights reserved Copyright Protected za Comments File Name EAProiectsN BUILD tb3 version of kesl txt Browse Open OK Cancel Print Print el Figure 58 Territory Data Dialog To help standardize the territory file names in our For Sale and Customer Contributed libraries this dialog includes the Create Track File Name button which creates a file name from the entered information The following is the structure of the created file name For Sale or Free depending on the selected button Country field entry Railroad field entry Division Subdivision field entry From field entry To field entry Year field entry Page 54 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 JIDIUMNO Track Builder 3 does not have the Comments field that was in Track Builder 2 To provide greater flexibility Track Builder 3 allows the user to attach a comments file to the layout file This file is a text file which has a Get file extension and can be generated by any word processing application Window s Notepad or WordPad programs To create a new comments file type the file name into the Comments File Name field and click the Open button
84. instructions in Paragraph 7 2 1 to change the station name s text font font size font style color or call up character 7 3 User Text Areas The user can add text to the track layout and specify the font font size and color of the text The user may generate a number of text areas see Paragraph 13 for the number of text areas allowed 7 3 1 Adding Text Areas The user adds text by clicking on the Text button in the vertical tool bar pointing the mouse pointer to the location in the track layout grid where the text is to be placed and clicking the left mouse button Figure 23 will then be displayed Page 18 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZISDUALO Text Imput x Left Text Border C Center Text C Right Text Font Background Color C Foreground Figure 23 Adding Text To add text the user types the text in the Text field on the left hand side of the screen The system creates a text box that is sized for the amount of text the user enters for the given font and font size The user can specify whether the text is to be left center or right justified by clicking the appropriate button Left Text Center Text or Right Text The user can also specify the text box to have a border around it by checking the Border check box If the user wants to change the text s font font size or font style the user will click the Font button and the standard Font dialog will appear To chan
85. ion This same procedure is followed for track blocks diamonds and switches 10 CREATE A TRACK EXECUTE FILE Once the territory design is completed a track execute file must be created Train Dispatcher 3 uses the track execute file not the track layout file to simulate the territory To create the file select Create Track Execute File under the File menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen Before creating the track execute file the program will check the track layout for errors and display the Error Message window see Figure 61 Error Message Window Gn x There is 1 error and there are 12 warnings The maximum number of errors displayed is 50 4 ERROR 801 Start Times 0 00 01 SuMoTuWeThFrSa Train CATWL 31 Block 111 is a connector ARNING 100 Block 7 should have a track name WARNING 500 Train LSJ592 9 may be travelling in the wrong direction to exit territory a WARNING 500 Train LSJ592 9 may be travelling in the wrong direction to exit territory a WARNING 500 Train CATWL 31 may be travelling in the wrong direction to exit territory a WARNING 500 Train CATWL 31 may be travelling in the wrong direction to exit territory a WARNING 500 Train CHAWL 39 may be travelling in the wrong direction to exit territory a WARNING 500 Train CHAWL 39 may be travelling in the wrong direction to exit territory a WARNING 500 Train LMT50 41 may be travelling in the wrong direction to exit territory a
86. ion Usually blocks are signaled in both directions If not trains can only move in the direction in which the block is signaled Block Length The length of the block in feet miles meters or kilometers The display will specify either the English system of measurement or metric system depending on the option selected in the Territory Option dialog see Paragraph 8 2 The Feet Meters and Miles Kilometers buttons to the far right of this field allows the user to convert the length from feet to miles or vice verse if English measurement has been chosen or meters to kilometers or vice versa if metric measurement is in effect Please note that miles and kilometers are in tenths so that when lengths are converted to miles kilometers and back to feet meters the precision of the new length will be to the tenth of a mile or kilometer Blocks must be greater than or equal to 50 feet or 16 meters Left exit control signal the signal number of the controlled signal that allows a train moving to the left to exit the block If no signal number is displayed the program assumes the exit signal is automatic The user can manually assign a controlled signal but it must be an existing controlled signal that has been previously drawn on the grid Create Left is a button that allows the user to easily create a left exit controlled signal When this button is clicked a controlled signal will be created and assigned to the left exit This signal
87. irection Start at work area and Start at multiple entry fields to modify the data in the Train location at start list box for the selected train Delete button will cause the train selected in the Train location at start list box to be deleted 8 12 Wayside Detectors The user can specify up to ten types of wayside detectors Wayside detectors are used to monitor passing trains for various types of problems Two of the most common types of wayside detectors are hot box journal and dragging equipment Train Dispatcher 3 simulates the impact of wayside detectors on train movements The Train Dispatcher 3 user will choose the frequency of wayside alarms and train movement will be stopped accordingly for various problems The user can enter information about wayside detectors by selecting the Wayside Detectors item under the Data menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen The Wayside Detector Data window shown in Figure 51 will appear Wayside Detector Data Of x New Delete Edit Save Column Widths Description Generates a Waming Warming Delay Problem Delay 0 30 dragging equipment Yes 3 hot box Yes 30 B Figure 51 Wayside Detector Data Window This window displays information about all wayside detectors The user can re size any column in this window by placing the mouse on a vertical separator in the columns header and while holding down the left mouse button drag the mouse to th
88. isplayed bitmap larger or smaller than the original Page 20 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZLOMA NO Bitmaps can be displayed in the background or foreground If in the background all track and train symbols will be displayed on top of the bitmap If the user specifies the bitmap to be in the foreground the bitmap will be written on top of the track and train symbols Foreground bitmaps also are written on top of background bitmaps and background user text areas see Paragraph 7 6 for more information Figure 25 shows the effect of adding a foreground bitmap to the track layout Wel OH Vg EN 7 SIGNAL ComPUT amp GAR COM NN MTS SIGN can Figure 25 Foreground and Background Bitmaps 7 4 2 Modifying Bitmaps Bitmaps already displayed can be easily moved deleted resized or duplicated To perform any of these operations the displayed bitmap must first be selected To select a particular bitmap first click the bitmap symbol on the left hand side of the display and then point to the bitmap that you want to modify As soon as you point to a bitmap the mouse pointer changes in shape from the bitmap symbol to an arrow 7 4 3 Moving Bitmaps To move an existing bitmap first select it as described above then hold down the left mouse button which will cause a blue rectangle to appear around the bitmap While holding down the left button drag the bitmap to another position on the screen If the bitmap is dragged near
89. itory Options Tools Web new2 lay Figure 2 Interlocking Drawing If you now move the mouse pointer to any grid square that is not blue and click the left button the blue background will disappear Now click the second from the left interlocking tool place the mouse pointer on grid square x 11 y 3 and click the left button Again move the mouse pointer to a grid square that is not blue and click the left mouse button You have now drawn a complete single line siding with switches and signals Add another siding to the territory by again selecting the left most interlocking drawing tool and placing it at grid square x 19 y 4 You will notice the new interlocking does not line up with the previous interlocking When a group of grid squares are in blue it means they are selected and can be moved as a group to another location You need to move this group one grid square to the left and one grid square up to line up with the previous interlocking To do this place the mouse pointer on any one of the blue grid squares and hold down the left mouse button A dark blue rectangle will appear around the selected grid area To move the group continue holding down the left mouse button drag the rectangle to the new location and then release the left button The interlocking should now be aligned with the previous interlocking If not move it to the correct position using the same procedure After positioning it correctly
90. k blocks that go off the territory must have an entrance exit name assigned to the end that is not connected to other track elements 6 6 Combining Blocks In Figure 19 you can combine Block 6 with Block O by placing a straight track symbol between the two blocks When the two blocks are combined all track symbols associated with Block O will now become part of Block 6 When two blocks are combined in this fashion the new block will have the number and characteristics of the left most block prior to the combination For example if Block 6 had a length of 2 miles and Block O a length of 1 mile the combined block will be the same as Block 6 and have a length of 2 miles 7 DRAWING FUNCTIONS 7 1 Editing Functions Track Builder 3 has a number of features to help the user draw delete and move items around on the screen The following paragraphs describe these 7 1 1 Selecting a Group of Grid Squares To make it easier to design a track layout the user can select a group of grid squares that can be moved deleted or duplicated as an intact group The bottom right button in the left hand tool bar is used to select a group of squares When this button is clicked the mouse pointer will turn to cross hairs when it is moved over the grid To select a group of grid squares place the mouse pointer on the grid square just above and to the left of the top left most square in the group you want to select hold down the left button and then drag the
91. k XXX The train may not be able to exit the territory at the designated exit location because the exit location is on the wrong end of block for the initial train direction In some cases the train will be able to exit because the track configuration allows the train to change direction prior to reaching the exit location Page 68 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZLOMA WARNING 501 Train XXX should either have an entrance location or be created from another train The train does not have an entrance location and is not created from another train One of the start times specifies that a train is already on the territory when the simulation starts but the train will not run on other days because it neither has an entrance location nor is it created by another train on those other days To modify either of these fields call up the Train Data General dialog for the train WARNING 600 Slow Order XXX has no user entered speeds for some train types The slow order does not have speeds for some train types Train types that have no speeds will not be affected by the slow order 11 TECHNICAL SUPPORT Track Builder is a low cost program that allows users to design complicated track territories that can be used as simulation training tools or for entertainment Signal Computer Consultants provides free technical support to non commercial customers of Track Builder however because of the program s low price Signal Computer Consultants re
92. k the Automatically link to block check box for this manual assignment to take effect Page 36 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZISDUALO Signal Name contains the signal name consisting of up to five alpha numeric characters A signal name is not required There are two types of signals that can be drawn on the grid One type has a single signal ball and the other has two signal balls The signals with a single ball are called dwarf signals and are usually used in yards and on industrial sidings Dwarf signals cannot be fleeted The signals with two signal balls are used on the mainline and can be fleeted The second signal ball is used in Train Dispatcher 3 to indicate if the signal has been fleeted by the user When a train passes a signal the signal will automatically go to stop Fleeting allows a signal that has gone to stop to automatically clear when the block it is protecting becomes unoccupied 8 7 Train Type Descriptions The program allows trains to be designated as one of ten types The user can define each train type by selecting the Train Type Description menu item under the Data menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen The Train Type Data Window in Figure 38 will appear Train Type Data lof xi New Delete Edit Save Column Widths Description Type Dual Cab Locomotive Left Bitmap Locomotive Right Bitmap Caboose Bitmap Fast Freight Freight 15 red diesel left bmp red diesel right bmp red caboose bm
93. late item under the Data menu in the menu bar 8 5 Diamond Information When the user places the mouse pointer on a grid square that contains a diamond the device status line at the bottom of the screen will display some information about the diamond The information fields from left to right in the device status line are the following The diamond number The block switch diamond or entrance exit location to the left of the diamond if the field starts with a B the device is a block S a switch and D a diamond The block switch diamond or entrance exit location to the right of the diamond if the field starts with a B the device is a block S a switch and D a diamond The block switch diamond or entrance exit location connected to the top of the diamond if the field starts with a B the device is a block S a switch and D a diamond Page 33 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 SS The block switch diamond or entrance exit location connected to the bottom of the diamond if the field starts with a B the device is a block S a switch and D a diamond If the diamond is automatically signaled see Paragraph 8 5 1 The number of trains per day that move left to right and right to left across the diamond see Paragraph 8 5 2 The number of trains per day that move from top to bottom or bottom to top across the diamond see Paragraph 8 5 2 To display and change information abo
94. lays contains the Train ID When the Train Data General window is first called up data is sorted by Train ID To sort the list by direction and the time the train is scheduled to enter the territory click the Sort by Time button This and the Sort by ID button will operate on windows for all four train data areas The user can re size columns in any of these windows by placing the mouse on a vertical separator in the columns header and while holding down the left mouse button drag the mouse to the left or right Once the columns are re sized the user can save the column widths for the next time the window is displayed by clicking the Save Column Widths button To add a new train click the New button To delete or edit a train first place mouse pointer on any data in the train s row in the window and click the left mouse button to select the train Then click the Delete or Edit buttons The Edit button will cause the Train Data dialog to appear see Figure 43 You can also place the mouse on data in a train s row and click the right mouse button which will cause a pop up menu to appear that has New Edit and Delete menu items Double clicking the left mouse button on a train type row will automatically cause the Train Data dialog to appear in the edit mode The train identifiers displayed in all four Train Data windows consist of the train identifier entered in the Train Data dialog in Figure 43 plu
95. le called sample1 lay The name of the track layout file currently being displayed appears in the top left hand corner of the screen under the menu bar Page 3 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZONAK Track Builder 3 0 Signal Computer Consultants Tel 412 655 1884 Web www signalcc com File Edit Data Find Territory Options Tools WebPages Help C Projects BUILD sample1 lay rr d Save Name of the Interlocking layout file drawing tools A Corbin OH CAE oe EE LL MR Bi oe reo oe J o Heo N 084 Ow Al Bi reo reo reo reo reo BWI Airport SIGNAL COMPUTER CONSULTANTS Drawing tools Device status Mouse grid line location E CU EE PA O gt i a SBT Ts TEN 14 Block 5 Left B 3 Right B 7 Miles 1 0 Name Ato B 1 Platform Area OS Detectors Figure 1 Track Layout Grid At the bottom left hand corner of the screen you will see the x horizontal and y vertical grid coordinates of the mouse As you move the mouse pointer around from one grid square to another you will see the coordinates change To the right of the grid coordinates you will see the device status line If you place the mouse pointer on a signal the signal s left most grid square switch or track symbol on the grid information about that device will appear in the status line A detailed explanation of the information displayed in the status line can be found in Paragraph 8 On
96. location field ERROR 514 Train XXX the platform where this train becomes another train no longer exists In the Train Data General dialog there is train assigned in the Train becomes new train field but the platform assigned in the at location field no longer exists To correct this problem select another area or platform in the at location field ERROR 515 Train XXX the area where this train becomes another train no longer exists In the Train Data General dialog there is train assigned in the Train becomes new train field but the area assigned in the at location field no longer exists To correct this problem select another area or platform in the at location field ERROR 516 Train XXX must be scheduled for one day a week At least one of the days boxes in the Scheduled for field in the Train Data General dialog must be checked ERROR 550 Block Permit XXX assigned to a track name that does not exist The block permit is assigned to a track block name that does not exist This problem usually occurs if a track name is changed or a track block is deleted after the block permit is assigned to the block To correct this problem call up the Block Permit dialog to delete the block permit or assign it to a different track name ERROR 600 Slow Order XXX assigned to a track name that does not exist The slow order is assigned to a track block name that does not exist This proble
97. locations error message window Give export block speeds aieo ERROR 31 passenger schedule s 45 file conversions from version Dennis 3 trackceXecute aet tese lp t etel 7 Create d 57 A 23 track layout sn at RU rd ER Lee 7 malpteranCp EEN e3 WEISEN opening SAVING EE hot box detector drawing SYMDO econo cdi 24 import block speeas passenger schedule installation ess interlocking drawing tools see D linking AU riada 14 milepost drawing symbol miscellaneous drawing symbols moving a selected group of grid squares sss 16 A e raa 21 station armes 18 text areas 19 Options 25 OS names 50 permission to enter territory 47 A RUN See block permits platform drawing Syrribol tcs Plator MSs aa tte EO PUR BEES re numbering blocks switches and signals selecting a group of grid squares EE 15 bitmap eie station name de EE signal automatic Ipkage ENEE 18 Controlled nce ibt eene 18 EK Mm 13 definition and linkage 18 device status line 38 displaying numbers 08 DR I cc E ala properities 35 El ag elle E 56 simulation start times 47 slow orders NEST specifications 359 AUN E neesiana die a E aS 7 start Ummes esc 47 starting the DOP 1 sta
98. ls There are four miscellaneous drawing symbols in the tool bar to the left of the track layout grid These are shown in Figure 28 The top left symbol represents a station platform the top right a milepost the bottom left a hot box detector and the bottom right a dragging equipment detector These drawing symbols are each displayed in one grid square except for the platform symbol which takes up three horizontal grid squares Figure 28 Miscellaneous Symbols 8 TRACK AND TRAIN FUNCTIONS The following paragraphs describe in detail all of the track and train functions available to the user Page 24 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 III 8 1 Designing a Territory In designing a territory the user usually goes through a number of steps The following is the suggested order but Track Builder 3 is designed to allow the user to modify this order and to make changes in any of the steps at any time Set Track Builder 3 options see Paragraph 8 2 Draw the territory using the drawing tools Assign the track switch diamond and signal properties see Paragraphs 8 3 8 4 8 5 and 8 8 Enter a description for each of the train types optional see Paragraph 8 7 Enter the platform names optional see Paragraph 8 8 Define the trains see Paragraph 8 9 Set the simulation start and end times see Paragraph 8 11 Set the entrance exit priorities optional see Paragraph 8 10 Create block permits optional see Paragraph 8 14 Cr
99. m usually occurs if a track name is changed or a track block is deleted after the slow order is assigned to the block To correct this problem call up the Slow Order Data dialog to delete the slow order or assign it to a different track name block or switch ERROR 601 Slow Order XXX has no user entered speeds The slow order does not have any speeds for any train type To correct this problem call up the Slow Order Data dialog to enter speeds or delete the slow order ERROR 602 Slow Order XXX assigned to a block that does not exist The slow order is assigned to a block that does not exist This problem usually occurs when a block to which a slow order is assigned is later deleted To correct this problem call up the Slow Order Data dialog to delete the slow order or assign it to a different track name block or switch ERROR 603 Slow Order XXX assigned to a switch hat does not exist The slow order is assigned to a switch that does not exist This problem usually occurs when a switch to which a slow order is assigned is later deleted To correct this problem call up the Slow Order Data dialog to delete the slow order or assign it to a different track name block or switch Page 67 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 III ERROR 650 Platform at grid x XXX and grid y XXX is too close to edge The platform symbols consist of three adjacent horizontal squares If the left most square of the platform is within two squares of the ri
100. mns header and while holding down the left mouse button drag the mouse to the left or right Once the columns are re sized the user can save the column widths for the next time the window is displayed by clicking the Save Column Widths button To delete or edit an entrance exit location first place the mouse pointer on its data in the display and click the left mouse button to select the location Then click the Delete or Edit buttons The Edit button will cause the Entrance Exit Location Data dialog to appear see Figure 48 You can also place the mouse on data in an entrance exit location s row and click the right mouse button which will cause a popup menu to appear that has Edit and Delete menu items Double clicking the left mouse button on an entrance exit data row will automatically cause the Entrance Exit Location Data dialog to appear in the edit mode Entrance E xit Location Data X Entrance Exit location name E Entrance direction Right Priority 0 9 0 is highest 9 is lowest 3 Block 315 IV Yardentrance Yard 24 hour capacity fis Trains must ask dispatcher permission to enter territory Cancel Help Figure 48 Entrance Exit Location Data Dialog The following describes each of the fields in the dialog Entrance Exit location name name of the entrance exit location as entered in the Block Properties General dialog see Figure 31 Entrance direction the side of the block the entra
101. mouse pointer is moving 7 3 4 Deleting Text Areas There are three ways to delete a text area First select the text area Then press the Delete key double click the left mouse button or click the right mouse button The first two options will immediately delete the text area from the display The last option click the right mouse button will cause a pop up menu to appear To delete the text area Click the Delete Text item in the pop up menu Page 19 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 JD 7 3 5 Changing Text Areas To change a selected text area click the right mouse button to display the pop up menu and then click on the Properties menu item Follow the instructions in Paragraph 7 3 1 to change the text area s text font font size font style or color 7 3 6 Duplicating Text Area Text is duplicated in much the same way as it is deleted Instead of clicking the Delete Text menu item in the pop up menu click the Duplicate menu item Another text area with the same characteristics as the selected text area will appear below and to the right of the selected text area 7 4 Bitmaps User Generated Graphics The users can add their own graphics to a track layout These graphics are in the form of bitmaps that can be copied from a variety of sources including clip art packages or generated by the user using software such as Paint These bitmaps may represent a railroad s logo or physical items along the track such as b
102. n Data General Dialog A Figure 44 Train Data Multiple Entries Dialog eee Figure 45 Train Data Work Schedule Dialog A Figure 46 Train Data Passenger Schedule Dialog eese Figure 47 Entrance Exit Location Window seen Figure 48 Entrance Exit Location Data Dialog eene Figure 49 Start Times Wrndouw sese rennen nemen eere Figure 50 Start Time Data Dialog Figure 51 Wayside Detector Data Window rennrvnnrvvnrnrnenenvvervrervarevererernrervererervvervreven Page iii COMPUTER CONSULTANTS EEE EEE 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 SIGNAL COMPUTER CONSULTANTS E Figure 32 Wayside Detectors Dialog E AAA te ei ee Oe RE E et Ree ien d 50 Figur 53 OS D ta Wan dow sat nune eret err TG ree eee dee enes 51 Figure 34 Block Permits Window 5 eese bte E E e Eee er e e gue ea ne i eer pepe n 51 Figure 55 Block Permit Dialog titt eC i e Rare e Ed eds 22 Figur 56 Slow Orders WindOW s s netter ice Cu Wess e e PR Ee teri e egen oret et erben As 53 Figure 57 7 Slow Order Data Dialog esas eo tee ede C tai 53 Figure 38 Territory Data Dialog cicatrices 54 Figure 59 gt Territory Comments File ett eem te Ded o p ee op anus 55 Figure 60 Find Information et teet EP te e et HR ie P Sip o anita dei teca 56 Figure 61 Error Messages aas RADO E Ere HD A e UTER Op rero E E E RES 57 Figure 62 Highlighted Track Elements ettet tht eir
103. n consist grades curves etc These run times can be entered into Track Builder 3 for a particular territory which makes Train Dispatcher 3 an extremely accurate simulator of a territory Run times can be entered in minutes or seconds The seconds option is used to accommodate customers who want to simulate their model railroad Speeds and run times can also be imported from a text delimited file generated from a spreadsheet program see Paragraph 8 3 Territory options can be changed after a territory is created Please note that when changing from the English to the Metric system or vice versa or changing from speeds to run times or vice versa some precision will be lost Page 25 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZONAK Territory Options x Automatic signal creation Left hand signals Speed distance units of measurement English Metric Block run times Calculated from distance speed Entered in minutes Entered in seconds Figure 29 Territory Options 8 3 Block Properties When the user places the mouse pointer on a grid square that contains a track symbol the device status line at the bottom of the screen will display some information about the track block see Figure 30 A Corbin oe oe o qoM ml eo OH Oe reo OH Al Bi HO HAD HAD eo 4 Block 0 Left A1 Right B 1 Feet 5280 Name none Platform Area OS Corbin Detectors Figure 30 Track Block Status Lin
104. n the menu bar To import an Import Block Speeds file click the Import Block Speeds item under the Data menu in the menu bar The Import Block Speeds function imports a comma delimited text file that was previously created by Track Builder 3 or any commercial spreadsheet word processing or database program We highly recommend that you create this text file by using the Track Builder 3 Export Block Speeds function modify the file using a commercial spreadsheet word processing or database program and then re enter the data into the system by using the Track Builder 3 Import Block Speeds function The first line in the text file contains the names of the fields separated by commas Each of the following lines in the text file have the following fields separated by commas Block number Block Track name First train type s left speed run time for no signal cleared ahead First train type s right speed run time for no signal cleared ahead First train type s left speed run time for one signal cleared ahead First train type s right speed run time for one signal cleared ahead First train type s left speed run time for two signals cleared ahead First train type s right speed run time for two signals cleared ahead Second train type s left speed run time for no signal cleared ahead Second train type s right speed run time for no signal cleared ahead Second train type s left speed run time for one signal cleared ahead Second train type s r
105. n they become active and specify their speed restrictions for the different train types The user can enter information about slow orders by selecting the Slow Order item under the Data menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen The Slow Order window in Figure 58 will appear Page 52 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZISDUALO Slow Orders Im x New Delete Edit Save Column Widths Print Printer Setup Sort Track Sort Time Number Track Block Switch Name Days of the Week Passenger Passenger Fast Freight Fast Freight Block 0072 01 53 04 30 Th Block 0134 SuMoTuweThFrSa Track D D SDG SuMoTuweThFrSa Track K L 1b 00 01 23 59 SuMoTu Track K L 1b 00 02 1230 We Track Q A 1b 08 30 15 30 MoTuweTh Figure 56 Slow Orders Window This window displays information about all of the slow orders The user can re size any column in this window by placing the mouse on the vertical separator in the columns header and while holding down the left mouse button drag the mouse to the left or right Once the columns are re sized the user can save the column widths for the next time the window is displayed by clicking the Save Column Widths button This window can be sorted by the slow orders track block switch names or the slow order start times by clicking the Sort Track or Sort Time buttons To add a new slow order click the New button To delete or edit a slow order first place the
106. name El IV Signaled left IV Signaledright Block length 5280 e feet C miles Convert to miles Left exit control signal none y Create Left Right exit control signal none Create Right Normal crew change point Delay n block because of crew change 5 minut none Hind minutes Create left signal Area Nd Create right Wayside detectors none OS Point none s Remote monitor name Cancel Figure 16 Automatically Add Signals Figure 17 shows the new signals you created for Block 4 If the right hand signaling option is selected see Paragraph 8 2 the base of the left signal is always located one grid square to the left and one grid square above the grid square which contains the left most track symbol for the block The base of the right signal is one grid square to the right and one grid square below the right most track symbol for the block If the left hand signaling option is selected the signals would be on the opposite sides of the track If you place the mouse pointer on the left most grid square of the signal the status line at the bottom of the screen will show the signal number and the block to which the signal is assigned Page 13 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZONAK HO Al ER Figure 17 New Signals Right Hand Signaling Option Another way to add a controlled signal to a block is to use the signal drawing tool to place a signal on the grid Once drawn on the grid the
107. nce exit location is on Priority 0 9 O is highest 9 is lowest the same entrance exit name can be assigned to several block locations Train Dispatcher 3 will check each of the blocks to see if the train can enter at that block If the block is occupied or cleared in the opposite direction Train Dispatcher 3 will check the other blocks assigned as entrance exit locations Priorities are assigned from O to 9 O is the highest priority and 9 indicates that the train will never try to enter the territory at that location Page 46 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 COMPUTER CONSULTANTS Block the block number that is associated with this entrance exit location Yard entrance a check box that indicates if this entrance exit location is associated with a yard Yard 24 hour capacity if it is a yard entrance this field indicates the number of trains per day the yard can handle If Train Dispatcher 3 sees this capacity being exceeded it will prevent trains from exiting into the yard until the number of trains handled over a given period of time is reduced below the yard s capacity Trains must ask dispatcher s permission to enter the territory if checked requires all train entering the territory at this entrance exit location to ask permission before entering the territory 8 11 Simulation Start Times The user can specify a number of simulation start times When starting a simulation the Train Dispatcher 3 user will be a
108. nce exit name Right device the block switch or diamond to the right The user cannot change the value in this field or assign it to another device Manual block Right a block s left and right device linkages are automatically created by the system based on the track drawing However the user can override this automatic linkage creation and manually assign the left or right linkages to another block A list of allowable blocks can be displayed by clicking the down arrow at the right of the input edit box This manual procedure is normally used when the blocks to be linked together are not adjacent to each other on the track drawing such as when the rightmost block of a row is linked to the leftmost block of the next track row below Entrance Exit name Right the entrance exit name to the right of the block If the block does not have a block or switch assigned to the right the program assumes that area to the right of the block goes off the territory and therefore must be assigned a territory entrance exit name Territory entrance exit names can be made up of any two alpha numeric characters Usually the name starts with the call up character of the nearest station The same entrance exit name can be assigned to a number of blocks A track block however cannot have a block or switch at its right end and also a right entrance exit name Signal Direction indicates if the block is signaled in the left and or right direct
109. nd menu If the Find a Block menu item is selected the screen illustrated by Figure 60 will appear Page 55 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZONAK Find Information x Find block location No Name 0000 to 1a 0004 to Connector 0005 to Connector 0006 to Connector 0007 amp toB Ma 0008 to Connector 0009 A to B Mb 0010 to Connector y Sort by number Sort by name Help Figure 60 Find Information To locate a block the user clicks on the appropriate block name or number which causes this dialog to disappear and the mouse pointer to be placed on the selected block in the track grid The list of track areas blocks diamonds switches or signals can be sorted either by number or name by clicking the appropriate button under the list 9 2 Automatically Assign Connecting Lines Track Builder 3 will automatically decide which track symbols are parts of blocks have length and can be occupied by a train and which are connecting lines When the user executes this function Track Builder 3 assumes any group of track symbols that do not have three adjacent straight track sections and any group of track symbols that is connected directly to a switch is a connecting line There may be occasions when the user may want a real block to be directly connected to a switch The subsequent use of this function may redefine user specified real blocks as connecting lines and therefor
110. nutes it takes the new crew to get to the block after it is called Platform name contains the passenger platform name assigned to the block Passenger trains that are scheduled to stop at a particular platform will stop in blocks that are assigned to the platform name Several blocks can be assigned to the same platform name If a platform is not assigned to the block none will be displayed in this field A list of available platform names will be displayed when the user clicks on the down arrow in this selection box To add modify or delete platform names see Paragraph 8 8 Area name contains the name of the area to which the block is assigned Blocks can be grouped in areas Areas are used to define locations where trains will perform local work or where trains will either become new trains or be split into multiple trains If the block is not assigned to an area none will be displayed in this field A list of available area names will be displayed when the user clicks on the down arrow in this selection box The user can also enter a new area name into this field Wayside detectors up to three wayside detectors can be located in a block Wayside detectors check the train for problems such as hot boxes and dragging equipment If a wayside detector is not located in the block none will be displayed in these fields A list of available wayside detectors will be displayed when the user clicks on this field To add modif
111. of travel can be specified Block speeds can be specified in feet miles meters kilometers or run times Train startup times can be specified for different train types in each block Helper requirements can be specified for each train type for each block Signals can be automatically created for both right and left hand signaling systems Train crew time information can be entered Page 2 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 SE OS points can be entered Trains can now be scheduled to become new trains or split into two trains Local work schedules can be entered Block permits and slow orders can be scheduled for different days of the week Slow orders can be made permanent Information on the territory allows for the entry of more specific information about the territory A comments file can be added to a layout file This greatly increases the size of the comment text that can be associated with a territory Train icons can be added to a layout file Multiple simulation start times can be specified Multiple detector types can be specified Train schedules and block speeds can be imported from text delimited files and exported to text delimited files 9 9 9 o Multiple train schedule and block speed templates can be created and inserted into new or existing trains or blocks Track Builder 3 can convert Track Builder 2 layout files and Train Dispatcher 2 track files to Track Builder 3 layout files Track
112. or existing platforms are included in the data The Import Passenger Schedule function will check each line to see if the data is correct It will check to see if the train number and identifier in each line correspond with the current data in the layout file To export a passenger schedule file click the Export Passenger Schedule item under the Data menu in the menu bar To import a Passenger Schedule file click the Import Passenger Schedule item under the Data menu in the menu bar 8 10 Entrance Exit Locations The user can for each entrance exit location specify information regarding its entrance priority whether or not it is a yard entrance whether or not the yard has a capacity limitation and whether or not the train has to ask the dispatcher for permission to enter the territory The user can enter information about each entrance exit location by selecting the Entrance Exit Location item under the Data menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen The Entrance Exit Location Window in Figure 47 will appear Page 45 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZONAK Entrance Exit Locations B x Delete Edit Save Column Widths Name Block Direction Priority Yard Entrance 24 Hour Capacit Figure 47 Entrance Exit Location Window This window displays information about all entrance exit locations The user can re size any column in this window by placing the mouse on a vertical separator in the colu
113. oreground General Rules The system was designed to provide the user with maximum flexibility in deciding how graphics and text are displayed in Train Dispatcher 3 Part of this flexibility allows the user to designate which objects will be placed on top of other objects on the display grid The user controls this by designating which bitmaps and text areas are in the display s background or foreground The system controls the display overlap by writing the background objects first then the track and train symbols and finally the foreground objects The following is the order in which various objects are written to the screen in Train Dispatcher 3 Background Bitmaps Background Text Areas Track Symbols Train Symbols Page 22 6 December 2000 Tra C k B u i d e r 3 COMPUTER CONSULTANTS Foreground Bitmaps Foreground Text Areas Station Names If the user has several bitmaps in the background and these bitmaps overlap the bitmap that was last selected by the user is the bitmap that will be placed on top of the other background bitmaps The same rule applies for two or more foreground bitmaps or text areas 7 7 Track Layout File Maintenance Under the File menu there are a number of file maintenance functions that allow the user to create a new track layout save an existing track layout file open an existing track layout file lay or open an existing track execute file trk The following paragraphs describe these fun
114. p Passenger Passenger 20 red diesel left bmp red diesel right bmp red caboose bmp Regular Fre Freight 15 red diesel left bmp red diesel right bmp red caboose bmp Slow Freight Freight 10 red diesel left bmp red diesel right bmp red caboose bmp A Figure 38 Train Type Data Window This window displays information about all the train types The user can re size any column in this window by placing the mouse on a vertical separator in the columns header and while holding down the left mouse button drag the mouse to the left or right Once the columns are re sized the user can save the column widths for the next time the window is displayed by clicking the Save Column Widths button To add a new train type click the New button To delete or edit a train type first click with the left mouse on any data in the train type row to select the train Then click the Delete or Edit buttons The Edit button will cause the Train Type dialog to appear see Figure 39 You can also place the mouse on the train type row and click the right mouse button which will cause a pop up menu o having New Edit and Delete menu items to appear Double clicking the left mouse button on a train type row will automatically cause the Train Type dialog to appear in the Edit mode Page 37 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 JD Train Type Of x Description Fast Freight Type re y Cabs at each end of train direction reversibl
115. p with each other There are a few exceptions to this rule Figure 19 shows some examples of when Track Builder 3 will not link adjacent track elements In this figure Block 12 will not link to Block 4 or 5 because the adjacent track elements do not line up Block 6 will not link to Block O because there is gap a between the blocks Block 8 will not link to Block 7 even though they appear to line up There must always be a complete vertical track symbol between two vertical blocks in order for automatic linking to occur Page 14 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 Patent necro ts 2 F 4 Z TITT IELILLLITE Block 12 will not link with 4or 5 Block 11 will link with 9 and 10 see the status line Block 7 and 8 will not properly link 237 Block 11 Left B 10 Right B 8 Feet 5280 Name none Platform Area OS Figure 19 Automatic Linking Exceptions A vertical track symbol does not technically have a left or a right For vertical track symbols the top is considered left and the bottom right The status line at the bottom of the screen shows the information for Block 11 You can see that Block 10 is linked to the left or top and Block 9 to the right or bottom Before a track execute file can be created for Train Dispatcher 3 Track Builder 3 will check to see that every track element is properly linked to other track elements The only exception is for track blocks that go off the territory Trac
116. pointer to the grid square just below and to the right of the intended group While dragging the pointer a blue rectangle appears that encompasses the selected squares When you release the left button the selected squares will become light blue see Figure 20 Page 15 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZONAK AAA AAA AA astra arrolla E EE E oe Casma eng mmm mmm HONOR HO w m ce Le BSSRaRabRspgRRng TT n E D PT TT TT Delete grid squares Bit Text Duplicate N Gem op up Selection menu Stat 1 TI Selection button grid Figure 20 Selecting a Group of Squares 7 1 2 Deleting a Selected Group of Squares To clear all of the squares in this group place the mouse pointer on any square in the selected group and perform one of the following press the Delete key double click the left mouse button click the right button to cause a pop up menu to appear and choose the Delete grid squares menu item If you make a mistake you can always click on Undo in the top tool bar to return the layout to the configuration prior to your last change 7 1 3 Duplicating a Selected Group of Squares A user can duplicate a selected group of grid squares by placing the mouse pointer on any square in the selected group clicking the right button to call up the pop up menu and selecting the Duplicate menu item The duplicated group will appear below and to the right of the originally sel
117. r right to left You can also place the mouse on the OS point name and click the right mouse button which will cause a pop up menu to appear that has New Edit Delete or Advance menu items Double clicking the left mouse button on an OS point name will automatically cause the OS Data dialog to appear in the edit mode The window lists the blocks and switches that are assigned to each OS point An unlimited number of blocks or switches can be assigned to each OS point but only 10 will be displayed 8 14 Block Permits The user can create block permits Track and Time and specify when they become active The user can enter information about block permits by selecting the Block Permits menu item under the Data menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen The Block Permits window in Figure 54 will appear Block Permits Track amp Time lof xj New Delete Edit Save Column Widths Print Printer Setup Sort Track Sort Time Number Track Name From Time ToTime Days of the Week Requestor Reason l 7 B C Ma 09 15 03 45 MoTuw eThFr Track Foreman inspect track 9 D E Mb 14 10 15 50 MoTuweThFr Track Foreman surface track 2 EF Mc 1215 14 15 WeThFr Section Gang Brush Cutter 1 F G Ma 07 25 08 45 MoTuweTh Welding Gang weld joints 5 G H Mb 12 55 14 25 MoWeFr Welding Gang repair track welds 16 G H Mb 13 01 14 01 Sa Track Inspector inspect track 15 HI Mb 12 01 13 15 TuSa Track Inspector inspect
118. re that contains the signal symbol and click the right mouse once or twice once if the mouse pointer is in the shape of an arrow or twice if the mouse pointer is in the shape of one of the drawing symbols A pop up menu will appear Click on the Properties menu item in the pop up menu and the dialog in Figure 37 will appear Signal Information x Signal number o K Exit signal from block number o Signal name Cancel Help Figure 37 Signal Properties The following describes each of the fields in the dialog Signal Number the unique signal number assigned to this signal The user cannot change the value in this field Automatically link to block a check box that tells whether the signal will be automatically linked to a particular block If this box is checked and the right hand signaling option has been selected the linkage will occur between the signal and the real block not connecting line that is found in the grid square one grid square to the right and one grid square below the base of the signal for a left signal and one grid square to the left and one grid square above the base of the signal for a right signal If the left handed signaling option has been selected the signals will be on the opposite side of the track Exit signal from block contains the block number to which the signal is assigned as an exit signal The user can manually enter a block number in this field but must unchec
119. reen and the intended exit point is at B1 You can add additional trains to the territory in the same manner as above Up to 1000 trains can be added You will now have to again create the track execute file by clicking on Create Track Execute File under the File menu and responding Yes to the prompt that will follow You are now ready to insert this territory including the trains into Train Dispatcher 3 Follow the instructions in the Train Dispatcher 3 manual on how to change the name of the track execute file Use the track execute file name you assigned to this territory via Track Builder 3 When you run Train Dispatcher 3 the simulation will occur on the territory you built with the trains you created using Track Builder 3 6 TRACK BUILDER 3 TERMS AND RULES There are four basic building elements used to create a territory These are track blocks switches diamonds and signals All of these elements must be linked together to create a territory Track Builder 3 automatically creates these linkages for you but you can override this automatic feature and provide your own linkages The following describes these elements and rules governing their linkage 6 1 Track Block Definition and Linkage A track block consists of a group of track symbols displayed on the screen Track Builder 3 automatically groups these symbols into blocks and assigns a unique number to each block The limits of a block are determined by the track symbols
120. rid square ERROR 307 Signal XXX a signal cannot be assigned to Block s XXX entrance exit location A block cannot have a left exit control signal and also a left entrance exit location There also cannot be a right exit control signal if there is a right entrance exit control location To correct this problem remove the signal or remove the entrance exit location If you remove the entrance exit location you must replace with a link to another device ERROR 400 Diamond XXX there is no left link to a block switch or diamond Each diamond must be linked to the block switch or diamond to its left If there is no block switch or diamond to the left the user must create one by using the appropriate drawing tools If there is a block switch or diamond to the left but it does not line up with the current diamond the user must change the grid drawing so that it does line up ERROR 401 Diamond XXX there is no right link to a block switch or diamond Each diamond must be linked to the block switch or diamond to its right If there is no block switch or diamond to the right the user must create one by using the appropriate drawing tools If there is a block switch or diamond to the right but it does not line up with the current diamond the user must change the grid drawing so that it does line up ERROR 402 Diamond XXX there is no top link to a block switch or diamond Each diamond s top location must be linked to a block switch
121. s a dash and then the unique train internal number Because several trains can have the same user entered identifier it was necessary to add a unique number to the identifier to discriminate trains that have the same ID Train Dispatcher 3 will not display the unique train numbers with the ID Information about the data displayed in each of the Train Data windows can be found in the following descriptions of each data area s input dialog Page 40 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 Gig Edit Train CATWL 31 West Labadie Coal General Train Data Multiple Entries Local Work Schedule Passenger Schedule Train ID CATWL Number 51 Train Description west Labadie Coal Direction C Left Right Train Type Slow Freight Length 7002 feet Crew time 1120 minutes Train enters at location nv at time 22 00 or Train is created from train Irene y Train exits at location wL or Train becomes new train Irene at location NN y after minutes and splits into 2nd train Scheduled for Sunday IV Monday Tuesday IV Wednesday IV Thursday IV Friday IV Saturday none h Cancel Figure 43 Train Data General Dialog HEIR 8 9 1 Train Data General Dialog The following describes each of the fields in the dialog Train ID contains the train identifier The user can enter up to fifteen alpha numeric characters into this field Several trains can have the same
122. s finone v finone v finone v OS Point none v Remote monitor name Cancel Apply Hep Figure 3 Block General Information Type A1 into the top most Entrance Exit Name field The top most Entrance Exit Name field is for an entrance exit that is to the left of the block and the bottom most Entrance Exit Name field is for an entrance exit to the right of the block Page 6 6 December 2000 Tra C k B u l d e r 3 COMPUTER CONSULTANTS Track Builder 3 0 Signal Computer Consultants Tel 412 655 1884 Web v File Edit Data Find Territory Options Tools Web Pages Help oO OH fF Oe OO Oe 4 EN 90 90 mium OO Figure 4 Entrance Exit Name Added The same operation must be performed for the track block that starts at x 33 y 6 except the entrance exit will be to the right of the block Type B1 into the bottom most Entrance Exit Name field Click DK at the bottom of the display A1 will now appear to the left of the block on the track layout screen see Figure 4 and B1 will appear to the right of the block on the track layout screen You still have one more step before you have finished completing the layout file You must assign at least one simulation start time To add a start time click the Data item in the menu bar at the top of the screen and then select the Start Times menu item A Start Times window will appear see Figure 5 S
123. s have a lay file name extension in the Traine folder and double click on the file This will cause the Track Builder 3 program to start and load the layout file on which you clicked After starting the program the Layout Display appears see Figure 1 2 BRIEF OVERVIEW Track Builder 3 enables users of Train Dispatcher 3 to design their own track territories to be used with our railroad traffic control simulator Train Dispatcher 3 Territories as complicated as the Northeast Corridor track section from Washington DC to Philadelphia can be created with Track Builder 3 There are five phases involved in designing a track territory The first phase is drawing the track diagram on the grid layout see Figure 1 The second phase is entering information for the track blocks and switches in the territory This information includes Block lengths Train speeds for various signal indications Location of controlled signals which allow trains to exit blocks Location of passenger platforms Switch reverse speeds The third phase is entering information about trains block permits Track amp Time and slow orders The train information includes the type of train the location and time a train enters the territory the train s passenger or work schedule and the train s crew times Block permit and slow order information includes their location and time when they become active The fourth phase is entering startup information Becau
124. s local work often consists of local trains picking up and delivering cars to industrial customers along the mainline Track Builder 3 allows a train to be scheduled for local work in up to ten locations on the territory To enter information about local work the user clicks the Local Work Schedule tab in one of the Train Data dialogs which causes Figure 45 to appear Edit Train CNAWL 39 West Labadie Coal General Train Data Multiple Entries Local Work Schedule Passenger Schedule Work Area Time in rea Direction Leaving Area eacock 15 Lett C Right Peacock n 15 Lett C Right mone Left C Right none E Left C Right none zl Left C Right none zl Left C Right none let C Right none A let C Right none let C Right none I Left C Right Figure 45 Train Data Work Schedule Dialog The following describes the fields in the Train Data Work Schedule dialog Work Area contains the track area where the local work will be performed Time in Area is the time in minutes that the train will be stopped in the work area Direction Leaving Area after completing local work a train can leave the area and travel in either direction If the train leaves the area in a direction that is opposite the direction from which it entered the area the system assumes the train turned around in the area and will move forward not reverse in the new direction P
125. se the user can start the simulation on various days and at different times information about the location of trains already on the territory at the start of the simulation must be specified Page 1 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 III Information from the first four phases is stored in the layout file whose name can be specified by the user Layout files have a file name extension of lay The fifth phase uses the layout file to create a track execute file which is the type of file that will be interfaced with Train Dispatcher 3 Before the track execute file is created Track Builder 3 will check the data in the layout to insure that it is complete consistent and in accordance with the Track Builder 3 design parameters If the user has entered incorrect data Track Builder 3 will provide the user with a list of errors Building track territories can be a complicated task With Track Builder 3 we have automated many of the functions to make it easy to build single or double line territories For the design of more complex territories however the user can override these automated functions to provide additional flexibility With this additional flexibility territories much more complicated than the Northeast Corridor can be designed This manual is divided into four sections The first section begins at Paragraph 5 and walks a user through the creation of a simple single line territory The second section begins at Paragraph 6 defines terms an
126. serves the right to limit the amount of free technical support an individual non commercial user will receive Signal Computer Consultants will not provide free technical support to commercial users of Track Builder Signal Computer Consultants will upon request provide quotations for technical support for commercial customers of Track Builder Signal Computer Consultants will not charge for any support that is found to be related to problems with the program To obtain technical support contact Signal Computer Consultants via the following means Telephone 412 655 1884 Facsimile 412 655 1893 E mail signal O signalcc com If you are sending an e mail and have a problem with a layout file lay please attached a copy of the file with your e mail 12 WARRANTY If Track Builder does not operate correctly on your computer and after you contact us about the problem we are not able to solve it within a 2 week period our policy is to give you a 10096 refund on the purchase price of the program To obtain this refund we must have the program with its manual returned to us 13 SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS Maximum Track Layout Horizontal Grid Size 200 Maximum Track Layout Vertical Grid Size 160 Maximum Number of Track Blocks real and connecting lines 2000 Maximum Number of Diamonds 1000 Maximum Number of Switches 1000 Maximum Number of Signals 1000 Maximum Number of Entrance Exit Locations 200 Maximum Number of Platforms 100 Maximum Number
127. signal ms y Create Right Right device WW of crew change 5 minutes Manual block none none x DS Point none e Remote monitor name Figure 12 Manual Block Linkages You can only make manual linkage assignments to blocks In Figure 13 we see that Block 4 is now linked to the right to Block 5 Manual linkages are primarily to link blocks on the right side of a screen at the end of a track line to blocks on the left end of the screen that start a new track line Block 4 Left 5 0 Right B 5 Feet 5280 Name none Plat Figure 13 Manual Linkage Results Page 11 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZONAK 6 2 Switch Definition and Linkage Switches allow users to change train routes Each switch has two positions which are called normal and reverse The normal switch position is for moves straight through the switch and the reverse position is for moves on an angle to the straight alignment Each switch is automatically assigned a unique number by Track Builder 3 and linked to other track elements However unlike track blocks that have two only linkages switches have three These are normal left normal right and reverse In Figure 14 see in the status line that Switch O the top most switch is linked to Block O to the left to Block 2 to the right and in the reverse position to Block 1 Switch 0 Nor Left B 0 Nor Right B 2 Rev B 1 Name Figure 14 Switc
128. sked what start time he wants to use The user can enter information about each start time by selecting the Start Time menu item under the Data menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen The Start Times window in Figure 50 will appear Start Times i m x New Delete Edit Save Column Widths I Start Time Stat Dau End EndTime After days Train Block Direction Train Block Direction Train Block Direc 00 01 SuMoTuWe Yes 23 59 0 MKCAS 6 0247 Right IDUOA 12 0194 Left MASNP 19 0239 d Figure 49 Start Times Window This window displays information about all of the start times The user can re size any column in this window by placing the mouse on a vertical separator in the columns header and while holding down the left mouse button drag the mouse to the left or right Once the columns are re sized the user can save the column widths for the next time the window is displayed by clicking the Save Column Widths button To add a new start time click the New button To delete or edit a start time first place the mouse pointer on the data in a start time s row and click the left button to select the start time Then click the Delete or Edit buttons The Edit button will cause the Start Time Data dialog to appear see Figure 48 You can also place the mouse on data in a start time s row and click the right mouse button which will cause a popup menu that has New Edit and Delete men
129. t contains the location where the train should leave the territory after it reentered the territory at the location specified in the Entrance field Delay contains the time in minutes from the time the train leaves the territory until it returns to the territory at the location specified in the Entrance field Page 42 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 COMPUTER CONSULTANTS New ID contains the new train identifier for the train when it reenters the territory at the location specified in the Entrance field If this field is blank the last train identifier will be used New Entrance Direction indicates whether the train re enters the territory moving forward or in reverse New Type contains the new train type if applicable For example if a train leaves the territory empty and returns full the user may want the train to become a different type to reflect its change in weight If this field is blank the last train type is used New Crew Time the train may have had a crew change when it was off the territory If there is an entry in this field there was a crew change and the time in minutes the new crew was on duty when it arrived on the territory is entered into this field If this field is blank there was not a crew change and the time the crew was on duty is accumulated from the train s last crew change 8 9 3 Train Data Work Schedule Dialog A train will sometimes perform local work on the territory Thi
130. tart Times lof xj New Delete Edit Save Column Widths Print Printer Setup Start Time StatDay End EndTime After days Train Block Direction Figure 5 Start Times Window To add a new start time click the new button which will cause a Start Time Data dialog to appear Click the OK button to add a new start time and then close the Start Times window An explanation on adding new start times can be found in Paragraph 8 1 1 Your track layout is now complete Train Dispatcher 3 however cannot use the layout you just completed until you create a track execute file The information you have been entering is stored in a layout file which has an extension of lay A track execute file which has an extension of trk must be created from the information stored in the track layout file To create a track execute file select the Create Track Execute File item under the File menu You should receive a message telling you that you had no errors but did have warnings and asking if you want to continue building the track execute file Answer Yes The next message will tell you that you successfully created a track execute file At this point you could insert the track execute file into Train Dispatcher 3 and throw switches and clear routes However there would be no trains because you have not yet entered any information about the trains that will run on this territory There are two steps to adding trains to
131. te of the values entered into this dialog by entering a template name in this field and clicking the Create button Page 44 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZLOMA You can also add modify and delete passenger schedule templates by going to the Passenger Schedule Template item under the Data menu in the menu bar Another method for entering passenger schedules for each train is to use Track Builder 3 s Import Export Passenger Schedule function The Import Passenger Schedule function imports a comma delimited text file that was previously created by Track Builder 3 or any commercial spreadsheet word processing or database program We highly recommend that you use Track Builder 3 to create this text file by using the Export Passenger Schedule function modify the file using the commercial spreadsheet word processing or database program and then use the Track Builder 3 Import Passenger Schedule function to re enter the data into the system The first line in the text file contains the names of the fields separated by commas The following lines in the text file have the following fields separated by commas Train number Train Identifier ID First platform s departure time First platform s dwell time Second platform s departure time Second platform s dwell time Third platform s departure time Third platform s dwell time o 9 9 gt 9 9 9 9 Fields repeated for all other platforms Only departure and dwell times f
132. the OS Points menu item under the Data menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen Figure 53 will then appear Page 50 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 Patent necro ts OS Data of xj New Delete Edit Advance Save Column Widths Name Block Switch Block Switch Block Switch Block Switch Block Switch Block Switch Blo Rock Creek B 1 Sedalia B 135 Jeff City B 154 B 156 B 157 Washington B 195 W Labadie B 212 Grand Ave B 315 Figure 53 OS Data Window This window displays information about all OS points The user can re size any column in this window by placing the mouse on a vertical separator in the columns header and while holding down the left mouse button drag the mouse to the left or right Once the columns are re sized the user can save the column widths for the next time the window is displayed by clicking the Save Column Widths button To add a new OS point click the New button To delete edit or advance an OS point first place the mouse pointer on the OS point s name in the window and click the left button to select the desired OS point Then click the Delete Edit or Advance buttons The Edit button will cause the OS Data dialog to appear which will allow you to change the name The Advance button will cause the selected OS point to move one position up the list The list should represent the physical position of OS points on the territory and can be in order from left to right o
133. the edge of the screen the screen will automatically scroll in the direction the mouse pointer is moving 7 4 4 Deleting Bitmaps There are three ways to delete a bitmap First select the bitmap Then press the Delete key double click the left mouse button or click the right mouse button The first two operations will immediately delete the bitmap from the display The last operation click the right mouse button will cause a pop up menu to appear Click the Delete Bitmap menu item in the pop up menu to delete the bitmap 7 4 5 Changing Bitmaps To change a displayed bitmap select the bitmap click the right mouse button and then click the Properties item in the pop up menu Figure 24 will then appear Follow the instructions in Paragraph 7 4 1 to change the displayed bitmap s graphics or size 7 4 6 Duplicating Bitmaps To duplicate a displayed bitmap select the bitmap click the right mouse button and then click the Duplicate menu item in the pop up menu Another bitmap with the same characteristics as the selected bitmap will appear below and to the right of the selected bitmap Page 21 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZONAK 7 5 Bitmap Maintenance Each track layout file maintains its own list of available bitmaps The user adds removes or changes this list through the Bitmap Maintenance function To display this function click the Bitmap Maintenance button in the Insert Bitmap dialog see Figure
134. the user draws The best way to demonstrate this is to show some examples see Figure 9 Track Builder 3 can also display the block numbers on the screen These are located near each track symbol To turn this feature on select Display Block Numbers under the Tools menu There are four basic rules the program uses to define the limits of a block Any one of the following causes the termination of a block Adjacent track symbols do not align The user draws a track symbol which has either a vertical or horizontal bar The user draws a switch The user draws a diamond Page 9 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 COMPUTER CONSULTANTS ssl 0 0 Tracks with vertical bars define the end of blocks Switches and diamonds define the end of blocks PORE TE NIE Track symbols do not line up Tracks with horizontal bars define the end of blocks Figure 9 Block Limitations Examples Track blocks can either represent real physical signal blocks on a territory or be connecting drawing lines Real blocks have length and can hold a train Real blocks are drawn in black Connecting lines are drawn in gray Track Builder 3 uses connecting lines for a multitude of purposes They are used to give a clean organized look to the display and to provide interconnections between real blocks and switches or diamonds in interlockings see Figure 10 oe Va sm nn ar eo Figure 10 Real
135. tion select the Station Platform Data menu item under the Data menu in the menu bar Scheduled Departure contains the time the train is scheduled to depart the passenger station or platform The time is entered in 24 hour military time To enter 1 AM type 100 or 0100 To enter 1 PM type 1300 Dwell Time contains the amount of time in seconds the train will stay at the station to load and unload passengers The first train in Figure 46 will depart for example 60 seconds after it arrived if it is behind schedule If it is running ahead of schedule it will depart at the scheduled departure time Add XXX minutes to departures since adding passenger schedules is a long and tedious process we added this feature to simplify the schedule entry for subsequent or earlier trains that run on schedules similar to trains already entered To add or subtract time from a train schedule enter the time in minutes negative minutes to subtract time and click the Add button All departure times in the Train Data Passenger Schedule dialog will be immediately updated Use template the user can create a number of passenger schedule templates These templates hold data entered previously by the user for another train and can be quickly entered into the displayed dialog by selecting one of the currently available templates listed in this field and clicking the Insert button Create template the user can create a templa
136. tion names S ll set 17 call up character 17 detiMtiO cette ttr ede Ria 17 SE ne BEE 18 e e IEN 18 DOEMER 18 MIGVING Sagrada e e ret E 18 selecting asap eee btu sates 18 switch definition and linkage NENNEN 12 device status Wine 32 displaying NUMDETS ENEE 56 lte WEE 55 lg ele 3e RS ln elle iii 56 speed template serene 33 system specifications 69 technical support sss 69 EN Neie Ae E 54 territory design steps 25 territory libraries ENEE 3 territory OPTIONS E 25 text area dei ageet deser 18 A ee qup ee o sm 19 Teller Te ara EO qp genie e naan 20 editing as LEE LEA 20 MI cie e SHE e EE 19 SCIECUIAG WEE 19 track amp time See block permits train Cn 8 passenger schedule template sss 45 lg else EE 39 properties general EEN 41 properties multiple enmtries sss 42 properties passenger schedulB esses 44 properties work schedulee sss 43 train speeds switch reverse sss 33 train TYPES ah tU DR ER ette RR 7 37 Undo function warning messages Watrant eeeesseeeeseeeeees wayside detectors whats NEW ssis YO CANA iii ada
137. tmap files that have a bitmap representing a left facing locomotive a right facing locomotive or a caboose These bitmaps must be 32 bits wide and 14 bits high and have no more than 16 colors A number of locomotive and bitmaps files are included with Track Builder 3 The user should feel free to modify these The data entered into this field is the name and location of the bitmap file To easily locate and enter this data click the Browse button Locomotive right bitmap file see Locomotive left bitmap file Caboose bitmap file see Locomotive left bitmap file 8 8 Platform Names If the program is running passenger trains with scheduled stops the user can assign platform locations Based on the train schedule see Paragraph 8 9 4 and the platform locations Train Dispatcher 3 will depart trains from the platforms at the scheduled times and keep track of late arriving trains Platforms must be given names and be assigned to track block locations on the territory A platform name can be assigned to a number of block locations To assign a platform name the user must call up the Platform Data window by selecting the Station Platform Data item under the Data menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen Figure 40 will then appear Page 38 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZONAK Station Platforms Pm xl New Delete Edit Advance Save Column Widths Name Independence 2 3 Lees Summit 3 Warrensburg 79 S
138. tory and later return The best example of this is when a train leaves the territory to load coal at a mine and then returns to the territory to deliver that coal to its destination Track Builder 3 allows trains to reenter the territory up to ten times To enter information on multiple entries the user clicks the Multiple Entries tab in one of the Train Data dialogs see Figure 43 which causes Figure 44 to appear Edit Train CATOV 56 Coal to Cora IL gx General Train Data Multiple Entries Local Work Schedule Passenger Schedule Entrance Exit Delay New Train ID New Entrance Direction New Type New Crew Time SL 66 Forward C Revere none E 60 none none y Forward C Reverse none v none Y none Y Fomward Reverse none Y mn none zl none y Fomward C Reverse none E none sl none y Forward C Reverse none v mm none sl none y Forward C Reverse none v EZ Q Forward C Reverse finone zl En Forward C Reverse fnon x Forward Reverse finon O Forward Reverse finon O none Y none Y a E II none none Y none none Y E dd none Y none Y Cancel Apply Hel Figure 44 Train Data Multiple Entries Dialog The following describes the fields in the Train Data Multiple Entries dialog Entrance contains the location where the train will return to the territory Exi
139. trance location is later deleted To correct this problem call up the appropriate Train Data General dialog and enter a new entrance location ERROR 503 Train XXX must either have an exit location or become a new train Each train must be destined to either exit the territory or become a new train on the territory This error occurs when a train s destination is not specified To correct this problem call up the appropriate Train Data General dialog and enter an exit location for the train or an identifier for the new train it will become ERROR 504 Train XXX exit location does not exist This problem occurs when a train is assigned to an exit location and that exit location is later deleted To correct this problem call up the appropriate Train Information dialog and enter a new exit location ERROR 505 Train XXX multiple entries entrance location XXX does not exist This problem occurs when a train is assigned to a multiple entries entrance location and that entrance location is later deleted To correct this problem call up the Train Data Multiple Entries dialog and enter a new entrance location ERROR 506 Train XXX multiple entries exit location XXX does not exist This problem occurs when a train is assigned to a multiple entries exit location and that exit location is later deleted To correct this problem call up the Train Data Multiple Entries dialog and enter a new exit location ERROR 5
140. ts at location contains the entrance exit location where the train should exit the territory This field should be blank if this train becomes creates a new train Page 41 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 COMPUTER CONSULTANTS Train becomes a new train trains can become new trains at a specified location This procedure is used often on a passenger system where the same physical equipment is assigned a new train identifier and runs on the schedule assigned to that identifier To select a train identifier for this field click the down arrow to see a list of trains this train could become Please note that you must have previously entered these trains into the system at location the platform or area location P for platform A for area where this train will become a new train and or split into another train after XX minutes the amount of time this train must be at the location before it becomes and or splits into another train and splits into 2 train the train this train will split into To select a train identifier for this field click the down arrow to see a list of trains this train could split into Please note that you must have previously entered these trains into the system The split train will be located behind the original train in the block The length of the original train will be reduced by the length of the split train 8 9 2 Train Data Multiple Entries Dialog A train will often leave the terri
141. u items to appear Double clicking the left mouse button on data in a start time s row will automatically cause the Start Time Data dialog to appear in the edit mode Page 47 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 JD Start Time Data X Start time Train location at start time Scheduled for IV Sunday JW Monday M Tuesday IV Wednesday V Thursday IV Friday M Saturday Noendtime End time 23 59 after o days Train v Add Start block y Change Crew time Delete Start direction Left 8 Right Start at work area Start at multiple entry point RH Cancel Help Figure 50 Start Time Data Dialog The following describes each of the fields in the dialog Train location at start time this is a list of trains that are on the territory at the start time Included in this list form left to right is the following data about each train o Train Identifier Block the train is in at the start of the start of the simulation Direction the train is moving at the start of the simulation Crew on duty time at the start of the simulation The first work area the train will see after the start of the simulation O O O O O The number of multiple entries the train has made at the start of the simulation Trains in this list are sorted by their Train Identifier Start time is the time of the day the simulation will start The time is entered in 24 hour military time To enter 1 AM type 100 or 0
142. uildings roads rivers landmarks etc All bitmap files have a file extension of bmp The system limits a single bitmap size to 30 000 bytes and the number of colors to 16 The user may generate a number of bitmaps see Paragraph 13 for the number of bitmaps allowed 7 4 1 Adding Bitmaps The user adds bitmaps by clicking the Bit symbol button on the left hand side of the screen pointing the mouse pointer to the intended location in the track layout grid and clicking the left mouse button These actions cause Figure 24 to be displayed Insert Bitmap x Bitmap Descriptions Original Width 150 Height 63 Current Width 150 Height 63 Placein IV Background Foreground Bitmap Maintenance Cancel Help Figure 24 Adding a Bitmap A list of available bitmaps appears in the Bitmap Description list box on the left hand side of the display Each track layout file maintains its own unique list of available bitmaps A new track layout file will not have any bitmaps until the user adds a bitmap to the file by use of the Bitmap Maintenance function This function can be called by clicking the Bitmap Maintenance button on this screen The display in Figure 24 shows the original width and height in pixels of an existing bitmap The user can change the size of a bitmap that is displayed on the track layout by changing the number of pixels in the Current Width and Current Height fields The user can make the d
143. ule Dialog Train Data Passenger Schedule Dialog isses ca Entrance Exit eege Simulation Start Times Slow Orders Diwali MISCEL LCANEQUS TOOL S Er EE AN Find Areas Blocks Diamonds Switches and Signals Automatically Assign Connecting Lines s Display Block Diamond Switch and Signal Numbers ue 56 Re number Blocks Diamonds Switches and Dgomale EEN 56 CREATE A TRACK EXECUTE FILE Error Messages TECHNICAL SUPPORT Page ii 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 List of Figures Figure 1 lt Track Layout Grid epidemia e sepe Figure 2 Interlocking Drawing eese nemen Figure 3 Block General Information rennen nenne Figure 4 Entrance Exit Name Added sse Figure 5 Start Times Window sese een conan conc enne ens Figure 6 Train Type Dialog eed Age AER Figure 7 Add New Train Dialog eese e Er Figure 8 Train Data Window eese nennen rem emen Figure 9 Block Limitations Examples sese Figure 10 Real Blocks and Connecting Lues Figure 11 Block INKS uet aisla Figure 12 Manual Block Linkages eese enne nennen nnne Figure 13 Manual Linkage Results Figure 14 2 Switch Lankages uitae eerte teo recerca pido dades Figure 15 Diamond Linkages eese eene remet Figure 16 Automatically Add Signals
144. ut the diamond place the mouse pointer on a grid square that contains a diamond symbol and click the right mouse once or twice once if the mouse pointer is in the shape of an arrow or twice if the mouse pointer is in the shape of one of the drawing symbols A pop up menu will appear Click on the Properties menu item and the dialog will appear Diamond Information x Diamond number o d Train frequency left right Train frequency top bottom Top device none Left device finone Right device finone Bottom device none Cancel Help Figure 34 Diamond Properties The following describes each of the fields in this dialog Diamond number the unique diamond number assigned to this diamond The user cannot change the value in this field Automatic Signaling if checked the diamond is automatically signaled See Paragraph 8 5 1for a definition of automatic signaling Train frequency left right the number of trains the system will automatically create a day to move from left to right or right to left over the diamond See Paragraph 8 5 2 for an explanation Train frequency top bottom the number of trains the system will automatically create a day to move from top to bottom or bottom to top over the diamond See Paragraph 8 5 2 for an explanation Top device the block switch or diamond connected to the top of the diamond The user cannot change the value in this field and assign to it another
145. w time Start direction Start at work area and Start at multiple entry fields will contain the information associated with the selected train identifier Start block is the block where the train will be located when the simulation starts To list all the allowable blocks in which a train can start click the down arrow on the right side of the entry box Crew time is the time the crew has been on duty at the start of the simulation Start direction is the direction in which the train is traveling at the start of the simulation Start at work area is the number of the next work area in which the train is scheduled to perform work If the train has not performed work at any of the scheduled areas at the start of the simulation this number should be 1 If it has already completed work at the first work area this number should be 2 Start at multiple entry is the number of multiple entries the train has completed prior to the start of the simulation If the train has never left the territory this number should be O If the train has left the territory once and returned this number should be 1 Add button will cause the data entered in the Train Start block Crew time Start direction Start at work area and Start at multiple entry fields to be added to the Train location at start list box as a new train entry Edit button will cause the data entered in the Train Start block Crew time Start d
146. will be drawn on the grid with its base located one grid square above one grid square below if left handed signaling and one grid square to Page 28 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 ZLOMA the left of the left most track symbol for the block If a left controlled signal already exists an error message will be displayed Right exit control signal the signal number of the controlled signal that allows a train moving to the right to exit the block If no signal number is displayed the program assumes the exit signal is automatic The user can manually assign a controlled signal but it must be an existing controlled signal that has been previously drawn on the grid Create Right is a button that allows the user to easily create a right exit controlled signal When this button is clicked a controlled signal will be created and assigned to the right exit This signal will be drawn on the grid with its base located one grid square below one grid square above if right handed signaling and one grid square to the right of the right most track symbol for the block If a right controlled signal already exists an error message will be displayed Normal crew change point a check box that allows the user to indicate that crews are normally changed in the block Delay in block because of crew change the amount of time in minutes for the crews to change once the new crew has arrived Time to send crew to block the amount of time in mi
147. y or delete wayside detectors see Paragraph 8 12 OS point contains the OS point assigned to the block OS points are used by Train Dispatcher 3 to create a train graph OS points can be assigned to multiple blocks or switches If an OS point is not assigned to the block none will be displayed in this field A list of available OS points will be displayed when the user clicks on this field To add modify or delete OS points see Paragraph 8 13 Remote monitor name An advanced version of Train Dispatcher 3 called Train Dispatcher 3 Pro is capable of monitoring and controlling external devices such as real railroad ground equipment or a model railroad display The remote monitor name is used to associate external devices to the devices in the Train Dispatcher 3 display Blocks must also be assigned speeds run times for each different type of train for each of the three signal aspects To display the Block Speed dialog either click the Block Speeds tab at the top of the Block Properties dialog see Figure 31 or place the mouse pointer on a grid square that contains one the block s track symbols and click the right mouse once or twice once if the mouse pointer is in the shape of an arrow or twice if the mouse pointer is in the shape of one of the drawing symbols A pop up menu will appear Click on the Properties Speeds menu item and Figure 32 will appear Page 29 6 December 2000 Track Builder 3 erii Block Properties 2 xi

Track Builder 3 Manual - Train Dispatcher Simulation

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