Block signalling on the GNRW phase II/V/VI and beta testing.
Last night I worked until 1:30 AM and was too tired to post anything: Today, it's 1:30 AM again but, finally, starting to 'see the end of the tunnel (pun intended)'.
Joe has taught me enough to start 'making me dangerous'.
There were five signals that still needed input into the system.
The config tables has data that needs to be copied over to the signal mast tables.
Config tables data:
Signal mast tables. Coded instructions for each type of light is copied into these tables. Last night, Joe went home around 10:30 and I stayed up for 4 hours getting the five 'signal mast' tables updated. I used his existing ones as a guide to do them.
Hey, it's tonight's accomplishments!
The 'routing' logic has to be inputted into each 'signal mast' tables. I was calling up each table and Joe showed me a quick way by just right clicking on the signal on the screen and it gives you options: 'signal mast logic: SM 18'. In this case signal designation 'SM 18'.
Blocks, the next signal 'down the road' plus any affected turnouts are inputted.
Sample of signal mast functioning:
1) At Shelby, the switch is thrown towards the 'SM 14' signal, plus block 'B 800' is not occupied, so it's GREEN.
2) Turnout is thrown against the signal so it's RED.
3) The block is occupied (RED indicates occupancy) so the signal is, again, RED. Notice that the signal SM11 at Hillyard also changed to RED to stop oncoming trains.
Fortunately, one can test all this via the 'track plan' on the screen. Initially, I would make a change and test via an engine (long and tiresome): Joe showed me the easy way via the screen.
Beta testing:
Ran an engine from Seattle to the interchange and back and all worked well, save one spot (which is a little tricky). All single mast worked great (save one). As the engine passed the signal, it turned RED, then YELLOW when the 2nd block was reached, flashing YELLOW on the 3rd block and, finally, Green on the 4th block.
The double head signals 'have arrived at destination country' so maybe those will be at my 'door step' shortly. All software is coded for them so, in theory, they should test quickly. They are needed at all turnouts.
Phase VI: Installing the turnouts software and hardware to indicate the position of the turnouts on the 'track plan'.
Fortunately, I have been using some very old Tenshodo switches (toggle type versus a turnout). One side gives 'juice' to the switch machine, the other side (which I wasn't using) is a set of contacts to indicate direction via a light bulb. In this case, it will be used to complete a circuit to the software indicating which way the turnout is thrown.
For ease of connecting the wires between the turnouts and software, these circuit board type terminal strips will do 'the job'.
