Pete, As someone who has been through real-life driver training may I say how professional and educational this video is. What took about 3 days during our rules & Regs training you've squeezed into a one hour video which was a lot more entertaining than the several days in a classroom I went through! I know an awful lot of work went into this, but I'm sure it will be linked and referred to many times by the TS community as THE guide to UK signalling. Congratulations!
DistrictDriver Thank you :) I really appreciate your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed this video! It was a real challenge to make, but I hope it helps others understand signalling better :)
I have to say thank you. You started my journey to becoming a mainline train driver from these videos. You did a better job than certain trainers I’ve encountered 😂 28:30 is spot on
+Szymon Gorczynski Ridicoulus? Nah rather well thought out and prices. They also work on the same principles than for most of the signaltypes. They work simlarly to the british semaphores with distants and home signals. Distant: Double yellow -> next home is at danger/stop. Double green ->next home is unrestricted drive (green. one yellow one green -> speed restriction at the next home (single digit number shows the speed, if none is shown reduce speed to 40 km/h) White light on top of the distant -> braking distance is reduced by atleast 5% (generally braking distance of less than 1000m, have to ask a loco driver friend, based on which distance. No such information is given in the British system which can catch you on the wrong foot.) Yellow Number in a box below the Distant -> Expect Speed restriction to said speed by the next home signal 6=60 km/h and so on. Every speed restriction below 80 km/h needs to be acknowledged by pressing PZB Wachsam/acknowledge while passing the distant. Can also be a freestanding sign on the the track, which is normally coupled with a PZB manget, and must be acknowledged the same way. Main/home Signal: Red->Danger/stop Green-> unrestricted clear Yellow-green -> speed restriction in force from this signal on, speed given in a white number on top of it, if none is given 40 km/h. White nuber ->speed allowed in the speed restriction. Red and three white lights -> permission to pass Signal at Danger, use Befehl 40 at below 45 km/h to pass it. (Depending on PZB mode.) Main/home Signals don't have to be acknowledged, unless they are also doubling as a distant, which is shown by a downwards pointing yellow triangle. Shunting Dwarfs are simple, same as the british: two whites ->clear two reds ->danger. The only one that is really troublesome is the east german/east european Hl system, that one is really complicated. Which is afaik only used on a few east german freeware routes, DTG mainly uses the Hp/Vr combination, wether those are correct for the route or not. Also the old TS 2012 DVD came with a short printed signal guide, that covered the basics. BTW if you want complicated, try reading a sodding semaphore controlling multiple points....;) Like the one leading into Coniston on the Coniston Branch Freeware route. In Semaphores the German system is better, each track has his own signal. As for the LZB the implementation in Railworks/Train simulator doesn't represent the real system, as the real system works on a moving block system and the Railworks/Trainsimulator one still uses a fixed block system, based on the signals in the system. IRL those systems are independent of each other.
Very good explanation of signaling, I was a driver at crewe but left in 1985. It looks like the flashing yellows have changed a little since I left. My friend Eric goode another crewe driver was killed in the colwich accident back in 86 when a stoke driver heading north for stoke had 2 flashing yellows, then the 1 flashing yellow his next signal was a red which normally would clear as you approached it, and this was what the stoke driver was expecting but he realised at the last minute it wasn't going to clear, he went past the red across the junction as Eric hit the junction at the same time travelling at 100mph. The stoke driver survived and claimed he had never been given any information on the new flashing yellow signals. I have my own thoughts on that!!!
Thank you so much for this video. I loved it. 70yrs old lady with a lifelong love of trains and this made it all so simple. Beautifully explained. Clear and understandable. Have subscribed and will be looking for more of your wonderful work. Sue
JDB158 Thanks! This video was a real challenge to make, and I've spent the best part of most of my evenings for the last week trying to put it together! :)
I don't often comment on TH-cam videos but I wanted to take a minute to thank you for this video. I was frustrated with the signaling guide in TS2015 and almost gave up on the game but this tutorial has greatly improved my understanding of signals and I now I can enjoy the British routes and not feel so confused. In fact, after watching your video I bought the West Highland Line Extension DLC and have finished half of the Career scenarios. It's been a really fun route for me and I wouldn't have discovered it without your video.
+MandervilleMan Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it! :) I'm glad that this guide has helped you understand the signalling better. The West Highland Line Extension is a great route, and I really like the radio signalling system.
I think this is a great video. Its because you explain clearly, what the newbies need to know about the signals on British Routes. I personally think the British signalling is the best, this is because its so simple. I think you should do more British driving tutorials in Train Simulator, for example; Stopping at Stations (especially on routes with car stop signs), shunting, and the other British driving basics. About the video it's self. It was nice how you used working examples of some of the signalling. You used a example which wasn't train sim. The introduction was one of the best i have seen. I was a very good driver before this, and some stuff i never knew before was mentioned in this video. It has earned a like. I personally think this channel should be way over 10k subscribers by now Pete, you are so underrated.
Congratulations! I recently started signalling school myself - nearly 8 years since I made this video! There’s a lot more to learn than I included here. Good luck with it all! :)
@@PTGRail Thank you! Would you have any advice in regards to Signalling School? I know how difficult it will be, but as someone who has experienced it I would be so grateful for a few words!
@@Jack-ii8vi I’ve only just completed the first week! The best advice I can give is don’t get ahead of yourself before you start. Do your best to revise what you’re taught. And make sure to get lots of time on the simulator to practice what you’ve learned.
Absolutely brilliant, Peter. I have been a railway fan for more than 60 years and thought I knew all about British signals. I was wrong. Many thanks, Roger Crick
@28:00 Also it is advisable when stopping at a RED aspect to leave a "Loco" lengths worth of space, this so if you fail, the rescue Loco can draw up to you and then when its ready to go, the signaller can clear the route straight away, rather then proceeding with caution to the next aspect at 20mph
Super late to reply, but I just got into train simming so you'll have to excuse me! My favorite sim youtuber recently drove a BR Class 47 on a heritage track under instructor supervision, and one of the things the instructor said to him was that generally you aim to stop 10-15 yards before the signal. This of course conveniently converts to a little under 10-15 meters.
Ha ha , I wish drivers would do that in real life ! It would make life much more simpler for us Signalman. I think the reason, they do draw up so close . Is it not so far for them to walk . To the signal to use the phone, specially in the rain ! But by doing that it locks up moves we can make ahead of the signal. when the assisting engine goes on the front . And holds down the track circuit . making it impossible to move trains across their route.
Another brilliant and highly informative guide. Just a few things: the Tyne and Wear Metro and the ERTMS fitted Cambrian Coast Line both use km/h instead of mph for speed limits and regarding semaphore home signal, not all had red and green lenses. Although not pertinent to Train Simulator as a mere point of interest, the Caledonian Railway had home signals with Blue and Maroon lamps which survived in use into British Railways days; although I'm not sure if any survive today. Thank you again for your video and I would just like to take the opportunity to say how much I appreciate the considerable time and effort you put into your videos; it is definitely worth it as I consider your TS videos to be the best around by a considerable margin because of the enthusiasm you put into them, the high quality and very informative nature of the videos and the extra level of realism you bring to the videos by not using the HUD by instead relying on route knowledge just like real drivers. Can't wait for the next video, Ben.
Ben Reid Thanks for the information there, I had no idea about the blue and maroon lamps on older home signals, that's interesting :) I should have remember that about the Cambrian Coast route, I know it was fitted with ERTMS in cab signalling.... and I would love to see that route modelled in Train Simulator with the signalling done correctly :) Thanks for all of your comments.. I've always tried to offer something different and unique on this channel, rather than making 'just another train simulator channel'. It seems to have paid off, and I'm grateful for everyone who watches these videos :)
I agree with you that the Cambrian Coast Line and its ERTMS system would provide a highly interesting and different addition to TS. I keep feeling sorry that the Welsh aren't represented in TS when there are so many beautiful railway lines in Wales: The Heart of Wales Line, the North Wales Coast Line among others. Regarding ERTMS in the National Rail Network, I believe it is to be progressively rolled out across all routes in the UK and I seem to remember reading about the ECML being planned to be fully ERTMS equipped by 2020. This means two things: higher speeds on conventional UK railway lines but also the end of the mph for railway speed limits. It could be that in years to come we use km/h for railways but still use mph for roads; which would be strange but in Ireland roads have used km/h for speed limits for several years now whilst the Iarnròd Éireann network still uses the mph. Thanks again for your videos, I am waiting in earnest for the next installment, Ben.
Awesome video - well worth the wait! Very informative, in a clear and easy way to understand, and with examples too. Perfect! Also, glad to hear about you considering making a route learning video for the excellent West Highland Line Extension. Definitely one of my favorite routes. Thank you for making these awesome videos.
This was a very informative video. For someone who is looking to become a train driver in the future, it has given a really good and in depth insight into how the system works. Awesome stuff!
is there a standard block length on mainlines? Since blocks are shorter near stations, terminals, and route divergence points, how can a diver estimate how long they have to adjust speeds to match signaled speed instructions?
Diverging routes: And that's where Train Simulator continually lets itself down as you should get Flashing YY, Flashing Y, Steady yellow with feather which on approach should step up to a better aspect if available. So in your example at Stoats Nest, you should have got: Flashing YY, Flashing Y, Yellow with Feather and on approach to the steady yellow at around 200 yards from the signal this should have then been Green with feather, as the signal beyond the diverging route was green. This means if it was working correctly in TS, you could then confidently take the junction at 70mph as sign posted had the signal stepped up to something greater than a single yellow. I very much doubt that this will ever get fixed.
Darren Towler That makes sense. It's annoying when it does that and so I have to slow for the next signal assuming it's red when I know damn well it isn't lol :p I guess we'll see what happens in the next generation train sim :)
There was train SIM video on TH-cam where flashing yellows used near Manchester. The person doing sim didn't understand why so was late. I'm sure the Acton Bridge junction to Liverpool show flashing double yellows, flashing yellow, yellow feather so you can diverge off wcml towards Liverpool at 70mph.
There are other methods for approach control on diverging routes without flashing yellow aspects too which are to hold the signal protecting the junction at red or sometimes yellow and then step up once the train has passed over the AWS magnet but I don't think I've seen that done in train sim either.
Signals at Liverpool st are Incorrect. Between London Liverpool st and Seven Kings on Both the Main and Electric lines as well as both directions the signaling sequence is Red the signal behind this is Single yellow, the Signal behind this one is Double Yellow, The signal behind this one is also double Yellow, Finally the signal behind this one is Green. The reason for this is because of the amount of traffic especially in the Rush hour
HI PETER, watched this video recently and enjoyed it,having lived very close to Finsbury Park And Hitchin both on the E C M Line for 60 years untill retiring to West Devon i visited Kings Cross often and allso commuted from Hitchin for some of that time. Saw the end of steam, i learnt quite a few points on signalling from your video i reccomend it to others . The Moorgate to Welwyn video is really good , my wife used this line daily for some time from 1976 just as it changed over to B R FROM L T. Many thanks for top quality programes and commentry. Regards Dave B
Are the yellow triangle Morpeth Boards used incorrectly in Train Simulator? Its like DTG Places them before each speed decrease in speed to aid players (in a rather arcadey way) when a drop in speed limit occurs.
No they're not that's their meaning they may be used a little more often in train sim then real life but they are used to warn the driver of a speed restriction.
Great video very precise and clearly spoken, covers all the questions I had. Will check out your other videos and recommend to others, thank you for this one.
Thank you so much for the great video. It really helped me a lot on understanding how British railway signaling system works, and how to read them throughout the gameplay!
A note about semaphore signals. Each arm is in one of two states -- 'off' and 'on' where 'on' is the stop/warning indication. The normal layout of semaphores around a station is a distant, home and starting with home and starting being stop signals, distant the warning that can only be pulled off if the other two are off. Signals might be qualified depending on the track layout -- you'll see references to 'outer' and 'inner' home signals and 'advance' starting. Depending on the historical period (and the railway company) there are auxiliary signal types that are used with stop signals, they were where I lived shorter with horizontal red stripes with a latter 'C', 'S' or 'W' on them for Calling On, Shunt and Warning. Each allowed the train to pass a stop signal that was on under rules specific to that particular location.
What’s with all the home signals? There is only one home signal at each box. If the distant is off you are clear through all the stop signals controlled by that signal box. Never ever heard of trying to keep rolling hoping the signal will change.
I had TS2015 a while back, and being American (and like 8 or so), I had no idea how to approach this. Glad I found this, even if I'm late. Really helps me. So I'm not supposed to sound the horn during certain hours? A certain 8-9 year old me really liked horns, and ignored that.
That thing about not using the horn during certain hours at whistle boards is a thing IRL but has been heavily criticised quite a few times due to incidents which often result in a fatality as they're used on foot crossings mainly so I'm not sure if it's still the case or whether horn use is subject to local instructions for higher risk crossings.
[Chasing yellows] Gatwick express service , from victoria to esst croydon, wich i just coasted at 60 fro. Claphan junction untill the single yellows.turned to double yellows about 50 yards infront
Also I meant to say that, I don't know if you know, but HST speed limits do not only apply to HSTs (InterCity 125s) but apply to a variety of UK trains. Similarly MU limits don't just apply to Multiple Units and some Multiple Units are not allowed to run at MY speeds.
+PTGRail For future reference HST speed limits apply to the following trains: Class 158, 159, 170, 171, 172, 175, 180, 220, 221, 222, Class 253 and 254 HST sets and Class 91 hauled rakes of push-pull functional Mark4s. Class 390 Pendolinos may not travel at HST, MU or EMU speed limits. Class 185 DMUs may not travel at DMU or MU speed limits. I don't know why Pendolinos can't travel at HST, MU, EMU limits but for Class 185s it is because of their heavy axle loading not helped by their stiff suspension. Hope all this is of use to you.
Nicely done, if Carlsberg did signal tutorials, this would be one of them! Problem with signals in TS is that you can't read them from any sort of reasonable distance - in the real world you can read a signal aspect, particularly on long range signals, at more than 2 miles ahead of the signal. In most cases, when you see a signal in the game, it's already too late to do anything about it and you have to take more aggressive action than you would otherwise need to. On slower commuter lines, they use short range signals and those are probably closest to what we see in the game. Typically you can read a short range signal from around half a mile away, mid-range signals up to a mile. Long range signals are usually only used on high speed lines. With modern LED signals, you can read most of those up to 4 miles away.
purplesmurf2010 I agree with you. Signal visibility in TS is very poor compared to real life - so you end up braking later than you would do in reality. Indeed, when driving on the ECML in an HST you have to take very aggressive action or else you will certainly SPAD. I learned that the hard way a while ago, so decided to replicate it here to hopefully help others avoid a SPAD on that route lol. It's easier on slower commuter lines, with more room to brake. Even with 90mph speed limits on the Brighton Main Line, it's easy to stop at red signals without taking aggressive action.
28:14 I sometimes do this when driving on the road. Trying to avoid coming to a complete stop, meaning I'd lose all momentum and have to start again from stationary.
Another superb guide. Much of it I knew already having gleaned the information from other sources, but this is a very concise and beautifully presented guide which is very complete. Although I doubt any guide will make the semaphore signal gantries on the Weardale and Teesdale routes less baffling- usually I just ignore the more complex ones and hope for the best!
18:22 I wish you would have explained what each signal means. Take that initial image you show. There's 9 semaphores, but only 3 lines. Which semaphore am I supposed to look at? What do they mean?
Hello PTG Rail.What command should I use in the scenario creator so as to let a train join a platform in which there is another train ? At 22:52 in your video this happens...
An Excellent video. Thank you very much. This gave me a lot of extra knowledge. This is the best guide on TH-cam. Congratulations, and once again thank you very much.
TSguy0100 Thank you :) I'm glad this helped you learn more about British signals. I don't know this is the best, but this was my best attempt at making a guide lol :p Thanks again :)
thanks sooo much for this easy to understand video which made british signalling--easy. keep up the awesome-ity(if that's a word) with all other vids on this channel
I have seen in the UK, that are about 12 inches square with a BLACK BACKGROUND, showing a NUMBER, I am wondering if you can help with measurements please
Very professional presentation, and a most enjoyable way of learning. Any plans to make a presentation on the route from Exeter Central to Salisbury with the tokenless block? Thanks for all the hard work that goes into. A,ing these videos.
Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it. Unfortunately that route isn't currently modelled in train simulator, but if it's made then you can be sure I'll cover it :)
I've been looking forward to this one, it didn't disappoint! You mentioned not being sure if we had any green repeaters in the sim, I believe they are on the WCML: Trent Valley route just for future reference. :)
+Matthew Finney More accurately, on the Class 801 the lights do come on (unlike the HST) but it has not been simulated properly and so doesn't work properly. Also, only the GWML has ATP in reality and we can't run the Class 801 along there in TS as it's unelectrified past Hayes & Harlington.
PTGRail in real life now the wires now reach as far as maidenhead and the first section has been turned on. This means no more 166s or 165s. dtg or even jt need to release an updated route or a patch that includes it in the future.
When I was on S&T VSC Clapham Junction, had high failure rate, ASE was 'wrong man for job' had to be paid off, replacement was told that he was to be sacked in 6 months time with Chief Signal engineers unless failure rate dropped, bought in man from Swanley, led a task force team, he found lots of defective equipment, reduced failure rate, did a good job.
Cool as per nermal. Very informative, did not realise the Morpth boards were so named after a crash. About to try RETB again, shall report how I get along, Cheers again
You did not mention the AWS sunflower display only the horn and bell. With regards to RETB you show the Stop boards but would have been good to see you requesting token at one.
Great video PTGRail Really detailed and excellent quality! I've never heard it called chasing yellow I always call it chasing aspects but its personal opinion on what its called.
MyTrainlover-part of Kaseyap LTD Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed this video :) I've also heard is called riding the yellows or surfing the yellows. I've never known exactly what to call it lol :p
You explain this very well. On the real railway a lot of signalling is linked to axle counters. I don't know if they are included in Train Sim, doesn't look like they are.
Considering I knew about the signalling already, this was just watched for fun, and because of the intense thoroughness, this probably won't need to be watched more than three times before fully understanding. Great video comrade. Also, didn't you say you was going to cover TVM430, or is that in a different video? Like an in-cab signalling tutorial which would include the Chinese high speed lines? One more thing... that was a nice stop at Knebworth ;) :P
Fringe Stalin Haha awesome, I'm glad you enjoyed this video comrade! :) I did my best, but I'm still not sure if I did a great job or not lol :p As for TVM430, I mentioned at the very end of this video that I will be making a separate video on it. The reason was that to add any more I felt would make this video too long; and as it's a French system, I thought it would work better in it's own separate but shorter video :) And lol, thanks :p I thought I would show a certain someone up. It's just a shame the signal wasn't at the end of the platform ;)
May I also add to anyone reading that 40MPH is the ideal speed to travel through caution (yellow) aspects at. It means you can brake normally if there is a danger (red) signal ahead and also means you're not constantly stopping and starting if there is a slow service ahead of you.
I have a question - in UK , do you have on railways entrance station signals and exit station signals? I didn't understand that. in croatia, here are entrance signal which protects running train into the station and exit signal at other side.
No. The entry/exit signals, nor stations themselves understood as in the Austrian/German tradition, don't exist in the UK. Every signal is a signal and every piece of track is a track and there are (almost) no special rules. The only remnants of a similar system exists in the absolute block areas, where a home signal (=entry) and a section signal (=exit) demarcate an area worked by a single signal box with a plain track section in between. However, this is being phased out, and the term station is only used for the platform itself. Note however, that in the heyday of absolute block, it was typically that a station had 2 signal boxes controlling it (lets say North and South), each having their home and section signals. Coming from the north you would first pass the North home signal, after the points on the northern side would be the North section signal with the South distant, then the platform on a plain block section, then a South home signal on the platform end, then the South section signal behind the points. Very different from Central or Eastern Europe indeed.
I would say yes, but it's hard to say for me because i don't exactly know what CTC means. In the UK, about 20-30% is signaled from the new signaling centers (SSI, control >100 miles of track each), 40-50% from power signaling boxes (relay interlocking, also more than 100 miles each) and about 20% would be controlled from individual signalboxes (relay or mechanical interlocking controlling 1 location only). These are very rough estimates and I don't claim they are in any way precise. You'll get a fuller picture of UK signaling practice (however excluding the mechanical signalboxes) here: bpsr.signallingnotices.org.uk/
Another quality video :), have you ever thought of doing an "in depth" driving tutorial? , for instance how to control loco's in different weather conditions or how to handle inclines based on different train weights?, power to weight ratios etc? thanks for uploading :)
Nice work PTGRail that must have taken a fair while to put together. Really comprehensive too, I particularly enjoyed the chasing yellows and defensive driving sections. Just for future info, if you want to cover the approach control, this is implemented on the GWML, for example on the approach to Oxford station which is accurate to real life.
William Mankelow Thanks Will. This video took up most of my spare time for quite a number of evenings over the last week. It was a long, hard task to try and put this together! I wanted to try and show how best to respond to the signals when chasing the yellows, as a lot of people seem unsure :) Thanks for that extra info, I just couldn't think of anywhere it was simulated in TS at the time :)
This video has helped me loads. Cheers mate. Sick of getting scenario failed messages because I didn't understand the yellows etc. still wish the thing along the bottom showed the approaching signal colours. Or does it? If it does I don't see the difference, they all look the same (I'm not a no HUD driver like you!)
+tdurbo No problem at all, I am glad that I could help! No it doesn't show the difference between the signal colours on the HUD, and so you have to follow the rules I mentioned - driving with caution and on reaching cautionary signals always assuming you have a red signal ahead of you until you can see otherwise :)
+PTGRail Yep it's already made a world of difference. I've just uploaded my first activity in about ten years to Steam. A Riviera activity in an old BR Class 101 in the snow. Just thought it'd make a change for that route. I want to do one where I'm chasing yellows, that's my next plan, once I've properly sussed how the AI works these days. Last time I got engrossed in doing that was MSTS way back when. Keep the vids coming man cheers
In real life there is a green banner on the southern approach to St. Albans down fast platform but I'm not sure that this is simulated on the midland mainline route in TS.
Brilliant very informative im building a model railway and signalling has been very difficult to understand so thank you i now understand it much better now.
5:25 morpeth boards are only required when the speed difference is greater than 60%. so a 100mph to 50mph would not need one, but a 100mph to a 40 mph would, however, theres loads of places that have them where not needed!
Don't know where you got that from. ASL boards can be anywhere. Even from 15 to 10. However, if the speed is more than a 33% reduction an AWS magnet MUST be fitted. I've also never heard them called Morpeth boards. They are Advanced Speed Limit boards (ASL)
@@TrainDriverSam yeah, I was a bit drunk when I wrote this. The 60% is for the AWS magnet. Not the boards. (I’ve never heard them called Morpeth boards either). Where have you got 33% from. I can think of at least 1 place the speed drops 55% where there is no AWS.
@@sw01ller 🙈 nothing wrong with a bit drunk! As in the Rule Book, RS522, "Where a reduction in permissible speed is provided with a warning indicator (i.e. the permissible speed on the approach is 60 mph or more and the reduction in the permissible speed is at least one third) an AWS permanent magnet is provided 180 metres (approximately 200 yards) on the approach to the warning indicator". I also know of a couple of places where I drive where technically a ramp should be, but meh 😂
You mentioned that you have to change frequency at certain points on the RETB system but didn't state how to do that so please could you tell me how you would do that as that would be of great help to do so. I would also like to say that I think you deserve a hole lot more support and encouragement into the making of this channel. Cornish Gateway
+Cornish Gateway It's one of the radio buttons but I can't remember which one off the top of my head lol! XD It's rare that I drive on that route. I will see if I can find out again :) And thank you, I really appreciate that! It means a lot :)
Hey do ya think they well ever make one where U accually operate a signal box. Ex. pulling down levers, pressing bells like normal train on line & train in section. Handing staff to drivers, setting tracks, signals & points
Pete,
As someone who has been through real-life driver training may I say how professional and educational this video is.
What took about 3 days during our rules & Regs training you've squeezed into a one hour video which was a lot more entertaining than the several days in a classroom I went through!
I know an awful lot of work went into this, but I'm sure it will be linked and referred to many times by the TS community as THE guide to UK signalling. Congratulations!
DistrictDriver Thank you :) I really appreciate your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed this video! It was a real challenge to make, but I hope it helps others understand signalling better :)
I work for the railways and this is one of the best videos I've seen explaining signalling. Thanks a lot.
Thanks for the comment, I really appreciate it. I'm glad that this video helps to explain signalling clearly. :)
Yes it is very good !
I have to say thank you. You started my journey to becoming a mainline train driver from these videos. You did a better job than certain trainers I’ve encountered 😂 28:30 is spot on
And that's what I love about the British signaling, its simplicity.
+Szymon Gorczynski Agreed! :)
PTGRail The German system is jut ridiculous. How are you meant to remember all that as a driver?
+PTGRail Can you do a FRENCH signaling guide 😀🍪
+Szymon Gorczynski Ridicoulus? Nah rather well thought out and prices.
They also work on the same principles than for most of the signaltypes.
They work simlarly to the british semaphores with distants and home signals.
Distant:
Double yellow -> next home is at danger/stop.
Double green ->next home is unrestricted drive (green.
one yellow one green -> speed restriction at the next home (single digit number shows the speed, if none is shown reduce speed to 40 km/h)
White light on top of the distant -> braking distance is reduced by atleast 5% (generally braking distance of less than 1000m, have to ask a loco driver friend, based on which distance. No such information is given in the British system which can catch you on the wrong foot.)
Yellow Number in a box below the Distant -> Expect Speed restriction to said speed by the next home signal 6=60 km/h and so on.
Every speed restriction below 80 km/h needs to be acknowledged by pressing PZB Wachsam/acknowledge while passing the distant.
Can also be a freestanding sign on the the track, which is normally coupled with a PZB manget, and must be acknowledged the same way.
Main/home Signal:
Red->Danger/stop
Green-> unrestricted clear
Yellow-green -> speed restriction in force from this signal on, speed given in a white number on top of it, if none is given 40 km/h.
White nuber ->speed allowed in the speed restriction.
Red and three white lights -> permission to pass Signal at Danger, use Befehl 40 at below 45 km/h to pass it. (Depending on PZB mode.)
Main/home Signals don't have to be acknowledged, unless they are also doubling as a distant, which is shown by a downwards pointing yellow triangle.
Shunting Dwarfs are simple, same as the british:
two whites ->clear
two reds ->danger.
The only one that is really troublesome is the east german/east european Hl system, that one is really complicated.
Which is afaik only used on a few east german freeware routes, DTG mainly uses the Hp/Vr combination, wether those are correct for the route or not.
Also the old TS 2012 DVD came with a short printed signal guide, that covered the basics.
BTW if you want complicated, try reading a sodding semaphore controlling multiple points....;) Like the one leading into Coniston on the Coniston Branch Freeware route.
In Semaphores the German system is better, each track has his own signal.
As for the LZB the implementation in Railworks/Train simulator doesn't represent the real system, as the real system works on a moving block system and the Railworks/Trainsimulator one still uses a fixed block system, based on the signals in the system.
IRL those systems are independent of each other.
LupusAries Except that you need to remember all the speed limits and the system is very unforgivable in terms of breaking speed limits.
Very good explanation of signaling, I was a driver at crewe but left in 1985.
It looks like the flashing yellows have changed a little since I left.
My friend Eric goode another crewe driver was killed in the colwich accident back in 86 when a stoke driver heading north for stoke had 2 flashing yellows, then the 1 flashing yellow his next signal was a red which normally would clear as you approached it, and this was what the stoke driver was expecting but he realised at the last minute it wasn't going to clear, he went past the red across the junction as Eric hit the junction at the same time travelling at 100mph.
The stoke driver survived and claimed he had never been given any information on the new flashing yellow signals. I have my own thoughts on that!!!
Five years later and this video is still relevant nice job.
One year later and this comment* is still relevant. Nice job 👍
(* and the video 👏)
The effort that's gone into making this tutorial is exemplary. I'd love to see more of these types of guides. Thank you!
@CoasterManiac 2004 ???
@CoasterManiac 2004 😂😂😂😂what
Thank you so much for this video. I loved it. 70yrs old lady with a lifelong love of trains and this made it all so simple. Beautifully explained. Clear and understandable. Have subscribed and will be looking for more of your wonderful work. Sue
I thought this video will be quite boring but I actually found it really interesting. Thanks for making it.
Brilliant video! A video that has been long waited for! But the wait has paid off!
JDB158 Thanks! This video was a real challenge to make, and I've spent the best part of most of my evenings for the last week trying to put it together! :)
I don't often comment on TH-cam videos but I wanted to take a minute to thank you for this video.
I was frustrated with the signaling guide in TS2015 and almost gave up on the game but this tutorial has greatly improved my understanding of signals and I now I can enjoy the British routes and not feel so confused. In fact, after watching your video I bought the West Highland Line Extension DLC and have finished half of the Career scenarios. It's been a really fun route for me and I wouldn't have discovered it without your video.
+MandervilleMan Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it! :) I'm glad that this guide has helped you understand the signalling better. The West Highland Line Extension is a great route, and I really like the radio signalling system.
I think this is a great video. Its because you explain clearly, what the newbies need to know about the signals on British Routes. I personally think the British signalling is the best, this is because its so simple.
I think you should do more British driving tutorials in Train Simulator, for example; Stopping at Stations (especially on routes with car stop signs), shunting, and the other British driving basics.
About the video it's self. It was nice how you used working examples of some of the signalling. You used a example which wasn't train sim. The introduction was one of the best i have seen. I was a very good driver before this, and some stuff i never knew before was mentioned in this video. It has earned a like.
I personally think this channel should be way over 10k subscribers by now Pete, you are so underrated.
I got the job as a signaller, and I'm going to signalling school soon. I shall watch this, thank you!
Congratulations! I recently started signalling school myself - nearly 8 years since I made this video! There’s a lot more to learn than I included here. Good luck with it all! :)
@@PTGRail Thank you! Would you have any advice in regards to Signalling School? I know how difficult it will be, but as someone who has experienced it I would be so grateful for a few words!
@@Jack-ii8vi I’ve only just completed the first week! The best advice I can give is don’t get ahead of yourself before you start. Do your best to revise what you’re taught. And make sure to get lots of time on the simulator to practice what you’ve learned.
@@PTGRail Greatly appreciated, good luck with it!
Why is this so interesting. I'm now so aware of signals when I take trains now.
I'm glad you found this interesting. I've found that as you learn more about the railway, you become more aware of what's going on around you.
Absolutely brilliant, Peter. I have been a railway fan for more than 60 years and thought I knew all about British signals. I was wrong. Many thanks, Roger Crick
Roger Crick Thanks Roger! This was a real challenge to put together - I'm glad that you enjoyed it :)
@28:00 Also it is advisable when stopping at a RED aspect to leave a "Loco" lengths worth of space, this so if you fail, the rescue Loco can draw up to you and then when its ready to go, the signaller can clear the route straight away, rather then proceeding with caution to the next aspect at 20mph
Super late to reply, but I just got into train simming so you'll have to excuse me! My favorite sim youtuber recently drove a BR Class 47 on a heritage track under instructor supervision, and one of the things the instructor said to him was that generally you aim to stop 10-15 yards before the signal. This of course conveniently converts to a little under 10-15 meters.
Ha ha , I wish drivers would do that in real life ! It would make life much more simpler for us Signalman. I think the reason, they do draw up so close . Is it not so far for them to walk . To the signal to use the phone, specially in the rain ! But by doing that it locks up moves we can make ahead of the signal. when the assisting engine goes on the front . And holds down the track circuit . making it impossible to move trains across their route.
@@welshpete12 must have retired 10 years or so ago. GSM-R means no more trotting up to the SPT
Only exercise drivers get.
Another brilliant and highly informative guide. Just a few things: the Tyne and Wear Metro and the ERTMS fitted Cambrian Coast Line both use km/h instead of mph for speed limits and regarding semaphore home signal, not all had red and green lenses. Although not pertinent to Train Simulator as a mere point of interest, the Caledonian Railway had home signals with Blue and Maroon lamps which survived in use into British Railways days; although I'm not sure if any survive today. Thank you again for your video and I would just like to take the opportunity to say how much I appreciate the considerable time and effort you put into your videos; it is definitely worth it as I consider your TS videos to be the best around by a considerable margin because of the enthusiasm you put into them, the high quality and very informative nature of the videos and the extra level of realism you bring to the videos by not using the HUD by instead relying on route knowledge just like real drivers. Can't wait for the next video, Ben.
Ben Reid Thanks for the information there, I had no idea about the blue and maroon lamps on older home signals, that's interesting :) I should have remember that about the Cambrian Coast route, I know it was fitted with ERTMS in cab signalling.... and I would love to see that route modelled in Train Simulator with the signalling done correctly :) Thanks for all of your comments.. I've always tried to offer something different and unique on this channel, rather than making 'just another train simulator channel'. It seems to have paid off, and I'm grateful for everyone who watches these videos :)
I agree with you that the Cambrian Coast Line and its ERTMS system would provide a highly interesting and different addition to TS. I keep feeling sorry that the Welsh aren't represented in TS when there are so many beautiful railway lines in Wales: The Heart of Wales Line, the North Wales Coast Line among others. Regarding ERTMS in the National Rail Network, I believe it is to be progressively rolled out across all routes in the UK and I seem to remember reading about the ECML being planned to be fully ERTMS equipped by 2020. This means two things: higher speeds on conventional UK railway lines but also the end of the mph for railway speed limits. It could be that in years to come we use km/h for railways but still use mph for roads; which would be strange but in Ireland roads have used km/h for speed limits for several years now whilst the Iarnròd Éireann network still uses the mph. Thanks again for your videos, I am waiting in earnest for the next installment, Ben.
This is the most comprehensive video I've seen on the train signals for TS. Super welcome mate. Thank you so much. Keep up the excellent work
Awesome video - well worth the wait! Very informative, in a clear and easy way to understand, and with examples too. Perfect! Also, glad to hear about you considering making a route learning video for the excellent West Highland Line Extension. Definitely one of my favorite routes. Thank you for making these awesome videos.
This was a very informative video. For someone who is looking to become a train driver in the future, it has given a really good and in depth insight into how the system works. Awesome stuff!
is there a standard block length on mainlines? Since blocks are shorter near stations, terminals, and route divergence points, how can a diver estimate how long they have to adjust speeds to match signaled speed instructions?
Diverging routes: And that's where Train Simulator continually lets itself down as you should get Flashing YY, Flashing Y, Steady yellow with feather which on approach should step up to a better aspect if available. So in your example at Stoats Nest, you should have got:
Flashing YY, Flashing Y, Yellow with Feather and on approach to the steady yellow at around 200 yards from the signal this should have then been Green with feather, as the signal beyond the diverging route was green. This means if it was working correctly in TS, you could then confidently take the junction at 70mph as sign posted had the signal stepped up to something greater than a single yellow.
I very much doubt that this will ever get fixed.
Darren Towler That makes sense. It's annoying when it does that and so I have to slow for the next signal assuming it's red when I know damn well it isn't lol :p
I guess we'll see what happens in the next generation train sim :)
There was train SIM video on TH-cam where flashing yellows used near Manchester. The person doing sim didn't understand why so was late.
I'm sure the Acton Bridge junction to Liverpool show flashing double yellows, flashing yellow, yellow feather so you can diverge off wcml towards Liverpool at 70mph.
There are other methods for approach control on diverging routes without flashing yellow aspects too which are to hold the signal protecting the junction at red or sometimes yellow and then step up once the train has passed over the AWS magnet but I don't think I've seen that done in train sim either.
Really informative tutorial and easy to understand, especially with driving scenario demonstrations. Great video
First class video filled in a couple of gaps in my signaling knowledge looking forward to the video from you Peter.
Tony Lancaster Thank you Tony, I'm glad that you found this video helpful! :)
Signals at Liverpool st are Incorrect. Between London Liverpool st and Seven Kings on Both the Main and Electric lines as well as both directions the signaling sequence is Red the signal behind this is Single yellow, the Signal behind this one is Double Yellow, The signal behind this one is also double Yellow, Finally the signal behind this one is Green. The reason for this is because of the amount of traffic especially in the Rush hour
HI PETER, watched this video recently and enjoyed it,having lived very close to Finsbury Park And Hitchin both on the
E C M Line for 60 years untill retiring to West Devon i visited Kings Cross often and allso commuted from Hitchin for some of that time.
Saw the end of steam, i learnt quite a few points on signalling from your video i reccomend it to others . The Moorgate to Welwyn
video is really good , my wife used this line daily for some time from 1976 just as it changed over to B R FROM L T.
Many thanks for top quality programes and commentry.
Regards Dave B
Are the yellow triangle Morpeth Boards used incorrectly in Train Simulator? Its like DTG Places them before each speed decrease in speed to aid players (in a rather arcadey way) when a drop in speed limit occurs.
No they're not that's their meaning they may be used a little more often in train sim then real life but they are used to warn the driver of a speed restriction.
Great video very precise and clearly spoken, covers all the questions I had. Will check out your other videos and recommend to others, thank you for this one.
Thanks, I really appreciate it! :)
Thank you so much for the great video. It really helped me a lot on understanding how British railway signaling system works, and how to read them throughout the gameplay!
6:29 where have you got 20mph from? Chester is 30mph in places and has no AWS
Update on whistle boards, its now no horn between 12am and 6am.
A note about semaphore signals. Each arm is in one of two states -- 'off' and 'on' where 'on' is the stop/warning indication. The normal layout of semaphores around a station is a distant, home and starting with home and starting being stop signals, distant the warning that can only be pulled off if the other two are off. Signals might be qualified depending on the track layout -- you'll see references to 'outer' and 'inner' home signals and 'advance' starting. Depending on the historical period (and the railway company) there are auxiliary signal types that are used with stop signals, they were where I lived shorter with horizontal red stripes with a latter 'C', 'S' or 'W' on them for Calling On, Shunt and Warning. Each allowed the train to pass a stop signal that was on under rules specific to that particular location.
What’s with all the home signals? There is only one home signal at each box. If the distant is off you are clear through all the stop signals controlled by that signal box. Never ever heard of trying to keep rolling hoping the signal will change.
Absolutely brilliant. Really clears up the grey areas.
In the west coast main north there is a repeater which is showing a horizontal and diagonal side
I had TS2015 a while back, and being American (and like 8 or so), I had no idea how to approach this. Glad I found this, even if I'm late. Really helps me. So I'm not supposed to sound the horn during certain hours? A certain 8-9 year old me really liked horns, and ignored that.
That thing about not using the horn during certain hours at whistle boards is a thing IRL but has been heavily criticised quite a few times due to incidents which often result in a fatality as they're used on foot crossings mainly so I'm not sure if it's still the case or whether horn use is subject to local instructions for higher risk crossings.
Hello. I know this video I quite "old" but can this video be used for learning signalling in real life?
Theres a green repeater on the down fast at Rugby (WCML Trent Valley).
Thanks, I realise that now but couldn't remember where one was at the time XD
[Chasing yellows] Gatwick express service , from victoria to esst croydon, wich i just coasted at 60 fro. Claphan junction untill the single yellows.turned to double yellows about 50 yards infront
Also I meant to say that, I don't know if you know, but HST speed limits do not only apply to HSTs (InterCity 125s) but apply to a variety of UK trains. Similarly MU limits don't just apply to Multiple Units and some Multiple Units are not allowed to run at MY speeds.
+Ben Reid I didn't realise that, thanks for the info :)
+PTGRail For future reference HST speed limits apply to the following trains: Class 158, 159, 170, 171, 172, 175, 180, 220, 221, 222, Class 253 and 254 HST sets and Class 91 hauled rakes of push-pull functional Mark4s. Class 390 Pendolinos may not travel at HST, MU or EMU speed limits. Class 185 DMUs may not travel at DMU or MU speed limits. I don't know why Pendolinos can't travel at HST, MU, EMU limits but for Class 185s it is because of their heavy axle loading not helped by their stiff suspension. Hope all this is of use to you.
Ben Reid As always, thanks for the info :)
Your most welcome. 😊
You deserve a lot more support! I think these videos are great! :D
Horsman4James Thank you, I really appreciate that! :)
They way he is narrating if my teacher does like him i would hv graduated in half the time.,
I really did enjoy this video, looking forward to the TVM430 video! Nice work!
Thank you so much, this video helped me understand thoroughly how British signalling worked. :)
Thank you so much for doing this. I appreciate you taking you the time to do this. In addition, you do an exceptional job explaining the signals.
Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate it. I hope that you found this video helpful :)
PTGRail that was really helpful
Nicely done, if Carlsberg did signal tutorials, this would be one of them! Problem with signals in TS is that you can't read them from any sort of reasonable distance - in the real world you can read a signal aspect, particularly on long range signals, at more than 2 miles ahead of the signal. In most cases, when you see a signal in the game, it's already too late to do anything about it and you have to take more aggressive action than you would otherwise need to. On slower commuter lines, they use short range signals and those are probably closest to what we see in the game. Typically you can read a short range signal from around half a mile away, mid-range signals up to a mile. Long range signals are usually only used on high speed lines. With modern LED signals, you can read most of those up to 4 miles away.
purplesmurf2010 I agree with you. Signal visibility in TS is very poor compared to real life - so you end up braking later than you would do in reality. Indeed, when driving on the ECML in an HST you have to take very aggressive action or else you will certainly SPAD. I learned that the hard way a while ago, so decided to replicate it here to hopefully help others avoid a SPAD on that route lol. It's easier on slower commuter lines, with more room to brake. Even with 90mph speed limits on the Brighton Main Line, it's easy to stop at red signals without taking aggressive action.
In real life after passing a flashing yellow, a diverging junction can show a green aspect with route indicator.
Really really useful for giving clear advice on the repeater on the Brighton very useful
KPGames 365 Thanks, I'm glad you found this useful :)
48:44 there still is a train in view. Still seems a little close for a yellow signal or have I missed something?
28:14 I sometimes do this when driving on the road. Trying to avoid coming to a complete stop, meaning I'd lose all momentum and have to start again from stationary.
Another superb guide. Much of it I knew already having gleaned the information from other sources, but this is a very concise and beautifully presented guide which is very complete. Although I doubt any guide will make the semaphore signal gantries on the Weardale and Teesdale routes less baffling- usually I just ignore the more complex ones and hope for the best!
18:22 I wish you would have explained what each signal means. Take that initial image you show. There's 9 semaphores, but only 3 lines. Which semaphore am I supposed to look at? What do they mean?
Brilliant video, answered a lot of questions for me, looking forward to watching more.
Thank you! Glad to hear that this video has helped you learn something about British railway signals. :)
The dual speed boards are different for freight and passenger trains.. I've learnt something new today.
on diverging route aspects, some guides are certain that after the feather indicator, the next signal is red
How many TS2021 routes do you own? Is it all of them?
Hello PTG Rail.What command should I use in the scenario creator so as to let a train join a platform in which there is another train ? At 22:52 in your video this happens...
46:19 “2-2-7-8” I can’t get this “2-2-7-8” out of my head anymore. The “2-2-7-8” is chasing me XD
An Excellent video. Thank you very much. This gave me a lot of extra knowledge. This is the best guide on TH-cam. Congratulations, and once again thank you very much.
TSguy0100 Thank you :) I'm glad this helped you learn more about British signals. I don't know this is the best, but this was my best attempt at making a guide lol :p Thanks again :)
thanks sooo much for this easy to understand video which made british signalling--easy. keep up the awesome-ity(if that's a word) with all other vids on this channel
Very clear and comprehensive. I found it quite helpful, thanks.
+Megadyptes Thanks, I'm glad that you found this video helpful! :)
I have seen in the UK, that are about 12 inches square with a BLACK BACKGROUND, showing a NUMBER, I am wondering if you can help with measurements please
Very professional presentation, and a most enjoyable way of learning. Any plans to make a presentation on the route from Exeter Central to Salisbury with the tokenless block? Thanks for all the hard work that goes into. A,ing these videos.
Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it. Unfortunately that route isn't currently modelled in train simulator, but if it's made then you can be sure I'll cover it :)
I've been looking forward to this one, it didn't disappoint! You mentioned not being sure if we had any green repeaters in the sim, I believe they are on the WCML: Trent Valley route just for future reference. :)
neonballroom93 Thanks, glad you enjoyed this video! I wasn't sure about green repeaters, but will check them out on the WCML Trent Valley route now :)
The Chatham mainline uses green repeaters in TS. The L2B line also has them although they are not implemented in TS
The Advanced train protection system does feature with the default 801, look at the lights on the speedo
+Matthew Finney It doesn't work though. It's also there on the default HST but it doesn't work at all.
+Matthew Finney More accurately, on the Class 801 the lights do come on (unlike the HST) but it has not been simulated properly and so doesn't work properly. Also, only the GWML has ATP in reality and we can't run the Class 801 along there in TS as it's unelectrified past Hayes & Harlington.
PTGRail in real life now the wires now reach as far as maidenhead and the first section has been turned on. This means no more 166s or 165s. dtg or even jt need to release an updated route or a patch that includes it in the future.
When I was on S&T VSC Clapham Junction, had high failure rate, ASE was 'wrong man for job' had to be paid off, replacement was told that he was to be sacked in 6 months time with Chief Signal engineers unless failure rate dropped, bought in man from Swanley, led a task force team, he found lots of defective equipment, reduced failure rate, did a good job.
Very calmly and clearly explained! I learned a lot from the video - thank you!
When to stop at red signal, Pete?
When you come up to one
I learned so much from this excellent guide, great video! So glad you are back making videos again ☺
Cool as per nermal. Very informative, did not realise the Morpth boards were so named after a crash. About to try RETB again, shall report how I get along, Cheers again
John Hamlin Awesome, I'm glad you enjoyed this video and it helped you learn a bit more about our railways :)
You did not mention the AWS sunflower display only the horn and bell. With regards to RETB you show the Stop boards but would have been good to see you requesting token at one.
Been looking forward to this for ages! Now for a drink and a relaxing 54 minutes xD
HuntergreedGaming I hope you enjoy! This video was extremely complicated to make, but I think it was worth it :)
+PTGRail Very good! It was very detailed and interesting. It was well worth it. I will have to spend a little longer before memorising it though!
Also I messaged you on Facebook so have a look in your messages :)
Great video PTGRail Really detailed and excellent quality!
I've never heard it called chasing yellow I always call it chasing aspects but its personal opinion on what its called.
MyTrainlover-part of Kaseyap LTD Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed this video :) I've also heard is called riding the yellows or surfing the yellows. I've never known exactly what to call it lol :p
please upload US signaling system
You explain this very well. On the real railway a lot of signalling is linked to axle counters. I don't know if they are included in Train Sim, doesn't look like they are.
+Dean McFarlane Thank you! As far as I know, axle counters aren't implemented in TS which is why I didn't mention them :)
Hello PTGRail love to see your videos :) can't wait for more in the future!
TrainsHunter WCML Hey there.. thanks for your comment! There's plenty more to come in the future :)
Considering I knew about the signalling already, this was just watched for fun, and because of the intense thoroughness, this probably won't need to be watched more than three times before fully understanding. Great video comrade.
Also, didn't you say you was going to cover TVM430, or is that in a different video? Like an in-cab signalling tutorial which would include the Chinese high speed lines? One more thing... that was a nice stop at Knebworth ;) :P
Fringe Stalin Haha awesome, I'm glad you enjoyed this video comrade! :) I did my best, but I'm still not sure if I did a great job or not lol :p
As for TVM430, I mentioned at the very end of this video that I will be making a separate video on it. The reason was that to add any more I felt would make this video too long; and as it's a French system, I thought it would work better in it's own separate but shorter video :) And lol, thanks :p I thought I would show a certain someone up. It's just a shame the signal wasn't at the end of the platform ;)
Just found your channel .. brilliant .. I'm new to this sim and trains sims in particular so found this very informative.
+Geoff Fletcher Thank you Geoff! I really appreciate your comment. I hope you enjoy playing Train Simulator! :)
jo storie Hi Jo. Thank you, I really appreciate it! My name is Pete. :)
May I also add to anyone reading that 40MPH is the ideal speed to travel through caution (yellow) aspects at. It means you can brake normally if there is a danger (red) signal ahead and also means you're not constantly stopping and starting if there is a slow service ahead of you.
Whoops, just realised this is in the video.
I have a question - in UK , do you have on railways entrance station signals and exit station signals? I didn't understand that. in croatia, here are entrance signal which protects running train into the station and exit signal at other side.
Yes we do in the UK
No. The entry/exit signals, nor stations themselves understood as in the Austrian/German tradition, don't exist in the UK. Every signal is a signal and every piece of track is a track and there are (almost) no special rules.
The only remnants of a similar system exists in the absolute block areas, where a home signal (=entry) and a section signal (=exit) demarcate an area worked by a single signal box with a plain track section in between. However, this is being phased out, and the term station is only used for the platform itself. Note however, that in the heyday of absolute block, it was typically that a station had 2 signal boxes controlling it (lets say North and South), each having their home and section signals. Coming from the north you would first pass the North home signal, after the points on the northern side would be the North section signal with the South distant, then the platform on a plain block section, then a South home signal on the platform end, then the South section signal behind the points. Very different from Central or Eastern Europe indeed.
tnx very much...just one thing, are all trains operated on CTC (central traffic control) as in USA? (majority)
I would say yes, but it's hard to say for me because i don't exactly know what CTC means. In the UK, about 20-30% is signaled from the new signaling centers (SSI, control >100 miles of track each), 40-50% from power signaling boxes (relay interlocking, also more than 100 miles each) and about 20% would be controlled from individual signalboxes (relay or mechanical interlocking controlling 1 location only). These are very rough estimates and I don't claim they are in any way precise.
You'll get a fuller picture of UK signaling practice (however excluding the mechanical signalboxes) here: bpsr.signallingnotices.org.uk/
Another quality video :), have you ever thought of doing an "in depth" driving tutorial? , for instance how to control loco's in different weather conditions or how to handle inclines based on different train weights?, power to weight ratios etc? thanks for uploading :)
Rail sim Cab Rides Thanks! I'm not sure how to put a video like that together, but it doesn't sound like a bad idea :)
@@PTGRail Nice video Pete
Nice work PTGRail that must have taken a fair while to put together. Really comprehensive too, I particularly enjoyed the chasing yellows and defensive driving sections.
Just for future info, if you want to cover the approach control, this is implemented on the GWML, for example on the approach to Oxford station which is accurate to real life.
William Mankelow Thanks Will. This video took up most of my spare time for quite a number of evenings over the last week. It was a long, hard task to try and put this together! I wanted to try and show how best to respond to the signals when chasing the yellows, as a lot of people seem unsure :)
Thanks for that extra info, I just couldn't think of anywhere it was simulated in TS at the time :)
A double yellow is also known as a preliminary yellow
This video has helped me loads. Cheers mate. Sick of getting scenario failed messages because I didn't understand the yellows etc. still wish the thing along the bottom showed the approaching signal colours. Or does it? If it does I don't see the difference, they all look the same (I'm not a no HUD driver like you!)
+tdurbo No problem at all, I am glad that I could help! No it doesn't show the difference between the signal colours on the HUD, and so you have to follow the rules I mentioned - driving with caution and on reaching cautionary signals always assuming you have a red signal ahead of you until you can see otherwise :)
+PTGRail Yep it's already made a world of difference. I've just uploaded my first activity in about ten years to Steam. A Riviera activity in an old BR Class 101 in the snow. Just thought it'd make a change for that route.
I want to do one where I'm chasing yellows, that's my next plan, once I've properly sussed how the AI works these days. Last time I got engrossed in doing that was MSTS way back when.
Keep the vids coming man cheers
In real life there is a green banner on the southern approach to St. Albans down fast platform but I'm not sure that this is simulated on the midland mainline route in TS.
Brilliant very informative im building a model railway and signalling has been very difficult to understand so thank you i now understand it much better now.
There's approach controlled signalling when going into Didcot from Oxford on the GWML in the game.
Jan Verschueren I realise that now, I just couldn't think of it at the time. I will remember that for the future :)
There's lots of approach release in train sim
Excellent video, wish I had seen this before starting to drive British routes.
Eric Grundmann Thanks, I hope it helps for the future :)
5:25 morpeth boards are only required when the speed difference is greater than 60%. so a 100mph to 50mph would not need one, but a 100mph to a 40 mph would, however, theres loads of places that have them where not needed!
Don't know where you got that from. ASL boards can be anywhere. Even from 15 to 10. However, if the speed is more than a 33% reduction an AWS magnet MUST be fitted. I've also never heard them called Morpeth boards. They are Advanced Speed Limit boards (ASL)
@@TrainDriverSam yeah, I was a bit drunk when I wrote this. The 60% is for the AWS magnet. Not the boards. (I’ve never heard them called Morpeth boards either). Where have you got 33% from. I can think of at least 1 place the speed drops 55% where there is no AWS.
@@sw01ller 🙈 nothing wrong with a bit drunk! As in the Rule Book, RS522, "Where a reduction in permissible speed is provided with a warning indicator (i.e. the permissible speed on the approach is 60 mph or more and the reduction in the permissible speed is at least one third) an AWS permanent magnet is provided 180 metres (approximately 200 yards) on the approach to the warning indicator". I also know of a couple of places where I drive where technically a ramp should be, but meh 😂
Thanks for uploading and doing these tutorials. Found it very interesting and helpful.
in my train simulator show
speed limit is 60 km
but the signal im passed always yellow
what the mean ?
robocop i dunno
You mentioned that you have to change frequency at certain points on the RETB system but didn't state how to do that so please could you tell me how you would do that as that would be of great help to do so. I would also like to say that I think you deserve a hole lot more support and encouragement into the making of this channel. Cornish Gateway
+Cornish Gateway It's one of the radio buttons but I can't remember which one off the top of my head lol! XD It's rare that I drive on that route. I will see if I can find out again :) And thank you, I really appreciate that! It means a lot :)
@PTGRail will please make update on where you have been.
whats the key for the cruse control? the url for the class 390 manual no longer works.. thanks
+UK-Sim-Reviews It's C :)
What is simsig?
Hey do ya think they well ever make one where U accually operate a signal box. Ex. pulling down levers, pressing bells like normal train on line & train in section. Handing staff to drivers, setting tracks, signals & points
There are simulations that simulate mechanical signal boxes but they're not cheap like £30 each don't remember the name of who publishes them though.
Thank you PTGRail. A very very informative video. Keep up the good work.
+maximus_anonymous Thank you, I really appreciate your comment! :)
could i have a guide to breaking for stations please. i am quite new to this, thank you.
Clear and concise. Well done !
+supertuneless Thank you, I appreciate it! :)