Train Dispatcher 3 Manual - Signal Computer Consultants

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Train Dispatcher 35.2. Simulation (with playback) ModeThis mode allows the user to run the simulation and create a playback file. When this mode is selected, the system willfirst check to see if a simulation is running. If there is a simulation running the system will ask the user if he wants torestart the simulation. The user must select “Yes” to enter into this mode.After the user clicks the “Start” button and selects a start time, the system will then ask the user for the name of theplayback file. The file name must have an extension of “.ply” to indicate it is a playback simulation. Please note that thesystem will generate about 200 to 400 K of data for each hour of the simulation. For 24 simulated hours as much as12 MB of data will be stored in this file.The playback file allows the user to review previous simulations. Signal Computer Consultants also plans to develop ascreen saver program from a user generated playback file.5.3. Playback ModeIn playback mode the system will ask the user for the name of the playback file. After entering a playback name thesystem will display the Simulation Playback Time dialog in Figure 14.Figure 14 - Simulation Playback Time DialogThe playback of a simulation can be fast forwarded to a particular time in the simulation by entering a time and day inthe “Jump to start time” and “day of week” fields different from the simulation’s original start time and day. Once thesystem reaches the time and day specified in the “Jump to start time” and “day of week” fields, it will continue theplayback of the simulation at the speed specified in the “Time Multiplier” field in the tool bar on the main screen.During playback the user can stop and start the time clock, change the time multiplier, zoom-in or out, scroll around thedisplay and display various status windows. The user cannot throw switches or clear signals during playback. He can,however, at any time in the playback, stop the operation and place the system into the simulation without playbackmode. This allows the user to continue on with a new simulation at any point in the playback of a previous simulation.5.4. CTC Control ModeSignal Computer Consultant’s plans to develop an enhanced version of Train Dispatcher 3 called Train Dispatcher 3Pro. This enhanced version will have the ability to control and monitor wayside railroad equipment or a model railroad.In anticipation of this enhancement Train Dispatcher 3 and Track Builder 3 have already been modified to include manyof the necessary functions. For example, the remote control and monitor fields in the block, switch, and signalproperties are used to identify field hardware to the system.5.5. External I/O ModeSignal Computer Consultant’s plans to develop an enhanced version of Train Dispatcher 3 called Train Dispatcher 3Pro. This enhanced system will have the ability to drive an external CTC machine. Instead of using the mouse to clearPage 166 December, 2000
Train Dispatcher 3signals and throw switches, Train Dispatcher 3, in this mode, would get these commands from an external machine. Itwill also provide signal, switch, and track circuit conditions back to the external machine as if these conditions weregenerated by the wayside equipment.In anticipation of this enhancement Train Dispatcher 3 and Track Builder 3 have already been modified to include manyof the necessary functions. For example, the remote control and monitor fields in the block, switch, and signalproperties are used to identify field hardware to the system.6. DISPATCHING OPERATIONSThe primary job of a dispatcher is to move trains over the territory from their origin to their destination as quickly aspossible. Because the amount of track is limited, a number of trains traveling in the same and opposite directions mustoften share tracks. Part of the dispatcher’s job is determining routes that cause the most time efficient sharing of thelimited trackage. This can be a very complex task. The primary tools dispatchers have in routing trains are switchesand signals.6.1. Switch ControlSwitches allow the dispatcher to change the routes of trains. Switches have two positions, which are called normal andreverse. The normal position is for a straight move through the switch (see Figure 15). The reverse position is formovement at an angle to the original course.Normal positionReverse positionCrossover switches(corresponding)Figure 15 - Switch Normal and ReverseTo throw a switch (change its position) place the mouse pointer on the switch, which will cause a box to appear aroundthe switch, and click the left mouse button. If the switch’s position was normal prior to the operation, it will change toreverse, and vice versa.There are cases where switches will not throw. If the “Help Messages” menu item is checked (located in a pop-up menuwhich will appear when the “Help” menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen is clicked), a message will appear toexplain why the switch did not throw.The following is a list of reasons why a switch might not throw:♦♦♦The switch has a train on it (occupied).The switch has a cleared route over it.The corresponding switch cannot throw. Two switches can be tied together when they are configured as acrossover (see Figure 15). If you throw one switch, the corresponding switch will automatically throw to thesame position. If the corresponding switch cannot throw because it is occupied by a train or has a clearedroute over it, the switch that was requested to throw also will not throw.Page 176 December, 2000
Page 1 and 2: TRAIN DISPATCHER 3User Manual6 Dece
Page 3 and 4: Train Dispatcher 3Table of Contents
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Page 8 and 9: Train Dispatcher 3♦♦♦♦♦
Page 10 and 11: Train Dispatcher 3Track FileNamePer
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Page 14 and 15: Train Dispatcher 3Figure 6 - Block
Page 18 and 19: Train Dispatcher 3Figure 10 - Switc
Page 20 and 21: Train Dispatcher 3Figure 13 - Start
Page 24 and 25: Train Dispatcher 3♦The switch fai
Page 26 and 27: Train Dispatcher 3switch, diamond o
Page 28 and 29: Train Dispatcher 36.4.3. Train XXX
Page 30 and 31: Train Dispatcher 3When a train requ
Page 32 and 33: Train Dispatcher 3Figure 23 - Activ
Page 34 and 35: Train Dispatcher 3sized, the user c
Page 36 and 37: Train Dispatcher 3This window displ
Page 38 and 39: Train Dispatcher 3♦♦To Time - t
Page 42 and 43: Train Dispatcher 3Figure 35 - Rando
Page 44 and 45: Train Dispatcher 3♦Late station d
Page 46 and 47: Train Dispatcher 39.2. Train Type D
Page 48 and 49: Train Dispatcher 3Figure 42 - Train
Page 50 and 51: Train Dispatcher 3♦♦♦♦♦Tr
Page 52 and 53: Train Dispatcher 39.3.4. Train Data
Page 56 and 57: Train Dispatcher 3Figure 50 - Block
Page 58 and 59: Train Dispatcher 3The following des
Page 60 and 61: Train Dispatcher 3This window displ
Page 62: start timesterritory data .........

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