TrainController Gold and Silver - Freiwald Software

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If in the diagram displayed above, block “Main Line East” is reserved for a train that is
about to leave a block in “Hidden Yard”, then the Dispatcher continues with reservation
of a block in “Southtown”. If it is not currently possible, to reserve a block in
“Southtown”, because both blocks in “Southtown” are already reserved by other trains,
then the Dispatcher will not even reserve “Main Line East” and the train does not get
permission to leave “Hidden Yard”.
A train may enter a critical section only if it is sure that it can leave the critical
section on the other side.
If a critical section contains more than one block, then either all blocks of this section plus
the first block behind this section are reserved in one step or no block is reserved at
all and the train must not proceed.
A typical example of a critical section is a single track line between two stations, which
can be traveled in both directions. If there is one or more blocks between these two stations,
then these blocks should be marked as critical sections. A train, which is about to
leave one of the two stations towards the other station will not leave this station, if it is
not sure, that a block in the other station is available, i.e. if it is not sure, that it can
leave the critical section on the other side. This prevents trains from deadlocking each
other on the single line track between the stations.
There is a specific option, though, that allows trains, that are executing the same schedule
at the same time, to share a critical section. In this way it is possible to queue several
trains heading in the same direction in the same critical section while opposing
trains must wait, until the complete critical section is clear. This allows several trains to
follow each other on a single track line while locking opposing trains.
Critical sections can be assigned to blocks on a per-schedule base or alternatively in the
main block diagram. A block that is marked as a critical section in the main block diagram
will be treated as such in all schedules, that contain this block. A block, that is
marked as critical section in certain schedules only will only affect those trains, that are
controlled by this schedule.
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The Train Guidance System
The usage of blocks, routes and schedules can be restricted to certain engines, trains or
train groups. In this way it is possible to ensure, that certain schedules are only started
with passenger trains or to avoid electric engines entering tracks without overhead
cables. This feature can also be used to make sure, that trains automatically entering a
hidden yard are directed to tracks, which are long enough to hold the train.