TrainController Gold and Silver - Freiwald Software

Dividing the layout into Blocks
Another important prerequisite for controlling trains automatically with your computer
or to monitor the movements of running trains is separating the layout into logical
blocks. Blocks are the base elements for automatic train control and tracking of train
positions. There is a close relation between feedback sensors and blocks: each block is
associated with one or more feedback sensors.
There are certain guidelines for creation of blocks. They are outlined in detail in section
5.2, “Blocks”. According to these guidelines we divide our small sample layout into
blocks as shown below:
Diagram 18: Dividing a layout into Blocks
As you can see we have applied a 1:1 relation between blocks and detection sections
here. Please note, that this is not always the case. In many cases more than one detection
section or feedback sensor will be associated with one block. However, it is also
possible to control your layout or appropriate parts of it with one feedback sensor per
block. For reasons of simplicity and because it is sufficient for the quick start we go
with one detection section per block here, too. Please keep in mind, however, that
blocks and detection sections are not the same thing.
More details about this topic are outlined in detail in section 5.6, “Blocks and Indicators”.
Entering the locations of Blocks into the Switchboard
Blocks are represented by TrainController on the computer screen by rectangular
symbols. To enter the blocks, that are needed to control our train on our sample layout,
turn on Edit Mode in the View menu and select the Block command of the Tools
menu.
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