Viewing speed limits assigned to track?

[sidneyschwartz]

I've been looking through the route/scenario editor hoping to find something that indicates the speed limit assigned to a section of track, but no luck. I don't need to change the value, I just want to see where it changes from one value to another. Can someone tell me how to do this? Thanks.

[pjohnandlyns]

In the editor move around the track using the arrow keys until you find a speed limit sign (doesn't matter if it's an increase or decrease). Then zoom out a little from the sign and press the "Spacebar" a number of times (don't know how many except that 3 presses shows track directionality). You will see various colours shown between the tracks. The colour will change at the point where the speed limit changes. To get out of this bit keep pressing spacebar until you see only plain track.

Hope this helps.

[Dipper]

Furthur on the use of the spacebar:

First: Four colours indicate between mainline, freight, passenger, and yard.
Second: Track directionality (either arrows in both directions, or one direction).
Third: A variety of colours indicate speed limits ranging from 5mph to 200mph. If two parallel colours are visible, one idicates passenger speed while the other freight speed.
Fourth: Colours indicate the track type. This one isn't totally clear for me, but for the most part each route will only have one colour.
Fifth: Electricity. Indicates whether or not the track is electrified.
Sixth: Two colours indicate either level track, or superelevated track (angled curves).
Seventh: Shades of pink identify the track rules being used (altered in the bottem left-hand flyout). Again, each route should only have one colour.
Eighth: Shows links to the tracks (crossings, signals, mileposts, etc).
Ninth: Pressing space for the ninth time will set the track back to normal.

Note: Some of these may not be accurate. They're simply my understanding after years of playing. Hope this comes to be helpful in your future editing.

[Danny]

To add to the above - Fifth: Electricity. Indicates whether or not the track is electrified.

Yellow With Electric = 3rd Rail, Red with Electric = 4th Rail, White with Electric = Overhead Wires, Black No Electric = Diesel / Steam (essentially not Electrified)

[pjohnandlyns]

CJ, Danny.
Very interesting, never knew what they all meant except for directionality, I shall make a note when I have time. Thanks.

[sidneyschwartz]

Very helpful, CJ....thanks. Is there a chart somewhere that shows which colors are associated with which speeds? It may be helpful to mention that what I'm trying to do is add speed limit signs to a route that has none.

[JohnnyR]

For that purpose it doesn't really matter which colour indicates which . . . just place a speed sign where there is a change in colour indication and it will automatically display the correct speed.

[sidneyschwartz]

Originally posted by signalman:

For that purpose it doesn't really matter which colour indicates which . . . just place a speed sign where there is a change in colour indication and it will automatically display the correct speed.

Dang, that's useful.

[sidneyschwartz]

OK, getting there. I can place a speed limit sign and it shows the correct speed. Now how do I place a warning side prior to that so that it shows the upcoming change instead of whatever the speed limit is at the warning sign location?

[Danny]

You have to put the link for the warning sign on the same spot as the normal speed sign (so basically you set the warning sign in the correct place but you have to link it to where the normal speed sign is :) )

[sidneyschwartz]

Hey, that's actually logical. How did that happen?

How far in advance of a speed limit reduction should the warning sign be placed?

[sidneyschwartz]

Originally posted by Danny:

You have to put the link for the warning sign on the same spot as the normal speed sign (so basically you set the warning sign in the correct place but you have to link it to where the normal speed sign is :) )

I'm not able to get this to work. The section of track I'm working with goes from 55mph to 50mph. I placing a sign (type sign) at the start of the 50mph section and drag the link onto the track within the 50mph section. That sign works fine. Then I place a sign (type warning) by the 55mph section, some ways prior to the 50mph section, and drag that link and place it at about the same place in the 50mph section. The warning sign still says 55 and not 50. What am I not getting?

[JohnnyR]

You may be being misled by watching this while in Editor mode. It sounds as if you have done everything correctly but switch to "play" and the sign should show correctly.

(The reason for this is that speed signs do not update dynamically whilst in the editor, but contunue to show the speed they first displayed).

[sidneyschwartz]

Aha. OK, I'll check that out.

[Dipper]

Hi sidney.schwartz. If you place the sign link in the fifty-five zone, the sign will display that even if you change the speed or move the link. You can either replace the sign and place the link in the fifty zone, or simply exit to the menu and start the scenario again. This will reset the sign (and all other signals, which is helpful to know if you want to test them).

As for your question, the distance for the warning depends on the railroad type. Most railways will have it one mile in advance. However, note that freight trains take longer to reduce speed than passenger trains, and so if that's the kind of traffic you're running you may want the warning sign placed furthur. Another thing, if it's a small decrease, like fifty-five to fifty, the sign would be alright at half a mile or so. If this route you're working with is based on one from real life, Google around and see if they have a standard.