Chain Signals- How do they work??

[bcjiowa]

Can someone please explain how they work, sory I am so ignorant??

[DrIstvaan]

Basically, if you put it at the start of a block with more than one exit, if at least one of the exit signals is green, it will also show green, but if all of the exit signals show red, it will also show red (and thus prevent a train from entering a piece of track which it could not exit and, possibly, block other trains from entering the same block).
I have to experiment with it further, but as far as I see, this could completely redo the way we can build entrances/exits to multi-platform stations.

[bcjiowa]

so, should you use chain signals exclusively or only where there are multiple exits ?? Do you use standard signals for all other intersections (single exit) ??

[Seraphin]

Here's n example with a small train station and an rather close intersection.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1260387061

Chain signals will prevent junctions being blocked by other trains, but if you look closely you'll see I forgot using two chain signals at both junctions and I used regular ones instead allowing trains to block them

[bcjiowa]

call me dumb but now I am totally confused. Thought I understood, anyone have a link that explains how this works. Checked the WIKI but not the best explanation....

[Hiigara]

Originally posted by bcjiowa:

call me dumb but now I am totally confused. Thought I understood, anyone have a link that explains how this works. Checked the WIKI but not the best explanation....

You are not dumb! I also have a hard time understanding. The way i understand is that path signals are giving way to trains were as a block signal would block them...

[Seraphin]

Imagine, both platforms of the station are used by trains. One train's coming from right below. It will stop before entering the junction in the middle of the screen. Therefore a train leaving the station will be able to move to the upside way without being blocked by the train waiting.

As I forgot to use chain signals for the first signals at both junctions itself, where the main lines will cross, it may happen that a train will stop at the signal just after the junction resulting this junction being blocked by the train waiting (while it would stop in front of the junction if I would have used the chain signal there, just like the train which is actually waiting in the screen doesn't block the junction in front of it)

edit: Here's a new screen with a situation of both platforms being used while one train (#10) is waiting to enter from the right and one (#9) just leaving the station. Also, I replaced the forgotten chain signals now:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1260439799

edit @sheeheep: These aren't path signals ;-) These are chain signals, also called pre-signals. If these were path signals, no signals in the middle of the junctions would be needed anyway.

[ウィッチ（？）]

Look here for some details about how it works. (its different game I know but they got complex signal systems than this game have)
http://wiki.openttd.org/Signals#Pre-signals

Now we need path signals for easier train movement controls..

[bares697]

Great news about chain signals, but still, when you have a way from block, which is not part of the train path or leads away at front of the station, whole system could collapse. Hope we will see Path Signals soon. :)

[silencer4]

Personally I think the only crossings should be at the entry/exit of the station. Any other crossings should be avoided - chain signals or not. Use bridges or tunnels. Expensive yes, but still better in long run.

[Hiigara]

Originally posted by Seraphin:

edit @sheeheep: These aren't path signals ;-) These are chain signals, also called pre-signals. If these were path signals, no signals in the middle of the junctions would be needed anyway.

Cheers, thanks for the headsup!

[Hiigara]

Here a explanation from Factorio: https://wiki.factorio.com/Tutorial:Railway/Signal/Tutorial

[Seraphin]

Originally posted by silencer4:

Personally I think the only crossings should be at the entry/exit of the station. Any other crossings should be avoided - chain signals or not. Use bridges or tunnels. Expensive yes, but still better in long run.

If you play the game the way you play it, this may be a solution.
If you play the game any other way, this may not be any solution.

People like me like to play the game in a way where the railroad network looks like it could exist in real life. In real life you will find junctions quite often. :-P


PS @all: I experienced some lock ups with my layout above ... the reason is, due to slow acceleration trains may enter opposite blocks the same time, which will block each other soon afterwards. So, still have to care about your layouts, even with chain signals. ;-)

[BoNeZ]

Why is the signal system so awkward, well it is for me at least

[Seraphin]

Originally posted by WHOOLEE:

Why is the signal system so awkward, well it is for me at least

Real life signaling has much more computing power, requires much more safety and therefore money and it doesn't need to be scaled. So that's why signaling in a computer game is much more simplified .... oh, and maybe because casual players often don't like to do a lot of micro management all on their own. ;-)


edit: ... just to say ... programmable signals would be great too. ;-)

[WalkingWad]

I can recomend a video from Obivandamme where he explain chain signals:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0_ShNJ_Mto