https://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=CN-BX-3NSimRail Wiki - User contributions [en]2026-04-18T06:51:23ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.43.0https://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Railway_101&diff=30261Railway 1012025-01-02T09:10:11Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>This is a page that intends to teach non-railfan players some basic knowledge of railways. Sometimes, we all need to learn some new things, and for such a simulator, it is really important. For current stages, we can see many different manuals. They are very good, and very detailed, and each community had their own manuals already. I think I cannot contribute more in this field, but suddenly I realize all of these manuals already have a basic requirement: you know something about railways. But obviously, that is not true for everyone.<br />
<br />
You see, there is no such preset questions when buying SimRail, and yep, looks like we even don't think a non-railfan would buy this. But as they did, we cannot just simply say "Hey you are not a railfan, GET THE F■■K OUT OF HERE!" And that's definitely not good for a game's development. Therefore, I decided to write this page, and later may edited it into a book or a manual to refer to.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 1: Railway History =<br />
<br />
== Where it begins... ==<br />
So, what is railway? Well, if you just see the surface, it is just some wood sticks lying under two steel rails. But I think maybe let's look back at its history.<br />
<br />
In the past, we need to move something very heavy, and we don't really want to break our backs for sure. Then, someone came up with an idea: what about build a "way" for them? Yes, they did. But that's not railway in its modern concept. Later some guy just bring something new from a boiled kettle, and somebody find out this black thing, which we call them ''coal'', can work as a source of energy. And we need to transport them, probably inventing something powered by such thing, and some guy named George Stephenson did that. Train was born.<br />
<br />
''(Well, *nerd face*, actually... he invented locomotive, train's name came later, if you are interested, Google can help you to figure out the difference between these two words.)''<br />
<br />
Ok, later we think this can also transport people, so we build carriages. And now railways are extending, population is growing as industrialization begins, we need more trains to transport, and then more, then more, then... Oh, looks like we just let two trains crash into each other, there are no more spaces now, and we shouldn't let them kiss each other's butt for sure. What shall we do?<br />
<br />
== The Almighty Power of <s>Illuminati</s> Your Eyes ==<br />
<br />
Eyes on the road! This is what we always heard when we are driving cars, right? Yes, they think the same. How about just let the drivers see the road all the time, and breaks when it notices something. Yes, this works at beginning, but later we think trains are too slow, let's speed it up, and load more things, and become more heavier... Oh, now you need 800 meters to stop this thing, because someone in history whose head got hit by an apple (at least rumor said that) said, <blockquote>''Every object perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, except insofar as it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed thereon.''</blockquote>An easier version: <blockquote>The heavier you are, the longer distance you need to stop. I think maybe this picture can help you understand:</blockquote><br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-1.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-1 Newton 1st Law Simplified]]<br />
So, we need longer distance to stop, but can human eyes actually see that far? Well, no. And sometimes this happens:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-2.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-2 A crash caused by driving on sight]]<br />
<br />
== Watch Your Time ==<br />
Then, is there any other way to complete such task? Well, we don't only have one crew on the train. Maybe we can test their ability for running, that's what we did at first. Like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-3.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-3 One with superpower (joke)]]<br />
But you know, not all of us can become sportsman, and you cannot just jump off a train without getting hurt. How about record average running time, and then let trains to depart according to it? Yep, they did this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-4.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-4 Time Interval]]<br />
But sometimes, such thing may happen:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-5 A comic for some operation failure]]<br />
Sometimes, such thing may also happen...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-6 When one man falls asleep]]<br />
<br />
Also, we need more trains as people were born so quickly after many cities were build. Adding trains is good, but not good if they started to kiss each other again. So, we need a new way to do that.<br />
<br />
== Time to Block! ==<br />
So... Instead of time, there is another thing can be used to make some separation - distance. But then there is another problem: railways are not always straight, there are some curves and turning points. Well, maybe we can try this thing?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-7 Why directly measure the distance is stupid?]]<br />
Well, no. First, we don't have rulers that long. Second, we don't have one guy who can shout loud enough for a person to hear from over 10km away. Also, as mentioned before, railways are not always straight lines, they have curves. So we cannot just directly let two guys measuring the distance of trains all the time. We need another way.<br />
<br />
So, what would you do when you will let someone far away know where you are? In modern days, we just use Internet, send a message and here we go. At that time, there is no such thing, but we do have telegraphs. And they cannot be something portable for sure. So, we need to do this.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-8 Report train position using telegraphs]]<br />
And then, signalers need to be responsible for trains. Because, they allowed another train to enter the section they are in charge. And through this procedure, we only let one train to enter such section. This is what we called "'''''block'''''" in railway transportation. We blocked the way for other trains until one train leaves a certain section. And we create section by diving the whole route into different parts.<br />
<br />
So, now we can operate like this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-9.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-9 Normal situation for signaler dispatching a train]]<br />
And this can also prevent some situations like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-10.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-10 When one signaler fell asleep...]]<br />
<br />
== Say Hello to Signals! ==<br />
there is another thing to consider: trains are moving, and we don't have phones at that time, so how are we supposed to tell drivers what to do? Well, we use our hands.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-11.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-11 Hand signals]]<br />
But then there is another problem. We cannot just let guys standing 24/7 for giving signals, unless you are operating '''''the Gulag Railway'''''. So, we need something to help out such situation. So, we invent '''''signals'''''. Just like traffic lights, we first hang different colors of lamps to make it shine.<br />
<br />
Well, if you have opened your room lights in daylight, I guess you already know what would be the problem - they're way too invisible when sun is shinning everywhere. We need something more obvious to show the signals. And then one guy come up with an idea: Hey, what about using some boards? Yes, we did, they are called semaphore signals.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-12.png|center|thumb|1244x1244px|Fig. 1-12 One example of German Semaphore Signal (By Dr. Matthias Runte)]]<br />
Give a close look, you can also see there are lamps there, which is the foundation of railway signals you see today. Later we find out electricity is more powerful, so we removed the lamps and replaced them with bulbs.<br />
<br />
== Tell you in Advance ==<br />
Ok, now we have signals, there must be less accidents, right? Well, at first, yes. But later, there are more tracks in one station, and when they need to enter sidings (side-tracks), they had some speed-limit. So, something like this happened:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-13.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-13 Problems for sidings]]<br />
Then somebody came up with an idea, "What if we tell the driver to slow down in advance, when the reached last signal?" Yes, they did. We call such signal as '''''distant signal'''''.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-14-1.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-14 How distant signals work]]<br />
Now we meet the end of this chapter. We will further more explore each concept in the followings.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks =<br />
Ah... where are we? Yes, we invent blocks. But I think you already noticed one point: all these protections are only available for trains running in the same direction. But, trains need to come back, so we need other methods. <br />
<br />
== Blocks & Interlocks ==<br />
<br />
=== Blocks Updated ===<br />
A way to solve this problem is to build another railway beside it, which we call it double-track. So, the only thing left is to decide which side of the track the trains shall run on. Britain and other countries influenced by Britain (like China, Japan...) run on the left-side. Meanwhile, others decide to run on the right-side, like Germany and America.<br />
<br />
Yes, it did work, but we cannot just always build a second railway beside what we have already. It's too much money and sometimes the environment won't allow us. In the past, people use timetables to let a train stopped at one station. But if you always watch YouTube, and listen to a famous song joking about a very famous railway company in Europe, you know when you hear:<blockquote>''Sis Trein is ät se moment... 10 minits diläit (This train at this moment is 10 minutes delay, just imitating the thick accent.)''</blockquote>A message like above is pretty destructive for such timetable-based operation. Because if one train got delayed, another need to wait, and another, and another, after a chain reaction, the total delay might reach 1 hour or even 10 hours.<br />
<br />
We said we use telegraph to do some block operations before, right? Yes, and we continue to do such thing, now it's in 3 steps: request (ask for permission) - depart (set up the block) - arrival (release the block). This can be done in the following pictures depicting the whole situation:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-1.png|center|thumb|1408x1408px|Fig. 2-1 The whole process of block operation]]<br />
And for double-track, as we usually define the common running direction, we can omit the first procedure. Later, some guy invented telephones, and we use them instead. But hey, won't people still make some mistakes like what Chapter 1 said? Yes, they still did...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-2.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-2 Accidents still happen]]<br />
Well, time to update...<br />
<br />
=== Machine Power ===<br />
So, introducing '''''Block Instruments''''', getting tired of always forgetting records? Use it, we use circuits and '''<u>connecting it to signals</u>''' to make sure you won't give a green signal when a train is in the block!<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-3.png|center|thumb|801x801px|Fig. 2-3 A type of block instrument used in Germany before]]<br />
And later, we connect all turnovers, related signals, and block instruments to make '''''interlock'''''. This thing worked as followings:<blockquote>When you set a route for a train to go, all signals and turnovers related would be adjusted together and locked, so you won't move any of it until you cancel the route or the route is released after the train passed. And when a train passed the signal, it would automatically turn red to avoid another train to follow. </blockquote>A short summary is: this is safer because you are not allowed to let a second train enter the block.<br />
<br />
Later, we developed all kinds of interlock devices to help us dispatch more easily. The block operation mentioned in previous section was simplified too. Now, we use block instruments for releasing/setting the blocks, meanwhile we still need to transport other information by humans, so we give a name "'''''semi-auto block system'''''" to it.<br />
<br />
=== Automation Era ===<br />
Have you ever thought about a question: is there a fixed distance between two stations? Not really, sometimes two stations can be 50km away from each other. Then, if we just let only one train to enter this long distance, that is surely low-efficient. Here let's just focus on double-track railways, as single-track railways are another story.<br />
<br />
So, we divided them into shorter sections. But, like what is said before, unless you are operating some Gulag Railways, we simply cannot just let too many people stand at the boundaries of two small divided sections all the time. What can be done to improve it?<br />
<br />
Well, we simply just make it more automatic. This can be done by adding some detectors on the track to tell train's current location, and connecting them with signals using circuits. This is called '''''track circuit'''''. Below is one of the earliest type of how it looks like, and a simplified version of what we currently use.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-4.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-4 Illustration of track circuit invented by William Robinson in 1872]]<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-5 A simplified version of track circuit nowadays]]<br />
Later, some countries decide to use '''''axle counter''''', a mono-functional device to detect train location.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-6 An axle counter in UK, by Carlos118]]<br />
So, that brings the end of the block section, let's go to signals.<br />
<br />
== Signals ==<br />
<br />
=== A Basic Division ===<br />
We have repeated the word '''''signals''''' for many times, but we didn't give a detailed description. Between two stations, we use signals at the boundary of two blocks, and also we add distant signals to create enough long distance for train to brake and stop.<br />
<br />
So, now let's look at another point we didn't mention before - in a station. We usually don't have only one track in a station, so there are turnovers to help the train to change a track. But of course, change a track bring another speed limit, just like you won't be able to take a sharp turn when you are driving at 100km/h in a car.<br />
<br />
There are two different thoughts on how to deal with this problem: one is to '''<u>tell driver "which route you are going to drive"</u>''', the other is <u>'''"which is the safe speed for the route you are going to drive"'''</u>. This difference brings us the two basic categories of railway signaling.<br />
'''''Which route you are going to drive?'''''<br />
If we want to answer in this way, we apply '''''route signaling'''''. This is the earliest solution for such situation, but now only a few countries use it, mainly: Britain, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and China. The following picture grabbed from British railway rulebook RS521 can help you understand:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-7 Route signaling (from British railway rulebook RS521)]]<br />
'''''Which is the safe speed for the route you are going to drive?'''''<br />
If we answer it in this way, we apply '''''speed signaling'''''. This is a further development based on route signaling, so it appears much later. But now it is widely applied all over the world, the representative is Germany. Poland also applied speed signaling, so we will focus on speed signaling in the following sections. Below is a excerpt from German railway rulebook RW301, this can help you understand '''''speed signaling'''''.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-8 Speed signaling (from German railway rulebook RW301)]]<br />
<br />
=== A More Detailed Look on Speed Signaling ===<br />
So, you may discover one point: <blockquote>why "speed limit for '''<u>next</u>''' signal" and "speed limit for '''<u>this</u>''' signal" appeared at the same time in one signal?</blockquote>Let's recall what we introduced in Chapter 1, we use distant signals to create safe braking distance for trains, so that they won't run over a red light. And in Fig. 1-14, we write two concepts: '''''Main Signal''''' and '''''Distant Signal'''''. <br />
<br />
Main signal marks the beginning of a block, and the block you are going to enter. But yes, if only the driver sees it and does some operation, it is too late. In the past, we may just use a separate distant signal for that, which depicts "the speed limit for next signal", and main signal depicts "the speed limit for this signal".<br />
<br />
Here is an example:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-9.png|center|thumb|593x593px|Fig. 2-9 Sr3 & Ot3]]<br />
Left one is the Sr3 signal, which means: '''<u>you shouldn't drive above 40km/h after passing it</u>'''. Meanwhile, right one is Ot3, the distant signal for it, which means: '''<u>after passing the next signal</u>''', you shouldn't exceed 40km/h. A driver can easily differentiate them for sure, as they look very differently. <br />
<br />
But nowadays, to save some costs, we start to combine these two signals into one, which means a signal can not only '''<u>show the speed limit for this signal</u>''', but also tell drivers '''<u>the speed limit for next signal in advance</u>'''. Then, how shall we tell from it?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-10.png|center|thumb|407x407px|Fig. 2-10 S1 & S10 signals]]<br />
You can see two different signals here. The left one is called S1, the "Stop" signal. Obviously, it means "please stop in front of the signal", so we don't really need to tell drivers the speed limit for next signal. You already stopped, it is meaningless to add other information.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So, what does the right one mean? Well, although we combined distant signal and main signal together, we still use different displays for these two different functions. In Poland's case, the division line is just the third light, or the red light in S1. So, now we can explain it in this way:<blockquote>The above green light means you can run at maximum speed the track allows (or your train allows) after passing the next signal. </blockquote><blockquote>The bottom orange light means you shall not exceed 40km/h after passing this signal until the end of your train passed the turnover/exit the station area. </blockquote>One table can be founded in PKP rulebook Ie-1 displaying all possible displays:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-11.png|center|thumb|761x761px|Fig. 2-11 A table shown all signals of Polish railways, from PKP Rulebook Ie-1]]<br />
In this table, na=the speed limit for next signal, z=the speed limit for this signal.<br />
<br />
= References =<br />
<br />
* PKP Rulebooks: Ir-1, Ie-1<br />
* Chapter 1 of the Chinese new dispatch guidebook I used to be in charge<br />
<br />
= Notes =<br />
Author: 3N<br />
<br />
Disclaimer: This only touches the most surface knowledge of railways, for furthermore knowledge, referring to textbooks in such area is a good choice.</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Railway_101&diff=30260Railway 1012025-01-02T09:05:32Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>This is a page that intends to teach non-railfan players some basic knowledge of railways. Sometimes, we all need to learn some new things, and for such a simulator, it is really important. For current stages, we can see many different manuals. They are very good, and very detailed, and each community had their own manuals already. I think I cannot contribute more in this field, but suddenly I realize all of these manuals already have a basic requirement: you know something about railways. But obviously, that is not true for everyone.<br />
<br />
You see, there is no such preset questions when buying SimRail, and yep, looks like we even don't think a non-railfan would buy this. But as they did, we cannot just simply say "Hey you are not a railfan, GET THE F■■K OUT OF HERE!" And that's definitely not good for a game's development. Therefore, I decided to write this page, and later may edited it into a book or a manual to refer to.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 1: Railway History =<br />
<br />
== Where it begins... ==<br />
So, what is railway? Well, if you just see the surface, it is just some wood sticks lying under two steel rails. But I think maybe let's look back at its history.<br />
<br />
In the past, we need to move something very heavy, and we don't really want to break our backs for sure. Then, someone came up with an idea: what about build a "way" for them? Yes, they did. But that's not railway in its modern concept. Later some guy just bring something new from a boiled kettle, and somebody find out this black thing, which we call them ''coal'', can work as a source of energy. And we need to transport them, probably inventing something powered by such thing, and some guy named George Stephenson did that. Train was born.<br />
<br />
''(Well, *nerd face*, actually... he invented locomotive, train's name came later, if you are interested, Google can help you to figure out the difference between these two words.)''<br />
<br />
Ok, later we think this can also transport people, so we build carriages. And now railways are extending, population is growing as industrialization begins, we need more trains to transport, and then more, then more, then... Oh, looks like we just let two trains crash into each other, there are no more spaces now, and we shouldn't let them kiss each other's butt for sure. What shall we do?<br />
<br />
== The Almighty Power of <s>Illuminati</s> Your Eyes ==<br />
<br />
Eyes on the road! This is what we always heard when we are driving cars, right? Yes, they think the same. How about just let the drivers see the road all the time, and breaks when it notices something. Yes, this works at beginning, but later we think trains are too slow, let's speed it up, and load more things, and become more heavier... Oh, now you need 800 meters to stop this thing, because someone in history whose head got hit by an apple (at least rumor said that) said, <blockquote>''Every object perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, except insofar as it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed thereon.''</blockquote>An easier version: <blockquote>The heavier you are, the longer distance you need to stop. I think maybe this picture can help you understand:</blockquote><br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-1.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-1 Newton 1st Law Simplified]]<br />
So, we need longer distance to stop, but can human eyes actually see that far? Well, no. And sometimes this happens:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-2.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-2 A crash caused by driving on sight]]<br />
<br />
== Watch Your Time ==<br />
Then, is there any other way to complete such task? Well, we don't only have one crew on the train. Maybe we can test their ability for running, that's what we did at first. Like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-3.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-3 One with superpower (joke)]]<br />
But you know, not all of us can become sportsman, and you cannot just jump off a train without getting hurt. How about record average running time, and then let trains to depart according to it? Yep, they did this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-4.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-4 Time Interval]]<br />
But sometimes, such thing may happen:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-5 A comic for some operation failure]]<br />
Sometimes, such thing may also happen...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-6 When one man falls asleep]]<br />
<br />
Also, we need more trains as people were born so quickly after many cities were build. Adding trains is good, but not good if they started to kiss each other again. So, we need a new way to do that.<br />
<br />
== Time to Block! ==<br />
So... Instead of time, there is another thing can be used to make some separation - distance. But then there is another problem: railways are not always straight, there are some curves and turning points. Well, maybe we can try this thing?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-7 Why directly measure the distance is stupid?]]<br />
Well, no. First, we don't have rulers that long. Second, we don't have one guy who can shout loud enough for a person to hear from over 10km away. Also, as mentioned before, railways are not always straight lines, they have curves. So we cannot just directly let two guys measuring the distance of trains all the time. We need another way.<br />
<br />
So, what would you do when you will let someone far away know where you are? In modern days, we just use Internet, send a message and here we go. At that time, there is no such thing, but we do have telegraphs. And they cannot be something portable for sure. So, we need to do this.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-8 Report train position using telegraphs]]<br />
And then, signalers need to be responsible for trains. Because, they allowed another train to enter the section they are in charge. And through this procedure, we only let one train to enter such section. This is what we called "'''''block'''''" in railway transportation. We blocked the way for other trains until one train leaves a certain section. And we create section by diving the whole route into different parts.<br />
<br />
So, now we can operate like this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-9.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-9 Normal situation for signaler dispatching a train]]<br />
And this can also prevent some situations like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-10.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-10 When one signaler fell asleep...]]<br />
<br />
== Say Hello to Signals! ==<br />
there is another thing to consider: trains are moving, and we don't have phones at that time, so how are we supposed to tell drivers what to do? Well, we use our hands.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-11.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-11 Hand signals]]<br />
But then there is another problem. We cannot just let guys standing 24/7 for giving signals, unless you are operating '''''the Gulag Railway'''''. So, we need something to help out such situation. So, we invent '''''signals'''''. Just like traffic lights, we first hang different colors of lamps to make it shine.<br />
<br />
Well, if you have opened your room lights in daylight, I guess you already know what would be the problem - they're way too invisible when sun is shinning everywhere. We need something more obvious to show the signals. And then one guy come up with an idea: Hey, what about using some boards? Yes, we did, they are called semaphore signals.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-12.png|center|thumb|1244x1244px|Fig. 1-12 One example of German Semaphore Signal (By Dr. Matthias Runte)]]<br />
Give a close look, you can also see there are lamps there, which is the foundation of railway signals you see today. Later we find out electricity is more powerful, so we removed the lamps and replaced them with bulbs.<br />
<br />
== Tell you in Advance ==<br />
Ok, now we have signals, there must be less accidents, right? Well, at first, yes. But later, there are more tracks in one station, and when they need to enter sidings (side-tracks), they had some speed-limit. So, something like this happened:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-13.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-13 Problems for sidings]]<br />
Then somebody came up with an idea, "What if we tell the driver to slow down in advance, when the reached last signal?" Yes, they did. We call such signal as '''''distant signal'''''.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-14-1.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-14 How distant signals work]]<br />
Now we meet the end of this chapter. We will further more explore each concept in the followings.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks =<br />
Ah... where are we? Yes, we invent blocks. But I think you already noticed one point: all these protections are only available for trains running in the same direction. But, trains need to come back, so we need other methods. <br />
<br />
== Blocks & Interlocks ==<br />
<br />
=== Blocks Updated ===<br />
A way to solve this problem is to build another railway beside it, which we call it double-track. So, the only thing left is to decide which side of the track the trains shall run on. Britain and other countries influenced by Britain (like China, Japan...) run on the left-side. Meanwhile, others decide to run on the right-side, like Germany and America.<br />
<br />
Yes, it did work, but we cannot just always build a second railway beside what we have already. It's too much money and sometimes the environment won't allow us. In the past, people use timetables to let a train stopped at one station. But if you always watch YouTube, and listen to a famous song joking about a very famous railway company in Europe, you know when you hear:<blockquote>''Sis Trein is ät se moment... 10 minits diläit (This train at this moment is 10 minutes delay, just imitating the thick accent.)''</blockquote>A message like above is pretty destructive for such timetable-based operation. Because if one try got delayed, another need to wait, and another, and another, after a chain reaction, the total delay might reach 1 hour or even 10 hours.<br />
<br />
We said we use telegraph to do some block operations before, right? Yes, and we continue to do such thing, now it's in 3 steps: request (ask for permission) - depart (set up the block) - arrival (release the block). This can be done in the following pictures depicting the whole situation:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-1.png|center|thumb|1408x1408px|Fig. 2-1 The whole process of block operation]]<br />
And for double-track, as we usually define the common running direction, we can omit the first procedure. Later, some guy invented telephones, and we use them instead. But hey, won't people still make some mistakes like what Chapter 1 said? Yes, they still did...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-2.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-2 Accidents still happen]]<br />
Well, time to update...<br />
<br />
=== Machine Power ===<br />
So, introducing '''''Block Instruments''''', getting tired of always forgetting records? Use it, we use circuits and '''<u>connecting it to signals</u>''' to make sure you won't give a green signal when a train is in the block!<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-3.png|center|thumb|801x801px|Fig. 2-3 A type of block instrument used in Germany before]]<br />
And later, we connect all turnovers, related signals, and block instruments to make '''''interlock'''''. This thing worked as followings:<blockquote>When you set a route for a train to go, all signals and turnovers related would be adjusted together and locked, so you won't move any of it until you cancel the route or the route is released after the train passed. And when a train passed the signal, it would automatically turn red to avoid another train to follow. </blockquote>A short summary is: this is safer because you are not allowed to let a second train enter the block.<br />
<br />
Later, we developed all kinds of interlock devices to help us dispatch more easily. The block operation mentioned in previous section was simplified too. Now, we use block instruments for releasing/setting the blocks, meanwhile we still need to transport other information by humans, so we give a name "'''''semi-auto block system'''''" to it.<br />
<br />
=== Automation Era ===<br />
Have you ever thought about a question: is there a fixed distance between two stations? Not really, sometimes two stations can be 50km away from each other. Then, if we just let only one train to enter this long distance, that is surely low-efficient. Here let's just focus on double-track railways, as single-track railways are another story.<br />
<br />
So, we divided them into shorter sections. But, like what is said before, unless you are operating some Gulag Railways, we simply cannot just let too many people stand at the boundaries of two small divided sections all the time. What can be done to improve it?<br />
<br />
Well, we simply just make it more automatic. This can be done by adding some detectors on the track to tell train's current location, and connecting them with signals using circuits. This is called '''''track circuit'''''. Below is one of the earliest type of how it looks like, and a simplified version of what we currently use.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-4.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-4 Illustration of track circuit invented by William Robinson in 1872]]<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-5 A simplified version of track circuit nowadays]]<br />
Later, some countries decide to use '''''axle counter''''', a mono-functional device to detect train location.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-6 An axle counter in UK, by Carlos118]]<br />
So, that brings the end of the block section, let's go to signals.<br />
<br />
== Signals ==<br />
<br />
=== A Basic Division ===<br />
We have repeated the word '''''signals''''' for many times, but we didn't give a detailed description. Between two stations, we use signals at the boundary of two blocks, and also we add distant signals to create enough long distance for train to brake and stop.<br />
<br />
So, now let's look at another point we didn't mention before - in a station. We usually don't have only one track in a station, so there are turnovers to help the train to change a track. But of course, change a track bring another speed limit, just like you won't be able to take a sharp turn when you are driving at 100km/h in a car.<br />
<br />
There are two different thoughts on how to deal with this problem: one is to '''<u>tell driver "which route you are going to drive"</u>''', the other is <u>'''"which is the safe speed for the route you are going to drive"'''</u>. This difference brings us the two basic categories of railway signaling.<br />
'''''Which route you are going to drive?'''''<br />
If we want to answer in this way, we apply '''''route signaling'''''. This is the earliest solution for such situation, but now only a few countries use it, mainly: Britain, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and China. The following picture grabbed from British railway rulebook RS521 can help you understand:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-7 Route signaling (from British railway rulebook RS521)]]<br />
'''''Which is the safe speed for the route you are going to drive?'''''<br />
If we answer it in this way, we apply '''''speed signaling'''''. This is a further development based on route signaling, so it appears much later. But now it is widely applied all over the world, the representative is Germany. Poland also applied speed signaling, so we will focus on speed signaling in the following sections. Below is a excerpt from German railway rulebook RW301, this can help you understand '''''speed signaling'''''.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-8 Speed signaling (from German railway rulebook RW301)]]<br />
<br />
=== A More Detailed Look on Speed Signaling ===<br />
So, you may discover one point: <blockquote>why "speed limit for '''<u>next</u>''' signal" and "speed limit for '''<u>this</u>''' signal" appeared at the same time in one signal?</blockquote>Let's recall what we introduced in Chapter 1, we use distant signals to create safe braking distance for trains, so that they won't run over a red light. And in Fig. 1-14, we write two concepts: '''''Main Signal''''' and '''''Distant Signal'''''. <br />
<br />
Main signal marks the beginning of a block, and the block you are going to enter. But yes, if only the driver sees it and does some operation, it is too late. In the past, we may just use a separate distant signal for that, which depicts "the speed limit for next signal", and main signal depicts "the speed limit for this signal".<br />
<br />
Here is an example:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-9.png|center|thumb|593x593px|Fig. 2-9 Sr3 & Ot3]]<br />
Left one is the Sr3 signal, which means: '''<u>you shouldn't drive above 40km/h after passing it</u>'''. Meanwhile, right one is Ot3, the distant signal for it, which means: '''<u>after passing the next signal</u>''', you shouldn't exceed 40km/h. A driver can easily differentiate them for sure, as they look very differently. <br />
<br />
But nowadays, to save some costs, we start to combine these two signals into one, which means a signal can not only '''<u>show the speed limit for this signal</u>''', but also tell drivers '''<u>the speed limit for next signal in advance</u>'''. Then, how shall we tell from it?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-10.png|center|thumb|407x407px|Fig. 2-10 S1 & S10 signals]]<br />
You can see two different signals here. The left one is called S1, the "Stop" signal. Obviously, it means "please stop in front of the signal", so we don't really need to tell drivers the speed limit for next signal. You already stopped, it is meaningless to add other information.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So, what does the right one mean? Well, although we combined distant signal and main signal together, we still use different displays for these two different functions. In Poland's case, the division line is just the third light, or the red light in S1. So, now we can explain it in this way:<blockquote>The above green light means you can run at maximum speed the track allows (or your train allows) after passing the next signal. </blockquote><blockquote>The bottom orange light means you shall not exceed 40km/h after passing this signal until the end of your train passed the turnover/exit the station area. </blockquote>One table can be founded in PKP rulebook Ie-1 displaying all possible displays:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-11.png|center|thumb|761x761px|Fig. 2-11 A table shown all signals of Polish railways, from PKP Rulebook Ie-1]]<br />
In this table, na=the speed limit for next signal, z=the speed limit for this signal.<br />
<br />
= References =<br />
<br />
* PKP Rulebooks: Ir-1, Ie-1<br />
* Chapter 1 of the Chinese new dispatch guidebook I used to be in charge<br />
<br />
= Notes =<br />
Author: 3N<br />
<br />
Disclaimer: This only touches the most surface knowledge of railways, for furthermore knowledge, referring to textbooks in such area is a good choice.</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Contributions&diff=30259Contributions2025-01-02T09:02:44Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{notranslate}}<br />
<br />
This page contains the total list of contributions that have been made to this wiki.[[File:SimRailCZ Sraz1.jpg|thumb|Player meeting on CZ server, screenshot by MilanSVK]]<br />
<br />
== Basic Knowledge ==<br />
<br />
* [[Railway 101]]<br />
<br />
== DLC ==<br />
<br />
* [[DLC CD 163]]<br />
* [[DLC Cargo Pack]]<br />
* [[DLC Lodz - Warszawa]]<br />
* [[DLC Zgorzelec - Gorlitz - Dresden]]<br />
* [[DLC Minneapolis - La Crosse|DLC Route Minneapolis - La Crosse]]<br />
<br />
== Locomotives and units ==<br />
'''Europe:'''<br />
<br />
* [[Electric unit EN57 / EN71]]<br />
* [[Electric unit EN76|Electric unit EN76 / EN96]]<br />
* [[Pendolino electric unit|Electric unit ED250 Pendolino]]<br />
* [[Electric locomotive EU07]]<br />
* [[Electric locomotive EP08]]<br />
* [[Electric locomotive ET22]] '''(DLC)'''<br />
* [[Electric locomotive ET25]]<br />
* [[Electric locomotive E186 Traxx]]<br />
* [[Steam engine Ty2]]<br />
<br />
'''USA (DLC):'''<br />
<br />
* [[Diesel locomotive GE AC4400CW]]<br />
'''DE (DLC):'''<br />
* n/a<br />
<br />
== Dispatcher mode ==<br />
[[File:Sosnowiec Glówny dispo1.jpg|thumb|Sosnowiec Glówny]]<br />
<br />
* [[Dispatcher's Handbook]]<br />
* [[EDR/SHDR]]<br />
* [[How to operate relay line block equipment]]<br />
* [[SEPE SR online]]<br />
* [[Written Orders]]<br />
<br />
== Multiplayer ==<br />
* [[Bugs on Multiplayer and Temporary Solution]]<br />
* [[How to report a player in the game]]<br />
* [[List of stations]]<br />
* [[Maps]]<br />
* [[Servers information]]<br />
* [[Table with marking of train types]]<br />
<br />
== SinglePlayer ==<br />
<br />
* [[Custom Scenarios]]<br />
* [[Generator składów na potrzeby scenariuszy|Generator of compositions for scenarios]]<br />
* [[LUA]]<br />
* [[How to activate ETCS in Singleplayer]]<br />
* [[How to Monitor SimRail Log LIVE While Playing]]<br />
* [[SinglePlayer - Weather Codes|Weather codes]]<br />
<br />
== Other ==<br />
<br />
* [[Game API|API]]<br />
* [[ETCS]]<br />
* [[How to fix broken previews and information in train/station selection]]<br />
* [[Neutral Sections - Where to pull down pantograph]]<br />
* [[Reshade]]<br />
* [[SDK]]<br />
* [[Signs and Signals]]<br />
* [[Track speeds in SimRail (Prędkości szlakowe w SimRail)]]<br />
* [[Train interlockings]]<br />
* [[Wagons available in the game]]<br />
<br />
== English Translators ==<br />
Language Section Manager: [[User:Roman|Roman]]<br />
<br />
Other translators:</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Railway_101&diff=30258Railway 1012025-01-02T09:01:06Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>This is a page that intends to teach non-railfan players some basic knowledge of railways. Sometimes, we all need to learn some new things, and for such a simulator, it is really important. For current stages, we can see many different manuals. They are very good, and very detailed, and each community had their own manuals already. I think I cannot contribute more in this field, but suddenly I realize all of these manuals already have a basic requirement: you know something about railways. But obviously, that is not true for everyone.<br />
<br />
You see, there is no such preset questions when buying SimRail, and yep, looks like we even don't think a non-railfan would buy this. But as they did, we cannot just simply say "Hey you are not a railfan, GET THE F■■K OUT OF HERE!" And that's definitely not good for a game's development. Therefore, I decided to write this page, and later may edited it into a book or a manual to refer to.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 1: Railway History =<br />
<br />
== Where it begins... ==<br />
So, what is railway? Well, if you just see the surface, it is just some wood sticks lying under two steel rails. But I think maybe let's look back at its history.<br />
<br />
In the past, we need to move something very heavy, and we don't really want to break our backs for sure. Then, someone came up with an idea: what about build a "way" for them? Yes, they did. But that's not railway in its modern concept. Later some guy just bring something new from a boiled kettle, and somebody find out this black thing, which we call them ''coal'', can work as a source of energy. And we need to transport them, probably inventing something powered by such thing, and some guy named George Stephenson did that. Train was born.<br />
<br />
''(Well, *nerd face*, actually... he invented locomotive, train's name came later, if you are interested, Google can help you to figure out the difference between these two words.)''<br />
<br />
Ok, later we think this can also transport people, so we build carriages. And now railways are extending, population is growing as industrialization begins, we need more trains to transport, and then more, then more, then... Oh, looks like we just let two trains crash into each other, there are no more spaces now, and we shouldn't let them kiss each other's butt for sure. What shall we do?<br />
<br />
== The Almighty Power of <s>Illuminati</s> Your Eyes ==<br />
<br />
Eyes on the road! This is what we always heard when we are driving cars, right? Yes, they think the same. How about just let the drivers see the road all the time, and breaks when it notices something. Yes, this works at beginning, but later we think trains are too slow, let's speed it up, and load more things, and become more heavier... Oh, now you need 800 meters to stop this thing, because someone in history whose head got hit by an apple (at least rumor said that) said, <blockquote>''Every object perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, except insofar as it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed thereon.''</blockquote>An easier version: <blockquote>The heavier you are, the longer distance you need to stop. I think maybe this picture can help you understand:</blockquote><br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-1.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-1 Newton 1st Law Simplified]]<br />
So, we need longer distance to stop, but can human eyes actually see that far? Well, no. And sometimes this happens:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-2.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-2 A crash caused by driving on sight]]<br />
<br />
== Watch Your Time ==<br />
Then, is there any other way to complete such task? Well, we don't only have one crew on the train. Maybe we can test their ability for running, that's what we did at first. Like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-3.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-3 One with superpower (joke)]]<br />
But you know, not all of us can become sportsman, and you cannot just jump off a train without getting hurt. How about record average running time, and then let trains to depart according to it? Yep, they did this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-4.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-4 Time Interval]]<br />
But sometimes, such thing may happen:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-5 A comic for some operation failure]]<br />
Sometimes, such thing may also happen...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-6 When one man falls asleep]]<br />
<br />
Also, we need more trains as people were born so quickly after many cities were build. Adding trains is good, but not good if they started to kiss each other again. So, we need a new way to do that.<br />
<br />
== Time to Block! ==<br />
So... Instead of time, there is another thing can be used to make some separation - distance. But then there is another problem: railways are not always straight, there are some curves and turning points. Well, maybe we can try this thing?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-7 Why directly measure the distance is stupid?]]<br />
Well, no. First, we don't have rulers that long. Second, we don't have one guy who can shout loud enough for a person to hear from over 10km away. Also, as mentioned before, railways are not always straight lines, they have curves. So we cannot just directly let two guys measuring the distance of trains all the time. We need another way.<br />
<br />
So, what would you do when you will let someone far away know where you are? In modern days, we just use Internet, send a message and here we go. At that time, there is no such thing, but we do have telegraphs. And they cannot be something portable for sure. So, we need to do this.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-8 Report train position using telegraphs]]<br />
And then, signalers need to be responsible for trains. Because, they allowed another train to enter the section they are in charge. And through this procedure, we only let one train to enter such section. This is what we called "'''''block'''''" in railway transportation. We blocked the way for other trains until one train leaves a certain section. And we create section by diving the whole route into different parts.<br />
<br />
So, now we can operate like this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-9.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-9 Normal situation for signaler dispatching a train]]<br />
And this can also prevent some situations like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-10.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-10 When one signaler fell asleep...]]<br />
<br />
== Say Hello to Signals! ==<br />
there is another thing to consider: trains are moving, and we don't have phones at that time, so how are we supposed to tell drivers what to do? Well, we use our hands.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-11.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-11 Hand signals]]<br />
But then there is another problem. We cannot just let guys standing 24/7 for giving signals, unless you are operating '''''the Gulag Railway'''''. So, we need something to help out such situation. So, we invent '''''signals'''''. Just like traffic lights, we first hang different colors of lamps to make it shine.<br />
<br />
Well, if you have opened your room lights in daylight, I guess you already know what would be the problem - they're way too invisible when sun is shinning everywhere. We need something more obvious to show the signals. And then one guy come up with an idea: Hey, what about using some boards? Yes, we did, they are called semaphore signals.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-12.png|center|thumb|1244x1244px|Fig. 1-12 One example of German Semaphore Signal (By Dr. Matthias Runte)]]<br />
Give a close look, you can also see there are lamps there, which is the foundation of railway signals you see today. Later we find out electricity is more powerful, so we removed the lamps and replaced them with bulbs.<br />
<br />
== Tell you in Advance ==<br />
Ok, now we have signals, there must be less accidents, right? Well, at first, yes. But later, there are more tracks in one station, and when they need to enter sidings (side-tracks), they had some speed-limit. So, something like this happened:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-13.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-13 Problems for sidings]]<br />
Then somebody came up with an idea, "What if we tell the driver to slow down in advance, when the reached last signal?" Yes, they did. We call such signal as '''''distant signal'''''.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-14-1.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-14 How distant signals work]]<br />
Now we meet the end of this chapter. We will further more explore each concept in the followings.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks =<br />
Ah... where are we? Yes, we invent blocks. But I think you already noticed one point: all these protections are only available for trains running in the same direction. But, trains need to come back, so we need other methods. <br />
<br />
== Blocks & Interlocks ==<br />
<br />
=== Blocks Updated ===<br />
A way to solve this problem is to build another railway beside it, which we call it double-track. So, the only thing left is to decide which side of the track the trains shall run on. Britain and other countries influenced by Britain (like China, Japan...) run on the left-side. Meanwhile, others decide to run on the right-side, like Germany and America.<br />
<br />
Yes, it did work, but we cannot just always build a second railway beside what we have already. It's too much money and sometimes the environment won't allow us. In the past, people use timetables to let a train stopped at one station. But if you always watch YouTube, and listen to a famous song joking about a very famous railway company in Europe, you know when you hear:<blockquote>''Sis Trein is ät se moment... 10 minits diläit (This train at this moment is 10 minutes delay, just imitating the thick accent.)''</blockquote>A message like above is pretty destructive for such timetable-based operation. Because if one try got delayed, another need to wait, and another, and another, after a chain reaction, the total delay might reach 1 hour or even 10 hours.<br />
<br />
We said we use telegraph to do some block operations before, right? Yes, and we continue to do such thing, now it's in 3 steps: request (ask for permission) - depart (set up the block) - arrival (release the block). This can be done in the following pictures depicting the whole situation:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-1.png|center|thumb|1408x1408px|Fig. 2-1 The whole process of block operation]]<br />
And for double-track, as we usually define the common running direction, we can omit the first procedure. Later, some guy invented telephones, and we use them instead. But hey, won't people still make some mistakes like what Chapter 1 said? Yes, they still did...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-2.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-2 Accidents still happen]]<br />
Well, time to update...<br />
<br />
=== Machine Power ===<br />
So, introducing '''''Block Instruments''''', getting tired of always forgetting records? Use it, we use circuits and '''<u>connecting it to signals</u>''' to make sure you won't give a green signal when a train is in the block!<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-3.png|center|thumb|801x801px|Fig. 2-3 A type of block instrument used in Germany before]]<br />
And later, we connect all turnovers, related signals, and block instruments to make '''''interlock'''''. This thing worked as followings:<blockquote>When you set a route for a train to go, all signals and turnovers related would be adjusted together and locked, so you won't move any of it until you cancel the route or the route is released after the train passed. And when a train passed the signal, it would automatically turn red to avoid another train to follow. </blockquote>A short summary is: this is safer because you are not allowed to let a second train enter the block.<br />
<br />
Later, we developed all kinds of interlock devices to help us dispatch more easily. The block operation mentioned in previous section was simplified too. Now, we use block instruments for releasing/setting the blocks, meanwhile we still need to transport other information by humans, so we give a name "'''''semi-auto block system'''''" to it.<br />
<br />
=== Automation Era ===<br />
Have you ever thought about a question: is there a fixed distance between two stations? Not really, sometimes two stations can be 50km away from each other. Then, if we just let only one train to enter this long distance, that is surely low-efficient. Here let's just focus on double-track railways, as single-track railways are another story.<br />
<br />
So, we divided them into shorter sections. But, like what is said before, unless you are operating some Gulag Railways, we simply cannot just let too many people stand at the boundaries of two small divided sections all the time. What can be done to improve it?<br />
<br />
Well, we simply just make it more automatic. This can be done by adding some detectors on the track to tell train's current location, and connecting them with signals using circuits. This is called '''''track circuit'''''. Below is one of the earliest type of how it looks like, and a simplified version of what we currently use.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-4.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-4 Illustration of track circuit invented by William Robinson in 1872]]<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-5 A simplified version of track circuit nowadays]]<br />
Later, some countries decide to use '''''axle counter''''', a mono-functional device to detect train location.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-6 An axle counter in UK, by Carlos118]]<br />
So, that brings the end of the block section, let's go to signals.<br />
<br />
== Signals ==<br />
<br />
=== A Basic Division ===<br />
We have repeated the word '''''signals''''' for many times, but we didn't give a detailed description. Between two stations, we use signals at the boundary of two blocks, and also we add distant signals to create enough long distance for train to brake and stop.<br />
<br />
So, now let's look at another point we didn't mention before - in a station. We usually don't have only one track in a station, so there are turnovers to help the train to change a track. But of course, change a track bring another speed limit, just like you won't be able to take a sharp turn when you are driving at 100km/h in a car.<br />
<br />
There are two different thoughts on how to deal with this problem: one is to '''<u>tell driver "which route you are going to drive"</u>''', the other is <u>'''"which is the safe speed for the route you are going to drive"'''</u>. This difference brings us the two basic categories of railway signaling.<br />
'''''Which route you are going to drive?'''''<br />
If we want to answer in this way, we apply '''''route signaling'''''. This is the earliest solution for such situation, but now only a few countries use it, mainly: Britain, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and China. The following picture grabbed from British railway rulebook RS521 can help you understand:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-7 Route signaling (from British railway rulebook RS521)]]<br />
'''''Which is the safe speed for the route you are going to drive?'''''<br />
If we answer it in this way, we apply '''''speed signaling'''''. This is a further development based on route signaling, so it appears much later. But now it is widely applied all over the world, the representative is Germany. Poland also applied speed signaling, so we will focus on speed signaling in the following sections. Below is a excerpt from German railway rulebook RW301, this can help you understand '''''speed signaling'''''.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-8 Speed signaling (from German railway rulebook RW301)]]<br />
<br />
=== A More Detailed Look on Speed Signaling ===<br />
So, you may discover one point: <blockquote>why "speed limit for '''<u>next</u>''' signal" and "speed limit for '''<u>this</u>''' signal" appeared at the same time in one signal?</blockquote>Let's recall what we introduced in Chapter 1, we use distant signals to create safe braking distance for trains, so that they won't run over a red light. And in Fig. 1-14, we write two concepts: '''''Main Signal''''' and '''''Distant Signal'''''. <br />
<br />
Main signal marks the beginning of a block, and the block you are going to enter. But yes, if only the driver sees it and does some operation, it is too late. In the past, we may just use a separate distant signal for that, which depicts "the speed limit for next signal", and main signal depicts "the speed limit for this signal".<br />
<br />
Here is an example:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-9.png|center|thumb|593x593px|Fig. 2-9 Sr3 & Ot3]]<br />
Left one is the Sr3 signal, which means: '''<u>you shouldn't drive above 40km/h after passing it</u>'''. Meanwhile, right one is Ot3, the distant signal for it, which means: '''<u>after passing the next signal</u>''', you shouldn't exceed 40km/h. A driver can easily differentiate them for sure, as they look very differently. <br />
<br />
But nowadays, to save some costs, we start to combine these two signals into one, which means a signal can not only '''<u>show the speed limit for this signal</u>''', but also tell drivers '''<u>the speed limit for next signal in advance</u>'''. Then, how shall we tell from it?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-10.png|center|thumb|407x407px|Fig. 2-10 S1 & S10 signals]]<br />
You can see two different signals here. The left one is called S1, the "Stop" signal. Obviously, it means "please stop in front of the signal", so we don't really need to tell drivers the speed limit for next signal. You already stopped, it is meaningless to add other information.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So, what does the right one mean? Well, although we combined distant signal and main signal together, we still use different displays for these two different functions. In Poland's case, the division line is just the third light, or the red light in S1. So, now we can explain it in this way:<blockquote>The above green light means you can run at maximum speed the track allows (or your train allows) after passing the next signal. </blockquote><blockquote>The bottom orange light means you shall not exceed 40km/h after passing this signal until the end of your train passed the turnover/exit the station area. </blockquote>One table can be founded in PKP rulebook Ie-1 displaying all possible displays:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-11.png|center|thumb|761x761px|Fig. 2-11 A table shown all signals of Polish railways, from PKP Rulebook Ie-1]]<br />
In this table, na=the speed limit for next signal, z=the speed limit for this signal.</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Railway_101&diff=30257Railway 1012025-01-02T08:58:40Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>This is a page that intends to teach non-railfan players some basic knowledge of railways. Sometimes, we all need to learn some new things, and for such a simulator, it is really important. For current stages, we can see many different manuals. They are very good, and very detailed, and each community had their own manuals already. I think I cannot contribute more in this field, but suddenly I realize all of these manuals already have a basic requirement: you know something about railways. But obviously, that is not true for everyone.<br />
<br />
You see, there is no such preset questions when buying SimRail, and yep, looks like we even don't think a non-railfan would buy this. But as they did, we cannot just simply say "Hey you are not a railfan, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" And that's definitely not good for a game's development. Therefore, I decided to write this page, and later may edited it into a book or a manual to refer to.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 1: Railway History =<br />
<br />
== Where it begins... ==<br />
So, what is railway? Well, if you just see the surface, it is just some wood sticks lying under two steel rails. But I think maybe let's look back at its history.<br />
<br />
In the past, we need to move something very heavy, and we don't really want to break our backs for sure. Then, someone came up with an idea: what about build a "way" for them? Yes, they did. But that's not railway in its modern concept. Later some guy just bring something new from a boiled kettle, and somebody find out this black thing, which we call them ''coal'', can work as a source of energy. And we need to transport them, probably inventing something powered by such thing, and some guy named George Stephenson did that. Train was born.<br />
<br />
''(Well, *nerd face*, actually... he invented locomotive, train's name came later, if you are interested, Google can help you to figure out the difference between these two words.)''<br />
<br />
Ok, later we think this can also transport people, so we build carriages. And now railways are extending, population is growing as industrialization begins, we need more trains to transport, and then more, then more, then... Oh, looks like we just let two trains crash into each other, there are no more spaces now, and we shouldn't let them kiss each other's butt for sure. What shall we do?<br />
<br />
== The Almighty Power of <s>Illuminati</s> Your Eyes ==<br />
<br />
Eyes on the road! This is what we always heard when we are driving cars, right? Yes, they think the same. How about just let the drivers see the road all the time, and breaks when it notices something. Yes, this works at beginning, but later we think trains are too slow, let's speed it up, and load more things, and become more heavier... Oh, now you need 800 meters to stop this thing, because someone in history whose head got hit by an apple (at least rumor said that) said, <blockquote>''Every object perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, except insofar as it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed thereon.''</blockquote>An easier version: <blockquote>The heavier you are, the longer distance you need to stop. I think maybe this picture can help you understand:</blockquote><br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-1.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-1 Newton 1st Law Simplified]]<br />
So, we need longer distance to stop, but can human eyes actually see that far? Well, no. And sometimes this happens:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-2.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-2 A crash caused by driving on sight]]<br />
<br />
== Watch Your Time ==<br />
Then, is there any other way to complete such task? Well, we don't only have one crew on the train. Maybe we can test their ability for running, that's what we did at first. Like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-3.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-3 One with superpower (joke)]]<br />
But you know, not all of us can become sportsman, and you cannot just jump off a train without getting hurt. How about record average running time, and then let trains to depart according to it? Yep, they did this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-4.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-4 Time Interval]]<br />
But sometimes, such thing may happen:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-5 A comic for some operation failure]]<br />
Sometimes, such thing may also happen...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-6 When one man falls asleep]]<br />
<br />
Also, we need more trains as people were born so quickly after many cities were build. Adding trains is good, but not good if they started to kiss each other again. So, we need a new way to do that.<br />
<br />
== Time to Block! ==<br />
So... Instead of time, there is another thing can be used to make some separation - distance. But then there is another problem: railways are not always straight, there are some curves and turning points. Well, maybe we can try this thing?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-7 Why directly measure the distance is stupid?]]<br />
Well, no. First, we don't have rulers that long. Second, we don't have one guy who can shout loud enough for a person to hear from over 10km away. Also, as mentioned before, railways are not always straight lines, they have curves. So we cannot just directly let two guys measuring the distance of trains all the time. We need another way.<br />
<br />
So, what would you do when you will let someone far away know where you are? In modern days, we just use Internet, send a message and here we go. At that time, there is no such thing, but we do have telegraphs. And they cannot be something portable for sure. So, we need to do this.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-8 Report train position using telegraphs]]<br />
And then, signalers need to be responsible for trains. Because, they allowed another train to enter the section they are in charge. And through this procedure, we only let one train to enter such section. This is what we called "'''''block'''''" in railway transportation. We blocked the way for other trains until one train leaves a certain section. And we create section by diving the whole route into different parts.<br />
<br />
So, now we can operate like this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-9.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-9 Normal situation for signaler dispatching a train]]<br />
And this can also prevent some situations like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-10.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-10 When one signaler fell asleep...]]<br />
<br />
== Say Hello to Signals! ==<br />
there is another thing to consider: trains are moving, and we don't have phones at that time, so how are we supposed to tell drivers what to do? Well, we use our hands.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-11.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-11 Hand signals]]<br />
But then there is another problem. We cannot just let guys standing 24/7 for giving signals, unless you are operating '''''the Gulag Railway'''''. So, we need something to help out such situation. So, we invent '''''signals'''''. Just like traffic lights, we first hang different colors of lamps to make it shine.<br />
<br />
Well, if you have opened your room lights in daylight, I guess you already know what would be the problem - they're way too invisible when sun is shinning everywhere. We need something more obvious to show the signals. And then one guy come up with an idea: Hey, what about using some boards? Yes, we did, they are called semaphore signals.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-12.png|center|thumb|1244x1244px|Fig. 1-12 One example of German Semaphore Signal (By Dr. Matthias Runte)]]<br />
Give a close look, you can also see there are lamps there, which is the foundation of railway signals you see today. Later we find out electricity is more powerful, so we removed the lamps and replaced them with bulbs.<br />
<br />
== Tell you in Advance ==<br />
Ok, now we have signals, there must be less accidents, right? Well, at first, yes. But later, there are more tracks in one station, and when they need to enter sidings (side-tracks), they had some speed-limit. So, something like this happened:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-13.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-13 Problems for sidings]]<br />
Then somebody came up with an idea, "What if we tell the driver to slow down in advance, when the reached last signal?" Yes, they did. We call such signal as '''''distant signal'''''.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-14-1.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-14 How distant signals work]]<br />
Now we meet the end of this chapter. We will further more explore each concept in the followings.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks =<br />
Ah... where are we? Yes, we invent blocks. But I think you already noticed one point: all these protections are only available for trains running in the same direction. But, trains need to come back, so we need other methods. <br />
<br />
== Blocks & Interlocks ==<br />
<br />
=== Blocks Updated ===<br />
A way to solve this problem is to build another railway beside it, which we call it double-track. So, the only thing left is to decide which side of the track the trains shall run on. Britain and other countries influenced by Britain (like China, Japan...) run on the left-side. Meanwhile, others decide to run on the right-side, like Germany and America.<br />
<br />
Yes, it did work, but we cannot just always build a second railway beside what we have already. It's too much money and sometimes the environment won't allow us. In the past, people use timetables to let a train stopped at one station. But if you always watch YouTube, and listen to a famous song joking about a very famous railway company in Europe, you know when you hear:<blockquote>''Sis Trein is ät se moment... 10 minits diläit (This train at this moment is 10 minutes delay, just imitating the thick accent.)''</blockquote>A message like above is pretty destructive for such timetable-based operation. Because if one try got delayed, another need to wait, and another, and another, after a chain reaction, the total delay might reach 1 hour or even 10 hours.<br />
<br />
We said we use telegraph to do some block operations before, right? Yes, and we continue to do such thing, now it's in 3 steps: request (ask for permission) - depart (set up the block) - arrival (release the block). This can be done in the following pictures depicting the whole situation:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-1.png|center|thumb|1408x1408px|Fig. 2-1 The whole process of block operation]]<br />
And for double-track, as we usually define the common running direction, we can omit the first procedure. Later, some guy invented telephones, and we use them instead. But hey, won't people still make some mistakes like what Chapter 1 said? Yes, they still did...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-2.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-2 Accidents still happen]]<br />
Well, time to update...<br />
<br />
=== Machine Power ===<br />
So, introducing '''''Block Instruments''''', getting tired of always forgetting records? Use it, we use circuits and '''<u>connecting it to signals</u>''' to make sure you won't give a green signal when a train is in the block!<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-3.png|center|thumb|801x801px|Fig. 2-3 A type of block instrument used in Germany before]]<br />
And later, we connect all turnovers, related signals, and block instruments to make '''''interlock'''''. This thing worked as followings:<blockquote>When you set a route for a train to go, all signals and turnovers related would be adjusted together and locked, so you won't move any of it until you cancel the route or the route is released after the train passed. And when a train passed the signal, it would automatically turn red to avoid another train to follow. </blockquote>A short summary is: this is safer because you are not allowed to let a second train enter the block.<br />
<br />
Later, we developed all kinds of interlock devices to help us dispatch more easily. The block operation mentioned in previous section was simplified too. Now, we use block instruments for releasing/setting the blocks, meanwhile we still need to transport other information by humans, so we give a name "'''''semi-auto block system'''''" to it.<br />
<br />
=== Automation Era ===<br />
Have you ever thought about a question: is there a fixed distance between two stations? Not really, sometimes two stations can be 50km away from each other. Then, if we just let only one train to enter this long distance, that is surely low-efficient. Here let's just focus on double-track railways, as single-track railways are another story.<br />
<br />
So, we divided them into shorter sections. But, like what is said before, unless you are operating some Gulag Railways, we simply cannot just let too many people stand at the boundaries of two small divided sections all the time. What can be done to improve it?<br />
<br />
Well, we simply just make it more automatic. This can be done by adding some detectors on the track to tell train's current location, and connecting them with signals using circuits. This is called '''''track circuit'''''. Below is one of the earliest type of how it looks like, and a simplified version of what we currently use.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-4.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-4 Illustration of track circuit invented by William Robinson in 1872]]<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-5 A simplified version of track circuit nowadays]]<br />
Later, some countries decide to use '''''axle counter''''', a mono-functional device to detect train location.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-6 An axle counter in UK, by Carlos118]]<br />
So, that brings the end of the block section, let's go to signals.<br />
<br />
== Signals ==<br />
<br />
=== A Basic Division ===<br />
We have repeated the word '''''signals''''' for many times, but we didn't give a detailed description. Between two stations, we use signals at the boundary of two blocks, and also we add distant signals to create enough long distance for train to brake and stop.<br />
<br />
So, now let's look at another point we didn't mention before - in a station. We usually don't have only one track in a station, so there are turnovers to help the train to change a track. But of course, change a track bring another speed limit, just like you won't be able to take a sharp turn when you are driving at 100km/h in a car.<br />
<br />
There are two different thoughts on how to deal with this problem: one is to '''<u>tell driver "which route you are going to drive"</u>''', the other is <u>'''"which is the safe speed for the route you are going to drive"'''</u>. This difference brings us the two basic categories of railway signaling.<br />
'''''Which route you are going to drive?'''''<br />
If we want to answer in this way, we apply '''''route signaling'''''. This is the earliest solution for such situation, but now only a few countries use it, mainly: Britain, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and China. The following picture grabbed from British railway rulebook RS521 can help you understand:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-7 Route signaling (from British railway rulebook RS521)]]<br />
'''''Which is the safe speed for the route you are going to drive?'''''<br />
If we answer it in this way, we apply '''''speed signaling'''''. This is a further development based on route signaling, so it appears much later. But now it is widely applied all over the world, the representative is Germany. Poland also applied speed signaling, so we will focus on speed signaling in the following sections. Below is a excerpt from German railway rulebook RW301, this can help you understand '''''speed signaling'''''.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-8 Speed signaling (from German railway rulebook RW301)]]<br />
<br />
=== A More Detailed Look on Speed Signaling ===<br />
So, you may discover one point: <blockquote>why "speed limit for '''<u>next</u>''' signal" and "speed limit for '''<u>this</u>''' signal" appeared at the same time in one signal?</blockquote>Let's recall what we introduced in Chapter 1, we use distant signals to create safe braking distance for trains, so that they won't run over a red light. And in Fig. 1-14, we write two concepts: '''''Main Signal''''' and '''''Distant Signal'''''. <br />
<br />
Main signal marks the beginning of a block, and the block you are going to enter. But yes, if only the driver sees it and does some operation, it is too late. In the past, we may just use a separate distant signal for that, which depicts "the speed limit for next signal", and main signal depicts "the speed limit for this signal".<br />
<br />
Here is an example:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-9.png|center|thumb|593x593px|Fig. 2-9 Sr3 & Ot3]]<br />
Left one is the Sr3 signal, which means: '''<u>you shouldn't drive above 40km/h after passing it</u>'''. Meanwhile, right one is Ot3, the distant signal for it, which means: '''<u>after passing the next signal</u>''', you shouldn't exceed 40km/h. A driver can easily differentiate them for sure, as they look very differently. <br />
<br />
But nowadays, to save some costs, we start to combine these two signals into one, which means a signal can not only '''<u>show the speed limit for this signal</u>''', but also tell drivers '''<u>the speed limit for next signal in advance</u>'''. Then, how shall we tell from it?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-10.png|center|thumb|407x407px|Fig. 2-10 S1 & S10 signals]]<br />
You can see two different signals here. The left one is called S1, the "Stop" signal. Obviously, it means "please stop in front of the signal", so we don't really need to tell drivers the speed limit for next signal. You already stopped, it is meaningless to add other information.<br />
<br />
So, what does the right one mean? Well, although we combined distant signal and main signal together, we still use different displays for these two different functions. In Poland's case, the division line is just the third light, or the red light in S1. So, now we can explain it in this way:<blockquote>The above green light means you can run at maximum speed the track allows (or your train allows) after passing the next signal.<br />
<br />
The bottom orange light means you shall not exceed 40km/h after passing this signal until the end of your train passed the turnover/exit the station area. </blockquote>One table can be founded in PKP rulebook Ie-1 displaying all possible displays:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-11.png|center|thumb|761x761px|Fig. 2-11 A table shown all signals of Polish railways, from PKP Rulebook Ie-1]]<br />
In this table, na=the speed limit for next signal, z=the speed limit for this signal.</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_1-14-1.png&diff=30256File:Railway 101 1-14-1.png2025-01-02T08:58:15Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 1-14-1</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_1-14.png&diff=30255File:Railway 101 1-14.png2025-01-02T08:57:21Z<p>CN-BX-3N: CN-BX-3N reverted File:Railway 101 1-14.png to an old version</p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 1-14</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Railway_101&diff=30254Railway 1012025-01-02T08:56:54Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>This is a page that intends to teach non-railfan players some basic knowledge of railways. Sometimes, we all need to learn some new things, and for such a simulator, it is really important. For current stages, we can see many different manuals. They are very good, and very detailed, and each community had their own manuals already. I think I cannot contribute more in this field, but suddenly I realize all of these manuals already have a basic requirement: you know something about railways. But obviously, that is not true for everyone.<br />
<br />
You see, there is no such preset questions when buying SimRail, and yep, looks like we even don't think a non-railfan would buy this. But as they did, we cannot just simply say "Hey you are not a railfan, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" And that's definitely not good for a game's development. Therefore, I decided to write this page, and later may edited it into a book or a manual to refer to.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 1: Railway History =<br />
<br />
== Where it begins... ==<br />
So, what is railway? Well, if you just see the surface, it is just some wood sticks lying under two steel rails. But I think maybe let's look back at its history.<br />
<br />
In the past, we need to move something very heavy, and we don't really want to break our backs for sure. Then, someone came up with an idea: what about build a "way" for them? Yes, they did. But that's not railway in its modern concept. Later some guy just bring something new from a boiled kettle, and somebody find out this black thing, which we call them ''coal'', can work as a source of energy. And we need to transport them, probably inventing something powered by such thing, and some guy named George Stephenson did that. Train was born.<br />
<br />
''(Well, *nerd face*, actually... he invented locomotive, train's name came later, if you are interested, Google can help you to figure out the difference between these two words.)''<br />
<br />
Ok, later we think this can also transport people, so we build carriages. And now railways are extending, population is growing as industrialization begins, we need more trains to transport, and then more, then more, then... Oh, looks like we just let two trains crash into each other, there are no more spaces now, and we shouldn't let them kiss each other's butt for sure. What shall we do?<br />
<br />
== The Almighty Power of <s>Illuminati</s> Your Eyes ==<br />
<br />
Eyes on the road! This is what we always heard when we are driving cars, right? Yes, they think the same. How about just let the drivers see the road all the time, and breaks when it notices something. Yes, this works at beginning, but later we think trains are too slow, let's speed it up, and load more things, and become more heavier... Oh, now you need 800 meters to stop this thing, because someone in history whose head got hit by an apple (at least rumor said that) said, <blockquote>''Every object perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, except insofar as it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed thereon.''</blockquote>An easier version: <blockquote>The heavier you are, the longer distance you need to stop. I think maybe this picture can help you understand:</blockquote><br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-1.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-1 Newton 1st Law Simplified]]<br />
So, we need longer distance to stop, but can human eyes actually see that far? Well, no. And sometimes this happens:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-2.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-2 A crash caused by driving on sight]]<br />
<br />
== Watch Your Time ==<br />
Then, is there any other way to complete such task? Well, we don't only have one crew on the train. Maybe we can test their ability for running, that's what we did at first. Like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-3.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-3 One with superpower (joke)]]<br />
But you know, not all of us can become sportsman, and you cannot just jump off a train without getting hurt. How about record average running time, and then let trains to depart according to it? Yep, they did this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-4.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-4 Time Interval]]<br />
But sometimes, such thing may happen:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-5 A comic for some operation failure]]<br />
Sometimes, such thing may also happen...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-6 When one man falls asleep]]<br />
<br />
Also, we need more trains as people were born so quickly after many cities were build. Adding trains is good, but not good if they started to kiss each other again. So, we need a new way to do that.<br />
<br />
== Time to Block! ==<br />
So... Instead of time, there is another thing can be used to make some separation - distance. But then there is another problem: railways are not always straight, there are some curves and turning points. Well, maybe we can try this thing?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-7 Why directly measure the distance is stupid?]]<br />
Well, no. First, we don't have rulers that long. Second, we don't have one guy who can shout loud enough for a person to hear from over 10km away. Also, as mentioned before, railways are not always straight lines, they have curves. So we cannot just directly let two guys measuring the distance of trains all the time. We need another way.<br />
<br />
So, what would you do when you will let someone far away know where you are? In modern days, we just use Internet, send a message and here we go. At that time, there is no such thing, but we do have telegraphs. And they cannot be something portable for sure. So, we need to do this.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-8 Report train position using telegraphs]]<br />
And then, signalers need to be responsible for trains. Because, they allowed another train to enter the section they are in charge. And through this procedure, we only let one train to enter such section. This is what we called "'''''block'''''" in railway transportation. We blocked the way for other trains until one train leaves a certain section. And we create section by diving the whole route into different parts.<br />
<br />
So, now we can operate like this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-9.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-9 Normal situation for signaler dispatching a train]]<br />
And this can also prevent some situations like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-10.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-10 When one signaler fell asleep...]]<br />
<br />
== Say Hello to Signals! ==<br />
there is another thing to consider: trains are moving, and we don't have phones at that time, so how are we supposed to tell drivers what to do? Well, we use our hands.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-11.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-11 Hand signals]]<br />
But then there is another problem. We cannot just let guys standing 24/7 for giving signals, unless you are operating '''''the Gulag Railway'''''. So, we need something to help out such situation. So, we invent '''''signals'''''. Just like traffic lights, we first hang different colors of lamps to make it shine.<br />
<br />
Well, if you have opened your room lights in daylight, I guess you already know what would be the problem - they're way too invisible when sun is shinning everywhere. We need something more obvious to show the signals. And then one guy come up with an idea: Hey, what about using some boards? Yes, we did, they are called semaphore signals.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-12.png|center|thumb|1244x1244px|Fig. 1-12 One example of German Semaphore Signal (By Dr. Matthias Runte)]]<br />
Give a close look, you can also see there are lamps there, which is the foundation of railway signals you see today. Later we find out electricity is more powerful, so we removed the lamps and replaced them with bulbs.<br />
<br />
== Tell you in Advance ==<br />
Ok, now we have signals, there must be less accidents, right? Well, at first, yes. But later, there are more tracks in one station, and when they need to enter sidings (side-tracks), they had some speed-limit. So, something like this happened:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-13.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-13 Problems for sidings]]<br />
Then somebody came up with an idea, "What if we tell the driver to slow down in advance, when the reached last signal?" Yes, they did. We call such signal as '''''distant signal'''''.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-14.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-14 How distant signals work]]<br />
Now we meet the end of this chapter. We will further more explore each concept in the followings.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks =<br />
Ah... where are we? Yes, we invent blocks. But I think you already noticed one point: all these protections are only available for trains running in the same direction. But, trains need to come back, so we need other methods. <br />
<br />
== Blocks & Interlocks ==<br />
<br />
=== Blocks Updated ===<br />
A way to solve this problem is to build another railway beside it, which we call it double-track. So, the only thing left is to decide which side of the track the trains shall run on. Britain and other countries influenced by Britain (like China, Japan...) run on the left-side. Meanwhile, others decide to run on the right-side, like Germany and America.<br />
<br />
Yes, it did work, but we cannot just always build a second railway beside what we have already. It's too much money and sometimes the environment won't allow us. In the past, people use timetables to let a train stopped at one station. But if you always watch YouTube, and listen to a famous song joking about a very famous railway company in Europe, you know when you hear:<blockquote>''Sis Trein is ät se moment... 10 minits diläit (This train at this moment is 10 minutes delay, just imitating the thick accent.)''</blockquote>A message like above is pretty destructive for such timetable-based operation. Because if one try got delayed, another need to wait, and another, and another, after a chain reaction, the total delay might reach 1 hour or even 10 hours.<br />
<br />
We said we use telegraph to do some block operations before, right? Yes, and we continue to do such thing, now it's in 3 steps: request (ask for permission) - depart (set up the block) - arrival (release the block). This can be done in the following pictures depicting the whole situation:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-1.png|center|thumb|1408x1408px|Fig. 2-1 The whole process of block operation]]<br />
And for double-track, as we usually define the common running direction, we can omit the first procedure. Later, some guy invented telephones, and we use them instead. But hey, won't people still make some mistakes like what Chapter 1 said? Yes, they still did...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-2.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-2 Accidents still happen]]<br />
Well, time to update...<br />
<br />
=== Machine Power ===<br />
So, introducing '''''Block Instruments''''', getting tired of always forgetting records? Use it, we use circuits and '''<u>connecting it to signals</u>''' to make sure you won't give a green signal when a train is in the block!<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-3.png|center|thumb|801x801px|Fig. 2-3 A type of block instrument used in Germany before]]<br />
And later, we connect all turnovers, related signals, and block instruments to make '''''interlock'''''. This thing worked as followings:<blockquote>When you set a route for a train to go, all signals and turnovers related would be adjusted together and locked, so you won't move any of it until you cancel the route or the route is released after the train passed. And when a train passed the signal, it would automatically turn red to avoid another train to follow. </blockquote>A short summary is: this is safer because you are not allowed to let a second train enter the block.<br />
<br />
Later, we developed all kinds of interlock devices to help us dispatch more easily. The block operation mentioned in previous section was simplified too. Now, we use block instruments for releasing/setting the blocks, meanwhile we still need to transport other information by humans, so we give a name "'''''semi-auto block system'''''" to it.<br />
<br />
=== Automation Era ===<br />
Have you ever thought about a question: is there a fixed distance between two stations? Not really, sometimes two stations can be 50km away from each other. Then, if we just let only one train to enter this long distance, that is surely low-efficient. Here let's just focus on double-track railways, as single-track railways are another story.<br />
<br />
So, we divided them into shorter sections. But, like what is said before, unless you are operating some Gulag Railways, we simply cannot just let too many people stand at the boundaries of two small divided sections all the time. What can be done to improve it?<br />
<br />
Well, we simply just make it more automatic. This can be done by adding some detectors on the track to tell train's current location, and connecting them with signals using circuits. This is called '''''track circuit'''''. Below is one of the earliest type of how it looks like, and a simplified version of what we currently use.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-4.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-4 Illustration of track circuit invented by William Robinson in 1872]]<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-5 A simplified version of track circuit nowadays]]<br />
Later, some countries decide to use '''''axle counter''''', a mono-functional device to detect train location.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-6 An axle counter in UK, by Carlos118]]<br />
So, that brings the end of the block section, let's go to signals.<br />
<br />
== Signals ==<br />
<br />
=== A Basic Division ===<br />
We have repeated the word '''''signals''''' for many times, but we didn't give a detailed description. Between two stations, we use signals at the boundary of two blocks, and also we add distant signals to create enough long distance for train to brake and stop.<br />
<br />
So, now let's look at another point we didn't mention before - in a station. We usually don't have only one track in a station, so there are turnovers to help the train to change a track. But of course, change a track bring another speed limit, just like you won't be able to take a sharp turn when you are driving at 100km/h in a car.<br />
<br />
There are two different thoughts on how to deal with this problem: one is to '''<u>tell driver "which route you are going to drive"</u>''', the other is <u>'''"which is the safe speed for the route you are going to drive"'''</u>. This difference brings us the two basic categories of railway signaling.<br />
'''''Which route you are going to drive?'''''<br />
If we want to answer in this way, we apply '''''route signaling'''''. This is the earliest solution for such situation, but now only a few countries use it, mainly: Britain, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and China. The following picture grabbed from British railway rulebook RS521 can help you understand:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-7 Route signaling (from British railway rulebook RS521)]]<br />
'''''Which is the safe speed for the route you are going to drive?'''''<br />
If we answer it in this way, we apply '''''speed signaling'''''. This is a further development based on route signaling, so it appears much later. But now it is widely applied all over the world, the representative is Germany. Poland also applied speed signaling, so we will focus on speed signaling in the following sections. Below is a excerpt from German railway rulebook RW301, this can help you understand '''''speed signaling'''''.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-8 Speed signaling (from German railway rulebook RW301)]]<br />
<br />
=== A More Detailed Look on Speed Signaling ===<br />
So, you may discover one point: <blockquote>why "speed limit for '''<u>next</u>''' signal" and "speed limit for '''<u>this</u>''' signal" appeared at the same time in one signal?</blockquote>Let's recall what we introduced in Chapter 1, we use distant signals to create safe braking distance for trains, so that they won't run over a red light. And in Fig. 1-14, we write two concepts: '''''Main Signal''''' and '''''Distant Signal'''''. <br />
<br />
Main signal marks the beginning of a block, and the block you are going to enter. But yes, if only the driver sees it and does some operation, it is too late. In the past, we may just use a separate distant signal for that, which depicts "the speed limit for next signal", and main signal depicts "the speed limit for this signal".<br />
<br />
Here is an example:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-9.png|center|thumb|593x593px|Fig. 2-9 Sr3 & Ot3]]<br />
Left one is the Sr3 signal, which means: '''<u>you shouldn't drive above 40km/h after passing it</u>'''. Meanwhile, right one is Ot3, the distant signal for it, which means: '''<u>after passing the next signal</u>''', you shouldn't exceed 40km/h. A driver can easily differentiate them for sure, as they look very differently. <br />
<br />
But nowadays, to save some costs, we start to combine these two signals into one, which means a signal can not only '''<u>show the speed limit for this signal</u>''', but also tell drivers '''<u>the speed limit for next signal in advance</u>'''. Then, how shall we tell from it?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-10.png|center|thumb|407x407px|Fig. 2-10 S1 & S10 signals]]<br />
You can see two different signals here. The left one is called S1, the "Stop" signal. Obviously, it means "please stop in front of the signal", so we don't really need to tell drivers the speed limit for next signal. You already stopped, it is meaningless to add other information.<br />
<br />
So, what does the right one mean? Well, although we combined distant signal and main signal together, we still use different displays for these two different functions. In Poland's case, the division line is just the third light, or the red light in S1. So, now we can explain it in this way:<blockquote>The above green light means you can run at maximum speed the track allows (or your train allows) after passing the next signal.<br />
<br />
The bottom orange light means you shall not exceed 40km/h after passing this signal until the end of your train passed the turnover/exit the station area. </blockquote>One table can be founded in PKP rulebook Ie-1 displaying all possible displays:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-11.png|center|thumb|761x761px|Fig. 2-11 A table shown all signals of Polish railways, from PKP Rulebook Ie-1]]<br />
In this table, na=the speed limit for next signal, z=the speed limit for this signal.</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Railway_101&diff=30253Railway 1012025-01-02T08:52:16Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>This is a page that intends to teach non-railfan players some basic knowledge of railways. Sometimes, we all need to learn some new things, and for such a simulator, it is really important. For current stages, we can see many different manuals. They are very good, and very detailed, and each community had their own manuals already. I think I cannot contribute more in this field, but suddenly I realize all of these manuals already have a basic requirement: you know something about railways. But obviously, that is not true for everyone.<br />
<br />
You see, there is no such preset questions when buying SimRail, and yep, looks like we even don't think a non-railfan would buy this. But as they did, we cannot just simply say "Hey you are not a railfan, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" And that's definitely not good for a game's development. Therefore, I decided to write this page, and later may edited it into a book or a manual to refer to.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 1: Railway History =<br />
<br />
== Where it begins... ==<br />
So, what is railway? Well, if you just see the surface, it is just some wood sticks lying under two steel rails. But I think maybe let's look back at its history.<br />
<br />
In the past, we need to move something very heavy, and we don't really want to break our backs for sure. Then, someone came up with an idea: what about build a "way" for them? Yes, they did. But that's not railway in its modern concept. Later some guy just bring something new from a boiled kettle, and somebody find out this black thing, which we call them ''coal'', can work as a source of energy. And we need to transport them, probably inventing something powered by such thing, and some guy named George Stephenson did that. Train was born.<br />
<br />
''(Well, *nerd face*, actually... he invented locomotive, train's name came later, if you are interested, Google can help you to figure out the difference between these two words.)''<br />
<br />
Ok, later we think this can also transport people, so we build carriages. And now railways are extending, population is growing as industrialization begins, we need more trains to transport, and then more, then more, then... Oh, looks like we just let two trains crash into each other, there are no more spaces now, and we shouldn't let them kiss each other's butt for sure. What shall we do?<br />
<br />
== The Almighty Power of <s>Illuminati</s> Your Eyes ==<br />
<br />
Eyes on the road! This is what we always heard when we are driving cars, right? Yes, they think the same. How about just let the drivers see the road all the time, and breaks when it notices something. Yes, this works at beginning, but later we think trains are too slow, let's speed it up, and load more things, and become more heavier... Oh, now you need 800 meters to stop this thing, because someone in history whose head got hit by an apple (at least rumor said that) said, <blockquote>''Every object perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, except insofar as it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed thereon.''</blockquote>An easier version: <blockquote>The heavier you are, the longer distance you need to stop. I think maybe this picture can help you understand:</blockquote><br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-1.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-1 Newton 1st Law Simplified]]<br />
So, we need longer distance to stop, but can human eyes actually see that far? Well, no. And sometimes this happens:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-2.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-2 A crash caused by driving on sight]]<br />
<br />
== Watch Your Time ==<br />
Then, is there any other way to complete such task? Well, we don't only have one crew on the train. Maybe we can test their ability for running, that's what we did at first. Like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-3.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-3 One with superpower (joke)]]<br />
But you know, not all of us can become sportsman, and you cannot just jump off a train without getting hurt. How about record average running time, and then let trains to depart according to it? Yep, they did this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-4.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-4 Time Interval]]<br />
But sometimes, such thing may happen:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-5 A comic for some operation failure]]<br />
Sometimes, such thing may also happen...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-6 When one man falls asleep]]<br />
<br />
Also, we need more trains as people were born so quickly after many cities were build. Adding trains is good, but not good if they started to kiss each other again. So, we need a new way to do that.<br />
<br />
== Time to Block! ==<br />
So... Instead of time, there is another thing can be used to make some separation - distance. But then there is another problem: railways are not always straight, there are some curves and turning points. Well, maybe we can try this thing?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-7 Why directly measure the distance is stupid?]]<br />
Well, no. First, we don't have rulers that long. Second, we don't have one guy who can shout loud enough for a person to hear from over 10km away. Also, as mentioned before, railways are not always straight lines, they have curves. So we cannot just directly let two guys measuring the distance of trains all the time. We need another way.<br />
<br />
So, what would you do when you will let someone far away know where you are? In modern days, we just use Internet, send a message and here we go. At that time, there is no such thing, but we do have telegraphs. And they cannot be something portable for sure. So, we need to do this.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-8 Report train position using telegraphs]]<br />
And then, signalers need to be responsible for trains. Because, they allowed another train to enter the section they are in charge. And through this procedure, we only let one train to enter such section. This is what we called "'''''block'''''" in railway transportation. We blocked the way for other trains until one train leaves a certain section. And we create section by diving the whole route into different parts.<br />
<br />
So, now we can operate like this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-9.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-9 Normal situation for signaler dispatching a train]]<br />
And this can also prevent some situations like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-10.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-10 When one signaler fell asleep...]]<br />
<br />
== Say Hello to Signals! ==<br />
there is another thing to consider: trains are moving, and we don't have phones at that time, so how are we supposed to tell drivers what to do? Well, we use our hands.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-11.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-11 Hand signals]]<br />
But then there is another problem. We cannot just let guys standing 24/7 for giving signals, unless you are operating '''''the Gulag Railway'''''. So, we need something to help out such situation. So, we invent '''''signals'''''. Just like traffic lights, we first hang different colors of lamps to make it shine.<br />
<br />
Well, if you have opened your room lights in daylight, I guess you already know what would be the problem - they're way too invisible when sun is shinning everywhere. We need something more obvious to show the signals. And then one guy come up with an idea: Hey, what about using some boards? Yes, we did, they are called semaphore signals.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-12.png|center|thumb|1244x1244px|Fig. 1-12 One example of German Semaphore Signal (By Dr. Matthias Runte)]]<br />
Give a close look, you can also see there are lamps there, which is the foundation of railway signals you see today. Later we find out electricity is more powerful, so we removed the lamps and replaced them with bulbs.<br />
<br />
== Tell you in Advance ==<br />
Ok, now we have signals, there must be less accidents, right? Well, at first, yes. But later, there are more tracks in one station, and when they need to enter sidings (side-tracks), they had some speed-limit. So, something like this happened:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-13.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-13 Problems for sidings]]<br />
Then somebody came up with an idea, "What if we tell the driver to slow down in advance, when the reached last signal?" Yes, they did. We call such signal as '''''distant signal'''''.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-14.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig.1-14 How distant signals work]]<br />
Now we meet the end of this chapter. We will further more explore each concept in the followings.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks =<br />
Ah... where are we? Yes, we invent blocks. But I think you already noticed one point: all these protections are only available for trains running in the same direction. But, trains need to come back, so we need other methods. <br />
<br />
== Blocks & Interlocks ==<br />
<br />
=== Blocks Updated ===<br />
A way to solve this problem is to build another railway beside it, which we call it double-track. So, the only thing left is to decide which side of the track the trains shall run on. Britain and other countries influenced by Britain (like China, Japan...) run on the left-side. Meanwhile, others decide to run on the right-side, like Germany and America.<br />
<br />
Yes, it did work, but we cannot just always build a second railway beside what we have already. It's too much money and sometimes the environment won't allow us. In the past, people use timetables to let a train stopped at one station. But if you always watch YouTube, and listen to a famous song joking about a very famous railway company in Europe, you know when you hear:<blockquote>''Sis Trein is ät se moment... 10 minits diläit (This train at this moment is 10 minutes delay, just imitating the thick accent.)''</blockquote>A message like above is pretty destructive for such timetable-based operation. Because if one try got delayed, another need to wait, and another, and another, after a chain reaction, the total delay might reach 1 hour or even 10 hours.<br />
<br />
We said we use telegraph to do some block operations before, right? Yes, and we continue to do such thing, now it's in 3 steps: request (ask for permission) - depart (set up the block) - arrival (release the block). This can be done in the following pictures depicting the whole situation:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-1.png|center|thumb|1408x1408px|Fig. 2-1 The whole process of block operation]]<br />
And for double-track, as we usually define the common running direction, we can omit the first procedure. Later, some guy invented telephones, and we use them instead. But hey, won't people still make some mistakes like what Chapter 1 said? Yes, they still did...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-2.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-2 Accidents still happen]]<br />
Well, time to update...<br />
<br />
=== Machine Power ===<br />
So, introducing '''''Block Instruments''''', getting tired of always forgetting records? Use it, we use circuits and '''<u>connecting it to signals</u>''' to make sure you won't give a green signal when a train is in the block!<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-3.png|center|thumb|801x801px|Fig. 2-3 A type of block instrument used in Germany before]]<br />
And later, we connect all turnovers, related signals, and block instruments to make '''''interlock'''''. This thing worked as followings:<blockquote>When you set a route for a train to go, all signals and turnovers related would be adjusted together and locked, so you won't move any of it until you cancel the route or the route is released after the train passed. And when a train passed the signal, it would automatically turn red to avoid another train to follow. </blockquote>A short summary is: this is safer because you are not allowed to let a second train enter the block.<br />
<br />
Later, we developed all kinds of interlock devices to help us dispatch more easily. The block operation mentioned in previous section was simplified too. Now, we use block instruments for releasing/setting the blocks, meanwhile we still need to transport other information by humans, so we give a name "'''''semi-auto block system'''''" to it.<br />
<br />
=== Automation Era ===<br />
Have you ever thought about a question: is there a fixed distance between two stations? Not really, sometimes two stations can be 50km away from each other. Then, if we just let only one train to enter this long distance, that is surely low-efficient. Here let's just focus on double-track railways, as single-track railways are another story.<br />
<br />
So, we divided them into shorter sections. But, like what is said before, unless you are operating some Gulag Railways, we simply cannot just let too many people stand at the boundaries of two small divided sections all the time. What can be done to improve it?<br />
<br />
Well, we simply just make it more automatic. This can be done by adding some detectors on the track to tell train's current location, and connecting them with signals using circuits. This is called '''''track circuit'''''. Below is one of the earliest type of how it looks like, and a simplified version of what we currently use.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-4.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-4 Illustration of track circuit invented by William Robinson in 1872]]<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-5 A simplified version of track circuit nowadays]]<br />
Later, some countries decide to use '''''axle counter''''', a mono-functional device to detect train location.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-6 An axle counter in UK, by Carlos118]]<br />
So, that brings the end of the block section, let's go to signals.<br />
<br />
== Signals ==<br />
<br />
=== A Basic Division ===<br />
We have repeated the word '''''signals''''' for many times, but we didn't give a detailed description. Between two stations, we use signals at the boundary of two blocks, and also we add distant signals to create enough long distance for train to brake and stop.<br />
<br />
So, now let's look at another point we didn't mention before - in a station. We usually don't have only one track in a station, so there are turnovers to help the train to change a track. But of course, change a track bring another speed limit, just like you won't be able to take a sharp turn when you are driving at 100km/h in a car.<br />
<br />
There are two different thoughts on how to deal with this problem: one is to '''<u>tell driver "which route you are going to drive"</u>''', the other is <u>'''"which is the safe speed for the route you are going to drive"'''</u>. This difference brings us the two basic categories of railway signaling.<br />
'''''Which route you are going to drive?'''''<br />
If we want to answer in this way, we apply '''''route signaling'''''. This is the earliest solution for such situation, but now only a few countries use it, mainly: Britain, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and China. The following picture grabbed from British railway rulebook RS521 can help you understand:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-7 Route signaling (from British railway rulebook RS521)]]<br />
'''''Which is the safe speed for the route you are going to drive?'''''<br />
If we answer it in this way, we apply '''''speed signaling'''''. This is a further development based on route signaling, so it appears much later. But now it is widely applied all over the world, the representative is Germany. Poland also applied speed signaling, so we will focus on speed signaling in the following sections. Below is a excerpt from German railway rulebook RW301, this can help you understand '''''speed signaling'''''.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-8 Speed signaling (from German railway rulebook RW301)]]<br />
<br />
=== A More Detailed Look on Speed Signaling ===<br />
So, you may discover one point: <blockquote>why "speed limit for '''<u>next</u>''' signal" and "speed limit for '''<u>this</u>''' signal" appeared at the same time in one signal?</blockquote>Let's recall what we introduced in Chapter 1, we use distant signals to create safe braking distance for trains, so that they won't run over a red light. And in Fig. 1-14, we write two concepts: '''''Main Signal''''' and '''''Distant Signal'''''. <br />
<br />
Main signal marks the beginning of a block, and the block you are going to enter. But yes, if only the driver sees it and does some operation, it is too late. In the past, we may just use a separate distant signal for that, which depicts "the speed limit for next signal", and main signal depicts "the speed limit for this signal".<br />
<br />
Here is an example:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-9.png|center|thumb|593x593px|Fig. 2-9 Sr3 & Ot3]]<br />
Left one is the Sr3 signal, which means: '''<u>you shouldn't drive above 40km/h after passing it</u>'''. Meanwhile, right one is Ot3, the distant signal for it, which means: '''<u>after passing the next signal</u>''', you shouldn't exceed 40km/h. A driver can easily differentiate them for sure, as they look very differently. <br />
<br />
But nowadays, to save some costs, we start to combine these two signals into one, which means a signal can not only '''<u>show the speed limit for this signal</u>''', but also tell drivers '''<u>the speed limit for next signal in advance</u>'''. Then, how shall we tell from it?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-10.png|center|thumb|407x407px|Fig. 2-10 S1 & S10 signals]]<br />
You can see two different signals here. The left one is called S1, the "Stop" signal. Obviously, it means "please stop in front of the signal", so we don't really need to tell drivers the speed limit for next signal. You already stopped, it is meaningless to add other information.<br />
<br />
So, what does the right one mean? Well, although we combined distant signal and main signal together, we still use different displays for these two different functions. In Poland's case, the division line is just the third light, or the red light in S1. So, now we can explain it in this way:<blockquote>The above green light means you can run at maximum speed the track allows (or your train allows) after passing the next signal.<br />
<br />
The bottom orange light means you shall not exceed 40km/h after passing this signal until the end of your train passed the turnover/exit the station area. </blockquote>One table can be founded in PKP rulebook Ie-1 displaying all possible displays:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-11.png|center|thumb|761x761px|Fig. 2-11 A table shown all signals of Polish railways, from PKP Rulebook Ie-1]]<br />
In this table, na=the speed limit for next signal, z=the speed limit for this signal.</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_1-14.png&diff=30252File:Railway 101 1-14.png2025-01-02T08:52:01Z<p>CN-BX-3N: CN-BX-3N uploaded a new version of File:Railway 101 1-14.png</p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 1-14</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_2-11.png&diff=30251File:Railway 101 2-11.png2025-01-02T08:47:43Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 2-11</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_2-10.png&diff=30250File:Railway 101 2-10.png2025-01-02T08:39:46Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 2-10</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_2-9.png&diff=30249File:Railway 101 2-9.png2025-01-02T08:34:55Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 2-9</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_2-8.png&diff=30248File:Railway 101 2-8.png2025-01-02T08:26:04Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 2-8</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_2-7.png&diff=30247File:Railway 101 2-7.png2025-01-02T08:18:50Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 2-7</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Railway_101&diff=30246Railway 1012025-01-02T05:33:02Z<p>CN-BX-3N: /* Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks */</p>
<hr />
<div>This is a page that intends to teach non-railfan players some basic knowledge of railways. Sometimes, we all need to learn some new things, and for such a simulator, it is really important. For current stages, we can see many different manuals. They are very good, and very detailed, and each community had their own manuals already. I think I cannot contribute more in this field, but suddenly I realize all of these manuals already have a basic requirement: you know something about railways. But obviously, that is not true for everyone.<br />
<br />
You see, there is no such preset questions when buying SimRail, and yep, looks like we even don't think a non-railfan would buy this. But as they did, we cannot just simply say "Hey you are not a railfan, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" And that's definitely not good for a game's development. Therefore, I decided to write this page, and later may edited it into a book or a manual to refer to.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 1: Railway History =<br />
<br />
== Where it begins... ==<br />
So, what is railway? Well, if you just see the surface, it is just some wood sticks lying under two steel rails. But I think maybe let's look back at its history.<br />
<br />
In the past, we need to move something very heavy, and we don't really want to break our backs for sure. Then, someone came up with an idea: what about build a "way" for them? Yes, they did. But that's not railway in its modern concept. Later some guy just bring something new from a boiled kettle, and somebody find out this black thing, which we call them ''coal'', can work as a source of energy. And we need to transport them, probably inventing something powered by such thing, and some guy named George Stephenson did that. Train was born.<br />
<br />
''(Well, *nerd face*, actually... he invented locomotive, train's name came later, if you are interested, Google can help you to figure out the difference between these two words.)''<br />
<br />
Ok, later we think this can also transport people, so we build carriages. And now railways are extending, population is growing as industrialization begins, we need more trains to transport, and then more, then more, then... Oh, looks like we just let two trains crash into each other, there are no more spaces now, and we shouldn't let them kiss each other's butt for sure. What shall we do?<br />
<br />
== The Almighty Power of <s>Illuminati</s> Your Eyes ==<br />
<br />
Eyes on the road! This is what we always heard when we are driving cars, right? Yes, they think the same. How about just let the drivers see the road all the time, and breaks when it notices something. Yes, this works at beginning, but later we think trains are too slow, let's speed it up, and load more things, and become more heavier... Oh, now you need 800 meters to stop this thing, because someone in history whose head got hit by an apple (at least rumor said that) said, <blockquote>''Every object perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, except insofar as it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed thereon.''</blockquote>An easier version: <blockquote>The heavier you are, the longer distance you need to stop. I think maybe this picture can help you understand:</blockquote><br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-1.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-1 Newton 1st Law Simplified]]<br />
So, we need longer distance to stop, but can human eyes actually see that far? Well, no. And sometimes this happens:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-2.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-2 A crash caused by driving on sight]]<br />
<br />
== Watch Your Time ==<br />
Then, is there any other way to complete such task? Well, we don't only have one crew on the train. Maybe we can test their ability for running, that's what we did at first. Like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-3.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-3 One with superpower (joke)]]<br />
But you know, not all of us can become sportsman, and you cannot just jump off a train without getting hurt. How about record average running time, and then let trains to depart according to it? Yep, they did this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-4.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-4 Time Interval]]<br />
But sometimes, such thing may happen:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-5 A comic for some operation failure]]<br />
Sometimes, such thing may also happen...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-6 When one man falls asleep]]<br />
<br />
Also, we need more trains as people were born so quickly after many cities were build. Adding trains is good, but not good if they started to kiss each other again. So, we need a new way to do that.<br />
<br />
== Time to Block! ==<br />
So... Instead of time, there is another thing can be used to make some separation - distance. But then there is another problem: railways are not always straight, there are some curves and turning points. Well, maybe we can try this thing?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-7 Why directly measure the distance is stupid?]]<br />
Well, no. First, we don't have rulers that long. Second, we don't have one guy who can shout loud enough for a person to hear from over 10km away. Also, as mentioned before, railways are not always straight lines, they have curves. So we cannot just directly let two guys measuring the distance of trains all the time. We need another way.<br />
<br />
So, what would you do when you will let someone far away know where you are? In modern days, we just use Internet, send a message and here we go. At that time, there is no such thing, but we do have telegraphs. And they cannot be something portable for sure. So, we need to do this.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-8 Report train position using telegraphs]]<br />
And then, signalers need to be responsible for trains. Because, they allowed another train to enter the section they are in charge. And through this procedure, we only let one train to enter such section. This is what we called "'''''block'''''" in railway transportation. We blocked the way for other trains until one train leaves a certain section. And we create section by diving the whole route into different parts.<br />
<br />
So, now we can operate like this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-9.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-9 Normal situation for signaler dispatching a train]]<br />
And this can also prevent some situations like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-10.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-10 When one signaler fell asleep...]]<br />
<br />
== Say Hello to Signals! ==<br />
there is another thing to consider: trains are moving, and we don't have phones at that time, so how are we supposed to tell drivers what to do? Well, we use our hands.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-11.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-11 Hand signals]]<br />
But then there is another problem. We cannot just let guys standing 24/7 for giving signals, unless you are operating '''''the Gulag Railway'''''. So, we need something to help out such situation. So, we invent '''''signals'''''. Just like traffic lights, we first hang different colors of lamps to make it shine.<br />
<br />
Well, if you have opened your room lights in daylight, I guess you already know what would be the problem - they're way too invisible when sun is shinning everywhere. We need something more obvious to show the signals. And then one guy come up with an idea: Hey, what about using some boards? Yes, we did, they are called semaphore signals.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-12.png|center|thumb|1244x1244px|Fig. 1-12 One example of German Semaphore Signal (By Dr. Matthias Runte)]]<br />
Give a close look, you can also see there are lamps there, which is the foundation of railway signals you see today. Later we find out electricity is more powerful, so we removed the lamps and replaced them with bulbs.<br />
<br />
== Tell you in Advance ==<br />
Ok, now we have signals, there must be less accidents, right? Well, at first, yes. But later, there are more tracks in one station, and when they need to enter sidings (side-tracks), they had some speed-limit. So, something like this happened:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-13.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-13 Problems for sidings]]<br />
Then somebody came up with an idea, "What if we tell the driver to slow down in advance, when the reached last signal?" Yes, they did. We call such signal as '''''distant signal'''''.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-14.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig.1-14 How distant signals work]]<br />
Now we meet the end of this chapter. We will further more explore each concept in the followings.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks =<br />
Ah... where are we? Yes, we invent blocks. But I think you already noticed one point: all these protections are only available for trains running in the same direction. But, trains need to come back, so we need other methods. <br />
<br />
== Blocks & Interlocks ==<br />
<br />
=== Blocks Updated ===<br />
A way to solve this problem is to build another railway beside it, which we call it double-track. So, the only thing left is to decide which side of the track the trains shall run on. Britain and other countries influenced by Britain (like China, Japan...) run on the left-side. Meanwhile, others decide to run on the right-side, like Germany and America.<br />
<br />
Yes, it did work, but we cannot just always build a second railway beside what we have already. It's too much money and sometimes the environment won't allow us. In the past, people use timetables to let a train stopped at one station. But if you always watch YouTube, and listen to a famous song joking about a very famous railway company in Europe, you know when you hear:<blockquote>''Sis Trein is ät se moment... 10 minits diläit (This train at this moment is 10 minutes delay, just imitating the thick accent.)''</blockquote>A message like above is pretty destructive for such timetable-based operation. Because if one try got delayed, another need to wait, and another, and another, after a chain reaction, the total delay might reach 1 hour or even 10 hours.<br />
<br />
We said we use telegraph to do some block operations before, right? Yes, and we continue to do such thing, now it's in 3 steps: request (ask for permission) - depart (set up the block) - arrival (release the block). This can be done in the following pictures depicting the whole situation:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-1.png|center|thumb|1408x1408px|Fig. 2-1 The whole process of block operation]]<br />
And for double-track, as we usually define the common running direction, we can omit the first procedure. Later, some guy invented telephones, and we use them instead. But hey, won't people still make some mistakes like what ''Chapter 1'' said? Yes, they still did...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-2.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-2 Accidents still happen]]<br />
Well, time to update...<br />
<br />
=== Machine Power ===<br />
So, introducing '''''Block Instruments''''', getting tired of always forgetting records? Use it, we use circuits and '''<u>connecting it to signals</u>''' to make sure you won't give a green signal when a train is in the block!<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-3.png|center|thumb|801x801px|Fig. 2-3 A type of block instrument used in Germany before]]<br />
And later, we connect all turnovers, related signals, and block instruments to make '''''interlock'''''. This thing worked as followings:<blockquote>When you set a route for a train to go, all signals and turnovers related would be adjusted together and locked, so you won't move any of it until you cancel the route or the route is released after the train passed. And when a train passed the signal, it would automatically turn red to avoid another train to follow. </blockquote>A short summary is: this is safer because you are not allowed to let a second train enter the block.<br />
<br />
Later, we developed all kinds of interlock devices to help us dispatch more easily. The block operation mentioned in previous section was simplified too. Now, we use block instruments for releasing/setting the blocks, meanwhile we still need to transport other information by humans, so we give a name "'''''semi-auto block system'''''" to it.<br />
<br />
=== Automation Era ===<br />
Have you ever thought about a question: is there a fixed distance between two stations? Not really, sometimes two stations can be 50km away from each other. Then, if we just let only one train to enter this long distance, that is surely low-efficient. Here let's just focus on double-track railways, as single-track railways are another story.<br />
<br />
So, we divided them into shorter sections. But, like what is said before, unless you are operating some Gulag Railways, we simply cannot just let too many people stand at the boundaries of two small divided sections all the time. What can be done to improve it?<br />
<br />
Well, we simply just make it more automatic. This can be done by adding some detectors on the track to tell train's current location, and connecting them with signals using circuits. This is called '''''track circuit'''''. Below is one of the earliest type of how it looks like, and a simplified version of what we currently use.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-4.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-4 Illustration of track circuit invented by William Robinson in 1872]]<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-5 A simplified version of track circuit nowadays]]<br />
Later, some countries decide to use '''''axle counter''''', a mono-functional device to detect train location.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-6 An axle counter in UK, by Carlos118]]<br />
So, that brings the end of the block section, let's go to signals.<br />
<br />
== Signals ==<br />
<br />
=== A Basic Division ===</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Railway_101&diff=30245Railway 1012025-01-02T05:32:37Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>This is a page that intends to teach non-railfan players some basic knowledge of railways. Sometimes, we all need to learn some new things, and for such a simulator, it is really important. For current stages, we can see many different manuals. They are very good, and very detailed, and each community had their own manuals already. I think I cannot contribute more in this field, but suddenly I realize all of these manuals already have a basic requirement: you know something about railways. But obviously, that is not true for everyone.<br />
<br />
You see, there is no such preset questions when buying SimRail, and yep, looks like we even don't think a non-railfan would buy this. But as they did, we cannot just simply say "Hey you are not a railfan, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" And that's definitely not good for a game's development. Therefore, I decided to write this page, and later may edited it into a book or a manual to refer to.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 1: Railway History =<br />
<br />
== Where it begins... ==<br />
So, what is railway? Well, if you just see the surface, it is just some wood sticks lying under two steel rails. But I think maybe let's look back at its history.<br />
<br />
In the past, we need to move something very heavy, and we don't really want to break our backs for sure. Then, someone came up with an idea: what about build a "way" for them? Yes, they did. But that's not railway in its modern concept. Later some guy just bring something new from a boiled kettle, and somebody find out this black thing, which we call them ''coal'', can work as a source of energy. And we need to transport them, probably inventing something powered by such thing, and some guy named George Stephenson did that. Train was born.<br />
<br />
''(Well, *nerd face*, actually... he invented locomotive, train's name came later, if you are interested, Google can help you to figure out the difference between these two words.)''<br />
<br />
Ok, later we think this can also transport people, so we build carriages. And now railways are extending, population is growing as industrialization begins, we need more trains to transport, and then more, then more, then... Oh, looks like we just let two trains crash into each other, there are no more spaces now, and we shouldn't let them kiss each other's butt for sure. What shall we do?<br />
<br />
== The Almighty Power of <s>Illuminati</s> Your Eyes ==<br />
<br />
Eyes on the road! This is what we always heard when we are driving cars, right? Yes, they think the same. How about just let the drivers see the road all the time, and breaks when it notices something. Yes, this works at beginning, but later we think trains are too slow, let's speed it up, and load more things, and become more heavier... Oh, now you need 800 meters to stop this thing, because someone in history whose head got hit by an apple (at least rumor said that) said, <blockquote>''Every object perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, except insofar as it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed thereon.''</blockquote>An easier version: <blockquote>The heavier you are, the longer distance you need to stop. I think maybe this picture can help you understand:</blockquote><br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-1.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-1 Newton 1st Law Simplified]]<br />
So, we need longer distance to stop, but can human eyes actually see that far? Well, no. And sometimes this happens:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-2.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-2 A crash caused by driving on sight]]<br />
<br />
== Watch Your Time ==<br />
Then, is there any other way to complete such task? Well, we don't only have one crew on the train. Maybe we can test their ability for running, that's what we did at first. Like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-3.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-3 One with superpower (joke)]]<br />
But you know, not all of us can become sportsman, and you cannot just jump off a train without getting hurt. How about record average running time, and then let trains to depart according to it? Yep, they did this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-4.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-4 Time Interval]]<br />
But sometimes, such thing may happen:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-5 A comic for some operation failure]]<br />
Sometimes, such thing may also happen...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-6 When one man falls asleep]]<br />
<br />
Also, we need more trains as people were born so quickly after many cities were build. Adding trains is good, but not good if they started to kiss each other again. So, we need a new way to do that.<br />
<br />
== Time to Block! ==<br />
So... Instead of time, there is another thing can be used to make some separation - distance. But then there is another problem: railways are not always straight, there are some curves and turning points. Well, maybe we can try this thing?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-7 Why directly measure the distance is stupid?]]<br />
Well, no. First, we don't have rulers that long. Second, we don't have one guy who can shout loud enough for a person to hear from over 10km away. Also, as mentioned before, railways are not always straight lines, they have curves. So we cannot just directly let two guys measuring the distance of trains all the time. We need another way.<br />
<br />
So, what would you do when you will let someone far away know where you are? In modern days, we just use Internet, send a message and here we go. At that time, there is no such thing, but we do have telegraphs. And they cannot be something portable for sure. So, we need to do this.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-8 Report train position using telegraphs]]<br />
And then, signalers need to be responsible for trains. Because, they allowed another train to enter the section they are in charge. And through this procedure, we only let one train to enter such section. This is what we called "'''''block'''''" in railway transportation. We blocked the way for other trains until one train leaves a certain section. And we create section by diving the whole route into different parts.<br />
<br />
So, now we can operate like this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-9.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-9 Normal situation for signaler dispatching a train]]<br />
And this can also prevent some situations like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-10.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-10 When one signaler fell asleep...]]<br />
<br />
== Say Hello to Signals! ==<br />
there is another thing to consider: trains are moving, and we don't have phones at that time, so how are we supposed to tell drivers what to do? Well, we use our hands.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-11.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-11 Hand signals]]<br />
But then there is another problem. We cannot just let guys standing 24/7 for giving signals, unless you are operating '''''the Gulag Railway'''''. So, we need something to help out such situation. So, we invent '''''signals'''''. Just like traffic lights, we first hang different colors of lamps to make it shine.<br />
<br />
Well, if you have opened your room lights in daylight, I guess you already know what would be the problem - they're way too invisible when sun is shinning everywhere. We need something more obvious to show the signals. And then one guy come up with an idea: Hey, what about using some boards? Yes, we did, they are called semaphore signals.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-12.png|center|thumb|1244x1244px|Fig. 1-12 One example of German Semaphore Signal (By Dr. Matthias Runte)]]<br />
Give a close look, you can also see there are lamps there, which is the foundation of railway signals you see today. Later we find out electricity is more powerful, so we removed the lamps and replaced them with bulbs.<br />
<br />
== Tell you in Advance ==<br />
Ok, now we have signals, there must be less accidents, right? Well, at first, yes. But later, there are more tracks in one station, and when they need to enter sidings (side-tracks), they had some speed-limit. So, something like this happened:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-13.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-13 Problems for sidings]]<br />
Then somebody came up with an idea, "What if we tell the driver to slow down in advance, when the reached last signal?" Yes, they did. We call such signal as '''''distant signal'''''.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-14.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig.1-14 How distant signals work]]<br />
Now we meet the end of this chapter. We will further more explore each concept in the followings.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks =<br />
Ah... where are we? Yes, we invent blocks. But I think you already noticed one point: all these protections are only available for trains running in the same direction. But, trains need to come back, so we need other methods. <br />
<br />
== Blocks ==<br />
<br />
=== Blocks Updated ===<br />
A way to solve this problem is to build another railway beside it, which we call it double-track. So, the only thing left is to decide which side of the track the trains shall run on. Britain and other countries influenced by Britain (like China, Japan...) run on the left-side. Meanwhile, others decide to run on the right-side, like Germany and America.<br />
<br />
Yes, it did work, but we cannot just always build a second railway beside what we have already. It's too much money and sometimes the environment won't allow us. In the past, people use timetables to let a train stopped at one station. But if you always watch YouTube, and listen to a famous song joking about a very famous railway company in Europe, you know when you hear:<blockquote>''Sis Trein is ät se moment... 10 minits diläit (This train at this moment is 10 minutes delay, just imitating the thick accent.)''</blockquote>A message like above is pretty destructive for such timetable-based operation. Because if one try got delayed, another need to wait, and another, and another, after a chain reaction, the total delay might reach 1 hour or even 10 hours.<br />
<br />
We said we use telegraph to do some block operations before, right? Yes, and we continue to do such thing, now it's in 3 steps: request (ask for permission) - depart (set up the block) - arrival (release the block). This can be done in the following pictures depicting the whole situation:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-1.png|center|thumb|1408x1408px|Fig. 2-1 The whole process of block operation]]<br />
And for double-track, as we usually define the common running direction, we can omit the first procedure. Later, some guy invented telephones, and we use them instead. But hey, won't people still make some mistakes like what ''Chapter 1'' said? Yes, they still did...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-2.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-2 Accidents still happen]]<br />
Well, time to update...<br />
<br />
=== Machine Power ===<br />
So, introducing '''''Block Instruments''''', getting tired of always forgetting records? Use it, we use circuits and '''<u>connecting it to signals</u>''' to make sure you won't give a green signal when a train is in the block!<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-3.png|center|thumb|801x801px|Fig. 2-3 A type of block instrument used in Germany before]]<br />
And later, we connect all turnovers, related signals, and block instruments to make '''''interlock'''''. This thing worked as followings:<blockquote>When you set a route for a train to go, all signals and turnovers related would be adjusted together and locked, so you won't move any of it until you cancel the route or the route is released after the train passed. And when a train passed the signal, it would automatically turn red to avoid another train to follow. </blockquote>A short summary is: this is safer because you are not allowed to let a second train enter the block.<br />
<br />
Later, we developed all kinds of interlock devices to help us dispatch more easily. The block operation mentioned in previous section was simplified too. Now, we use block instruments for releasing/setting the blocks, meanwhile we still need to transport other information by humans, so we give a name "'''''semi-auto block system'''''" to it.<br />
<br />
=== Automation Era ===<br />
Have you ever thought about a question: is there a fixed distance between two stations? Not really, sometimes two stations can be 50km away from each other. Then, if we just let only one train to enter this long distance, that is surely low-efficient. Here let's just focus on double-track railways, as single-track railways are another story.<br />
<br />
So, we divided them into shorter sections. But, like what is said before, unless you are operating some Gulag Railways, we simply cannot just let too many people stand at the boundaries of two small divided sections all the time. What can be done to improve it?<br />
<br />
Well, we simply just make it more automatic. This can be done by adding some detectors on the track to tell train's current location, and connecting them with signals using circuits. This is called '''''track circuit'''''. Below is one of the earliest type of how it looks like, and a simplified version of what we currently use.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-4.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-4 Illustration of track circuit invented by William Robinson in 1872]]<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-5 A simplified version of track circuit nowadays]]<br />
Later, some countries decide to use '''''axle counter''''', a mono-functional device to detect train location.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-6 An axle counter in UK, by Carlos118]]<br />
So, that brings the end of the block section, let's go to signals.<br />
<br />
== Signals ==<br />
<br />
=== A Basic Division ===</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_2-6.png&diff=30244File:Railway 101 2-6.png2025-01-02T05:30:55Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 2-6</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_2-5.png&diff=30243File:Railway 101 2-5.png2025-01-02T05:28:39Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 2-5</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_2-4.png&diff=30242File:Railway 101 2-4.png2025-01-02T05:27:25Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 2-4</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_2-3.png&diff=30241File:Railway 101 2-3.png2025-01-02T04:54:04Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 2-3</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Railway_101&diff=30240Railway 1012025-01-02T04:51:41Z<p>CN-BX-3N: /* Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks */</p>
<hr />
<div>This is a page that intends to teach non-railfan players some basic knowledge of railways. Sometimes, we all need to learn some new things, and for such a simulator, it is really important. For current stages, we can see many different manuals. They are very good, and very detailed, and each community had their own manuals already. I think I cannot contribute more in this field, but suddenly I realize all of these manuals already have a basic requirement: you know something about railways. But obviously, that is not true for everyone.<br />
<br />
You see, there is no such preset questions when buying SimRail, and yep, looks like we even don't think a non-railfan would buy this. But as they did, we cannot just simply say "Hey you are not a railfan, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" And that's definitely not good for a game's development. Therefore, I decided to write this page, and later may edited it into a book or a manual to refer to.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 1: Railway History =<br />
<br />
== Where it begins... ==<br />
So, what is railway? Well, if you just see the surface, it is just some wood sticks lying under two steel rails. But I think maybe let's look back at its history.<br />
<br />
In the past, we need to move something very heavy, and we don't really want to break our backs for sure. Then, someone came up with an idea: what about build a "way" for them? Yes, they did. But that's not railway in its modern concept. Later some guy just bring something new from a boiled kettle, and somebody find out this black thing, which we call them ''coal'', can work as a source of energy. And we need to transport them, probably inventing something powered by such thing, and some guy named George Stephenson did that. Train was born.<br />
<br />
''(Well, *nerd face*, actually... he invented locomotive, train's name came later, if you are interested, Google can help you to figure out the difference between these two words.)''<br />
<br />
Ok, later we think this can also transport people, so we build carriages. And now railways are extending, population is growing as industrialization begins, we need more trains to transport, and then more, then more, then... Oh, looks like we just let two trains crash into each other, there are no more spaces now, and we shouldn't let them kiss each other's butt for sure. What shall we do?<br />
<br />
== The Almighty Power of <s>Illuminati</s> Your Eyes ==<br />
<br />
Eyes on the road! This is what we always heard when we are driving cars, right? Yes, they think the same. How about just let the drivers see the road all the time, and breaks when it notices something. Yes, this works at beginning, but later we think trains are too slow, let's speed it up, and load more things, and become more heavier... Oh, now you need 800 meters to stop this thing, because someone in history whose head got hit by an apple (at least rumor said that) said, <blockquote>''Every object perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, except insofar as it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed thereon.''</blockquote>An easier version: <blockquote>The heavier you are, the longer distance you need to stop. I think maybe this picture can help you understand:</blockquote><br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-1.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-1 Newton 1st Law Simplified]]<br />
So, we need longer distance to stop, but can human eyes actually see that far? Well, no. And sometimes this happens:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-2.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-2 A crash caused by driving on sight]]<br />
<br />
== Watch Your Time ==<br />
Then, is there any other way to complete such task? Well, we don't only have one crew on the train. Maybe we can test their ability for running, that's what we did at first. Like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-3.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-3 One with superpower (joke)]]<br />
But you know, not all of us can become sportsman, and you cannot just jump off a train without getting hurt. How about record average running time, and then let trains to depart according to it? Yep, they did this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-4.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-4 Time Interval]]<br />
But sometimes, such thing may happen:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-5 A comic for some operation failure]]<br />
Sometimes, such thing may also happen...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-6 When one man falls asleep]]<br />
<br />
Also, we need more trains as people were born so quickly after many cities were build. Adding trains is good, but not good if they started to kiss each other again. So, we need a new way to do that.<br />
<br />
== Time to Block! ==<br />
So... Instead of time, there is another thing can be used to make some separation - distance. But then there is another problem: railways are not always straight, there are some curves and turning points. Well, maybe we can try this thing?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-7 Why directly measure the distance is stupid?]]<br />
Well, no. First, we don't have rulers that long. Second, we don't have one guy who can shout loud enough for a person to hear from over 10km away. Also, as mentioned before, railways are not always straight lines, they have curves. So we cannot just directly let two guys measuring the distance of trains all the time. We need another way.<br />
<br />
So, what would you do when you will let someone far away know where you are? In modern days, we just use Internet, send a message and here we go. At that time, there is no such thing, but we do have telegraphs. And they cannot be something portable for sure. So, we need to do this.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-8 Report train position using telegraphs]]<br />
And then, signalers need to be responsible for trains. Because, they allowed another train to enter the section they are in charge. And through this procedure, we only let one train to enter such section. This is what we called "'''''block'''''" in railway transportation. We blocked the way for other trains until one train leaves a certain section. And we create section by diving the whole route into different parts.<br />
<br />
So, now we can operate like this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-9.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-9 Normal situation for signaler dispatching a train]]<br />
And this can also prevent some situations like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-10.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-10 When one signaler fell asleep...]]<br />
<br />
== Say Hello to Signals! ==<br />
there is another thing to consider: trains are moving, and we don't have phones at that time, so how are we supposed to tell drivers what to do? Well, we use our hands.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-11.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-11 Hand signals]]<br />
But then there is another problem. We cannot just let guys standing 24/7 for giving signals, unless you are operating '''''the Gulag Railway'''''. So, we need something to help out such situation. So, we invent '''''signals'''''. Just like traffic lights, we first hang different colors of lamps to make it shine.<br />
<br />
Well, if you have opened your room lights in daylight, I guess you already know what would be the problem - they're way too invisible when sun is shinning everywhere. We need something more obvious to show the signals. And then one guy come up with an idea: Hey, what about using some boards? Yes, we did, they are called semaphore signals.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-12.png|center|thumb|1244x1244px|Fig. 1-12 One example of German Semaphore Signal (By Dr. Matthias Runte)]]<br />
Give a close look, you can also see there are lamps there, which is the foundation of railway signals you see today. Later we find out electricity is more powerful, so we removed the lamps and replaced them with bulbs.<br />
<br />
== Tell you in Advance ==<br />
Ok, now we have signals, there must be less accidents, right? Well, at first, yes. But later, there are more tracks in one station, and when they need to enter sidings (side-tracks), they had some speed-limit. So, something like this happened:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-13.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-13 Problems for sidings]]<br />
Then somebody came up with an idea, "What if we tell the driver to slow down in advance, when the reached last signal?" Yes, they did. We call such signal as '''''distant signal'''''.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-14.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig.1-14 How distant signals work]]<br />
Now we meet the end of this chapter. We will further more explore each concept in the followings.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks =<br />
Ah... where are we? Yes, we invent blocks. But I think you already noticed one point: all these protections are only available for trains running in the same direction. But, trains need to come back, so we need other methods. <br />
<br />
== Blocks Updated ==<br />
A way to solve this problem is to build another railway beside it, which we call it double-track. So, the only thing left is to decide which side of the track the trains shall run on. Britain and other countries influenced by Britain (like China, Japan...) run on the left-side. Meanwhile, others decide to run on the right-side, like Germany and America.<br />
<br />
Yes, it did work, but we cannot just always build a second railway beside what we have already. It's too much money and sometimes the environment won't allow us. In the past, people use timetables to let a train stopped at one station. But if you always watch YouTube, and listen to a famous song joking about a very famous railway company in Europe, you know when you hear:<blockquote>''Sis Trein is ät se moment... 10 minits diläit (This train at this moment is 10 minutes delay, just imitating the thick accent.)''</blockquote>A message like above is pretty destructive for such timetable-based operation. Because if one try got delayed, another need to wait, and another, and another, after a chain reaction, the total delay might reach 1 hour or even 10 hours.<br />
<br />
We said we use telegraph to do some block operations before, right? Yes, and we continue to do such thing, now it's in 3 steps: request (ask for permission) - depart (set up the block) - arrival (release the block). This can be done in the following pictures depicting the whole situation:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-1.png|center|thumb|1408x1408px|Fig. 2-1 The whole process of block operation]]<br />
And for double-track, as we usually define the common running direction, we can omit the first procedure. But hey, won't people still make some mistakes like what ''Chapter 1'' said? Yes, they still did...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 2-2.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-2 Accidents still happen]]<br />
Well, time to update...<br />
<br />
== Machine Power ==</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_2-2.png&diff=30239File:Railway 101 2-2.png2025-01-02T04:50:16Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 2-2</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_2-1.png&diff=30238File:Railway 101 2-1.png2025-01-02T04:42:58Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 2-1</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Railway_101&diff=30237Railway 1012024-12-31T07:15:36Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>This is a page that intends to teach non-railfan players some basic knowledge of railways. Sometimes, we all need to learn some new things, and for such a simulator, it is really important. For current stages, we can see many different manuals. They are very good, and very detailed, and each community had their own manuals already. I think I cannot contribute more in this field, but suddenly I realize all of these manuals already have a basic requirement: you know something about railways. But obviously, that is not true for everyone.<br />
<br />
You see, there is no such preset questions when buying SimRail, and yep, looks like we even don't think a non-railfan would buy this. But as they did, we cannot just simply say "Hey you are not a railfan, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" And that's definitely not good for a game's development. Therefore, I decided to write this page, and later may edited it into a book or a manual to refer to.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 1: Railway History =<br />
<br />
== Where it begins... ==<br />
So, what is railway? Well, if you just see the surface, it is just some wood sticks lying under two steel rails. But I think maybe let's look back at its history.<br />
<br />
In the past, we need to move something very heavy, and we don't really want to break our backs for sure. Then, someone came up with an idea: what about build a "way" for them? Yes, they did. But that's not railway in its modern concept. Later some guy just bring something new from a boiled kettle, and somebody find out this black thing, which we call them ''coal'', can work as a source of energy. And we need to transport them, probably inventing something powered by such thing, and some guy named George Stephenson did that. Train was born.<br />
<br />
''(Well, *nerd face*, actually... he invented locomotive, train's name came later, if you are interested, Google can help you to figure out the difference between these two words.)''<br />
<br />
Ok, later we think this can also transport people, so we build carriages. And now railways are extending, population is growing as industrialization begins, we need more trains to transport, and then more, then more, then... Oh, looks like we just let two trains crash into each other, there are no more spaces now, and we shouldn't let them kiss each other's butt for sure. What shall we do?<br />
<br />
== The Almighty Power of <s>Illuminati</s> Your Eyes ==<br />
<br />
Eyes on the road! This is what we always heard when we are driving cars, right? Yes, they think the same. How about just let the drivers see the road all the time, and breaks when it notices something. Yes, this works at beginning, but later we think trains are too slow, let's speed it up, and load more things, and become more heavier... Oh, now you need 800 meters to stop this thing, because someone in history whose head got hit by an apple (at least rumor said that) said, <blockquote>''Every object perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, except insofar as it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed thereon.''</blockquote>An easier version: <blockquote>The heavier you are, the longer distance you need to stop. I think maybe this picture can help you understand:</blockquote><br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-1.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-1 Newton 1st Law Simplified]]<br />
So, we need longer distance to stop, but can human eyes actually see that far? Well, no. And sometimes this happens:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-2.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-2 A crash caused by driving on sight]]<br />
<br />
== Watch Your Time ==<br />
Then, is there any other way to complete such task? Well, we don't only have one crew on the train. Maybe we can test their ability for running, that's what we did at first. Like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-3.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-3 One with superpower (joke)]]<br />
But you know, not all of us can become sportsman, and you cannot just jump off a train without getting hurt. How about record average running time, and then let trains to depart according to it? Yep, they did this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-4.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-4 Time Interval]]<br />
But sometimes, such thing may happen:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-5 A comic for some operation failure]]<br />
Sometimes, such thing may also happen...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-6 When one man falls asleep]]<br />
<br />
Also, we need more trains as people were born so quickly after many cities were build. Adding trains is good, but not good if they started to kiss each other again. So, we need a new way to do that.<br />
<br />
== Time to Block! ==<br />
So... Instead of time, there is another thing can be used to make some separation - distance. But then there is another problem: railways are not always straight, there are some curves and turning points. Well, maybe we can try this thing?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-7 Why directly measure the distance is stupid?]]<br />
Well, no. First, we don't have rulers that long. Second, we don't have one guy who can shout loud enough for a person to hear from over 10km away. Also, as mentioned before, railways are not always straight lines, they have curves. So we cannot just directly let two guys measuring the distance of trains all the time. We need another way.<br />
<br />
So, what would you do when you will let someone far away know where you are? In modern days, we just use Internet, send a message and here we go. At that time, there is no such thing, but we do have telegraphs. And they cannot be something portable for sure. So, we need to do this.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-8 Report train position using telegraphs]]<br />
And then, signalers need to be responsible for trains. Because, they allowed another train to enter the section they are in charge. And through this procedure, we only let one train to enter such section. This is what we called "'''''block'''''" in railway transportation. We blocked the way for other trains until one train leaves a certain section. And we create section by diving the whole route into different parts.<br />
<br />
So, now we can operate like this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-9.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-9 Normal situation for signaler dispatching a train]]<br />
And this can also prevent some situations like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-10.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-10 When one signaler fell asleep...]]<br />
<br />
== Say Hello to Signals! ==<br />
there is another thing to consider: trains are moving, and we don't have phones at that time, so how are we supposed to tell drivers what to do? Well, we use our hands.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-11.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-11 Hand signals]]<br />
But then there is another problem. We cannot just let guys standing 24/7 for giving signals, unless you are operating '''''the Gulag Railway'''''. So, we need something to help out such situation. So, we invent '''''signals'''''. Just like traffic lights, we first hang different colors of lamps to make it shine.<br />
<br />
Well, if you have opened your room lights in daylight, I guess you already know what would be the problem - they're way too invisible when sun is shinning everywhere. We need something more obvious to show the signals. And then one guy come up with an idea: Hey, what about using some boards? Yes, we did, they are called semaphore signals.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-12.png|center|thumb|1244x1244px|Fig. 1-12 One example of German Semaphore Signal (By Dr. Matthias Runte)]]<br />
Give a close look, you can also see there are lamps there, which is the foundation of railway signals you see today. Later we find out electricity is more powerful, so we removed the lamps and replaced them with bulbs.<br />
<br />
== Tell you in Advance ==<br />
Ok, now we have signals, there must be less accidents, right? Well, at first, yes. But later, there are more tracks in one station, and when they need to enter sidings (side-tracks), they had some speed-limit. So, something like this happened:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-13.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-13 Problems for sidings]]<br />
Then somebody came up with an idea, "What if we tell the driver to slow down in advance, when the reached last signal?" Yes, they did. We call such signal as '''''distant signal'''''.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-14.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig.1-14 How distant signals work]]<br />
Now we meet the end of this chapter. We will further more explore each concept in the followings.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks =</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_1-14.png&diff=30236File:Railway 101 1-14.png2024-12-31T07:09:24Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 1-14</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_1-13.png&diff=30235File:Railway 101 1-13.png2024-12-31T07:03:07Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 1-13</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_1-12.png&diff=30234File:Railway 101 1-12.png2024-12-31T06:51:33Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 1-12</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Railway_101&diff=30233Railway 1012024-12-29T23:54:55Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>This is a page that intends to teach non-railfan players some basic knowledge of railways. Sometimes, we all need to learn some new things, and for such a simulator, it is really important. For current stages, we can see many different manuals. They are very good, and very detailed, and each community had their own manuals already. I think I cannot contribute more in this field, but suddenly I realize all of these manuals already have a basic requirement: you know something about railways. But obviously, that is not true for everyone.<br />
<br />
You see, there is no such preset questions when buying SimRail, and yep, looks like we even don't think a non-railfan would buy this. But as they did, we cannot just simply say "Hey you are not a railfan, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" And that's definitely not good for a game's development. Therefore, I decided to write this page, and later may edited it into a book or a manual to refer to.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 1: Railway History =<br />
<br />
== Where it begins... ==<br />
So, what is railway? Well, if you just see the surface, it is just some wood sticks lying under two steel rails. But I think maybe let's look back at its history.<br />
<br />
In the past, we need to move something very heavy, and we don't really want to break our backs for sure. Then, someone came up with an idea: what about build a "way" for them? Yes, they did. But that's not railway in its modern concept. Later some guy just bring something new from a boiled kettle, and somebody find out this black thing, which we call them ''coal'', can work as a source of energy. And we need to transport them, probably inventing something powered by such thing, and some guy named George Stephenson did that. Train was born.<br />
<br />
''(Well, *nerd face*, actually... he invented locomotive, train's name came later, if you are interested, Google can help you to figure out the difference between these two words.)''<br />
<br />
Ok, later we think this can also transport people, so we build carriages. And now railways are extending, population is growing as industrialization begins, we need more trains to transport, and then more, then more, then... Oh, looks like we just let two trains crash into each other, there are no more spaces now, and we shouldn't let them kiss each other's butt for sure. What shall we do?<br />
<br />
== The Almighty Power of <s>Illuminati</s> Your Eyes ==<br />
<br />
Eyes on the road! This is what we always heard when we are driving cars, right? Yes, they think the same. How about just let the drivers see the road all the time, and breaks when it notices something. Yes, this works at beginning, but later we think trains are too slow, let's speed it up, and load more things, and become more heavier... Oh, now you need 800 meters to stop this thing, because someone in history whose head got hit by an apple (at least rumor said that) said, <blockquote>''Every object perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, except insofar as it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed thereon.''</blockquote>An easier version: <blockquote>The heavier you are, the longer distance you need to stop. I think maybe this picture can help you understand:</blockquote><br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-1.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-1 Newton 1st Law Simplified]]<br />
So, we need longer distance to stop, but can human eyes actually see that far? Well, no. And sometimes this happens:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-2.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-2 A crash caused by driving on sight]]<br />
<br />
== Watch Your Time ==<br />
Then, is there any other way to complete such task? Well, we don't only have one crew on the train. Maybe we can test their ability for running, that's what we did at first. Like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-3.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-3 One with superpower (joke)]]<br />
But you know, not all of us can become sportsman, and you cannot just jump off a train without getting hurt. How about record average running time, and then let trains to depart according to it? Yep, they did this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-4.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-4 Time Interval]]<br />
But sometimes, such thing may happen:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-5 A comic for some operation failure]]<br />
Sometimes, such thing may also happen...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-6 When one man falls asleep]]<br />
<br />
Also, we need more trains as people were born so quickly after many cities were build. Adding trains is good, but not good if they started to kiss each other again. So, we need a new way to do that.<br />
<br />
== Time to Block! ==<br />
So... Instead of time, there is another thing can be used to make some separation - distance. But then there is another problem: railways are not always straight, there are some curves and turning points. Well, maybe we can try this thing?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-7 Why directly measure the distance is stupid?]]<br />
Well, no. First, we don't have rulers that long. Second, we don't have one guy who can shout loud enough for a person to hear from over 10km away. Also, as mentioned before, railways are not always straight lines, they have curves. So we cannot just directly let two guys measuring the distance of trains all the time. We need another way.<br />
<br />
So, what would you do when you will let someone far away know where you are? In modern days, we just use Internet, send a message and here we go. At that time, there is no such thing, but we do have telegraphs. And they cannot be something portable for sure. So, we need to do this.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-8 Report train position using telegraphs]]<br />
And then, signalers need to be responsible for trains. Because, they allowed another train to enter the section they are in charge. And through this procedure, we only let one train to enter such section. This is what we called "'''''block'''''" in railway transportation. We blocked the way for other trains until one train leaves a certain section. And we create section by diving the whole route into different parts.<br />
<br />
So, now we can operate like this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-9.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-9 Normal situation for signaler dispatching a train]]<br />
And this can also prevent some situations like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-10.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-10 When one signaler fell asleep...]]<br />
<br />
== Say Hello to Signals! ==<br />
there is another thing to consider: trains are moving, and we don't have phones at that time, so how are we supposed to tell drivers what to do? Well, we use our hands.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-11.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig 1-11 Hand signals]]<br />
But then there is another problem. We cannot just let guys standing 24/7 for giving signals, unless you are operating '''''the Gulag Railway'''''. So, we need something to help out such situation. So, we invent '''''signals'''''. Just like traffic lights, we first hang different colors of lamps to make it shine.<br />
<br />
Well, if you have opened your room lights in daylight, I guess you already know what would be the problem - they're way too invisible when sun is shinning everywhere. We need something more obvious to show the signals. And then one guy come up with an idea: Hey, what about using some boards? Yes, we did, they are called semaphore signals.</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_1-11.png&diff=30232File:Railway 101 1-11.png2024-12-29T23:42:15Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 1-11</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Railway_101&diff=30231Railway 1012024-12-29T23:41:19Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>This is a page that intends to teach non-railfan players some basic knowledge of railways. Sometimes, we all need to learn some new things, and for such a simulator, it is really important. For current stages, we can see many different manuals. They are very good, and very detailed, and each community had their own manuals already. I think I cannot contribute more in this field, but suddenly I realize all of these manuals already have a basic requirement: you know something about railways. But obviously, that is not true for everyone.<br />
<br />
You see, there is no such preset questions when buying SimRail, and yep, looks like we even don't think a non-railfan would buy this. But as they did, we cannot just simply say "Hey you are not a railfan, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" And that's definitely not good for a game's development. Therefore, I decided to write this page, and later may edited it into a book or a manual to refer to.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 1: Railway History =<br />
<br />
== Where it begins... ==<br />
So, what is railway? Well, if you just see the surface, it is just some wood sticks lying under two steel rails. But I think maybe let's look back at its history.<br />
<br />
In the past, we need to move something very heavy, and we don't really want to break our backs for sure. Then, someone came up with an idea: what about build a "way" for them? Yes, they did. But that's not railway in its modern concept. Later some guy just bring something new from a boiled kettle, and somebody find out this black thing, which we call them ''coal'', can work as a source of energy. And we need to transport them, probably inventing something powered by such thing, and some guy named George Stephenson did that. Train was born.<br />
<br />
''(Well, *nerd face*, actually... he invented locomotive, train's name came later, if you are interested, Google can help you to figure out the difference between these two words.)''<br />
<br />
Ok, later we think this can also transport people, so we build carriages. And now railways are extending, population is growing as industrialization begins, we need more trains to transport, and then more, then more, then... Oh, looks like we just let two trains crash into each other, there are no more spaces now, and we shouldn't let them kiss each other's butt for sure. What shall we do?<br />
<br />
== The Almighty Power of <s>Illuminati</s> Your Eyes ==<br />
<br />
Eyes on the road! This is what we always heard when we are driving cars, right? Yes, they think the same. How about just let the drivers see the road all the time, and breaks when it notices something. Yes, this works at beginning, but later we think trains are too slow, let's speed it up, and load more things, and become more heavier... Oh, now you need 800 meters to stop this thing, because someone in history whose head got hit by an apple (at least rumor said that) said, <blockquote>''Every object perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, except insofar as it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed thereon.''</blockquote>An easier version: <blockquote>The heavier you are, the longer distance you need to stop. I think maybe this picture can help you understand:</blockquote><br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-1.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-1 Newton 1st Law Simplified]]<br />
So, we need longer distance to stop, but can human eyes actually see that far? Well, no. And sometimes this happens:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-2.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-2 A crash caused by driving on sight]]<br />
<br />
== Watch Your Time ==<br />
Then, is there any other way to complete such task? Well, we don't only have one crew on the train. Maybe we can test their ability for running, that's what we did at first. Like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-3.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-3 One with superpower (joke)]]<br />
But you know, not all of us can become sportsman, and you cannot just jump off a train without getting hurt. How about record average running time, and then let trains to depart according to it? Yep, they did this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-4.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-4 Time Interval]]<br />
But sometimes, such thing may happen:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-5 A comic for some operation failure]]<br />
Sometimes, such thing may also happen...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-6 When one man falls asleep]]<br />
<br />
Also, we need more trains as people were born so quickly after many cities were build. Adding trains is good, but not good if they started to kiss each other again. So, we need a new way to do that.<br />
<br />
== Time to Block! ==<br />
So... Instead of time, there is another thing can be used to make some separation - distance. But then there is another problem: railways are not always straight, there are some curves and turning points. Well, maybe we can try this thing?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-7 Why directly measure the distance is stupid?]]<br />
Well, no. First, we don't have rulers that long. Second, we don't have one guy who can shout loud enough for a person to hear from over 10km away. Also, as mentioned before, railways are not always straight lines, they have curves. So we cannot just directly let two guys measuring the distance of trains all the time. We need another way.<br />
<br />
So, what would you do when you will let someone far away know where you are? In modern days, we just use Internet, send a message and here we go. At that time, there is no such thing, but we do have telegraphs. And they cannot be something portable for sure. So, we need to do this.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-8 Report train position using telegraphs]]<br />
And then, signalers need to be responsible for trains. Because, they allowed another train to enter the section they are in charge. And through this procedure, we only let one train to enter such section. This is what we called "'''''block'''''" in railway transportation. We blocked the way for other trains until one train leaves a certain section. And we create section by diving the whole route into different parts.<br />
<br />
So, now we can operate like this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-9.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-9 Normal situation for signaler dispatching a train]]<br />
And this can also prevent some situations like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-10.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-10 When one signaler fell asleep...]]<br />
<br />
== Say Hello to Signals ==<br />
there is another thing to consider: trains are moving, and we don't have phones at that time, so how are we supposed to tell drivers what to do? Well, we use our hands.</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_1-10.png&diff=30230File:Railway 101 1-10.png2024-12-29T23:31:05Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 1-10</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_1-9.png&diff=30229File:Railway 101 1-9.png2024-12-29T23:26:58Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 1-9</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Railway_101&diff=30228Railway 1012024-12-29T10:31:47Z<p>CN-BX-3N: /* Time to block! */</p>
<hr />
<div>This is a page that intends to teach non-railfan players some basic knowledge of railways. Sometimes, we all need to learn some new things, and for such a simulator, it is really important. For current stages, we can see many different manuals. They are very good, and very detailed, and each community had their own manuals already. I think I cannot contribute more in this field, but suddenly I realize all of these manuals already have a basic requirement: you know something about railways. But obviously, that is not true for everyone.<br />
<br />
You see, there is no such preset questions when buying SimRail, and yep, looks like we even don't think a non-railfan would buy this. But as they did, we cannot just simply say "Hey you are not a railfan, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" And that's definitely not good for a game's development. Therefore, I decided to write this page, and later may edited it into a book or a manual to refer to.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 1: Railway History =<br />
<br />
== Where it begins... ==<br />
So, what is railway? Well, if you just see the surface, it is just some wood sticks lying under two steel rails. But I think maybe let's look back at its history.<br />
<br />
In the past, we need to move something very heavy, and we don't really want to break our backs for sure. Then, someone came up with an idea: what about build a "way" for them? Yes, they did. But that's not railway in its modern concept. Later some guy just bring something new from a boiled kettle, and somebody find out this black thing, which we call them ''coal'', can work as a source of energy. And we need to transport them, probably inventing something powered by such thing, and some guy named George Stephenson did that. Train was born.<br />
<br />
''(Well, *nerd face*, actually... he invented locomotive, train's name came later, if you are interested, Google can help you to figure out the difference between these two words.)''<br />
<br />
Ok, later we think this can also transport people, so we build carriages. And now railways are extending, population is growing as industrialization begins, we need more trains to transport, and then more, then more, then... Oh, looks like we just let two trains crash into each other, there are no more spaces now, and we shouldn't let them kiss each other's butt for sure. What shall we do?<br />
<br />
== The Almighty Power of <s>Illuminati</s> Your Eyes ==<br />
<br />
Eyes on the road! This is what we always heard when we are driving cars, right? Yes, they think the same. How about just let the drivers see the road all the time, and breaks when it notices something. Yes, this works at beginning, but later we think trains are too slow, let's speed it up, and load more things, and become more heavier... Oh, now you need 800 meters to stop this thing, because someone in history whose head got hit by an apple (at least rumor said that) said, <blockquote>''Every object perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, except insofar as it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed thereon.''</blockquote>An easier version: <blockquote>The heavier you are, the longer distance you need to stop. I think maybe this picture can help you understand:</blockquote><br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-1.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-1 Newton 1st Law Simplified]]<br />
So, we need longer distance to stop, but can human eyes actually see that far? Well, no. And sometimes this happens:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-2.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-2 A crash caused by driving on sight]]<br />
<br />
== Watch Your Time ==<br />
Then, is there any other way to complete such task? Well, we don't only have one crew on the train. Maybe we can test their ability for running, that's what we did at first. Like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-3.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-3 One with superpower (joke)]]<br />
But you know, not all of us can become sportsman, and you cannot just jump off a train without getting hurt. How about record average running time, and then let trains to depart according to it? Yep, they did this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-4.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-4 Time Interval]]<br />
But sometimes, such thing may happen:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-5 A comic for some operation failure]]<br />
Sometimes, such thing may also happen...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-6 When one man falls asleep]]<br />
<br />
<br />
Also, we need more trains as people were born so quickly after many cities were build. Adding trains is good, but not good if they started to kiss each other again. So, we need a new way to do that.<br />
<br />
== Time to block! ==<br />
So... Instead of time, there is another thing can be used to make some separation - distance. But then there is another problem: railways are not always straight, there are some curves and turning points. Well, maybe we can try this thing?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-7 Why directly measure the distance is stupid?]]<br />
Well, no. First, we don't have rulers that long. Second, we don't have one guy who can shout loud enough for a person to hear from over 10km away. Also, as mentioned before, railways are not always straight lines, they have curves. So we cannot just directly let two guys measuring the distance of trains all the time. We need another way.<br />
<br />
So, what would you do when you will let someone far away know where you are? In modern days, we just use Internet, send a message and here we go. At that time, there is no such thing, but we do have telegraphs. And they cannot be something portable for sure. So, we need to do this.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-8 Report train position using telegraphs]]<br />
And then, signalers need to be responsible for trains. Because, they allowed another train to enter the section they are in charge. And through this procedure, we only let one train to enter such section. This is what we called "'''''block'''''" in railway transportation. We blocked the way for other trains until one train leaves a certain section.</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Railway_101&diff=30227Railway 1012024-12-29T10:31:03Z<p>CN-BX-3N: /* Time to block! */</p>
<hr />
<div>This is a page that intends to teach non-railfan players some basic knowledge of railways. Sometimes, we all need to learn some new things, and for such a simulator, it is really important. For current stages, we can see many different manuals. They are very good, and very detailed, and each community had their own manuals already. I think I cannot contribute more in this field, but suddenly I realize all of these manuals already have a basic requirement: you know something about railways. But obviously, that is not true for everyone.<br />
<br />
You see, there is no such preset questions when buying SimRail, and yep, looks like we even don't think a non-railfan would buy this. But as they did, we cannot just simply say "Hey you are not a railfan, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" And that's definitely not good for a game's development. Therefore, I decided to write this page, and later may edited it into a book or a manual to refer to.<br />
<br />
= Chapter 1: Railway History =<br />
<br />
== Where it begins... ==<br />
So, what is railway? Well, if you just see the surface, it is just some wood sticks lying under two steel rails. But I think maybe let's look back at its history.<br />
<br />
In the past, we need to move something very heavy, and we don't really want to break our backs for sure. Then, someone came up with an idea: what about build a "way" for them? Yes, they did. But that's not railway in its modern concept. Later some guy just bring something new from a boiled kettle, and somebody find out this black thing, which we call them ''coal'', can work as a source of energy. And we need to transport them, probably inventing something powered by such thing, and some guy named George Stephenson did that. Train was born.<br />
<br />
''(Well, *nerd face*, actually... he invented locomotive, train's name came later, if you are interested, Google can help you to figure out the difference between these two words.)''<br />
<br />
Ok, later we think this can also transport people, so we build carriages. And now railways are extending, population is growing as industrialization begins, we need more trains to transport, and then more, then more, then... Oh, looks like we just let two trains crash into each other, there are no more spaces now, and we shouldn't let them kiss each other's butt for sure. What shall we do?<br />
<br />
== The Almighty Power of <s>Illuminati</s> Your Eyes ==<br />
<br />
Eyes on the road! This is what we always heard when we are driving cars, right? Yes, they think the same. How about just let the drivers see the road all the time, and breaks when it notices something. Yes, this works at beginning, but later we think trains are too slow, let's speed it up, and load more things, and become more heavier... Oh, now you need 800 meters to stop this thing, because someone in history whose head got hit by an apple (at least rumor said that) said, <blockquote>''Every object perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, except insofar as it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed thereon.''</blockquote>An easier version: <blockquote>The heavier you are, the longer distance you need to stop. I think maybe this picture can help you understand:</blockquote><br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-1.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-1 Newton 1st Law Simplified]]<br />
So, we need longer distance to stop, but can human eyes actually see that far? Well, no. And sometimes this happens:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-2.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-2 A crash caused by driving on sight]]<br />
<br />
== Watch Your Time ==<br />
Then, is there any other way to complete such task? Well, we don't only have one crew on the train. Maybe we can test their ability for running, that's what we did at first. Like:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-3.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-3 One with superpower (joke)]]<br />
But you know, not all of us can become sportsman, and you cannot just jump off a train without getting hurt. How about record average running time, and then let trains to depart according to it? Yep, they did this:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-4.png|center|thumb|700x700px|Fig. 1-4 Time Interval]]<br />
But sometimes, such thing may happen:<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-5.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-5 A comic for some operation failure]]<br />
Sometimes, such thing may also happen...<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-6.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-6 When one man falls asleep]]<br />
<br />
<br />
Also, we need more trains as people were born so quickly after many cities were build. Adding trains is good, but not good if they started to kiss each other again. So, we need a new way to do that.<br />
<br />
== Time to block! ==<br />
So... Instead of time, there is another thing can be used to make some separation - distance. But then there is another problem: railways are not always straight, there are some curves and turning points. While, maybe we can try this thing?<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-7.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-7 Why directly measure the distance is stupid?]]<br />
Well, no. First, we don't have rulers that long. Second, we don't have one guy who can shout loud enough for a person to hear from over 10km away. Also, as mentioned before, railways are not always straight lines, they have curves. So we cannot just directly let two guys measuring the distance of trains all the time. We need another way.<br />
<br />
So, what would you do when you will let someone far away know where you are? In modern days, we just use Internet, send a message and here we go. At that time, there is no such thing, but we do have telegraphs. And they cannot be something portable for sure. So, we need to do this.<br />
[[File:Railway 101 1-8.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 1-8 Report train position using telegraphs]]<br />
And then, signalers need to be responsible for trains. Because, they allowed another train to enter the section they are in charge. And through this procedure, we only let one train to enter such section. This is what we called "'''''block'''''" in railway transportation. We blocked the way for other trains until one train leaves a certain section.</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_1-8.png&diff=30226File:Railway 101 1-8.png2024-12-29T10:28:05Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 1-8</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Railway_101_1-7.png&diff=30225File:Railway 101 1-7.png2024-12-29T10:20:02Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Railway 101 1-7</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Contributions&diff=30224Contributions2024-12-29T09:47:30Z<p>CN-BX-3N: /* Dispatcher mode */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{notranslate}}<br />
<br />
This page contains the total list of contributions that have been made to this wiki.[[File:SimRailCZ Sraz1.jpg|thumb|Player meeting on CZ server, screenshot by MilanSVK]]<br />
<br />
== DLC ==<br />
<br />
* [[DLC CD 163]]<br />
* [[DLC Cargo Pack]]<br />
* [[DLC Lodz - Warszawa]]<br />
* [[DLC Zgorzelec - Gorlitz - Dresden]]<br />
* [[DLC Minneapolis - La Crosse|DLC Route Minneapolis - La Crosse]]<br />
<br />
== Locomotives and units ==<br />
'''Europe:'''<br />
<br />
* [[Electric unit EN57 / EN71]]<br />
* [[Electric unit EN76|Electric unit EN76 / EN96]]<br />
* [[Pendolino electric unit|Electric unit ED250 Pendolino]]<br />
* [[Electric locomotive EU07]]<br />
* [[Electric locomotive EP08]]<br />
* [[Electric locomotive ET22]] '''(DLC)'''<br />
* [[Electric locomotive ET25]]<br />
* [[Electric locomotive E186 Traxx]]<br />
* [[Steam engine Ty2]]<br />
<br />
'''USA (DLC):'''<br />
<br />
* [[Diesel locomotive GE AC4400CW]]<br />
'''DE (DLC):'''<br />
* n/a<br />
<br />
== Dispatcher mode ==<br />
[[File:Sosnowiec Glówny dispo1.jpg|thumb|Sosnowiec Glówny]]<br />
<br />
* [[Dispatcher's Handbook]]<br />
* [[EDR/SHDR]]<br />
* [[How to operate relay line block equipment]]<br />
* [[SEPE SR online]]<br />
* [[Written Orders]]<br />
<br />
== Multiplayer ==<br />
* [[Bugs on Multiplayer and Temporary Solution]]<br />
* [[How to report a player in the game]]<br />
* [[List of stations]]<br />
* [[Maps]]<br />
* [[Servers information]]<br />
* [[Table with marking of train types]]<br />
<br />
== SinglePlayer ==<br />
<br />
* [[Custom Scenarios]]<br />
* [[Generator składów na potrzeby scenariuszy|Generator of compositions for scenarios]]<br />
* [[LUA]]<br />
* [[How to activate ETCS in Singleplayer]]<br />
* [[How to Monitor SimRail Log LIVE While Playing]]<br />
* [[SinglePlayer - Weather Codes|Weather codes]]<br />
<br />
== Other ==<br />
<br />
* [[Game API|API]]<br />
* [[ETCS]]<br />
* [[How to fix broken previews and information in train/station selection]]<br />
* [[Neutral Sections - Where to pull down pantograph]]<br />
* [[Reshade]]<br />
* [[SDK]]<br />
* [[Signs and Signals]]<br />
* [[Track speeds in SimRail (Prędkości szlakowe w SimRail)]]<br />
* [[Train interlockings]]<br />
* [[Wagons available in the game]]<br />
<br />
== English Translators ==<br />
Language Section Manager: [[User:Roman|Roman]]<br />
<br />
Other translators:</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=%E7%B4%A2%E5%BC%95%E7%9B%AE%E5%BD%95&diff=30223索引目录2024-12-29T09:46:02Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>本页面是整个Wikipedia内容的索引目录。<br />
<br />
== 基础内容 ==<br />
<br />
* [[信号系统说明]]<br />
* [[标识系统说明]]<br />
* [[线路图]]<br />
* [[Servers information/zh-hans|服务器列表]]<br />
* [[Train interlockings/zh-hans|列车闭塞系统]]<br />
* [[Track speeds in SimRail (Prędkości szlakowe w SimRail)|线路限速情况（正文添加中文翻译）]]<br />
<br />
== 车辆相关 ==<br />
'''欧洲地区:'''<br />
<br />
* [[电力动车组EN57]]<br />
* [[电力动车组EN76/EN96]]<br />
* [[电力动车组ED250]]<br />
* [[电力机车EU07]]（EP08内容也在这里）<br />
* [[电力机车ET22]]<br />
* [[电力机车ET25]]<br />
* [[电力机车186（TRAXX）]]<br />
* [[蒸汽机车Ty2（BR52）|蒸汽机车Ty2（BR52）【未实装】]]<br />
* [[客车车厢一览]]<br />
* [[货车车厢一览]]<br />
<br />
'''美国:'''<br />
<br />
* [[内燃机车GE AC4400CW|内燃机车GE AC4400CW【未实装】]]<br />
<br />
== 驾驶相关 ==<br />
<br />
* [[无电区间一览]]<br />
<br />
== 调度模式 ==<br />
* [[调度手册]]<br />
* [[EDR/SHDR|EDR/SHDR（电子路书）]]（由于MediaWiki自身存在bug，链接部分无法翻译）<br />
* [[车站列表]]<br />
* [[各站EDR链接]]<br />
<br />
== 单人模式（MODer面向） ==<br />
<br />
* [[天气代码]]<br />
* [[API接口]]<br />
<br />
* [[如何在游戏运行时审查游戏记录？]]<br />
* [[任务脚本代码说明]]<br />
<br />
== 玩家社群内容 ==<br />
<br />
* [[Reshade|Reshade（正文添加中文翻译）]]<br />
* [[Generator składów na potrzeby scenariuszy|任务编组生成器（正文添加中文翻译）]]<br />
<br />
== 官中组翻译人员 ==<br />
<br />
=== 简中翻译 ===<br />
* [https://forum.simrail.eu/profile/1643-kagurazakayukari/ KagurazakaYukari]（外部论坛链接）<br />
<br />
=== 繁中翻译 ===<br />
* 凜喵<br />
* felix920506<br />
* 髙坂筑穂</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=%E6%B3%A2%E5%85%B0%E8%AF%AD%E5%9C%B0%E5%90%8D%E7%BF%BB%E8%AF%91%E6%9A%82%E8%A1%8C%E6%A0%87%E5%87%86&diff=30222波兰语地名翻译暂行标准2024-12-29T09:45:15Z<p>CN-BX-3N: Replaced content with "(Deleted)"</p>
<hr />
<div>(Deleted)</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Written_Orders&diff=30221Written Orders2024-12-29T09:44:02Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Written Orders''', or '''''Rozkazy pisemne''''' in Polish, are assigned and given to the driver sometimes by the dispatchers. According to PKP PLK Ir-1 rulebook, there are 4 types of written orders: O, N, S, and Nrob. This page would introduce them except Nrob, as current game content may not use it. All '''''r.''''' in "20 r." means year ('''''rok''''' in Polish, abbr.).<br />
<br />
All ''italic'' texts are filling hints.<br />
<br />
= Written Order "O" =<br />
Written Order "O" usually indicates the temporary speed limit, or various reasons for driving cautiously. The general form looks like this, top one is Polish original, bottom one is English translation.<br />
[[File:Written Order O.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "O" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order O-3.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "O" (English translation)]]<br />
<br />
= Written Order "N" =<br />
Written Order "N" is given when there are unusual signal or dispatching operations (mainly left-track) happened. Unlike ''Written Order "O"'', the assigner shall cross out all the unnecessary things, and draw two vertical lines on the cell which is in effect.<br />
[[File:Written Order N-1.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "N" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order N-NEW.jpg|center|thumb|989x989px|Written Order "N" (English translation)]]<br />
<br />
= Written Order "S" =<br />
Written Order "S" deal with signal failures, especially when SBL is invalid.<br />
[[File:Written Order "S"-1.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "S" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order "S"-2.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "S" (English Translation)]]<br />
<br />
= References =<br />
PKP PLK S.A. <br />
<br />
Ir-1 ''Instrukcja o prowadzeniu ruchu pociągów'' <br />
<br />
(https://www.plk-sa.pl/files/public/user_upload/pdf/Akty_prawne_i_przepisy/Instrukcje/Wydruk/Ir/Ir-1_format_A4__zm._14.pdf)<br />
<br />
<br />
Kolejowy KOMIS<br />
<br />
''Encyklopedia: Rozkazy pisemne''<br />
<br />
(https://kolej.mkm.szczecin.pl/encyklopedia/rozkazy)<br />
<br />
= Author =<br />
All pictures & whole article created by 3N.</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Written_Order_N-NEW.jpg&diff=30220File:Written Order N-NEW.jpg2024-12-29T09:43:47Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Written Order N-NEW</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Written_Orders&diff=30219Written Orders2024-12-29T09:39:22Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Written Orders''', or '''''Rozkazy pisemne''''' in Polish, are assigned and given to the driver sometimes by the dispatchers. According to PKP PLK Ir-1 rulebook, there are 4 types of written orders: O, N, S, and Nrob. This page would introduce them except Nrob, as current game content may not use it. All '''''r.''''' in "20 r." means year ('''''rok''''' in Polish, abbr.).<br />
<br />
All ''italic'' texts are filling hints.<br />
<br />
= Written Order "O" =<br />
Written Order "O" usually indicates the temporary speed limit, or various reasons for driving cautiously. The general form looks like this, top one is Polish original, bottom one is English translation.<br />
[[File:Written Order O.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "O" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order O-3.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "O" (English translation)]]<br />
<br />
= Written Order "N" =<br />
Written Order "N" is given when there are unusual signal or dispatching operations (mainly left-track) happened. Unlike ''Written Order "O"'', the assigner shall cross out all the unnecessary things, and draw two vertical lines on the cell which is in effect.<br />
[[File:Written Order N-1.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "N" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order N-2.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "N" (English translation)]]<br />
<br />
= Written Order "S" =<br />
Written Order "S" deal with signal failures, especially when SBL is invalid.<br />
[[File:Written Order "S"-1.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "S" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order "S"-2.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "S" (English Translation)]]<br />
<br />
= References =<br />
PKP PLK S.A. <br />
<br />
Ir-1 ''Instrukcja o prowadzeniu ruchu pociągów'' <br />
<br />
(https://www.plk-sa.pl/files/public/user_upload/pdf/Akty_prawne_i_przepisy/Instrukcje/Wydruk/Ir/Ir-1_format_A4__zm._14.pdf)<br />
<br />
<br />
Kolejowy KOMIS<br />
<br />
''Encyklopedia: Rozkazy pisemne''<br />
<br />
(https://kolej.mkm.szczecin.pl/encyklopedia/rozkazy)<br />
<br />
= Author =<br />
All pictures & whole article created by 3N.</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Written_Orders&diff=30218Written Orders2024-12-29T09:37:01Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Written Orders''', or '''''Rozkazy pisemne''''' in Polish, are assigned and given to the driver sometimes by the dispatchers. According to PKP PLK Ir-1 rulebook, there are 4 types of written orders: O, N, S, Nrob. This page would introduce them one by one. All '''''r.''''' in "20 r." means year ('''''rok''''' in Polish, abbr.).<br />
<br />
All ''italic'' texts are filling hints.<br />
<br />
= Written Order "O" =<br />
Written Order "O" usually indicates the temporary speed limit, or various reasons for driving cautiously. The general form looks like this, top one is Polish original, bottom one is English translation.<br />
[[File:Written Order O.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "O" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order O-3.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "O" (English translation)]]<br />
<br />
= Written Order "N" =<br />
Written Order "N" is given when there are unusual signal or dispatching operations (mainly left-track) happened. Unlike ''Written Order "O"'', the assigner shall cross out all the unnecessary things, and draw two vertical lines on the cell which is in effect.<br />
[[File:Written Order N-1.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "N" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order N-2.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "N" (English translation)]]<br />
<br />
= Written Order "S" =<br />
Written Order "S" deal with signal failures, especially when SBL is invalid.<br />
[[File:Written Order "S"-1.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "S" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order "S"-2.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "S" (English Translation)]]<br />
<br />
= References =<br />
PKP PLK S.A. <br />
<br />
Ir-1 ''Instrukcja o prowadzeniu ruchu pociągów'' <br />
<br />
(https://www.plk-sa.pl/files/public/user_upload/pdf/Akty_prawne_i_przepisy/Instrukcje/Wydruk/Ir/Ir-1_format_A4__zm._14.pdf)<br />
<br />
<br />
Kolejowy KOMIS<br />
<br />
''Encyklopedia: Rozkazy pisemne''<br />
<br />
(https://kolej.mkm.szczecin.pl/encyklopedia/rozkazy)<br />
<br />
= Author =<br />
All pictures & whole article created by 3N.</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Contributions&diff=30217Contributions2024-12-29T09:34:03Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{notranslate}}<br />
<br />
This page contains the total list of contributions that have been made to this wiki.[[File:SimRailCZ Sraz1.jpg|thumb|Player meeting on CZ server, screenshot by MilanSVK]]<br />
<br />
== DLC ==<br />
<br />
* [[DLC CD 163]]<br />
* [[DLC Cargo Pack]]<br />
* [[DLC Lodz - Warszawa]]<br />
* [[DLC Zgorzelec - Gorlitz - Dresden]]<br />
* [[DLC Minneapolis - La Crosse|DLC Route Minneapolis - La Crosse]]<br />
<br />
== Locomotives and units ==<br />
'''Europe:'''<br />
<br />
* [[Electric unit EN57 / EN71]]<br />
* [[Electric unit EN76|Electric unit EN76 / EN96]]<br />
* [[Pendolino electric unit|Electric unit ED250 Pendolino]]<br />
* [[Electric locomotive EU07]]<br />
* [[Electric locomotive EP08]]<br />
* [[Electric locomotive ET22]] '''(DLC)'''<br />
* [[Electric locomotive ET25]]<br />
* [[Electric locomotive E186 Traxx]]<br />
* [[Steam engine Ty2]]<br />
<br />
'''USA (DLC):'''<br />
<br />
* [[Diesel locomotive GE AC4400CW]]<br />
'''DE (DLC):'''<br />
* n/a<br />
<br />
== Dispatcher mode ==<br />
[[File:Sosnowiec Glówny dispo1.jpg|thumb|Sosnowiec Glówny]]<br />
<br />
* [[Dispatcher's Handbook]]<br />
* [[EDR/SHDR]]<br />
* [[How to operate relay line block equipment]]<br />
* [[SEPE SR online]]<br />
<br />
== Multiplayer ==<br />
* [[Bugs on Multiplayer and Temporary Solution]]<br />
* [[How to report a player in the game]]<br />
* [[List of stations]]<br />
* [[Maps]]<br />
* [[Servers information]]<br />
* [[Table with marking of train types]]<br />
<br />
== SinglePlayer ==<br />
<br />
* [[Custom Scenarios]]<br />
* [[Generator składów na potrzeby scenariuszy|Generator of compositions for scenarios]]<br />
* [[LUA]]<br />
* [[How to activate ETCS in Singleplayer]]<br />
* [[How to Monitor SimRail Log LIVE While Playing]]<br />
* [[SinglePlayer - Weather Codes|Weather codes]]<br />
<br />
== Other ==<br />
<br />
* [[Game API|API]]<br />
* [[ETCS]]<br />
* [[How to fix broken previews and information in train/station selection]]<br />
* [[Neutral Sections - Where to pull down pantograph]]<br />
* [[Reshade]]<br />
* [[SDK]]<br />
* [[Signs and Signals]]<br />
* [[Track speeds in SimRail (Prędkości szlakowe w SimRail)]]<br />
* [[Train interlockings]]<br />
* [[Wagons available in the game]]<br />
* [[Written Orders]]<br />
<br />
== English Translators ==<br />
Language Section Manager: [[User:Roman|Roman]]<br />
<br />
Other translators:</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Written_Orders&diff=30216Written Orders2024-12-29T09:33:00Z<p>CN-BX-3N: /* Written Order "Nrob" */</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Written Orders''', or '''''Rozkazy pisemne''''' in Polish, are assigned and given to the driver sometimes by the dispatchers. According to PKP PLK Ir-1 rulebook, there are 4 types of written orders: O, N, S, Nrob. This page would introduce them one by one. All '''''r.''''' in "20 r." means year ('''''rok''''' in Polish, abbr.).<br />
<br />
= Written Order "O" =<br />
Written Order "O" usually indicates the temporary speed limit, or various reasons for driving cautiously. The general form looks like this, top one is Polish original, bottom one is English translation.<br />
[[File:Written Order O.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "O" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order O-3.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "O" (English translation)]]<br />
<br />
= Written Order "N" =<br />
Written Order "N" is given when there are unusual signal or dispatching operations (mainly left-track) happened. Unlike ''Written Order "O"'', the assigner shall cross out all the unnecessary things, and draw two vertical lines on the cell which is in effect.<br />
[[File:Written Order N-1.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "N" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order N-2.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "N" (English translation)]]<br />
<br />
= Written Order "S" =<br />
Written Order "S" deal with signal failures, especially when SBL is invalid.<br />
[[File:Written Order "S"-1.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "S" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order "S"-2.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "S" (English Translation)]]<br />
<br />
= References =<br />
PKP PLK S.A. <br />
<br />
Ir-1 ''Instrukcja o prowadzeniu ruchu pociągów'' <br />
<br />
(https://www.plk-sa.pl/files/public/user_upload/pdf/Akty_prawne_i_przepisy/Instrukcje/Wydruk/Ir/Ir-1_format_A4__zm._14.pdf)<br />
<br />
<br />
Kolejowy KOMIS<br />
<br />
''Encyklopedia: Rozkazy pisemne''<br />
<br />
(https://kolej.mkm.szczecin.pl/encyklopedia/rozkazy)<br />
<br />
= Author =<br />
All pictures & whole article created by 3N.</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Written_Orders&diff=30215Written Orders2024-12-28T14:14:28Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Written Orders''', or '''''Rozkazy pisemne''''' in Polish, are assigned and given to the driver sometimes by the dispatchers. According to PKP PLK Ir-1 rulebook, there are 4 types of written orders: O, N, S, Nrob. This page would introduce them one by one. All '''''r.''''' in "20 r." means year ('''''rok''''' in Polish, abbr.).<br />
<br />
= Written Order "O" =<br />
Written Order "O" usually indicates the temporary speed limit, or various reasons for driving cautiously. The general form looks like this, top one is Polish original, bottom one is English translation.<br />
[[File:Written Order O.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "O" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order O-3.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "O" (English translation)]]<br />
<br />
= Written Order "N" =<br />
Written Order "N" is given when there are unusual signal or dispatching operations (mainly left-track) happened. Unlike ''Written Order "O"'', the assigner shall cross out all the unnecessary things, and draw two vertical lines on the cell which is in effect.<br />
[[File:Written Order N-1.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "N" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order N-2.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "N" (English translation)]]<br />
<br />
= Written Order "S" =<br />
Written Order "S" deal with signal failures, especially when SBL is invalid.<br />
[[File:Written Order "S"-1.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "S" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order "S"-2.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "S" (English Translation)]]<br />
<br />
= Written Order "Nrob" =</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Written_Order_%22S%22-2.jpg&diff=30214File:Written Order "S"-2.jpg2024-12-28T14:07:45Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Written Order "S"-2</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=File:Written_Order_%22S%22-1.jpg&diff=30213File:Written Order "S"-1.jpg2024-12-28T14:07:06Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>Written Order "S"-1</div>CN-BX-3Nhttps://wiki.simrail.cz/subdom/wiki/index.php?title=Written_Orders&diff=30212Written Orders2024-12-28T13:11:58Z<p>CN-BX-3N: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Written Orders''', or '''''Rozkazy pisemne''''' in Polish, are assigned and given to the driver sometimes by the dispatchers. According to PKP PLK Ir-1 rulebook, there are 4 types of written orders: O, N, S, Nrob. This page would introduce them one by one. All '''''r.''''' in "20 r." means year ('''''rok''''' in Polish, abbr.).<br />
<br />
= Written Order "O" =<br />
Written Order "O" usually indicates the temporary speed limit, or various reasons for driving cautiously. The general form looks like this, top one is Polish original, bottom one is English translation.<br />
[[File:Written Order O.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "O" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order O-3.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "O" (English translation)]]<br />
<br />
= Written Order "N" =<br />
Written Order "N" is given when there are unusual signal or dispatching operations (mainly left-track) happened. Unlike ''Written Order "O"'', the assigner shall cross out all the unnecessary things, and draw two vertical lines on the cell which is in effect.<br />
[[File:Written Order N-1.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "N" (Original)]]<br />
[[File:Written Order N-2.jpg|center|thumb|990x990px|Written Order "N" (English translation)]]<br />
<br />
= Written Order "S" =<br />
<br />
= Written Order "Nrob" =</div>CN-BX-3N