Railway 101 - Revision history

CN-BX-3N at 09:10, 2 January 2025

2025-01-02T09:10:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:10, 2 January 2025
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	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.		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.

	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.		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.

	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:		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:

CN-BX-3N at 09:05, 2 January 2025

2025-01-02T09:05:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:05, 2 January 2025
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	[[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]]		[[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]]
	In this table, na=the speed limit for next signal, z=the speed limit for this signal.		In this table, na=the speed limit for next signal, z=the speed limit for this signal.

			= References =

			* PKP Rulebooks: Ir-1, Ie-1
			* Chapter 1 of the Chinese new dispatch guidebook I used to be in charge

			= Notes =
			Author: 3N

			Disclaimer: This only touches the most surface knowledge of railways, for furthermore knowledge, referring to textbooks in such area is a good choice.

CN-BX-3N at 09:01, 2 January 2025

2025-01-02T09:01:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:01, 2 January 2025
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	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.		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.

	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.		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.

	= Chapter 1: Railway History =		= Chapter 1: Railway History =
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	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.		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.

	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.

	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:
			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:
	[[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]]		[[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]]
	In this table, na=the speed limit for next signal, z=the speed limit for this signal.		In this table, na=the speed limit for next signal, z=the speed limit for this signal.

CN-BX-3N at 08:58, 2 January 2025

2025-01-02T08:58:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:58, 2 January 2025
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	[[File:Railway 101 1-13.png\|center\|thumb\|800x800px\|Fig. 1-13 Problems for sidings]]		[[File:Railway 101 1-13.png\|center\|thumb\|800x800px\|Fig. 1-13 Problems for sidings]]
	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'''''.		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'''''.
	[[File:Railway 101 1-14.png\|center\|thumb\|800x800px\|Fig. 1-14 How distant signals work]]		[[File:Railway 101 1-14-1.png\|center\|thumb\|800x800px\|Fig. 1-14 How distant signals work]]
	Now we meet the end of this chapter. We will further more explore each concept in the followings.		Now we meet the end of this chapter. We will further more explore each concept in the followings.

CN-BX-3N at 08:56, 2 January 2025

2025-01-02T08:56:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:56, 2 January 2025
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	[[File:Railway 101 1-13.png\|center\|thumb\|800x800px\|Fig. 1-13 Problems for sidings]]		[[File:Railway 101 1-13.png\|center\|thumb\|800x800px\|Fig. 1-13 Problems for sidings]]
	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'''''.		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'''''.
	[[File:Railway 101 1-14.png\|center\|thumb\|800x800px\|Fig.1-14 How distant signals work]]		[[File:Railway 101 1-14.png\|center\|thumb\|800x800px\|Fig. 1-14 How distant signals work]]
	Now we meet the end of this chapter. We will further more explore each concept in the followings.		Now we meet the end of this chapter. We will further more explore each concept in the followings.

CN-BX-3N at 08:52, 2 January 2025

2025-01-02T08:52:16Z

@@ Line 75: / Line 75: @@
 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:
 [[File:Railway 101 2-1.png|center|thumb|1408x1408px|Fig. 2-1 The whole process of block operation]]
-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...
+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...
 [[File:Railway 101 2-2.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-2 Accidents still happen]]
 Well, time to update...
@@ Line 101: / Line 101: @@
 === A Basic Division ===

CN-BX-3N: /* Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks */

2025-01-02T05:33:02Z

Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:33, 2 January 2025
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	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.		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.

	== Blocks ==		== Blocks & Interlocks ==

	=== Blocks Updated ===		=== Blocks Updated ===

CN-BX-3N at 05:32, 2 January 2025

2025-01-02T05:32:37Z

@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 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.
-== Blocks Updated ==
+== Blocks ==
 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.
@@ Line 73: / Line 75: @@
 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:
 [[File:Railway 101 2-1.png|center|thumb|1408x1408px|Fig. 2-1 The whole process of block operation]]
-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...
+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...
 [[File:Railway 101 2-2.png|center|thumb|800x800px|Fig. 2-2 Accidents still happen]]
 Well, time to update...
-== Machine Power ==
+=== Machine Power ===

CN-BX-3N: /* Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks */

2025-01-02T04:51:41Z

Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:51, 2 January 2025
Line 64:		Line 64:

	= Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks =		= Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks =
			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.

			== Blocks Updated ==
			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.

			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.

			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:
			[[File:Railway 101 2-1.png\|center\|thumb\|1408x1408px\|Fig. 2-1 The whole process of block operation]]
			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...
			[[File:Railway 101 2-2.png\|center\|thumb\|800x800px\|Fig. 2-2 Accidents still happen]]
			Well, time to update...

			== Machine Power ==

CN-BX-3N at 07:15, 31 December 2024

2024-12-31T07:15:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:15, 31 December 2024
Line 49:		Line 49:
	== Say Hello to Signals! ==		== Say Hello to Signals! ==
	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.		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.
	[[File:Railway 101 1-11.png\|center\|thumb\|800x800px\|Fig 1-11 Hand signals]]		[[File:Railway 101 1-11.png\|center\|thumb\|800x800px\|Fig. 1-11 Hand signals]]
	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.		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.

	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.		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.
			[[File:Railway 101 1-12.png\|center\|thumb\|1244x1244px\|Fig. 1-12 One example of German Semaphore Signal (By Dr. Matthias Runte)]]
			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.

			== Tell you in Advance ==
			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:
			[[File:Railway 101 1-13.png\|center\|thumb\|800x800px\|Fig. 1-13 Problems for sidings]]
			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'''''.
			[[File:Railway 101 1-14.png\|center\|thumb\|800x800px\|Fig.1-14 How distant signals work]]
			Now we meet the end of this chapter. We will further more explore each concept in the followings.

			= Chapter 2: Blocks, Signals, Interlocks =