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| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 27/06/2013 at 23:55 #46113 | |
virgin390053
19 posts |
Hi I found this the other day CaLLED PC-Rail Its a little like SimSig however Is much much more expensive however I found in the trail version a very useful feature Instead of just being able to click to create routes you can also type the signal numbers in then for example on the Piccadilly Sim you can type 071 - 084 And it will set the route. you just start typing the numbers and it sets the route I find this very useful and would wonder in Simsig could take this Idea on board and see if they can make it possible
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| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 28/06/2013 at 01:34 #46114 | |
Temple Meads
307 posts |
It is an interesting idea, but as far as know real IECC's have never had such a system (please correct me if I'm wrong), and that would make SimSig that little bit less realistic.
Username TIM in multiplayer Log in to reply |
| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 28/06/2013 at 02:06 #46115 | |
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John
884 posts |
6 button pushes instead of 2 mouse clicks. Seems a little labour intensive. Imagine setting routes on Euston (with it's total lack of auto buttons) like that. You'd end up with stubby little fingers and a pile of busted keyboards. I don't think the proposal has merit. Log in to reply |
| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 28/06/2013 at 03:11 #46116 | |
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mfcooper
707 posts |
An IECC does have a series of Keyboard commands, many of which become very useful indeed, but many of which go above and beyond what SimSig simulates. In addition, many computer signalling systems (including IECC, WESTCAD,etc) have a special keyboard with a whole series of extra keys, so simulating all these becomes very difficult indeed. EXTRA INFO - Going off topic slightly. Sorry :dry: Signal to Signal A signaller can set a route between signals 45 and 78 by typing: S45 S78 <Set>[NB: 'S' in this case means "Signal" and is NOT the signalbox prefix code] ...where <Set> is a special key on the keyboard used. Route Command The other way of setting routes using a keyboard requires figuring out the correct code for the specific route you wish to set. Say the above route from 45 and 78 is a shunt route, and is one of two routes (say, the right-turn route) that can be set from 45. All routes are counted from the left-most route and then labelled from A onwards. A shunt route requires the addition if an 'S' suffix. So the shunt route from 45 to 78 (the second-most route from the left) is set by typing: R45BS <Set>Or "Set the route from Signal 45 along route B (to signal 72) for a shunt move". This becomes much more useful if there is (for example) a Main and a Calling-on route between 2 signals, and you want to make sure the correct one is used. For alternative routes over different pointwork, say in a station throat, then it is possible to have a B1 and a B2 route. Instead of using the 'S' for Shunt, other common letters used are 'M' for Main and 'C' for calling on. I *think* 'W' for warner/reduced overlap and 'P' for Proceed on Sight Authority [POSA] might both be used, though I am not sure. Last edited: 28/06/2013 at 03:20 by mfcooper Reason: Too many typos Log in to reply The following users said thank you: John, Tempest Malice, maxand, Temple Meads, Javelin395 |
| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 28/06/2013 at 14:58 #46127 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
Does a real IECC use a trackball or a mouse?
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| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 28/06/2013 at 15:22 #46128 | |
58050
2659 posts |
When I was at Liverpool Street(1990-1994) the signallers there used a trackerball.
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| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 28/06/2013 at 15:33 #46130 | |
GeoffM
6377 posts |
Signalling control systems are required to have two methods of control for most things. Imagine the scenario: you've just dropped your chow mein down the trackerball*, it's non-functional, and you now have a rail emergency requiring you to put signals back to danger. How do you do it without another method of control? That's why keyboards are provided. In fact there are some facilities (non-critical) which are only available by keyboard. That being said, most signallers will use a trackerball where possible. * Yes, I saw this happen, albeit not with an emergency at the same time. SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 28/06/2013 at 15:36 #46131 | |
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GeoffM
6377 posts |
" said:Does a real IECC use a trackball or a mouse?Trackerball, a big yellow one mounted in the desk (picture on this page). Westcads for UK use also use one very similar. MCS, however, use a more COTS trackerball with three buttons though I can't find a picture. SimSig Boss Log in to reply The following user said thank you: maxand |
| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 28/06/2013 at 18:12 #46135 | |
headshot119
4869 posts |
I have a photo of the type they use in Rugby ill upload it when I get home.
"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer Last edited: 28/06/2013 at 18:14 by headshot119 Log in to reply |
| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 28/06/2013 at 19:08 #46136 | |
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mfcooper
707 posts |
See this photo from an album of mine: Stratford (North London Line) Last edited: 28/06/2013 at 19:09 by mfcooper Log in to reply |
| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 28/06/2013 at 19:28 #46137 | |
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GeoffM
6377 posts |
" said:" said:Small picture: MCS trackerball (source) Buttons to left, right, and bottom of black ball. There is also a small button which IIRC jumps the cursor from one screen to the next.Does a real IECC use a trackball or a mouse?Trackerball, a big yellow one mounted in the desk (picture on this page). Westcads for UK use also use one very similar. MCS, however, use a more COTS trackerball with three buttons though I can't find a picture. SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 28/06/2013 at 20:11 #46138 | |
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headshot119
4869 posts |
You're correct about there being a screen jump button. The flexibility of where it is on the desk is also quite handy.
"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer Log in to reply |
| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 28/06/2013 at 21:59 #46140 | |
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birchy74
151 posts |
I used to play on PC-Rail before i found out about SimSig, Since then i have never looked back, I have been on PC-Rail a couple of times since but it does not have the realism of SimSig, Don't think i will ever go back to PC-Rail now.
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| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 29/06/2013 at 08:50 #46148 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
Interesting that Geoff calls this device a "trackerball" rather than a "trackball". In my sphere (pun intended), the latter term is more popular. However... Quote: Large trackballs are sometimes seen on computerized special-purpose workstations, such as the radar consoles in an air-traffic control room or sonar equipment on a ship or submarine. Modern installations of such equipment may use mice instead, since most people now already know how to use one. However, military mobile anti-aircraft radars and submarine sonars tend to continue using trackballs, since they can be made more durable and more fit for fast emergency use. Large and well made ones allow easier high precision work, for which reason they may still be used in these applications (where they are often called "tracker balls" Wikipedia Out of interest, does anyone here playing SimSig at home prefer a track(er)ball to a mouse for added realism? Last edited: 29/06/2013 at 08:52 by maxand Log in to reply |
| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 29/06/2013 at 10:02 #46150 | |
jc92
3690 posts 
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" said:I have a trackerball for my PC, and so use it for SimSig, but its more personal preference than realism, there is already a thread open somewhere on the subject of who uses trackerballs and why. "We don't stop camborne wednesdays" Log in to reply |
| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 29/06/2013 at 14:18 #46155 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
Thanks jc92. I think this is the thread you were referring to: Trackerballs. Further comments directed to that thread. Last edited: 29/06/2013 at 14:21 by maxand Log in to reply |
| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 29/06/2013 at 16:11 #46161 | |
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GeoffM
6377 posts |
" said:Interesting that Geoff calls this device a "trackerball" rather than a "trackball".I must admit I thought it was just a regional preference. But looking at, for example, Staples (office supplies) in the US and PC World in the UK, both have lists of trackballs and no trackerballs. So I looked into some IECC documents I have and felt slightly vindicated where the use of trackerball is the norm! SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Keyboard commands (retitled from "PC Rail") 29/06/2013 at 16:55 #46162 | |
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headshot119
4869 posts |
" said:" said:Yet Staples in the UK has most of the packaging / in store signage for our range of them as trackerballs, yet online we call them trackballs.Interesting that Geoff calls this device a "trackerball" rather than a "trackball".I must admit I thought it was just a regional preference. But looking at, for example, Staples (office supplies) in the US and PC World in the UK, both have lists of trackballs and no trackerballs. So I looked into some IECC documents I have and felt slightly vindicated where the use of trackerball is the norm! Talk about confusing. :yikes "Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer Log in to reply |
and in computer-aided design.