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Not going loopy on the Loop

You are here: Home > Forum > Simulations > Released > Chicago Loop > Not going loopy on the Loop

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Not going loopy on the Loop 08/01/2015 at 15:01 #67538
delticfan
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476 posts
Hi all, just having a first run at this. Not too bad once you get used to the 'opposite' running and train routing. An hour of this and I might be ready to take on New Street, lol!


Mal.

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The following user said thank you: GeoffM
Not going loopy on the Loop 08/01/2015 at 23:52 #67590
uboat
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219 posts
Online
it's not as bad as it looks.
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Not going loopy on the Loop 09/01/2015 at 09:42 #67601
delticfan
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476 posts
" said:
it's not as bad as it looks.

Exactly uboat. Obviously a completely different method of operating, but really enjoyable. As has been said already, a bit of a problem with time-keeping and routing at junctions.

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Not going loopy on the Loop 09/01/2015 at 20:07 #67662
CABOOSEMAN
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35 posts
It is a great little sim,just when you think you have the routes one goes a different route, very entertaining
Regards Cabooseman

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Not going loopy on the Loop 17/01/2015 at 09:28 #67977
Aurora
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183 posts
Played this in full with default TT and 3 max failures set in 90 minutes, IMO the failures/delays make the game. Last train exited at 1040 sim time! (That should tell you how it ended.)

One thing that would make that more interesting would be one train that stays running in circles the whole TT. Would be interesting to see how long it could last without TT changes or even just how late it would be in the end.

Nil.
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Not going loopy on the Loop 17/01/2015 at 09:50 #67983
delticfan
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476 posts
Enjoying the first run through. Did notice though that after 06:58 the only entry point for trains is from Clinton. Still, makes things a bit less confusing.
Mal.

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Not going loopy on the Loop 18/01/2015 at 11:27 #68042
delticfan
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476 posts
" said:
Enjoying the first run through. Did notice though that after 06:58 the only entry point for trains is from Clinton. Still, makes things a bit less confusing.
Mal.
Sorry, wrong time in my previous post. Should read 07:58.

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Not going loopy on the Loop 24/01/2015 at 07:06 #68329
Jersey_Mike
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250 posts
Found this photo of Tower 18 interlocking if anyone got confused.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=514064

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Not going loopy on the Loop 21/08/2015 at 03:50 #75331
Jersey_Mike
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Found another great photo of the Tower 18 interlocking, which recently had all of its wood replaced.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=542822&nseq=423

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Not going loopy on the Loop 21/08/2015 at 07:02 #75333
flabberdacks
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636 posts
Those are tremendous pictures. Look at all those diamonds! I wonder what the maintenance requirements are like...
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Not going loopy on the Loop 21/08/2015 at 13:27 #75341
Mattyq
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259 posts
What fascinates me about that location how it is operated. Does the Towerman (Signaller) operate per timetable or purely on sight?
Not fat ..... fluffy!! (G Iglesias)
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Not going loopy on the Loop 21/08/2015 at 14:39 #75344
Jersey_Mike
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250 posts
" said:
What fascinates me about that location how it is operated. Does the Towerman (Signaller) operate per timetable or purely on sight?
Most times of the day the CTA is running a headway based operation. Trains do run to a schedule, but given how much variation can occur in an urban mass transit system the tower operator would make use of his or her own skills to sort the trains. There is a train describer in the tower, but trains are also equipped with marker lights (as well as destination signs) to help the operator with routing decisions.

The tower at the opposite corner of the loop, TOWER 12, actually runs (or used to run) automatically outside of peak periods with trains carrying transponder tags to request lineups.

Quote:
The next change to Tower 12 came when the Orange Line was being readied for service in the early 1990s. A new switch had to be added to the Tower 12 junction to allow northbound Orange Line trains on Wabash onto the Inner Loop westbound on Van Buren. This new switch was placed in service on April 22, 1993. This presented a new set of alternate routings that would take place at Tower 12 -- northbound Orange Line trains diverging west while northbound Green Line trains continued north -- that would need to be sorted out. It was still desired not to have to staff the tower at all times the Orange Line was operating, so a new set of transponders were installed. This set controlled the northbound routings from Wabash Avenue. The Orange Line trains carried transponders and a receiver was placed north of Roosevelt station. When the receiver detected a transponder, Tower 12 automatically aligned the switches for the Inner Loop. The default route was for the Green Line, which would be set to continue north on Wabash if no transponder was detected. Southbound Orange and Green line trains took the same lineup through Tower 12, so no sorting was necessary there. Southbound Purple Line (Evanston) Express trains did still need to be sorted out, but their transponder system was left disabled and a towerman continued to be assigned during weekday rush periods. The new Tower 12 interlocking, which also controls the diamond crossover south of Tower 12 at Congress/Wabash, was placed in service on March 14, 1994. As part of the new interlocking, a new "tower" was constructed on the east edge of the junction, cantilevered over the corner of Wabash and Van Buren. Actually just a small hut on an elevated platform, the higher location gave the towerman a better view of the approaching lines. The old relay house between the switches where the old tower panel had been remained in place as well.

Tower 12 saw a surge in traffic when the Pink Line service was inaugurated on Sunday, June 25, 2006. Pink Line trains operated clockwise around the Inner Loop and ran during all but owl hours. This meant that for the first time in decades, an "L" line would be taking the Inner Loop-around route at Tower 12 during all day and evening hours. Because of the increased number of trains trough the junction and the need to have a measure of human decision-making when routing trains, especially during rush periods, the CTA began staffing Tower 12 full-time concurrent with the beginning of Pink Line service.
Human operators are there less to make sure trains go in some pre-determined order, but instead try to pair up non-conflicting parallel routes or manage headways if trains have become bunched. For example if there are two Green Line trains coming in towards the loop, the operator might hold the second, even if it would otherwise arrive at the interlocking before a train on one of the other routes.

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