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| The Ultimate Simulation Accessory 10/12/2015 at 12:21 #78617 | |
Jersey_Mike
250 posts |
During my last visit to the preserved HARRIS tower in Harrisburg, PA, I used a GoPro body mount to better capture operation of the preserved US&S Model 14 interlocking machine. For those of you who aren't aware, the original 1935 vintage electro-mechanical interlocking machine was restored by a preservation group and then hooked into a bank of PLC's that could provide the feedback the machine was expecting from it's long removed interlocking appliances and track circuits. This in turn is controlled by North American SimSig rival, Train Dispatcher 3, which is designed to be able to interface with model train layouts. The result is that the interlocking machine can by run through a simulated schedule, exactly as it would have done back when it was still in service. The group even had old operators record voice cuts that are piped in via the block line and block telephone. Most of the route setting is pretty routine, but there are one or two cases of various magnetic locks inside the machine getting stuck. The body mount camera allowed me to use both hands to work the interlocking machine while still capturing everything that was going on. Might be a good idea for any real life signalmen out there looking to document operation of classic lever frames. Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfuXcX-ieqk Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MimVw_aVFpY Log in to reply |
| The Ultimate Simulation Accessory 10/12/2015 at 12:28 #78618 | |
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John 23
176 posts |
A bit nearer to home is the preserved Exeter West box, seen here at full chat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfGUaVqSsKE 
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| The Ultimate Simulation Accessory 10/12/2015 at 17:34 #78624 | |
Steamer
3984 posts |
Exeter West uses the Blockpost Software Exeter West simulation as the back-end. Until a few years ago, I believe it was all worked manually by people flicking switches to light track circuits and sending bell signals. Apparently, it was harder to run the back end than the box itself... The Swindon Panel preservation society are planning to do the same- when the box is taken out of use, they aim to hook it up to control the SimSig simulation of the area. "Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q) Log in to reply |
| The Ultimate Simulation Accessory 10/12/2015 at 18:28 #78628 | |
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JamesN
1607 posts |
" said:The Swindon Panel preservation society are planning to do the same- when the box is taken out of use, they aim to hook it up to control the SimSig simulation of the area.*A special, bespoke SimSig simulation of Swindon, not SwinDid. Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Steamer |
| The Ultimate Simulation Accessory 10/12/2015 at 19:17 #78631 | |
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Steamer
3984 posts |
" said:" said:Hmm- Swindon's gone full circle then!The Swindon Panel preservation society are planning to do the same- when the box is taken out of use, they aim to hook it up to control the SimSig simulation of the area.*A special, bespoke SimSig simulation of Swindon, not SwinDid. "Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q) Last edited: 10/12/2015 at 19:17 by Steamer Log in to reply |
| The Ultimate Simulation Accessory 10/12/2015 at 19:21 #78632 | |
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Stephen Fulcher
2078 posts |
The real panel controlled several Western Region E10k free-wired relay interlockings, which whilst following the same general principles as SSI simulated in SimSig do have some differences which do not appear in either SwinDid, or the original Swindon simulation, plus a vastly different control and indication system (ie a Henry Williams turn-push panel rather than a keyboard and mouse). My understanding from reading the Swindon Panel newsletters is also that there is to be some variation between the current layout and the one that is to be simulated on the final panel exhibit, to include some lines and sidings that were removed at various stages of the panels operational life. Log in to reply |
| The Ultimate Simulation Accessory 10/12/2015 at 20:05 #78636 | |
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kbarber
1742 posts |
" said:" said:The Swindon Panel preservation society are planning to do the same- when the box is taken out of use, they aim to hook it up to control the SimSig simulation of the area.*A special, bespoke SimSig simulation of Swindon, not SwinDid. All we need now is a special Didcot (would it be as simple as a subset of SwinDid?) and then it would be possible to MP to the real Swindon Panel... Log in to reply |
| The Ultimate Simulation Accessory 10/12/2015 at 20:09 #78637 | |
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Stephen Fulcher
2078 posts |
Bristol, Gloucester and Westbury too! Would be good to see, and a livestream on the internet showing the real panel being operated during the session. Log in to reply |
| The Ultimate Simulation Accessory 10/12/2015 at 21:15 #78638 | |
jc92
3685 posts |
" said:Exeter West uses the Blockpost Software Exeter West simulation as the back-end. Until a few years ago, I believe it was all worked manually by people flicking switches to light track circuits and sending bell signals. Apparently, it was harder to run the back end than the box itself...We still use the manual panel in the (newly repainted) GUV across from the box as its gives a more flexible realistic interface. I find it easier to work the box than the panel as you have to remembee what trains are on, when to offer them, send train approaching etc as well as place phone calls. The PC sim is mainly used when we dont have enough heads to signal, book and run the panel all at the same time. "We don't stop camborne wednesdays" Log in to reply |
| The Ultimate Simulation Accessory 10/12/2015 at 21:30 #78639 | |
DaveHarries
1285 posts |
" said:" said:The Swindon Panel preservation society are planning to do the same- when the box is taken out of use, they aim to hook it up to control the SimSig simulation of the area.*A special, bespoke SimSig simulation of Swindon, not SwinDid. Yes but not in its current form. The current plan, I believe, is that the Swindon panel will have its layout revised to an older one (1986, IIRC). Dave Last edited: 10/12/2015 at 21:38 by DaveHarries Log in to reply |
| The Ultimate Simulation Accessory 10/12/2015 at 21:33 #78640 | |
GeoffM
6376 posts |
" said:The real panel controlled several Western Region E10k free-wired relay interlockings, which whilst following the same general principles as SSI simulated in SimSig do have some differences which do not appear in either SwinDid, or the original Swindon simulation, plus a vastly different control and indication system (ie a Henry Williams turn-push panel rather than a keyboard and mouse).SimSig's Gateway interface will be used to interface to a program that interfaces to the panel which Danny Scroggins (or another member) is slowly getting bits of. SimSig will be having some E10k SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| The Ultimate Simulation Accessory 10/12/2015 at 21:49 #78641 | |
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DaveHarries
1285 posts |
This scan has just turned up on the SPPS Facebook: all will be abolished from Swindon PSB in 3 months time. Dave Post has attachments. Log in to view them. Log in to reply |