Upcoming Games

(UTC times)


Full list
Add a game

Upcoming Events

No events to display

Phantom Overlaps

You are here: Home > Forum > Miscellaneous > The real thing (signalling) > Phantom Overlaps

Page 1 of 1

Phantom Overlaps 13/05/2017 at 19:11 #95070
Giantray
Avatar
347 posts
Can someone with a technical background explain Phantom Overlaps please. I understand why they are used, but I am having trouble understanding how the interlocking knows the overlap is clear to the POL and not the standard overlap which could be occupied?
Professionalism mean nothing around a bunch of Amateur wannabees!
Log in to reply
Phantom Overlaps 13/05/2017 at 19:22 #95071
JamesN
Avatar
1607 posts
Giantray in post 95070 said:
Can someone with a technical background explain Phantom Overlaps please. I understand why they are used, but I am having trouble understanding how the interlocking knows the overlap is clear to the POL and not the standard overlap which could be occupied?
They tend to be found where trailing points are within the POL. Conditions on the signal would be along the lines of Txxx clear OR points Pyyy reverse/normal as appropriate.

Last edited: 13/05/2017 at 19:23 by JamesN
Reason: None given

Log in to reply
Phantom Overlaps 13/05/2017 at 20:25 #95074
GeoffM
Avatar
6376 posts
JamesN in post 95071 said:
Giantray in post 95070 said:
Can someone with a technical background explain Phantom Overlaps please. I understand why they are used, but I am having trouble understanding how the interlocking knows the overlap is clear to the POL and not the standard overlap which could be occupied?
They tend to be found where trailing points are within the POL. Conditions on the signal would be along the lines of Txxx clear OR points Pyyy reverse/normal as appropriate.
I don't think it matters if it's facing points or trailing points beyond the POL. The track circuit is longer than it needs to be so the POL is "at" the correct distance usually, with the points beyond (there may still be locked points before the POL). Since the points are beyond the overlap, they don't need to be in any specific position so are neither called nor detected. However, the TC still needs to be clear. I suppose you could consider the POL marker as the distance beyond which no more locking/checking is in effect.

SimSig Boss
Last edited: 13/05/2017 at 20:41 by GeoffM
Reason: None given

Log in to reply
The following user said thank you: Giantray
Phantom Overlaps 13/05/2017 at 20:40 #95075
Hawk777
Avatar
386 posts
GeoffM in post 95074 said:
The ones I've seen tend to be facing points in the overlap. The track circuit is longer than it needs to be so the POL is "at" the correct distance usually, with the facing points beyond. Since the points are beyond the overlap, they don't need to be in any specific position so are neither called nor detected. However, the TC still needs to be clear. I suppose you could consider the POL marker as the distance beyond which no more locking/checking is in effect.
Jumping in here a bit, but this is quite interesting to me. What would be the advantage of a phantom overlap ending in rear of the points, in contrast to a swingable overlap including the points? In both cases you would be able to move the points with a route set to the protecting signal.

Log in to reply
Phantom Overlaps 13/05/2017 at 21:01 #95076
Stephen Fulcher
Avatar
2078 posts
Saves money. One track circuit and associated Interlocking instead of two.
Log in to reply
Phantom Overlaps 16/05/2017 at 13:45 #95132
Giantray
Avatar
347 posts
GeoffM in post 95074 said:


I don't think it matters if it's facing points or trailing points beyond the POL. The track circuit is longer than it needs to be so the POL is "at" the correct distance usually, with the points beyond (there may still be locked points before the POL). Since the points are beyond the overlap, they don't need to be in any specific position so are neither called nor detected. However, the TC still needs to be clear. I suppose you could consider the POL marker as the distance beyond which no more locking/checking is in effect.
Thank you Geoff, I knew someone would explain it simply. Explains why they are used and are going to be used in the London Bridge Platforms 6,7,8 & 9. If the full overlap needed to be locked by points, certain moves would not be possible on adjacent lines, but by allowing certain points to be free of the overlap, this would free up other moves.

Professionalism mean nothing around a bunch of Amateur wannabees!
Log in to reply
Phantom Overlaps 16/05/2017 at 13:48 #95133
Giantray
Avatar
347 posts
Stephen Fulcher in post 95076 said:
Saves money. One track circuit and associated Interlocking instead of two.
Not entirely true. It maybe that by providing the additional track circuits, they may not be long enough to be allowed as there is a minimum length a track circuit can be.

Professionalism mean nothing around a bunch of Amateur wannabees!
Last edited: 16/05/2017 at 13:48 by Giantray
Reason: None given

Log in to reply