The main window of the simulation is separated into three frames.
Top frame: diagram
Where the layout diagram is displayed separately, it will be shown in the top frame for convenience. This may be scrolled and zoomed independently of the view of the lever frame and block shelf.
Centre frame: lever frame or panel, and block shelf
The centre frame contains the lever frame and/or panel for the signal box being simulated, along with the block shelf and any instruments and indicators located on the block shelf.
Controls may be operated either by mouse or, in most cases, by keyboard, as shown below:
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Mouse operation |
Keyboard operation |
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Levers and switches |
Left click on a lever to move towards the reverse (or ‘off’) position. Right click on a lever to move towards the normal (or ‘on’) position. |
Type ‘0’ (zero) followed by a lever identifier then the ‘enter’ key. If a lever or switch is in the normal (or ‘on’) or ‘B check’ position, it will move towards the reverse (or ‘off’) position. If a lever or switch is in the reverse (or ‘off’) or ‘D check’ position, it will move towards the normal (or ‘on’) position. |
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Buttons / plungers |
Left click on a button or plunger to push it. If specified in the simulation data, the simulation will ‘hold’ it for a short period after the mouse button is released to allow other equipment to be operated. Right click on a button to pull it. |
If a button or plunger has an identifier key (shown in the simulation manual), press and release the identifier key to push and release the button or plunger. |
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Block instruments |
Click on the relevant segment of the commutator handle to move it to the desired position. |
Hold the ‘Ctrl’ key and press and release the identifier key shown in the simulation manual to move the commutator one position towards the Line Clear position. Hold the ‘Alt’ key and press and release the identifier key shown in the simulation manual to move the commutator one position towards the Line Clear position. |
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Bells |
Click on the bell tapper to send a single beat on the bell. |
Press and release the identifier key shown in the simulation manual to send a single beat on the bell. |
Hold the cursor over a lever or switch to see an enlarged view of the content of the pull plate, or over any other element to see a description of its function.
Right click away from any elements (levers, switches, buttons etc.) to display a context menu with option to zoom in or out.
Lower frame: status bar, location line-up and received messages
The status bar contains the clock (time and day of week) [A], the current simulation speed [B] where x1 is real time, controls to adjust the simulation speed [C and D, E to return to real time speed] and buttons to pause/unpause the simulation [F], open the telephone interface [G] and apply reminder applicances to levers, buttons and switches [H].
To apply or remove a reminder appliance, click button H (which will then be highlighted) then click on the lever, button or switch to which the reminder appliance is to be removed or applied.
A location line-up is displayed in the centre of the lower frame [K], providing a summary of future trains at the selected location. Controls are provided to select a different location [I, confirmed by clicking J] and to refresh the display without changing the current location selection. Full details of the information shown in the line-up can be found on the Location Line-up page. An additional line-up can be opened in a new window by selecting Timetable > Open New Location Line-up from the menu at the top of the window – this generally allows more information to be shown without scrolling, and also permits filtering by booked platform.
Received messages are shown in the box to the right-hand side of the lower frame [L]. These can be simulation messages, for example train running information, or messages received from other users or chained simulations in networked mode.
Train describers
A train describer view may be provided in either the top frame or the centre frame. Its operation is described in the Train Describer page. Right click on a berth in the train describer view to display a context menu to allow a train description to be interposed (i.e. entered manually) into that berth, or to clear the berth by removing the train description.