PCSig's timetable editor can be used to create new timetables for any simulation, or to edit existing timetables. Some functionality is also available at simulation runtime, to edit the timetable of a simulation session in progress.
Opening the timetable editor
First, select a simulation on the "simulation" tab of PCSig's launch screen, then go to the "timetable" tab. Click "new timetable" to load the timetable editor to create a new timetable, or choose a timetable ("select a timetable") and click "edit timetable" to load that timetable into the timetable editor.
General view
The 'general' tab in the timetable editor is where parameters and notes applying to the timetable file as a whole are defined.
Timetable description is a short, high-level summary of the timetable, e.g. the period to which it relates and any noteworthy events affecting traffic levels in the simulation during that timetable period.
Timetable notes allows more detailed notes to be added relating to the operation of the timetable, e.g. where special care needs to be taken with regulating or platforming at a specific location, or to highlight individual schedules in the timetable that warrant further explanation.
Pre-defined start times (days of operation) define the default timetable start times presented to the user when starting a new simulation session (note that these can be overridden by the user if preferred). Right-click to add a new start time option, or to set the days of the week on which each option is available.
Signal box opening times can be used to specify the times at which signal boxes open or close on different days of the week, either by switching out of circuit or not.
Schedules view
The 'schedules' tab in the timetable editor is where all schedules in the timetable data file are listed, and can be sorted by various criteria. The background colour in each row indicates the status of the schedule in that position:-
RED indicates that the schedule has a validation error that will prevent it from operating,
YELLOW indicates that the schedule has a validation warning that will not prevent it from operating but may cause operational issues within the simulation, for example a schedule terminating in the simulation area with no linked schedule for the train to continue,
GREEN indicates that the schedule has validated successfully.
Location simplifier view
The 'location simplifier' tab in the timetable editor provides an additional tool to assist with timetable writing and editing, allowing schedules to be displayed in time order at a given location and filtered by day of operation and planned platform/line. Double-clicking on a schedule in a simplifier view will open the schedule editor, allowing it to be edited.
Decisions view
The 'decisions' tab in the timetable editor is where decisions are defined that will be made each operating day by the simulation, in turn affecting rules governing whether schedules are called or not according to the decisions and choices defined in those schedules.
External locations view
The 'external locations' tab in the timetable editor allows external locations used in timetables to be fully defined, so that the full location name (as opposed to TIPLOC code or other short form) can be shown correctly, and so that the STANME short form can be shown correctly in location line-ups. When timetable data is imported from a .cif file, this will be automatically populated.
Tools
Import CIF
Import schedules (merge timetable file)
Import train types
Import BPlan data
Edit train types...