Absolute block signalling

The absolute block signalling system was a major advance on the earlier time interval system, and was the mainstay of railway signalling for nearly a century.
See how to use the various features of absolute block signalling in Simutrans-Extended to signal a railway network efficiently.
Simutrans-Extended, a free and open source transport simulation game (formerly "Simutrans-Experimental") is currently in (free) early access.
See forums.simutran... for more information on Simutrans and to get involved in the community.

[@mysticrailroad]

i love old films like this! the vintage footage is captivating. love your vids man! actually an interesting history lesson. --john

[@JamesPetts]

Thank you!

[@ElijahEystberg]

you say that the absolute block method does not allow for single track trains. but so far i've just put a block signal at both stations and it has caused the train to run just fine at max speed

[@JamesPetts]

I have been planning for some time a video explaining the difficulties with using absolute block in single track lines, and how to use the suggested alternative - token block - but there have always been higher priority projects supervening. It is not impossible to use absolute block for single track lines, but it has some drawbacks, and token block is recommended.

[@ElijahEystberg]

@@JamesPetts what is the difference between a token block signal and a one train staff cabinet if I might ask? I've had a lot of trouble with trying to use the one train staff cabinets once i wanted to upgrade my line to multiple trains and having removed it, it still causes any additional trains going on the now cabinet'less line to "waiting for clearance".

[@JamesPetts]

@@ElijahEystberg A one train staff cabinet is intended to be used only in the specific situations shown in the one train staff video: i.e., either (1) a completely isolated railway network which only ever has one train in operation on the whole network; or (2) a totally self-contained dead end. It will not work properly in other situations.

[@timosha21]

Choo Choo: I'm a train and I approve this video!!!

[@JamesPetts]

Excellent!

[@linmanfu913]

This looks similar to Simutrans-Standard, but there are such important differences. That will take some getting used to.

[@JamesPetts]

There are indeed plenty of similarities as Simutrans-Extended is derived from Simutrans-Standard: hopefully, these tutorials make the differences easier to understand.

[@NewBuildmini]

You should make a video about track circuit block.

[@JamesPetts]

This is planned eventually - but there is a lot of development work to do first.

[@accord598]

Is vane auxiliary signal used as an pre-signal?

[@JamesPetts]

Vane signals are used in the time interval working method, not the absolute block working method. In the time interval working method, auxiliary signals of the vane type are, in effect, distant signals (albeit are described as "auxiliary signals" in the language of the time, i.e. the 1840s). In the absolute block working method, distant signals are used as described in the video. An auxiliary signal of the time interval working method cannot be used in conjunction with stop signals of the absolute block working method. The term "pre-signal" is not used in Pak128.Britain-Ex, as it is not a standard term in UK signalling: the terms "distant signal", "auxiliary signal" or (in some cases) "repeater" are used instead.

[@railwaymechanicalengineer4587]

What a wonderful piece of ABSOLUTE NONSENSE. Which in real life would quickly result in the Worlds biggest smash up !!!!!