Configure Blocks
In JCS a Block is a piece of track that can contain exactly one train. A Block must have 2 sensors, one to detect a train is entering the Block and one to detect a train is occupying the Block. A Block has 2 sides, which are marked in the layout drawing with a thicker line. The side with the thicker line is also called the positive or plus (+) side of the Block.
The Block tile has an automatically generated id (bk-19) A Block has a name (blok 19) A Block has 2 sensors, one on the plus (+) side and on on the minus (-) side. The sensors can be automatically linked by clicking on the Link Button
NOTICE: the link will only succeed when both sensor properties are set, i.e. both Sensor Tiles are linked to a physical Sensor.
When you are done editing the Layout switch to the default view (Home button in the main toolbar). De grid will disappear. When you now right click on a Block you can edit the Block Control Properties.
In the Assignment tab you can assign a Locomotive to the Block. You can also assign a Locomotive to a Block by left clicking on a Locomotive in the Locomotive palette on the left side of the screen and wile having the Left mouse button pressed drag the Locomotive on the Block.
After a locomotive has be assigned to a Block the Icon of the Locomotive is show and the background of the Block will be Red to show the Block is Occupied.
In the Wait time tab you can set whether a locomotive must wait or should drive through (if possible). When the selection box always stop is selected a locomotive will always stop. When a Locomotive is stopped the minimal and maximal wait time range can be configured. When the Random Wait selection box is selected a Random wait time is used between the min. and max. Wait time. When the Max. wait time is not set (0) the min. wait time is used. Wait times are in Seconds.
Permissions ia a feature to allow or not allow trains in a block to influence the flow of trains during automatic driving.
Currently there are 3 Permission types:
- Allow Non Commuters: when the selection box is ticked a non Commuter locomotive is allowed to enter the Block else not allowed.
- Allow Commuters: when the selection box is ticked a Commuter locomotive is allowed to enter the Block else not allowed.
- Allow Direction Change: when the selection box is ticked a Commuter locomotive is allowed to change direction else not.
When all Track components are configured the Layout can be routed. The router will calculate the route from one Block to an other. To Route the Layout you need to be in Layout Edit mode.
When in Edit mode Click on the Route Button.
The Routing Dialog will appear:
Click again on the Route Button:
When you select a route in the Routes Dialog the selected Route will be highlighted in the Layout.
The "from" block has a green background the "to" Block has a purple background.
