5.2.8 Drawbridges

Drawbridges have one or two tracks, each connected to other track elements on both ends. Trains can travel independently on each track as long as the bridge is closed. The speed limit is enforced on all tracks.

In Run mode, only the portion left of the red separation line in this panel is displayed. In Edit mode, the whole panel is visible.


Fields common in both modes:

  1. Internal Key: a unique non-modifiable identifier provided by the system.

  2. Name: an optional identifier. Editable in edit mode.

  3. Graphic Display: shows the drawbridge tracks. Each leg has a label displaying the internal key of the connected element. Clicking on it opens a window with details for that particular element. In Edit mode, right-clicking copies the link information to a link maintenance tool for connection manipulation.

  4. Speed Info: opens a separate window displaying the speed limit for each train type to obey when crossing the bridge.

  5. Show me where it is: activates the main window with a marker placed on the drawbridge for easy location (hit <ESC> there to return)

  6. Exit: closes this window.

In Edit mode, the right half of the window includes:

  1. Collection of graphics displaying all 8 possible configuration of the drawbridge tracks, with the current type highlighted. Clicking one of them here will change the type and update all displays. (1)

  2. Set Position: activates the main window with grid lines, allowing you to place this drawbridge on any free square grid element by clicking (press <ESC> when done to return). Note: as long as the grid lines appear on the main window, you can return to the main window and repeat the placement again. This will stay active until you hit the “Keep it” button, close this window, or you activate this feature for a different object, at which time the location of this object will be settled. (2)

  3. Keep it: fixes the drawbridge’s position (removing the grid lines on the main window). Without it, the position can still be changed on the main window, even after other actions have been taken. (2)

  4. Delete From Scene: removes this drawbridge from the scene. Objects connected to the drawbridge will have their linkage to it removed, resulting to a null linkage.

  5. Bridge Type: indicates whether the bridge is normally open or closed to boat traffic. Clicking toggles between the two states. (3)

  6. Administrable Timer values (4).

  7. List of Switches dedicated to protect this drawbridge – typically derail switches set to deflect if bridge is not safe to pass for trains.

  8. Pick from Diagram: allows adding protection switches by clicking on the diagram. (5)

  9. Delete Protect Switch: removes the selected switch from the switch protection list.

  10. Link Info: opens a window which shows all linkages from this drawbridge including unused ones.

Note:

  1. Symbols showing one line represent drawbridges with one track, while the adjacent symbols represent double-track drawbridges, The second track being located on the side indicated by the small dot.

  2. For details see here.

  3. In Edit mode, independent of the type, the main screen will show the bridge in the open state unless you do some route testing.

  4. Three timers are available (all time values are in minutes):

    • Warning Time: Time to warn approaching boat captains about start of pending bridge closing

    • Delay Time: Time for coordination between the locking/unlocking of the derail switches and the drawbridge.

    • Operating Time: Time to lower or raise the bridge.

  1. See Pick from Diagram for further details