5.2.4 Single Slip Switches

Single Slip Switches have a straight line and a diverging stub. It is connected to four other track elements, two on each end of both straight lines. Trains can travel on each straight line from end to end and also diverge from one straight line to the other. The speed limit is enforced on the diverging route only.

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


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. Occupy Status: whether the switch is free, inroute, occupied, in maintenance (display only)

  4. Lock info: if anyone checked the switch cannot be thrown. For further information on the type of locks see here. Route Locks and Protect Locks are display only.

  5. A graphic showing the switch indicating the status (straight or diverge). A label at each leg shows the internal key of the element it is connected to – clicking on it will open a window showing the details for that particular element. In Edit mode, a right click will copy this link information into a link maintenance tool from which the connection can be manipulated. Also in Edit mode, a click on the graphic will change the default status of the switch, which is saved in the territory file along with the other data of this switch (click as often as need to get the desired status). Note, a status that apparently would open both straight paths at the same time, is not allowed in CTC.

  6. Speed Info: opens a separate window displaying the speed limit for each train type to obey when the switch is set to diverge (if two columns are shown, only the left column is used). There is no speed limit when the switch is set straight.

  7. Show me where it is: activates the main window where a marker has been placed on the switch for you to easy locate (hit <ESC> there to return)

  8. Exit: closes this window.

In Edit mode you see also on the right half of the window:

  1. A collection of graphics of all 8 possible available switch types/ways this switch can be placed, with the current type highlighted. Clicking on one of them here will change the type and update all displays. The dots mark the side where the diversion is possible.

  2. Turn 180: Turns the object around and updates the connections, effectively moving the diverging path from one side to the other.

  3. Set Position: activates the main window with grid lines, where you can place this switch on any free square grid element with a mouse click (hit <ESC> there 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.(1)

  4. Keep it: the switch’s position is now fixed (removing the grid lines on the main window). Without it it can still be changed on the main windows even though you may have done other things. (1)

  5. Create Double Slip from this: Deletes this object and creates a double slip object in it’s place with the connections intact – effectively adding the other diverging route. Closes this window due to deletion.

  6. Create Cross from this: Deletes this object and creates a crossing object in it’s place with the connections intact – effectively eliminating the diverging route. Closes this window due to deletion.

  7. Delete From Scene: Removes this switch from the scene. Objects to which this switch was connected to will have their linkage to this switch removed, resulting to a null linkage there.

  8. Link Info Opens a window which shows all linkages from this switch including unused one.

Notes:

  1. For details see here.