New York Division-Bergen Line

[minerman146]

James, I just completed a 2 hour testing session on 2H3L Sherman Hill signals on the Bergen. My test this time was from East to West on both the Bergen and Main lines from tracks 1 and 2. Here is what that looks like:

Ridgewood Station Tk4 Tk3 Tk1

Main Line Tk2 Tk1 Bergen County Line Tk2 Tk1

Glen Rock MLTk2 Tk1 Glen Rock BCL Tk2 Tk1

My Test was to set 4 trains all facing West as the signal Before Glen Rock and observe the signal changes at 3 locations as I changed the switches
Glen Rock. Main Line and after Ridgewood Station

Observation
Trains routing straight with no divergence always get G/R

Trains routing from Track 1 on the BCL to Track 3 gets Y/G at Glenn Rock, R/R at the BCL and G/R after the station.
The R/R signal is visual on the F9 map is shows Y/R

Trains routing from Track 1 on the BCL to Track 4 gets Y/Y at Glenn Rock, R/R at the BCL and G/R after the station.
The R/R signal is visual on the F9 map is shows Y/R

I also removed the Limited Aspect on this test:
Trains routing from Track 1 on the Main to Track 4 gets Y/Y at Glenn Rock, R/R at the Main and G/R after the station.

I then replaced the Sherman Hill Signal with a NJC Tri-Light 2H3L

Trains routing from Track 1 on the BCL to Track 1 gets G/R at Glenn Rock, Flashing G/R at the BCL and G/R after the station.

Trains routing from Track 1 on the BCL to Track 3 gets G/R at Glenn Rock, Flashing G/R at the BCL and G/R after the station.

Trains routing from Track 1 on the BCL to Track 4 gets G/R at Glenn Rock, Flashing G/R at the BCL and G/R after the station.

Trains routing from Track 2 on the BCL to Track 4 gets G/R at Glenn Rock, G/R at the BCL and G/R after the station.

Trains routing from Track 2 on the BCL to Track 1 gets Y/Y at Glenn Rock, R/R at the BCL and G/R after the station.

I also replicated the same behavior with just one train instead of 4 or 2 on the BCL and Main tracks, the result was the same.

Conclusion: Divergence indication on Sherman Hill 2h3L Doesn't show the limited aspect on the lower head, its shows it on the map. You see R/R game shows R/Y. The NJCL 2h3L gives you a flashing green on the top for all 3 tracks. Through all the switch changes I made, all the other signals reacted, showing G/R if clear and R/R if blocked and the preceding signal would show Y/R, like you would expect. So, at best I can show you G/R through all patching. However, the proceeding light will show a warn be for then non-displayed divergence signal. So, for Ridgewood JCT and all my other crossovers I will continue to place the speed restriction on the track (not at the signal) so that you know you have a cross over coming up.

What do you guys think? The object is the show divergence on 2 tracks with the 3rd track that is straight.
At this stage, and I am confident I can lay clean track, I am disappointed that these signals don't work. I use the Search Light Signals to evoke my EL signals. Looks like I need to switch to NJCL!

MM

[jamesphh]

I feel bad about opening this can of worms, but correct signals are necessary for standard scenarios.
Mainly for the player train as Ai do not care about signal aspects only that that next block is clear or occupied.
The red /red signals may delay the player and disrupt the timing.
Also, if the previous signal does not show advanced warning the player may not be able to stop in time.
I wish I could find the problem with the searchlights, but can not.
I thought that signals were working many updates ago, but am not sure as I was more interested in viewing the route than operation.

[minerman146]

I feel bad about opening this can of worms, but correct signals are necessary for standard scenarios.
Mainly for the player train as Ai do not care about signal aspects only that that next block is clear or occupied.
The red /red signals may delay the player and disrupt the timing.
Also, if the previous signal does not show advanced warning the player may not be able to stop in time.
I wish I could find the problem with the searchlights, but can not.
I thought that signals were working many updates ago, but am not sure as I was more interested in viewing the route than operation.

James, were good. Eastbound is solid and shows divergence. The signals that manage it are NJCL trilight 2H4L. The east bound signals I can use the NJCL ones as at least they show green unfortunately only the top signal shows the green.

[jalsina]

I have noted similar issues as James with the signals, though I was looking more to the speed limits.
Besides placing the right signals with the detector points in the right places
Some detector points are not well located. Some fall into switches or too close. The signal position is placed in most cases beyond the gantry or signal, instead of placing it right in the same line.
The best way to set signals is dynamically, by placing objects (cars, locos, etc) in the following blocks, switching different combinations in complex crossovers and watching the faces in the map (or right in the scenery).
I am sure Minerman will sort it out at the end.

[minerman146]

I will be releasing all my track work tomorrow. The Eastbound signals will be replaced by the NJCL Tri-Light 2H3L - the will not show divergence, but the preceding light will show Y/R when the path changes and the usual G/R for straight. I will do a fine check for any track breaks before I determine that the 2H3L Sherman Hill Gantry is broken as well as the 3H3L Sherman Hill mast. Its behavior is exactly the same.

Please everyone check out the gorgeous new curves from Glen Rock on the BCL through Ridgewood. The track was done very nicely. I invite Jalsina to replicate his Hawthorne Westbound run to see the difference in the ride, speed limit and signaling.

[minerman146]

*ROUTE UPDATED* (Finally!)
Route Update Number 145
New York Division-Bergen Line 9.8.4b: Ridgwood Redeux

New Scenery Central Valley Schools, Woodbury, NY.

Fixes:
Signal/Track Speed Corrections (jamesphh) Correct Signals and Gantries in Hawthorne. Speed Error on Piermont by the siding for Clayton Container.(nstrains) Increase width of Ramapo River Bridge to permit Auto Racks to pass. Ridgewood: Delete and Relay track from Station, through WJ.Track past Broadway in Fairlwan. New Super EL at Glen Rock-Boro Hall, Speed Changes: Curve Westbound from Rutherford is now 45. Update QDs to reflect track changes.

EDIT: Add gratuitous Erie Lackawanna shots

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[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

I have noted similar issues as James with the signals, though I was looking more to the speed limits.
Besides placing the right signals with the detector points in the right places
Some detector points are not well located. Some fall into switches or too close. The signal position is placed in most cases beyond the gantry or signal, instead of placing it right in the same line.
The best way to set signals is dynamically, by placing objects (cars, locos, etc) in the following blocks, switching different combinations in complex crossovers and watching the faces in the map (or right in the scenery).
I am sure Minerman will sort it out at the end.

It is all in the links and the scripts. Are those signal scripts still in clear text .lua? Otherwise, take a good look at the old RWA signal scripts. With careful renaming, these can be made to work with different signal heads and then re-scripted to show the correct aspects according to EL rules.

I did the same with C&O signals for the Alleghany route.

[minerman146]

I have noted similar issues as James with the signals, though I was looking more to the speed limits.
Besides placing the right signals with the detector points in the right places
Some detector points are not well located. Some fall into switches or too close. The signal position is placed in most cases beyond the gantry or signal, instead of placing it right in the same line.
The best way to set signals is dynamically, by placing objects (cars, locos, etc) in the following blocks, switching different combinations in complex crossovers and watching the faces in the map (or right in the scenery).
I am sure Minerman will sort it out at the end.

It is all in the links and the scripts. Are those signal scripts still in clear text .lua? Otherwise, take a good look at the old RWA signal scripts. With careful renaming, these can be made to work with different signal heads and then re-scripted to show the correct aspects according to EL rules.

I did the same with C&O signals for the Alleghany route.

I could use some good news. Will the script change carry onto the Workshop? That's always question number one.

[jamesphh]

If you are referring to the UP signal scripts it is not possible to change as the are in OUT format not LUA.

[georgian22]

You definitely have an EXCELLENT ROUTE! Kudos to your perseverance and dedication! O'brian

[minerman146]

You definitely have an EXCELLENT ROUTE! Kudos to your perseverance and dedication! O'brian

Thank you sir!

The next few weeks will bring some needed improvements as we continue improving track and signal from Allendale back to Ridgewood. I made it to Ho-Ho-Kus last night and the super-elevation is now on every single curve. Then I go back to Central Valley, NY and points West to reach the epic 3,000 foot Moodna Viaduct.

I salute you and everyone who reads these words and rides the Bergen for their perseverance and dedication. Hundreds of people have been watching and riding along for the past 30 months through continuous construction. Others have joined along the way on this journey and they can say: I have been riding the Bergen for years. That amazes me.

MM

[NStrains]

MM,

Nice screen shots you got there! That first one, is that where the Main Line crosses over the now NYSW?

[minerman146]

MM,

Nice screen shots you got there! That first one, is that where the Main Line crosses over the now NYSW?

NS, yes, it is. That is one of those places its worth getting off the train to check out. A good deal of measuring went into that to get the 4 different grades to line up. I really dont know other routes, but the Bergen has grades all over it. I think its all the contours that the time was taken to replicate that makes the route interesting.

On the other hand I just about cry eveytime i find another slope i have to put roads and buildings on.

On the other, other hand, in 1978, my Dad gave me the engineers chair on a Push-pull, U34CH-Comet 1, going east out of Ridgewood. I remember him telling me to get out of the seat before Patterson, because the passengers would definately see a kid driving the train.

I love retilling these stories!

[NStrains]

NS, yes, it is. That is one of those places its worth getting off the train to check out. A good deal of measuring went into that to get the 4 different grades to line up. I really dont know other routes, but the Bergen has grades all over it. I think its all the contours that the time was taken to replicate that makes the route interesting.

On the other hand I just about cry eveytime i find another slope i have to put roads and buildings on.

On the other, other hand, in 1978, my Dad gave me the engineers chair on a Push-pull, U34CH-Comet 1, going east out of Ridgewood. I remember him telling me to get out of the seat before Patterson, because the passengers would definately see a kid driving the train.

I love retilling these stories!

I agree 100%!!! It's too bad it's so dense in that area, having the Main Line would be cool. It's definitely one of those easy to miss spots that rewards those who take the time to explore!

hahaha awesome story! Only cab ride I have ever had was on the Cape Cod Express back in the early 90s.

[minerman146]

I haven't gotten any reports in yet after the fixes at WJ and Ridgewood. Wyckoff Ave, got some rework too.
This morning I hooked the track up from Ho-Ho-Kus at Ridgewood. Hopefully I will get the scenery rework finished early in the week.
MM

Preview Shots at the Waldwick Curve and Chestnut St. Crossing in Waldwick. This track relay was long overdue and should further correct existing signaling issues!

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