Signal switching red after the last car

[Caralain]

Hello:

Is there a way in WDP to switch a signal to red just after the last car? In the reality, at least in Europe I believe, a signal turns red only when the last car has passed it. Is it possible to reproduce this effect on a model train run by WDP? If yes, how to do it?

Regards,

Pierre

[Stefan Lersch]

Hello Pierre,

maybe it would be a good idea to fill your personal profile similar as I did. Because I have forgotten which track you use and what you run AC or DC. This is quiet interesting to answer your question.

[Caralain]

Hello Stefan:

Please see below my technical information.

Thanks.

Pierre

[Stefan Lersch]

Hello Pierre,

there are two possibilities for you as Märklin user. In both cases you need to edit the route. There you find the Follow-up-switching. There again you find the signal.
a) Find a feedback contact away from the signal, far enough that the whole train passed the signal before reaching that contact. Enter that contact in the field in front of the signal and make a hook at the "F". The "F" turns into a "B". This means that the signal will switch as soon as the train reaches the contact and produces a feedback.
b) Identify the feedback contact where the signal is. Enter that contact an leave the field "F" empty. This means that the signal will switch as soon as the contact is empty. That works only if the complete train produces feedbacks. Keep in mind that a waggon might not produce a feedback at all time and the signal might switch too early.

[Caralain]

Hello Stefan:

Thank you for your quick answer. I have tried the 1st possibility, but the signal switched too early. Probably, as you said, because not every car produces always a feedback.

I will try the second option on my "free" tracks, meaning outside of the station area. I have in my station contact tracks that detect power consumption of any engine with a slider. As soon as a locomotive leaves the station, the signal will switch immediately because the contact track will not detect current consumption and therefore consider the contact as free, even though there is a whole train behind the locomotive. I know it is a flaw in my conception: I made this choice before knowing WDP and cannot install regular contact tracks (S88) because the entire station is fully ballasted. It will be for my next project!

[Caralain]

Hello Stefan:

Maybe you can help me one more time. I did what you advised me to do, but it doesn't seem to work. Whatever I try, the signal switches to red before the locomotive reaches the feedback contact I have inputted in edit route. However when I look at the track diagram when running my locomotive, the signal is switched to red exactly at the location indicated in the edit route. It's what I cannot figured out. Why do I have this difference between the train running on the layout, and what I can see on the track diagram. Something apparently switches the signal before the route does it. What can it be. Is there some parameter in the system settings or in the track editor allowing to change this behavior? It's a total "mystery".

Regards,

[Stefan Lersch]

Hello Pierre,

the best is I have a look. Can you please attach your backup without loco pictures and without the symbols. Which route is it and which signal? Where does it switch and where should it?

[Caralain]

Hello Stefan:

Here is attached my file. The problem is related to route 011>43, 014>43 and 017>043, and the exit signals attached to the beginning of each route. In the route editor, in the tab "Follow-up switching", the signal for the three routes should switch to red as soon as contact 33 is busy. It works perfectly with the simulator or "live" in the track diagram when the trains are running on the layout. However the signal themselves reverse to red at least 50 cm before the train reaches contact 33. To sum up, the signals turn red almost as soon as the train exit the main station, and before reaching the contact that should switch the signals to red. Nevertheless the track diagram show them still green until the train reaches contact 33.

I believe there is nothing wrong with WDP. It must be something related to my settings, but I have no idea what's wrong.

Thanks a lot for having a look at my file.

[Hwnel]

Hello Pierre,

I've been looking at your problem, but I cannot download your project because I do not have the latest version of WDP 2012 yet.  I do have a few ideas though.  Are you running any profiles for those routes that might be changing the signal to red prior to reaching contact 33?  Do you have the dispatcher active that might be causing the signal to change to red prematurely?  Is the Central Station causing the signal to revert back to red after a set time?  Are you using the new iZNF and if so, what is the length you inputted for your train?  Could this be the cause of a premature change to red by the signal?  I'm not that familiar with the iZNF.

Just some thoughts...

If none of these work, don't worry, you're in good hands with Stefan.  If anyone can find the problem, he will be able to.

Aloha,

Elliott

[Caralain]

Hello Elliott:

Thank you for your suggestions. I have WDP since one month or so. I am learning it step by step, That's why I haven't yet created profiles or used the dispatcher. However I am using the new IZNF (I love it!) and what you suggest (length of the train) may possibly be the cause. I have to look into it.

It also may be the central station that reverts the signal to red after a certain time, but I haven't yet find any indication in my settings that would do just that.

Greetings from the Bay Area

[Stefan Lersch]

Hi Pierre,

I finally found some time for your project. Does this happen when you run the routes manually or when you are using an automatic?

I can't find a mistake in your routes. What  surprises me is that they are called xx>43 though they are going to 36. Have you changed the routes at any time? Try this: make a new route from any 11, 14 or 17 to 36 using the assistant. Try this new route. If this works propperly then I'ld say that in the old routes something hidden is disturbing. If so then delete the old routes and replace them by new routes.

Attention: by doing so your tracks won't work. Each route has an internal ID that is unique. If you make a new route even going the same tracks it is a different route however and has another ID. The tracks use the IDs not the names of the routes. So you have to edit the tracks, too.

[Caralain]

Hello Stefan:

Thank you so much for looking into my project. Yes, I changed the routes recently because I made some modifications to my contact tracks. I will do like you recommend and will inform you of the results. It seems indeed that these changes are the probable cause of my (little) problem.

Thank you again for your precious help.

[Caralain]

Problem solved, eventually! It required some brainstorming though.

As noticed before, the signal reverted to red before reaching the switching contact. I assumed that this premature switching may be caused by some "false" contact in the block just before my contact "33". I located the feedback cable and its position on the Viessmann 5233 feedback detector. There I noticed that the plug was very close to the bus 6-pin s88. I moved the plug to a free socket farther from the bus. Then I modified my track plan and my routes....and BINGO it worked.

As assumed, there was nothing wrong with WDP. Most of my feedback contacts are managed by LDT HSI-88 USB, but I have still some "legacy" feedback that will need to be changed.

Thank again to Stefan and Elliott for their advices: they helped me to see the light!