Points.

[bigmull]

I have a question about points.When building a route,i assume its best to have "automatic" points on the "main" lines and "Manual" ones on Sidings etc?Also when you set out instructions for a scenario are they set "automatically"(not including the Manual ones of course)?

[eyore]

To quote M Brinton, someone far more knowledgeable than I, "there should be NO manual points in a signalled area".

[RobertM]

"there should be NO manual points in a signalled area".

What he said. Plus the dispatch manager absolutely hates having 2 service trains anywhere near each other in a yard with no signals and manual points.

[bigmull]

Many thanks for the replies chaps.

[Halbers]

But beware, if you use automatic points then you have to become proficient with the scenario editor in order to gain access to the sidings.

In a way, manual points are the same as automatic points, it's just that you have to act as the signalman as well as the driver ! This gives a really intense experience, but is very pleasing when you can get it all right.

If you are modelling an important main line with the intention of encountering dense AI trains then automatic points would be more correct, but I get the feel from your route photographs that your route is more of a lightly used branchline ? If so, and you have set your route anytime up to the 1960's then it would be in order to use manual points, as these would be most likely to be operated fom a ground frame, unlocked by a key issued to the driver.

On my route I have some manual points that should probably be automatic points, but my favourite driving is to operate freight trains, progressing along the route dropping off and picking up wagons on a whim. I do have a couple of AI trains coming the other way, and the target is to get to the crossing loops at the main stations along the way before the AI train is due, otherwise all traffic might stop !

[bigmull]

Many thanks Halbers.Yes i am building a lightly used Branch line.I didnt want to gaily go placing points and then find out i have a major problem on my hands.I will be using Manual points on the sidings and some of the Branch offshoot lines.Hopefully my line will have both passenger/freight scenarios and shunting ones so on the shunting ones manual points will be the main ones.I have yet to lay down dual tracks with crossovers as you say to avoid Train traffic issues.Its a steep learning curve but i think im getting there.

[hertsbob]

There's no need to get too concerned about getting it 100% right immediately. If you find you've laid a manual point you want to be automatic, or vice versa, it's just a question of splitting the point and re-welding with the correct point type selected.

Cheers

Bob

[Halbers]

"......If you find you've laid a manual point you want to be automatic, or vice versa, it's just a question of splitting the point and re-welding with the correct point type selected."

Wow, thanks for that Bob, I never knew that it was possible to change a switch type like that.

Many times I have deleted the track then put down a near identical piece of new track to make a switch of the other type.

[hertsbob]

Well hurrah!

I wouldn't attempt to do this with slips, by the way, but otherwise I suspect that splitting and re-welding might just be a shade quicker than relaying the points.

Cheers

Bob