[scottb613]

Hi Folks,

Do we have any US transition era crossing signals that fully work in Open Rails? It seems every signal I've looked at or tested - the flashing lights are always blinking or stuck with one on and the other off. Ideally - I'd like the gates to be up and flashing lights off - - - until - - - a train is coming. I've looked at freeware and payware routes - none seem to work properly.

Thanks.

Regards,
Scott

[charland]

Hi Scott,

Flashing lights have always blinked as the top part of a crossing signal is just an animated part and is not tied into the signal script. I don't think anyone has tried to change this in the last 20 years or maybe they have and it just didn't work properly.

Paul :-)

[scottb613]

charland, on 15 April 2023 - 08:24 AM, said:

Hi Scott,

Flashing lights have always blinked as the top part of a crossing signal is just an animated part and is not tied into the signal script. I don't think anyone has tried to change this in the last 20 years or maybe they have and it just didn't work properly.

Paul :-)

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the explanation - hmm - seems odd that such a key element hasn't been addressed better in all this time. What you've described certainly seems in line with what I've seen.

I like recording vids - and as in real life - it's cool to setup the camera at a crossing before any action occurs - - - anticipation.
;)

Regards,
Scott

[steved]

What do you mean by transition era?
All of the wigwags in the library work.
The parameters are a little different.

The gate animation length is the key. I use anything from -0.044 to -0.048 so they swing at different rates.

Randy

[charland]

That was my other thought. On the Conn River route there is a set of gated crossing signals just north of the bridge in Bellows Falls that was changed to replicate B&M gates of the 1950s, black and yellow crossing arms... is that what you were looking for?

Paul :-)

[scottb613]

Hi Randy,

Does that WigWag include a flashing light that only flashes with a train coming?

Hi Paul,

Just looked at your yellow gates - yeah - they are good but no flashing lights - right? I was looking for the more traditional version with a gate and flashing lights.

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Hi Folks,

Ideally - what I would like to see - is the ability to affix light effects to crossing signals - as we do for rolling stock - that would also add another element of flash or pop - to grade crossings. Hopefully it would just be reusing some lighting code we already have in place for rolling stock.

Thanks.

Regards,
Scott

[steved]

Scott,

Yes. They work the way they are supposed to.
All of Travis' crossing signals do. The Magnetic Flagman and JJH signals do too.

Randy

[scottb613]

steved, on 15 April 2023 - 07:51 PM, said:

Scott,

Yes. They work the way they are supposed to.
All of Travis' crossing signals do. The Magnetic Flagman and JJH signals do too.

Randy

Hi Randy,

Hmm - I had tried both Travis and Joseph’s signals - I’m probably doing something wrong - I’ll look again when I get some time.

Thanks…

Regards,
Scott

[ebnertra000]

scottb613, on 16 April 2023 - 06:13 AM, said:

Hmm - I had tried both Travis and Joseph’s signals - I’m probably doing something wrong - I’ll look again when I get some time

The animation speed has to be a negative number. I usually run between -0.02 for fast flashers and -0.04 for really slow stuff (normally I don't go beyond -0.0333). TSRE is just fine with that, but the MSTS RE is not a fan, and has to be tricked into taking a negative number

[dcarleton]

steved, on 15 April 2023 - 09:32 AM, said:

What do you mean by transition era?

That was the period when steam was in decline, and first generation diesels were being put into service under steam-era work rules and operating practices.