Railway Operation/Tutorial
This tutorial details how to operate a railway in Railway Operation Simulator. First you will need to download a simulation from the website, or create your own.
The tutorial will provide keyboard shortcuts where applicable. A complete list of all keyboard shortcuts can be found here.
Loading the Simulation
After loading up the ROS program, you can load a route using "Load Railway", under "File" (or alternatively, Ctrl+L).
Once the route is loaded, select "Load Timetable" under "File" (or use Ctrl+I) to select the timetable you wish to operate. All routes on the website should come with at least one timetable ready made for operation.
Finally, select "Operate railway" from under "Mode" (or press Ctrl+O) to enter the operation mode.
Most routes also come with a session file, which can be selected from "Load Session" under "File" (or Ctrl+N), instead of the above steps. This file will load the railway and timetable, and any routes that have been preset. This is also how a previously saved game can be re-opened in the future, as a session file saves the time and position of every train.
'Pre-Start' Mode
In pre-start mode, the clock is paused and no trains will move, until the "run" button is pressed. Routes may be set and train information is available in this mode.
It is best practice to set up some initial routes at this point - particularly automatic (blue) routes. Start by pressing the "Preset automatic signal routes" button in the toolbar. This sets all routes that don't cross points, crossovers, level crossing or facing signals, and only have a single preferred direction set. Optionally, you may then choose to add more automatic routes using the "Create automatic route" button (see below). However, remember that automatic routes can be difficult to cancel, and so they should not be set over crossings and points that may be used during operation, no matter how little.
The following can also be done in pre-start mode.
Changing Simulation Speed
Select the clock icon, and choose the speed you wish the simulation to run at. Time can also be skipped in this menu, but note that the simulation remains paused - trains will not move and so may end up late.
Actions Due Panel
The Actions Due panel can be opened and closed at any time by clicking the sand-timer icon. This panel shows the headcode of each train that will require an action in the next hour, and the time until that action.
By left-clicking a headcode in this panel, the screen and cursor will be centred on that train. By right-clicking, the list of scheduled events for that train will appear.
In-Game Performance Log
The in-game performance log can be opened and closed at any time by clicking the icon with a document and green check mark. This log shows all events on the railway, such as arrivals and departures. The log will state whether these events are occurring early, on time or late, and if anything goes wrong (such as a train leaving via the wrong exit).
Both the Actions Due panel and the in-game Performance Log can be moved around the screen by holding left click and dragging them.
Enable Track Information
Selecting "Track Information" from the "Information" tab (or using Ctrl+Shift+I) will enable the track information. When hovering over a track element, a pop up will show the speed limit, length, and track ID. If the track is a continuation, it will also show the schedule for the next train scheduled to enter the simulation there.
This is particularly useful at the start, before the actions due panel has populated, to gauge where the first services are likely to be. Additionally, the track IDs can be used to determine the valid exit points for each service.
Operation Mode
Once the simulation has been set up in pre-start mode, clicking the play button (or pressing r) will run the simulation. From this point on, the pause button (or p key) can be used to pause the simulation. Trains are shown as their four character headcode (excluding prefix), with the first character in the direction of travel coloured red.
By hovering over a train with the cursor, the train information window will appear, giving the description, train details, and remaining schedule for that service. This functionality can be disabled by selecting "Train Information" from the "Information" tab (or using Ctrl+Shift+T).
Routes
During operation mode all types of route can be set:
Automatic Routes
Automatic routes are shown in blue, and must be set from one signal to the next consecutive signal. It is rare for these to be set during operation, as typically they are set in pre-start mode and then left throughout the simulation.
Preferred Routes
Preferred routes are shown in green. These routes can only be set in the same direction as the preferred directions. Using the top half of the button (or the 2 key), a route can be set from one signal to the next consecutive signal. Alternatively, using the bottom half of the button, routes can be set from one signal to any subsequent signal, not necessarily the next one. The further ahead the next signal is, the less likely the program is to find a route. In these cases, try manually switching some points to face the correct direction, or setting the route in sections to intermediate signals. Be careful when setting routes across long distances, as the simulator may find an undesired route instead, particularly on routes with bi-directional double track lines.
Unrestricted Routes
Unrestricted routes are shown in red. These can be set from any point to any other point - not necessarily signals. They are also not constrained by the preferred directions, so are particularly useful if the preferred directions are omitted, or not set up correctly. Typically it is best to avoid unrestricted routes as they will commonly choose an undesired route to the destination, particularly where trains reverse on double track routes.
Cancelling a Route
Routes can be cancelled using the "Cancel or truncate route" button (or c key). For an unrestricted route, right click on the first tile to be removed from the route - all subsequent elements in the route will also be removed. For an automatic or preferred route, right click the tile after the signal to cancel the route from - again all subsequent elements will be removed. If there is no route set up to the signal (ie it is the start of a route, such as from a station), you may need to right-click the signal itself instead.
As cancelling a route removes all subsequent elements, it is advised not to cancel automatic routes if possible - especially if there is more than one train present on the route. Cancelling the route will clear the entire length, lock the route for two minutes if there are any trains approaching signals, and cause heavy penalties due to the SPAD risk (trains potentially passing a red signal).
Calling On Signals
Where a train must enter a platform already occupied by another train, the calling on route can be used. The train occupying the platform must be either facing away from the incoming train, or scheduled to join to it - this is to prevent it from starting to move towards the second train as it approaches. Additionally, all points between the signal and the platform must be set correctly - an unrestricted route to the start of the platform can be used to ensure this.
When all conditions are met, the train waiting outside the station will turn purple, and the "Calling on" button will activate. Click this (or use the o key), then left-click the signal you wish to call the train past. The signal will show a calling on aspect, and an unrestricted route will be set into the station (if not already). The train will then slowly proceed into the station.
Other Track Features
Points
Points are automatically switched as required when routes are set across them. However, they can also be manually switched by left-clicking them, provided they are not blocked by a route. Where points act in a pair (ie adjacent 90° points or diagonally adjacent 45° points), both will change unless a route is set across one.
Level Crossings
Level crossings are automatically closed when routes are set across them. This requires some practice, as there are high penalties for leaving a level crossing closed longer than necessary. Additionally, routes on other tracks cannot be set across the level crossing whilst it is opening or closing, so if two trains are approaching the same crossing a decision must be made as to which gets the route first.
As with points, a level crossing can be manually closed by left clicking. This will turn the crossing green, and it will not automatically open after a train has crossed. It must be opened manually by left clicking again, which will revert it to automatic mode.
Signaller Control
Right clicking a train will provide a menu with a list of options. When a train is stationary, one of these options is to take the train under signaller control. While under signaller control, the train will not move automatically - instead instructions must be given through the same right-click menu. This can be used to turn trains around (particularly useful if the train has been routed incorrectly), and to move trains around the network in ways that aren't signalled. Remember that trains won't stop automatically in this mode, and be careful to set all points ahead of them correctly.
If a train is taken under signaller control at a location, it must be released from signaller control at the same location. This is not necessarily the same track elements, but could be a different platform of the same station.
Once the train has reached the desired location, it can be set to normal mode through the right-click menu.
Train Colours
| Colour | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Grey | Moving | |
| Pale Green | Stopped at a timetabled location | |
| Pink | Within 10 seconds of departure from timetabled location | |
| Bright Green | Stopped at a signal | |
| Red | Crashed or derailed | |
| Light Cyan | Stopped at buffers, no attention needed | |
| Cyan | Stopped at buffers unexpectedly | |
| Lavender Blue | Stopped by a train in front | |
| Magenta | Call-on available | |
| Yellow | Signal passed at danger (SPAD) | |
| Caramel | Stopped under signaller control | |
| Orange | Train failed |
Pausing the Simulation
Using the pause button (or the p key) the simulation can be paused. In this mode, nothing can be modified - routes cannot be altered, points cannot be switched, and level crossings can't be changed. However, details of trains can still be viewed. This mode is useful if a short break is needed, or if the simulation is starting to get busier and time is needed to plan ahead.
During pause mode, the simulation speed can be changed, unlike while the simulation is running. This can be useful to slow the simulation down during busy peak periods, and speed it up when fewer trains are present.
Saving a Session
To save the session, use the red floppy disc icon (or Ctrl+S). This will save the simulation at the current point in time, with all routes, point positions, level crossing states, train locations etc.
The session can then be reloaded using the "Load Session" option under "File".
External Performance Log
When a session is saved, an external performance log is created. This can be found in the "Performance Logs" subfolder of the ROS installation.