Coupling in schedules
With CMR's couplers a train can run as two portions on the outer branches and as one train in the middle, like a real dividing train. Two instructions in Create's schedule editor do this automatically.
The two instructions
Both appear in Create's schedule editor next to Create's own instructions.
Split Train
In the editor: "Split: the first n carriages go on".
| Setting | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Carriages that go on | Counted from the front. These carriages stay the train and run on with this schedule. Behind carriage n there must be a coupler. |
| Line | Name of the CRN line for the part split off. Empty: the rest stays where it is, without a schedule. |
The rest becomes a train of its own. If a line is given, it gets that line's schedule, just like Add train in the Lines tab, so it belongs to that line from then on. The split-off part keeps the settings of the train (lights, train protection).
Put Split Train after the stop at the station where the train divides, so the train is standing when it splits.
Couple
In the editor: "Creep forward up to the train ahead".
The train creeps forward slowly (about 3 km/h) until its Scharfenberg coupler couples to the train in front, then runs on with its own schedule. The train in front becomes part of it, and its schedule ends.
- If the train has not coupled after 60 seconds, it gives up and goes on with its schedule without coupling.
- The train that drives up keeps its name and schedule.
- Only Scharfenberg couplers couple by themselves; a screw coupling needs a click by hand.
With managed schedules
The two instructions are ordinary entries of a Create schedule, so they work in managed schedules too:
- Add them in Create's editor on a schedule item.
- Store the item with New from hand or Replace from hand in the Schedules tab.
- Apply the line.
In the window's editor these entries can be moved and removed, but not created.
Example: a dividing train
Line RE 1 runs from A to B, where it divides: the front portion goes on to C, the rear portion runs as line RE 1b to D.
| Line | Managed schedule |
|---|---|
| RE 1 | Travel Section RE 1, A, B, Split Train (first 2 carriages go on, line RE 1b), C |
| RE 1b | Travel Section RE 1b, B, D |
At B the front two carriages go on to C as RE 1; the rest becomes a new train on line RE 1b and runs that line's schedule from B to D.
What passengers see
CMR knows from the schedules where a train divides or joins and tells the passengers:
- Departure boards and ticket machine show both destinations, such as
C / D. - Platform loudspeakers say where the front and the rear portion go.
Good to know
- Coupling only happens slowly (both trains together up to 5 km/h) and only where two couplers of the same kind touch.
- Trains meeting front to front couple too; one of them then runs backwards in the new train, and nothing in the world turns round.
- CRN learns the travel times of a train anew after its composition changed; its displays may be inaccurate for a short while.