ETCS level 2
On level 2 the Radio Block Centre (RBC) in the signal box gives every ETCS train in its area a movement authority over the radio and renews it continuously. No balises are needed.
Setting up a level 2 line
Place the Radio Block Centre
Put it in your signal box. Its area is
- the control area you assign to it with sneak + right-click and an empty hand (like a control desk),
- or, without a control area, 1024 blocks around it.
Provide radio coverage
The trains need the train radio network: put up GSM-R masts along the line, see Train radio.
Fit the trains
ETCS Computer and DMI in every train, see ETCS basics.
Run
A train entering the area switches to level 2 by itself ("entering an area with ETCS"). With radio contact it gets its first authority and runs in full supervision (FS). Without radio it waits in stand by (SB).
The window of the Radio Block Centre
A right click on the radio block centre opens its window:
- its area: the control area it serves, or the radius around it,
- the state: "ETCS is in operation in the area" or "ETCS is switched off in the area",
- the button ETCS: on / ETCS: off.
Switching ETCS off for an area
Meant for lines under construction. Switched off, trains in the whole area run as without ETCS:
- level 0, mode UN: no movement authority, no braking curve, no ETCS braking, no shunting mode,
- balises are ignored,
- open orders and dark signals are dropped,
- PZB takes over.
On entering such an area the DMI says "ETCS: switched off in this area, PZB takes over"; the small DMI shows "ETCS off", the full DMI says it instead of the planning area. This is not a fault.
Permissions
Switching needs the permission to manage the railway. A desk with a control area may switch a radio block centre that stands inside its area (its area may reach beyond). Every switch lands in the log.
Commands
/cmr etcs list every radio block centre with its area and state
/cmr etcs <x y z> on|off switch ETCS on or off in the area of the radio block centre at x y z
Do I need balises on level 2?
Inside the area of a radio block centre, no: the train gets everything over the radio, and balises change nothing while it is inside. Balises are useful outside the area, on level 1, and where a level-2 area ends. See When do I need balises?
ETCS basics
How ETCS works in the mod - the ETCS Computer on the train, levels 0, 1 and 2, movement authority, braking curves, dark signals and scheduled trains.
ETCS level 1
ETCS level 1 with Eurobalises - placing a balise, its window, the Balise Antenna in the car floor and how to cover it, and when balises are needed at all.