To get address for ordering by post please contact - email: mick.cordon@yahoo.co.uk or see - website: www.gensheet.co.uk/trackattack.htm Warning: the track display shows fine detail, and therefore to avoid eye strain the user should not spend excessive time looking at the display The Trackattack computer programmes are protected by copyright law. Any copying or distribution of any part of it may result in severe civil or criminal proceedings being taken against the licensee. If you are not the licensee and you have the password then the licensee has violated the conditions of supply of this software there is a reward of œ4.00 for notification of this to Track Attack You will need to include the following information: Licensee address: Security number : Press any key to continue The reward will not be payable if the licensee has already been reported 1. STARTING: Either run the simulation directly or via the menu of tk.exe. This may then prompt for a password Please enter your password: Today's date is: Your password was supplied with your source disk - keep it secret if you have any problems with your password then contact Track Attack at the above address The next screen allows the user to choose which timetable to run. Unless new timetables have been created or loaded from other sources, there will only be the timetable supplied with the programme. The next screen then gives a choice of starting a new simulation or restart a saved position. Each file entry is as follows: USER1645162326Mar02 Where 1645 is the train time, and the rest is the real time and date at which the file was created. There are also factory set files (e.g. FACT0300) which can be loaded for the various train times of the day. You could select the factory file for 0600 and run the program until 0645, this would be saved as user file 0645. At another time, the 0645 file could be reloaded and run for a further period and saved at 0730. The object of running the trains would be to choose your favourite period of the day, say 0800 to 0900 and see if, by using your skills, you can improve your performance (measured by minimising your accumulated late minutes) on your previous attempts. Also it is possible to run trains round the clock. The data of all the trains and points and also the aspects of the signals is loaded from these files. After this, the simulation commences. At any time, the simulation can be stopped and the new data is stored in the user set file. The data is stored for a particular train time. The data can be reloaded and the simulation can be continued. 2. KEYBOARD + MOUSE CONTROLS: left button on point: switches point on signal: sets signal to manual mode AND toggles signal between RED and CLEAR on indicator box: shows arrival time shows next departure time shows next destination right button on signal: start signal for route setting finish signal for route setting right button held moves mouse faster Alt 1 = left mouse button Alt 2 = right mouse button arrows move mouse shift arrows move mouse faster A next signal clicked on sets it to auto mode HOME initialises mouse position ESC save and stop F1 hold and help screen F2 save and continue F3 hold and screen save S (slow ) decrease program speed (train time slower than real time) N (normal) set program speed (train time equals real time) F (fast ) increase program speed (train time faster than real time) TRAIN TIME STARTED IS THE ORIGINAL FACTORY FILE THAT WAS LOADED 3. HELP SUMMARY: CAN'T SWITCH POINT 1. Controlling signal is not RED 2. Controlling signal has been set against train 3. Section occupied by train 4. Point linked to another point (pairing) which itself cannot be switched CAN'T SET SIGNAL CLEAR 1. Conflicting signal beyond is not RED 2. Conflicting signal other side of train is not RED 3. Not a legal route beyond signal 4. Another train in front of signal 5. Signal set to RED in front of approaching train - wait until it has stopped TRAIN WON'T MOVE 1. Signal RED 2. Route to wrong destination set 3. Departure time not reached 4. Free trains may not move away from confines of location 5. Train split, needs light loco to be coupled on to other end NO LIGHT LOCOS 1. Press 1 to 5 as required. See page M, specific to each simulation. Note that split trains are not always available on simpler simulations unless specifically introduced by the timetabler. Details of the timetabler are given below. See page E. 4. TRAINS: Most passenger trains are either multiple units which can be driven from each end, or are HST trains / push-pull trains which can be driven from either end. There are some trains which are loco hauled. When these arrive, the loco automatically detaches from the front of the train. For the next service, a new loco must be coupled to the other end of the train before the train can leave. The remaining loco will then be available for another train or be destined to go to the depot for servicing. Serviced locos are available at the depot, which can then be used for further duties. The signal controlling a light engine movement on to the end of a train requiring a loco, when CLEARED will show as a shunt signal WHITE/WHITE on the signal post. 5. SIGNALS: Each signal is always shown on the left side of the track as viewed from the train it controls. The actual positions on the trackwork are fictitious. There are various types of signals as follows: 4 aspect RED do not pass YELLOW the next signal is RED DOUBLE YELLOW the next signal is YELLOW GREEN the next signal is DOUBLE YELLOW or GREEN 3 aspect RED do not pass YELLOW the next signal is RED GREEN the next signal is YELLOW or GREEN Shunt signal RED/RED do not pass WHITE/WHITE pass Stop signal RED do not pass Shunt signals are mainly for controlling train movements within sidings or unusual movements associated with sidings. Stop signals are always at the buffer stops at the end of sidings. They also may be at positions to limit wrong direction train movements. Shunt and stop signals can be passed in the opposite direction. Multi-aspect signals normally cannot be passed in the opposite direction, except where bi-directional running is permitted. Signals may be in either of 2 modes: Manual This is depicted by the signal post shown in a light grey colour. Once a train has passed the signal, the signal will go to RED. Automatic This is depicted by the signal post shown in a dark grey colour. Once a train has passed the signal, the signal will go to RED, but will automatically CLEAR once the section of track is clear ahead of it. If an automatic signal is clicked on, it then becomes a manual signal. A manual signal may be set to an automatic signal by pressing 'A' and then clicking on it. It is possible to set a signal to RED in front of an approaching train. In response, the train will start braking. However, it may not be able to stop in front of the signal. If that is the case, it will continue on to the next signal. If a signal has been set to RED in front of a train, then it cannot be set to CLEAR until the train has stopped. Such a signal is depicted with a black coloured post. For safety reasons, such a signal is considered as a CLEARED signal in order to prevent any points being switched in front of the braking train. 6. POINTS: The point can be switched to either main or branch by simply clicking on it. Of course the point will not respond if there is a non-RED signal controlling it, or if the point has a train passing over it. In some situations the point is paired with another point. This means that they will both switch together. It will not be possible to switch either point unless signals controlling both points are RED. There are also diamond crossings, single slips and double slips which also have to be switched. 7. MULTIPLE POINT SETTING: For setting a series of points for a route through complicated trackwork, a special function is available. By clicking the No 2 mouse button on an entrance signal and then repeating for the desired exit signal, all the points on the intervening trackwork will be set. Naturally, the route will be checked for any non-RED signals and any trains occupying the track. If a particular point of a route is not available, then other routes will be searched for and tested. This process will be continued until a successful route is found, or there are no more routes possible. Sometimes the process may not work for very complicated trackwork. Care should be taken for setting a route for DC trains in to / out of Euston, the route setting process does not recognise that not all tracks have third rail electrification for supplying power to the DC trains. In order to prevent a route being set which involves non - DC trackwork, it is recommended that the following options be used: 1. Set each point individually. 2. Click on the outside signal first and then on the platform signal to complete the route. It should be noted that if the DC tracks are already in use as part of some other route, the routing process could still select a route that would involve non - DC trackwork. 8. INDICATORS: Indicators show the destination of the train that is in the same section as the indicator. The indicator may be clicked on to show more information about the train. The table below details this: .................................................................. . No of mouse . Next . Near to . Ready for . . clicks on . Service . Departure . Departure . . indicator . . . . .................................................................. . 0 . 1530 dep . WATJ dest . WATJ dest . . 1 . WATJ dest . 1538 arr . 1538 arr . . 2 . . 1541 dep . 1541 dep . . 3 . . RUGB next dest . RUGB next dest . .................................................................. KEY: dep = departure time arr = arrival time dest = destination 9. MOUSE: The mouse should have 2 buttons associated with it. The left button is for clicking on signals, points and indicators. The right button is for clicking on signals for route setting and also, if it is held, the curser will move further across the screen in response to the mouse movements. The curser may also be moved by using the arrow keys, for further moves, then the keys can be pressed at the same time as the shift key. Keys Q and W repeat for the mouse buttons. If the curser fails to respond to the mouse, then it is most likely that the mouse software is not installed. The signalling simulation is intended to be run using the mouse. If the mouse is not used, the simulation will be very hard (if not impossible) to use. Normally the mouse software can be installed at the DOS prompt C:\> by simply typing: MOUSE prior to running the simulation program. If "Bad command or file name" is reported, then the mouse installation software may be in another directory eg C:\MOUSE>, in which case typing MOUSE\MOUSE at the DOS prompt may work. Normally installation of the mouse software is done using the AUTOEXEC.BAT file when the PC is powered up. 10. KEYBOARD: Q, W repeat the mouse controls for left, right buttons arrows move mouse shift arrows move mouse faster HOME initialises mouse position A next signal clicked sets it to auto mode S, N, F (slow/normal/fast) = decrease/set/increase program speed ESC save and stop F1 hold and help screen F2 save and continue F3 hold and screen save 11. MISCELLANEOUS: SCREENSAVE Whilst the game is running, if no key or mouse button has been pressed for about 10 minutes, the program will go in to screen save mode. FILEBACKUP Whilst the game is running, a backup is automatically taken about every 10 minutes. If power is lost to the computer, this file will automatically be offered for reloading. HELPFILE This text may be printed out from the file HELPFILE.DOC FAULT CODES These are generated if a fault is detected in the timetable. Since the timetable can be modified by the timetabler program, then it is possible that a fault could occur, say for instance an unrecognised destination is detected. The fault codes are 55 to 68. They should not occur for the factory timetable, and could occur with a modified timetable by the timetabler program. In such a case, run the timetabler program and compile the offending timetable to find the errors directly so that they can be corrected. 12. TIMETABLER: There is a separate program available from Track Attack which allows the user to edit any simulation time table. The program can be used to create extra trains. Also new trains can be created which have new stopping diagrams detailing stations to call at, arrival times and departure times. The timetabler has displays which show the train diagrams and paths in colour chart format, also there is a full 24 hour picture of train entry times on the screen. The timetabler has a test facility which allows user selectable trains to be run at any time of day thus revealing any bottle necks there may be at a particular junction or station. Also the facility to have trains split can be introduced by the timetabler, so that the locomotive detaches from the front of the train The timetabler also can be used to decode the simulation time table from compressed format into an expanded document suitable for printout. 13. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF TRACK ATTACK SOFTWARE: 1. Read these terms and conditions before opening the envelope that contains the source disk. Opening of the envelope is taken that the licensee accepts these terms and conditions. If the envelope containing the disk is returned un-disturbed, then the licensee's moneys will be refunded. 2. This program is Copyright TRACK ATTACK 2006. This computer program is protected by copyright law. Any copying or distribution of any part of it may result in severe civil or criminal procedings being taken against the licensee. 3. 1. The program is for use on an IBM compatible personal computer only. 2. The computer should have VGA colour facility with 640 x 480 pixels of 16 colours. 3. The computer should have mouse and also the mouse driver software already installed. 4. The computer should have a real time clock in operation. 5. The program is for use in the DOS environment. 6. Also the program may or may not work in a windows type environment. 4. 1. This program is supplied under licence, and TRACK ATTACK reserves the right to protect the intellectual property embodied within the program. 2. The licensee only is allowed to use the program. 3. The licensee is authorised to install the software from the source disk supplied, to any of the licensee's machines. 4 The licensee is authorised to make backups of the software. 5. The licensee is issued with a password which will enable only the licensee to use the program. 6. It is a condition of supply of the software that the licensee must keep the password secret in order to prevent any unauthorised use of the program. 7. The licensee is allowed to demonstrate the program to anybody else provided that the password is kept secret by the licensee. 8. It is forbidden for anyone to sell any copies of the program. 9. It is forbidden for anyone to decompile the program with a view to using the software techniques developed by TRACK ATTACK to produce and market software. 10. It is forbidden for anyone to adapt the program for the purpose of error correction without first notifying TRACK ATTACK of such errors and allowing TRACK ATTACK the option of first correcting them itself. 11. It is forbidden for anyone to adapt the program as part of its use. This is not necessary for its lawful use ie. the program is purely for use as a game and requires no alteration. 12. The program is intended as a game only. The liability of TRACK ATTACK will be for the supply of the game only. 13. Any alterations / improvements to the software will be supplied to the licensee at the discretion of TRACK ATTACK. 5. The password will only work for about 1 year after the supply of the source disk. The licensee can apply for a new password which will be supplied by TRACK ATTACK free of charge. Only at this time will advertising features be sent to the licensee. The licensee's address will not be sent to any third party for advertising purposes. 6. The railway features depicted on the program are not to be considered as accurate in any way. The features have been simplified for space reasons. The track layout has been drawn so that the most interesting train movements can be depicted. 7. The track displays are shown using individual pixels to impart information eg a shunt signal changing from RED to CLEAR involving one pixel changing colour and moving one position. Because of the fine detail adopted in the display, the user is advised to seek advice as to the suitability of the display and how long the periods of operation of the program should last with regards eye strain. It is taken that since the IBM compatible personal computer is designed to show individual pixels of small size and that there are other programs which use this facility, then the TRACK ATTACK software is no different in this respect. 8. It is expected that the program will work fault free. This is because the program has been produced from source software which is highly structured, the various parts and features of the program have been tested over long periods. The rules associated with using software interrupts have been adhered to. The program produces and controls backup files, it does not contain any software for the deletion of any other files. The principles of the program were first devised in 1975, with major work being commenced in 1993. 9. The following precautions have been taken to ensure that the software is virus free: 1. No disks from any doubtful sources have been inserted in personal computers associated with the development and production of this software without being wiped first, see 3. 2. Any disks returned from licensees will be treated with utmost caution in that they will not be used in any TRACK ATTACK machine without being wiped first, see 3. 3. The wiping process consists of all possible data / boot areas of the disk being filled with 00s, and then the disk is reformatted. 10. Automatic screen save facilities have been provided for all displays in that if either the keyboard or mouse have not been used for about 10 minutes, the display will reduce to a moving logo across the screen. There is also a random offset applied to the main display so that fixed features do not appear in exactly the same position on the screen. The use of bright white colours has been minimised. 11. It is hoped that the licensee will enjoy being able to control train movements and also to use skills in order to maximise the efficiency of running the railway depicted.