The point limit marker
Placing and assembly
One of the risks involved with points and signals is the so-called flanking accidents, where to engines approach the same point and stop too late. This often results in incidents where both units are rendered temporarily hors de combat. In the worst case, where one of the involved trains is substantially heavier than the other, the outcome is more dramatic - the lighter unit is flipped on its side.
 

To avoid this a simple signalling deviced is employed.
The German railways use the so-called Grenzzeichen (point limit marker)- DRG K12, DB Ra12, DR So 12 respectively - which is made up of a pole with a red and white checkerboard cap.
The marker is placed next to the straight part of the point in such a way that a line from the center of the straight track, through the marker, to the center of the branching track is a minimum of 3.5 meters.
This allows trains that fit inside the standard loading gague to pass clear of eachother.

Obviously this takes keen eyesight on the behalf of the engineer, but he will usually be assisted by a "Rangierer" that guides him with hand signals.

To ensure as correct a placement as possible in Trainz I have devised a little tool to facilitate placing the marker.

 


Point marker and placement tool

 
Place the tool on the straight leg and lip it to the inside (if necessary). Them move it towards the frog until the perimeter touches an imaginary center line on the branching track.

   

 

 

Place the tool on the straight leg and lip it to the inside (if necessary) and move it into the center of the tool. When in place, delete the tool by clicking its perimeter with the delete tool. And that is all there is too it.

Note! If it wont move or flip, save your work and exit, then re-enter your project and you will find the motor has been unlocked. This is apparently something that relates to build 404 and hopefully it will be fixed in the future. It is not a fatal error, but it tends to get a bit tedious.
Some philosophy:

One might ask to what need are such details? My answer is- they add realism to the game. With UTC you have the ability to apply out of cab views, the prime exponents for that are the little Burlington shunter used in the Blue Sky Steel scenario, where you are able to ride the coupler and the DB V218 with its head-out-of window views. In the same style you can create riding-the-footstep view on a DB V60 or a DSB MH shunter, and suddenly the marker is an integral part of your everyday as a shunter. You also have the possibility of turning the marker into a non-functional point - like JoshEH's skycam - which enable you to use the point-view (F2) and play the part of the "Rangierer" and depending on the tolerance of your family, friends or neighbours use a whistle or arm/hand signals to direct the shunter towards the marker.

 
Material used in this example:
  • Tracks - Swedish Trains Works
  • Catenary and signals - Klaus Malorny

Next step: Avoiding stoppage - The EL signals

 

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