Large Stations

It's the station of the "catching" type, as the small stations. But the difference does not consist in the number of the station's lines only. The number of in-lines appears to be very important difference. There are four in-lines, in contrary to small and medium stations, with only two in-lines.

As seen at the schema 3.1, large unloading station is a conjunction of two small unloading stations of alternative building type (schema 1.6). The difference consist in the line-changer U, that allows trains to use both station parts.

As to small unloading stations of alternative building type (schema 1.6), it's difficult to build a "Reverser" because of a place, required for it. What's more, large stations are designed for a large number of trains intake. That means, that no train has to waite. And that means, that a "full loading"option is not required. But if due to some reasons "Reverser" is required, schemas 3.2 and 3.3 can be used.

The "Reverser" should be build near the line-changer U. In this case, the line-changer U is changed. It gets an additional buffering depot V, that is obtained by the train before going away through "Reverser". In case of small and medium loading station, this is the function of depot G. In this case, an additional depot V on the additional line-changer U is built just for the mentioned purpose.

But the "Reverser" can be located near G depot too (schema 3.3). Same way it can be build near G' depot the same way. So, there can be built two "Reversers".

But, as in case of medium loading station, the connecting question is the most interesting for consideration. Only two types of connecting a represented here - connecting to four-line way and connecting to circular. Other way types are not represented, because as they don't require four in-lines. Two are usually enough, and you can build an additional in-line like the "Reverser". Four in-lines are required for greater traffic, like four-line way or the most powerfull traffic system - circular.

Connecting to four-line way will be considered the first.

This system allows trains from both minor in-lines H and T to choose any of four station's in-lines. B line-changer allows to choose C and D in-lines and a line-changer B', that allows to choose from in-lines C' and D'. A situation controlling depot I is located near H line, the second controlling depot I' is located near T.

A in-line has two buffers P and Q, which are connected to line-changer B' and line-block D respectively. A in-line D has a buffer O before connecting with a line from A after buffer Q.

Out-lines are divided on two groups. Two lines from central platforms lead to the main out-line L. Other two ones are connected to the B line-changer. Pre-signals do not allow coming on B until one of lines T or H are free. I depot as usual works as insurance. If "Reverser" is required, it can be connected to B line-changer.

Connecting to circular is suggested below. In this case, traffic direction is specified and more accurate signals system are required, because trains can't just turn around and search a better way. That's why additional line-changers B' between C' and D' and B'' between C and D are built. In addition, they are bounded with line-changer B via a system of pre-signals and buffers O and P. First of all, it allows arriving from A train to know, if in-lines C or D are free. If one of them is free, train would use it (using B or B'' to change the way). If not, train will check, whether in-lines C' or D' are free. If one of them is free, it will go there through buffers P or O, depending on the free one. It will use line-changers B and B' to arrive the free in-line. If the line-blocks C and D and C' and D' (or both buffers O and P) are in use, train will wait before line-changer B. And will go only if one free in-line appears.

A out-line L is built rather simple - just one line-changer K. To increase the capacity of the out-line, there can be built a buffer between the line-changer K and the station. That will make possible to use the station for unloading of new trains, while unloaded trains wait for ther free line at the buffer.

The large station can be also connected to three-line way. For better results, the last block of the three-line way is changed. A group of buffers O for trains, coming to station, and P, coming out of it, allows train effectively to choose, what line to use. The C' and D' in-lines are the main in-lines, while C and D are subsidiary in-lines. In-lines are connected to three-line way via O group of buffers.

The out-lines are followed with P group of buffers with a line-changer K before it, that prevents blocking the out-lines by a single breakdown.

Wide variant is also possible. Because of current maximum of platforms equal to 7, one of the in-lines leads to only one platform. In the example on schema 3.8 it's the in-line C'.