The Block Table

Blocks may be set up manually in the Block Table, using a script, or automatically in a Layout Editor Panel. When a Block is defined in a Layout Editor Panel, a new Block is created if one does not already exist.

In Layout Editor, Blocks are identified by their User Name, so if a Block shown in the Block Table is used in a Layout Editor Panel, its User Name should not be changed here.
If you want to change the User Name of a Block used in a Layout Editor Panel, make the change in the Layout Editor, not in the Block Table.

Blocks & Paths

To complete the definition of a Block, Paths and Bean Settings must be attached to each Block.
Paths describe entry points to the Block. Each Block has one or more Paths associated with it. Sometimes a Turnout must be set a certain way to use a Path; Bean Settings carry that information. Paths and Bean Settings are set up automatically for Blocks defined in a Layout Editor Panel. They can also be set up in a script. There is currently no way to manually enter Paths or Bean Settings. Paths and Bean Settings are not shown in the Block Table, and are mentioned here only for completeness.

For use in automatically running Trains, a Length attribute and a Curvature attribute may optionally be assigned to a Block. These optional attributes are entered manually in this Table. If Trains will not be run automatically through a Block, there is no need to add these attributes.

Columns in the Block Table

(You may change the order of the columns by dragging their titles, and sort the rows by clicking one of the sort triangles next to a column title)

Block Table Controls

Along the bottom of the Block Table pane are buttons that control its operation.

Add...
Push this button to create a new Block.
Block Length Units
Choose between showing the Block Length (measured in real world units on the layout) in either inches or centimeters.
Existing values will be converted.

Adding a new Block

To add a new Block, see Adding Blocks.

Editing an existing Block

To check or change the properties of a Block, click the Edit button to the right of a Block entry in the Block Table, see Edit Block.

More on Block Tracking

Using Blocks with Layout Editor

Back to the Blocks Help page