To operate an interlocking desk in Prime Rail Control, first switch to the desk view with the control-panel button in the upper left, below the speed controls. Select a route by using the controls for that desk, choosing its start and destination, and then check the required train-entry or line consent. The signalling rules remain the same on every desk; only the route-selection method changes.
Choose the available desk
The desks available at a station depend on the route. The game can provide a relay desk, a relay desk with numeric route selection, a Type 2 electronic interlocking, or a Type 3 electronic interlocking. The button used to change views displays the destination view in its caption. During dispatcher training, the Panel switch on the training card lets you try all four interfaces.
Operate the relay desk
On the ordinary relay desk, signals have two track buttons: a train button at the signal and a nearby shunting button. To set a route:
- Click the button at the route's starting signal. It flashes, and valid destinations are highlighted.
- Click the destination signal facing in the same direction, or click the appropriate line exit.
- The route is set after the destination is selected.
Click the flashing start button again to cancel an unfinished selection. To release an established route, click its start button. A normal release uses a time delay, shown by the 5-second, 1-minute, or 3-minute lamps. Use Alt plus a click on the start button to open the call-on procedure. A train requesting entry displays its number in the relevant line block; press Consent there to admit it.
Use numeric route selection
The numeric relay desk has no track buttons. Each signal and line exit has a three-digit code. Enter the start code followed by the destination code on the desk keypad or keyboard. The route is set after the third digit of the destination code.
| Final digit | Meaning |
|---|---|
0 | Departure from a station track |
1 | End on a station track |
2–7 | Throat zone |
8 | End onto the line |
9 | Entry from the line |
Choose the throat side, L for left or P for right, as shown by the desk. For a shunting route, press the shunting key before entering the two route codes. Backspace removes typed digits, while Esc cancels the current selection.
Operate the Type 2 electronic desk
Use the mouse on the signals. A left click starts a train route; click its destination to complete the selection. Releasing a train route uses the normal time delay. A middle click starts a shunting route, which releases immediately. A right click opens the call-on procedure. Right-clicking a point or track opens commands such as emergency point throwing or section resetting. The mode bar switches between direct selection, queue selection, and queue editing.
Operate the Type 3 electronic desk
For quick selection, hold the left mouse button on the start signal and drag to the destination track. Hold Shift for a train route; drag without Shift for a shunting route. A dotted preview shows the proposed route. Release the button, then click the label that appears at the destination to set it. Press Esc to cancel the selection. Alternatively, right-click the start signal, choose the route type, then right-click the destination and choose the destination type. To stop or cancel a route, right-click its start or end signal.
Give the required consents
Train-entry consent is handled in the basic view through the consent console, on a relay desk with the Consent button in the line block, and on Type 2 or Type 3 screens through the Train entry consent window. On those electronic desks, open the window with the Entry button or Ctrl+H.
Line consent controls which station may send a train onto a single-track line. It is automatic by default. If automatic line consent is disabled, give it with the Line button or Ctrl+U; on a Type 2 desk, the diamond at the line exit can also be used. A departure without the necessary line consent is counted as a dispatcher error.
Emergency controls
Emergency point throws and section releases are sealed controls and cost points. Use them only when required, and return each control to its normal position after the emergency operation is complete.