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RCISÔ

Operators Manual

Customer Information System

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CONTENTS

1. Glossary of Terms: *

2. Quick Start Instructions *

3. Operational Details *

4. Basic Principles *

5. Faults & Maintenance: *

6. Support: *

7. INDEX: *

1.  
2. Glossary of Terms:

3. RCISÔ	Railway Customer Information System, descriptive trademark for this system.
   PC, IBM PCÔ Terminal, User Terminal, Node	System Computer and /or User Terminal ("PC" derived from "Personal Computer").
   Screen, Monitor	PC Monitor
   Displays	Public Displays
   DVCs’	Data to Video Converter. Controls cycling information on Displays
   DOS, MS DOSÔ	Disk Operating System
   Windows, MS WindowsÔ	Refers to the user application operating system and visual user environment
   Window	A frame that is visible on screen that contains and groups menus and tools such as buttons, text box’s,
   Highlighted Window, active Window, Window with Focus	A Window that has a darker border to indicate that it is active and therefore the only window that will accept keyboard input
   Key, keyboard, keys, keypress	All refer to the user keyboard
   Mouse, Mouse button, Click, Mouse Key	All refer to the use of mouse or mouse keys
   Click, clicked	Means to click the left mouse key
   Double Click	Means to click the left mouse key twice quickly. See Mouse Details on page *
   Pointer	Refers to the mouse pointer
   Cursor	Refers to the text insertion point pointer
   Button, Control, Icon, Box	This is an object on screen that can be clicked to perform an action
   ESC key (See also Keyboard Chapter).	Refers to the key marked "ESC" at the top left of the keyboard. Pressing it will "escape" from the current function
   Enter Key (See also Keyboard Chapter).	Refers to the key marked ¿ on the keyboard. There is another duplicate key marked "Enter". Pressing it will "enter" or perform the current function
   Cursor Keys (See also Keyboard Chapter).	Refers to the keyboard cursor ¬ ­ ¯ ® keys. For allowing the user to go up and down lists, and to assist text editing.

   1. Cautions:

   This equipment contains high voltage components and cabling. Additionally the equipment is fragile and care should be exercised in use and maintenance. Safety precautions should include observation of electrical safety regulations and frequent power safety checks. For maintenance, this manual at all times assumes the application of skills by technically qualified authorised individuals who have attained suitable certification in electronics and computer studies and electrical safety and assumes individuals are competent with such equipment. For usage, this manual assumes that users will only consist of authorised trained competent staff.

   Physical precautionary checks and frequent maintenance should also be carried out for structural safety and obstruction safeguard including the inspection of heavy equipment, suspended equipment, sharp edged equipment and cable layout.

   Disclaimers:

   This manual is not intended for use by untrained or inexperienced individuals. No liability by the originators is meant or implied, financial or otherwise, in terms of safety, functionality or performance by the contents of this manual or the system it describes.

4. Quick Start Instructions
5. If you are unfamiliar with RCIS and you wish to start using it straight away, read this section. This chapter only covers essential information. See p* for Details. If the PC terms are unfamiliar, see chapter 4 on Basic Principles, p*.
   1. The Start Up Menu
   2. 
   3. The Train List Window

Trains are marked as departed, posted or pending (not yet actioned) according to the indicator in the STAT (status) column as shown above.

• To select a train, use the up and down keys until the desired train is hilited.
• To post the hilited train, press F10
• To depart the hilited train, press F9
• To change the platform number of the hilited train, press F6. (See 2.4).
• To edit the train, press Enter. (See 2.5).

1. 1. The Status Window

• To select any given platform, key in the platform number (press keyboard key 1 to 5 depending on the required platform).
• To Depart a train, key in the platform number and press F9
• To Post the Offered Train (as shown above), key in the platform number and press F10. You must depart any trains that are already posted on the required platform.
• To select a train at a given platform for edit, key in the platform number and press the Enter key. This will move the hilite bar in the Train List (see 2.2 above) to the desired train and the edit menu will appear.

The other controls shown are details, p*.

1. 1. To Change Platform Number
   2. To change the platform number, select the train (as described above) and press F6. The following dialogue box will appear:

      

   3. To Edit a Train

To select a train for edit, hilite the train and press Enter (as described above). The following dialogue box will appear:

General editing:

• Press the keyboard cursor keys (¬ ­ ¯ ® ) to move the insertion point (the blinking text cursor) to the point where you want to edit.
• To type over text ("Type Over Mode"), press the INSERT keyboard key until the INS MODE button is not in Italics. A single letter will become hilited is per example:

• To insert text ("Insert Mode"), press the INSERT keyboard key until the INS MODE button is shown in Italics. Type in the new text or: press backspace key (Ü ) to delete text to left of cursor; press Delete key to delete text to right of cursor. (See also Keyboard, p*).
• Press the ESC key to store contents and close the window. To abandon changes, press Alt+A keys.

Tip:

If you are selecting a train from the status panel (see 2.3 above), you should proceed as follows:

1. Select the train at a given platform for edit by keying in the platform number. This will move the hilite bar in the Train List (as described above).
2. If you want any second train displayed in the status panel, press +
3. Press the Enter key to bring up the edit box.

1. 1. 1. Quick Remarks

To add a "quick remark" to a train:

1. Select the train (hilite the train and press Enter as described in 2.2 above). Press F12. The dialogue box shown above will appear but with a list of remarks.
2. Select a remark. This can be achieved quickly by pressing the first number of the remark. For fast remarks, only the first 9 remarks are available.
3. Press the Enter key. Pressing enter is the equivalent of clicking the INSERT screen button (to insert the remark). Note: If desired, the insertion point for the remark can be changed first by using the Up & Down keys on the keyboard (­ ¯ ).
4. Press the ESC key. (Only press the escape key once you have confirmed that the remark is placed as required).

Tip:

A train that is posted can be appended with a quick remark in 5 simple steps (assuming that RCIS is displaying the Today's List). For example, if the desired remark is number 9 (eg: "Cancelled") and if the train for the remark is on platform 3:

Press 3; Press F12; Press 9; Press Enter; Press ESC.

Details for selecting and editing remarks are discussed in section 3.6.2, p*.

1.  
2. Operational Details
3. 1. General:
   2. RCIS is a timetable driven data base system linked to display drivers for an integrated timetable information system.

      RCIS uses a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to allow a simple visual approach to controlling the data base and displays. MS WindowsÔ provides this GUI. The text and style of GUI used has been specially selected in consultation with users to be clear and easily read for a wide range of use. If you are unfamiliar with Windows or PC’s in general, it is recommended that you first read chapter 4 on Basic Principles, p*.

      RCIS uses a hierarchical menu structure with each of 5 main menus stemming from the introduction menu. Each main menu has a set of sub menus and in some cases, these allow further descent into more detailed menus and dialogue boxes, etc.

      1.  
      2. System Principles:
      3. RCIS is based on the original BR2240 specification which determines that the data base is configured in days. The Off Line menu contains the Master Files. Each master file is valid for a specific type of day, and/or a date range, or perhaps just one day, depending on the user configuration set up in the Master Files menu.

         For displaying and controlling the trains on the current day, the OnLine menu structure is used. This is a train list that is extracted from the OffLine at 3 am in the morning. This train list called Todays Service. Todays Service can be modified and appended during the course of the current day to cope with temporary time table changes.

         Note:

         The Todays Service list is temporary and any changes that are made to it are lost at the end of the day.

         To change the data base permanently, the user must gain access to the OffLine and change the Master File relevant to the day required.

      4. Todays Service list:

The Todays Service list provides trains in chronological order for display. Each train has an associated status according to the time and any actions that have been performed on it (see Status Column, the Train List window, section 2.2, page *). The Status is either:

• Departed (in the past). Shown as "////"
• Posted (currently displayed Shown as "##--"
• Pending (in the future) Shown as "----"

The user may choose various methods of posting (see next section) which will change the status from Pending to Posted. The user then must depart the train manually which will change the status from Posted to Departed.

The system does not depart trains automatically (as according to the BR2240 spec) as precise timing for display clearing is critical to ensure that passengers do not get confused. However, when the departure time has been exceeded for a train, the system will beep periodically and invite the user to depart the train or acknowledge it by putting it on hold.

1. 1. 1.  
      2. Offered trains, Auto Post

The system will post automatically or offer trains depending on the mode that has been set by the user. To set Modes, see para 3.4.1, page *.

If in Automatic Mode the system will post trains automatically according to a predefined Post Ahead time (see page *). If the system is in the Confirm Mode, RCIS offers the nearest pending trains to the user for posting according to the predefined Post Ahead time. In Manual mode, the user must select and post trains manually and the Post Ahead time is ignored. There is also a 4th fully automatic mode which departs trains on a time basis - see 3.4.1 - Modes, RCIS system, p*.

Note that there is a 5th "TD Automatic" mode that is unavailable in Brockenhurst (a disabled button is visible). This options allows the TD (Train Describer) circuit where available to automatically depart trains.

Detailed Instructions on how to control RCIS follow.

1. 1. Menu Overview:
   2. Menus are allocated in a top down structure allowing the user to continue descending into menus as required and always allowing the user to get back to the Start Up Menu by pressing ESC to ascend one menu level each time.
      1.  
      2. The Start Up Menu and the 5 sub menus:

There are five main menus being Status, Notice, OffLine, OnLine, Other. From any of these menus you can get back to the Start Up Menu by pressing the ESC key once. The Start Up Menu is explained immediately below while the other menus are discussed under the relevant headings:

• Status Menu - see Controlling Train Display, para 3.5, page *
• Notices Menu - See Notices, para 3.7, page *
• Off Line - see Master File Editing, para 3.8, page *
• On Line - see Controlling Train Display, para 3.5, page *
• Other Menu - See Configuration:, para 3.4, page *

If you are unfamiliar with RCIS and the concepts involved, you first should continue reading the following paragraphs in the order they are provided.

1. 1. 1.  
      2. The Global Options Panel: ...............................................
      3. All 5 menus are accessible from the Global Options Panel as shown. Additionally, this panel stays visible at all times to provide information on Time, Day, Date and Mode.

         For Mode information, see 3.4.1 below.

         Whilst the user can use the mouse to click these buttons, note that each button is defined a short cut function key (F11 and F2 to F5).

      4. Start Up Menu:

This menu is as shown in para 2.1, page *. This menu is mainly provided as a reference point as all options are repeated in the Global Options Panel (shown above).

1. 1. List Usage:
   2. As a sample list, a Notices List is shown to give an outline of List usage:

      

      1. List Navigation:

To select a record, the user may either use the keyboard keys to manipulate the Hilite Bar position or use the mouse to click on the List Scroll Bar. For Keyboard and Mouse usage, see Chapter 4, Basic Principles, on page *.

The relevant keyboard keys are Up, Down, PageUp, PageDown, Home, End having the effect that is stated by the key name.

The Scroll Bar provides a mouse interface to list positioning and can be used in three ways to change the list scroll position:

1.  
2. To move the list up and down one line, click the List Scroll Arrow Chevrons;
3.  
1. To move the list up and down one page, click above or below the List Scroll Position Chevron;
2.  
1. To move the list to any position, Drag on the List Scroll Position Chevron.

The Scroll Bar acts in a different way to the use of the keyboard keys in that the Hilite Bar is not moved with the list. The user must therefore click the desired record to hilite it once the desired record is visible.

SELECTION:

A record is said to be selected when it is hilited with the Hilite Bar as described above. Once selected, it is ready for copying, posting, editing etcetera as described in later sections.

1. 1. 1. Record Manipulation

New Record Button:

Copy Record Button:

Delete Record Button:

Rename Record Button:

Help Button:

Escape (List Close):

Advanced Record Manipulation:

1. 1. Configuration:
   2. To open or access the Configuration Menu, press ESC as often as required to get back to the main menu and press F5.
      1.  
      2. Modes, RCIS system

The system has 3 modes. These are Manual, Confirm and Automatic.

1.  
2. In Manual mode, the user must select and post trains manually.
3.  
1. In Confirm mode, RCIS automatically selects pending trains and offers them to the user for the user to post manually. See para 2.3, p* for an illustration of how RCIS offers such trains.
2.  
1. In Auto Post mode, RCIS automatically selects and posts pending trains.
2.  
1. In Automatic Post And Depart mode, RCIS automatically selects, posts and departs pending trains at standard time. To hold a train (selectively stop a train from automatically departing), press F8 (see also 3.1.3 - Offered trains, Auto Post, p*).
2. Note: This mode is based on the computer clock only! We recommend that you do not use this mode unattended but only to ease usage. Please be aware that use of this mode unattended will undoubtedly lead to misinformation and the eventual loss of public confidence in electronic information systems.
1. The 5th mode, "TD Automatic" shown that is unavailable in this station. This options allows the TD (Train Describer) circuit where available to automatically depart trains.

Mode Setting: To change mode, access the Configuration Menu as above and select the desired mode from the options in the top left corner. You may alternatively click the MODE button on the lower Status panel.

1. 1. 1.  
      2. Time and Date
      3. The Time and Date can be altered by clicking the "Set New Time" screen button or by clicking the "Set New Date" screen button.

         After clicking, the text field to the left of the button will freeze and allow you to make the change. Finish the operation by clicking the "Set New Time" or the "Set New Date" screen button again.

      4. Summary Queuing

This affects the way that RCIS displays the summary information on the Summary Display.

If the user clicks "OFF" then only the posted trains are displayed on the summary. This is the default behaviour when the system is first switched on.

If the user clicks "ON" then all the pending trains that will fit are appended to the posted trains and are also displayed on the summary.

Note:

The user should always click the "OFF" screen button before leaving the system unattended at nights.

1. 1. Controlling Train Display
   2. This section discus’s Train Display control using the Todays Service menu and the Status Window.

      To select the Todays Service, press the F4 key. To bring up the Status Window, press F11. (The status window is normally displayed by default).

      Generally, F4 and F11 can be pressed from any RCIS menu.

      Before reading this section, you should be familiar with Chapter 2, Quick Start Instructions, page *.

      1.  
      2. Selecting A Train

There are several ways to select a train from the Todays Service list. The first method is to select it manually from the list as described in "List Usage:", para 3.3 above.

The method of selecting a train that is Posted or being Offered on any given platform is as follows:

•  
• From the Status Window: Key in the platform number (press keyboard key 1 to 5 depending on the required platform).
• •  
  • The train is now selected for posting and departing (press F10, F9 for Post / Depart or press F7, F8 for Pend / Hold)
  •  
  • To further select the train for editing (text or platform number) press the Enter key.
• From the Todays Service list: Key in the platform number and proceed as above.
•  
• From the any other list: Press the F11 function key to set focus on the Status Window. Key in the platform number and proceed as above.
•  
• Alternatively from the any other list, Press the F4 function key to set focus on the Train List window and select the desired train manually as described in "List Usage:", para 3.3.

1. 1. 1.  
      2. Searching For A Train

You can search for a train by pressing Ctrl+S (^S) provided you know what timetable list it will be in. Notes follow:

• ^S searches for trains by their record name. Eg: "1H" will find "12501H05" and "13501H07". "1250" will only find the first example.
• ^S Searches forward from the current position (never above the current position). .
• The next time you press ^S, it will look for the next train. Thus, to find multiple trains, start at the top and keep repeating ^S.

1. 1. 1. Post and Depart:
      2. To post and depart trains Select the train and use the F10 and F9 keys. For details, refer to the section 2.2, page * and the Todays Service menu drawing in that section.

         For details on individual train selection, see Selecting A Train, para 3.5.1.

         Tip - Group Departing:

         Instead of hiliting a single train and departing it using F9, the user may depart many trains at once by selecting multiple trains and pressing F9. To select multiple trains, place the mouse pointer on the first train to be selected and then drag the mouse cursor downward while holding down the left mouse key until all the required trains have been hilited. This is a useful function to clear away excess pending trains that accumulate when the system has been left unattended.

      3. Out Of Sequence Posting

In order to ease the operation of the system under difficult conditions, RCIS allows Out Of Sequence Posting when in Automatic Mode. To make use of this feature, ensure the system is in Automatic Mode (see para 3.4.1, p*) and proceeded as follows:

1. 1.  
   2. Post The Later Train. (Select it and press F10). The previous train will be forced back in to a Pending state.
   3.  
   1. When the later train has departed, Depart The Later Train. (Select it and press F9). The previous train will automatically go from the pending state back to the posted state.

1. 1. 1.  
      2. Train Status, Hold & Pend:
      3. The Todays Service menu has two additional controls to determine the Status of trains. They are the screen buttons "Hold" and "Pend".

         Hold: A train that is late will show up as a red bar on the Status Window and will cause RCIS to produce a periodic beep:

         To stop the late train beep, Select the train and click the "Hold" screen button to acknowledge the late train. The F8 key performs the same.

         A train that has been tagged as hold will show "#h--" (the letter H will appear) in the Status Column of the Todays Service list and the Posted Train Code in the Status Window will become white.

         Pend: Pend allows the user to quickly put the train back into a Pending State (original unposted state) where the train is posted or has been already departed. This is useful when the trains arrive out of sequence or where the wrong train has been posted. See also Out Of Sequence Posting, para 3.5.4 above.

         To put a train back into the pending state, Select the train and click the "Pend" screen button to acknowledge the late train. The F7 key performs the same function.

         A train that is Pending shows "----" in the Status Column of the Todays Service list and will be shown in the Posted Train Code in the Status Window in green if RCIS is able to Offer it.

      4. Platform, Post Style & Post Ahead:

RCIS allows trains to be tagged so that they will not display on the summary or so they will display on the summary only. See instructions below.

Additionally, trains can have their Post Ahead time adjusted. This Post Ahead time affects the way Confirm and Automatic modes work. See Offered trains, Auto Post, para 3.1.3, p* for a full explanation of Modes.

To retrieve the platform dialogue box (shown above) Select the train and press F6. The current Platform, Post Style and Post Ahead Time is indicated as shown above. To change platform, click the appropriate button or press the appropriate platform letter (It is not necessary to press the Alt key when specifying a platform. For Split platforms, press A or B or N (north) or S (south) as applicable to directly access the relevant split.

Change the Post Style as required by clicking the appropriate Post Style screen button. Note that Alt+Key combinations may be used as given above. (See Chapter 4, Basic Principles, for Alt+Key details).

Set new time for the Post Ahead time as required by clicking the "Change" screen button. This will allow you to type in the new time. Press the ESC key when finished.

1. 1. Train Editing
   2. Retrieve the platform dialogue box by Selecting the train and pressing the Enter key. Note that you will have to press Enter twice if you have selected the train by keying in a platform number. See Selecting A Train, page *, for details.

      Note:

      Note that the Text Editor window is a Modal window (see Windows:, page *). This means that you will not be able to access any other menu or window until the Text Editor is closed.

      1. Text Editing

Refer to section 2.5, page * for a drawing of the standard RCIS Editor window and to the drawing in section, 3.6.2, Remarks & Notice appending for the expanded window view.

General editing:

•  
• Moving the insertion point: Press the keyboard cursor keys (¬ ­ ¯ ® ) to move the insertion point (the blinking text cursor) to the point where you want to edit. Use the left and right keys (¬ ,® ) in combination with the "Ctrl" key to skip entire words. As an alternative, point and click with the mouse. (See also Keyboard and Mouse usage, p* onwards).
•  
• To insert text ("Insert Mode"), press the INSERT keyboard key until the INS MODE button is shown in Italics. (First ensure that there are no characters highlighted so that only a thin blinking text cursor is visible). Type in the new text or: press backspace key (Ü ) to delete text to left of cursor; press Delete key to delete text to right of cursor.
•  
• To type over text ("Type Over Mode"), press the INSERT keyboard key until the INS MODE button is not in Italics. A single letter will become hilited is per example:

•  
• Colour selection: The last paragraph perhaps shows the most convenient way of changing colour but also the user may press Alt+C to activate the Colour Select box (see drawing, page *). Upon pressing Alt+C, the user will be prompted to press a number corresponding first to the Foreground Colour and then again to press a number corresponding first to the Background Colour. Alternatively the mouse may be used to simply click the desired colour.
•  
• Selecting text: In general, text selecting is an advanced topic and may not be required in day to day usage. However, text selection is a very convenient means of editing large amounts of text. The three methods of selecting text are:
• •  
  • Double click a word to select an individual word;
  •  
  • Drag using the left mouse key over a section of text to select many words;
  •  
  • Press the Shift key (Ý ) while using the cursor keys (¬ ­ ¯ ® ).

• •  
  • A selection may be deleted by pressing the delete key;
  •  
  • A selection may be re-coloured by clicking a colour or pressing Alt+C (as described previously);
  •  
  • A Case Change may be applied to a selection by clicking the "CASE" button. This will alternatively make all the selection Upper or Lower case (Capitals or Small letters) or proper case (initial letter of each word capitalised only).
  •  
  • A selection may be copied by pressing Ctrl+Insert and then moving the insertion point to the copy destination and pressing Shift+Insert;
  •  
  • A selection may be moved by pressing Shift+Delete and then moving the insertion point to the move destination and pressing Shift+Insert.
  •  
  • Note that text may be copied and moved between trains in this manner. Note also that minor changes to the Text Box can be undone by pressing Alt+BackSpace (Undo may change colours).
• To Centre Text: Press Alt+N or click the "CENTRE" button. This will tidy up text in the text box by centring it. The only lines that not centred are lines with a double period or colon within the text (ie: ".." or ":"). This ensures that centring is not applied to any format line (eg: with the word "Continued..") and the train title line (because of the colon in the time, eg: "12:53").
•  
• Finally, press the ESC key to store contents and close the window. To abandon changes, press Alt+A or click the "ABANDON" button. Note that the abandon button is shown in italics ("ABANDON") until the contents of the page have been changed.

1. 1. 1. Remarks

To bring up the Remarks List as shown below, click the "REMARKS" Button. The Editor window becomes the Expanded Editor window. Refer to section 2.5, page * for a drawing of the RCIS Editor before the Remarks is clicked.

Each Remark has two parts, the Summary Text and the Train Text. Summary Text goes on the summary monitor immediately beneath the summary line for the applicable train. Train Text goes within the train text box as shown below.

Selecting the Remark:

After bringing up the above Remarks List, select the desired remark using the List Navigation methods described on page *. For a faster way of selecting a remark, key in the two digit number of the desired Remark. The remark will be hilited.

Placing the Remark:

Press the Enter key (or double click the Remark in the Remarks List) to place the hilited remark. This will bring up a dialogue box for you to confirm the insertion point as shown:

Use the cursor keys to move the insertion point in the main text box as described Section 3.6.1, General Text Editing. To place the remark, click the INSERT button or press the Enter key. To abandon, press the ESC key.

Editing a Remark:

Select the remark and Click the "EDIT" button to edit the hilited remark. The text box in the RCIS Editor window will change to the Remark Editor dialogue box (similar to dialogue box shown above for Placing a Remark). Editing is the same as for Text Editing in general (see Section 3.6.1).

Notes:

•  
• You can move between the Summary Text box and the Train Text box by using the mouse to point and click where you want to edit or pressing Alt+S or Alt+T respectively.
•  
• Changing the colour changes the colour for the entire box.
•  
• If you have more that one line of text, the Remarks boxes will automatically increase in size to accommodate the extra text to a maximum of two lines.

1. 1. 1.  
      2. Manual Summary Remarks:
      3. As an alternative to using the Remarks facility to enter remarks, the Summary Remarks Text can be altered manually.

         To edit this, hilite the desired train and press F5 (or double click the column titled Summary). The editing window that appears will allow you to edit the summary text in precisely the same way that standard text is edited.

      4. Notice Appending:

A notice may be appended to the train by clicking the "NOTICES" button from the RCIS Editor window. (See section 2.5, page * for a drawing and information on calling the RCIS Editor).

A dialogue box will appear to allow you to select the desired notice. Select the notice using the List Navigation methods described on page *. Click "ACCEPT" or press the Enter key to call the notice (or press the ESC key to abandon). Note that the notice will overwrite any contents that are shown in the second page of the RCIS Editor. Finally, press the ESC key to store contents and close the RCIS Editor window. To abandon changes, press Alt+A or click the "ABANDON" button.

1. 1. Notices

The Notice menu provides a list of user defined notices which may be appended to the currently displayed train or appended to the Summary display. Please note that Notices may not apply where your site has LED panels only. The Notices menu is left enabled to allow expansion.

To open or access the Notices Menu, Press F2.

Generally, F2 can be pressed from any RCIS menu.

To append a notice to a cycle of pages on a display:

1.  
2. Press F2 to open the Notices Menu;
3.  
1. Select the desired notice (For details, see List Navigation: para 3.3.1, p*);
2.  
1. Select the Destination using the Destination Display Grid (on the right of the Notices Menu). The desired grid position may be selected by being clicked, or by holding down the "Ctrl" control key while using the keyboard (use keys in a similar fashion that that described in List Navigation);
2.  
1. Press F10 to post. It will appear as a name label in the Status Window under "Summary" title in the Summary Display Status Box.

To remove a notice from a display:

1.  
2. Press F2 to open the Notices menu;
3.  
1. Select the Destination to be cleared as above;
2.  
1. Press F9 to clear it. The name label in the Status Window will be removed.

To append a notice to a displayed train, see Train Editing, para 3.6.

1. 1. Master File Editing
   2. For an explanation on how Master Files are used by RCIS, see "System Principles:" page *.

      To open or access the Master Files List window, Press F3.

      Generally, F3 can be pressed from any RCIS menu.

      For the select instructions given below, see the section "List Usage:", p*.

      1.  
      2. Copying Master Service Files & Records:
      3. Copying master files is essential if you are to create a separate but similar train service, for example for a day where Engineering Works occur or for Easter or Christmas.

         To Refresh The Todays (On-Line) Service File: This will occasionally be necessary especially if the wrong list was extracted overnight. click the "TO TODAY" screen button. The new file will now be available for editing in the On-Line menu.

         To copy an entire Master Service file (all the trains contained in a file): click the "COPY" screen button. A special dialogue box will allow you to select the desired destination service. Care should be taken not to overwrite another important Master Service. The new file will now be available for editing. The next section tells you how to alter the Run Day and Run Date Parameters.

         To copy part of a Master Service file (the hilited trains in a file): This is an advanced user function and should be performed only by confident Windows users: Select and enter the desired timetable list. Click and drag on the list to cover all the desired entries (or use the Shift key while pressing the up and down keys). Use Shift+Delete to move all the selected files to the Windows clipboard or use Ctrl+Insert to copy all the selected files to the Windows clipboard. Go to the desired destination list and use Shift+Insert to paste the files into the target list. This feature will also allow copying of selected records to and from the Today's List.

      4. Changing Run Day Parameters
      5. The Run Day and Run Date Parameters must be properly set to allow RCIS to perform the automatic overnight extraction on the correct Master Service.

         The columns are arranged as follows:

         File	From	To	Days	Description
         The file number of the Master Service	Start of valid date range	End of valid date range	Valid run days (Monday, Tuesday, etc).	This is a text area for notes that is purely for the users convenience.

         To change Parameters: Select the desired Master Service and then select the desired column using the Left and Right keyboard cursor keys ("¬ ", "® "). Press the SPACE bar to edit the hilited column. Alternatively, double click the item to be altered, or click the item and click "RETITLE". A small dialogue box will appear that will prompt you for the correct entry.

         MERGE Note:

         Some systems sold after 1996 include a Master File MERGE facility. If this is present, the file number in the left hand column will be appended with the Merge attribute "+" (plus sign).

         All valid files with this Merge attribute (valid if the run date and days are valid) will be merged together in the final Today's list during an overnight extract.

         This feature is intended to allow minor modifications to a run day such as an extra Friday Only train. This feature is explained fully in the associated help (screen button marked "?").

      6. Selecting The Desired Master Service for Edit:
      7. Once the Master Files list is retrieved (as above), it will be necessary to access the desired Master Service.

         To achieve this select the desired Master Service and press the Enter key or click the Edit button to access it (to descend into it).

      8. Editing an Off Line train:

To select a train, manually pick out the train with the keyboard from the selected Master Service list. See the section "List Usage:", p*.

To edit the text of a train, see Train Editing, page *.

1.  
2. Basic Principles
3. If you are entirely unfamiliar with PC’s then you are advised to read this chapter for orientation and familiarisation before reading any other chapter. This chapter has been put near the rear of the book as much of the subject is self explanatory and many users are familiar with PC’s.
   1. Keyboard:

   2. ESC

      F1

      F2

      F3

      F4

      F5

      F6

      F7

      F8

      F9

      F10

      F11

      F12

      Print Screen

      Scrol Lock

      Pause

      (status)

      Numeric Keypad

      ¬ ` |

      ! 1

      " 2

      £ 3

      $ 4

      % 5

      ^ 6

      & 7

      * 8

      ( 9

      ) 0

      _ -

      + =

      Ü

      Ins

      Home

      Page up

      Num Lock

      /

      *

      -

      Û

      Q

      W

      E

      R

      T

      Y

      U

      I

      O

      P

      { [

      } ]

      ¿

      Del

      End

      Pdn

      7

      8

      9

      Caps Lock

      A

      S

      D

      F

      G

      H

      J

      K

      L

      : ;

      @ ‘

      ~ #

      4

      5

      6

      +

      Ý

      | \

      Z

      X

      C

      V

      B

      N

      M

      < ,

      > .

      ? /

      Ý

      ­

      1

      2

      3

      Ctrl

      Alt

      space

      Alt Gr.

      Ctrl

      ¬

      ¯

      ®

      0

      .

      Ent-er

      1. standard keys:

The important keys for the RCIS application are highlighted. All important keys are described in detail elsewhere.

•  
• ESC: This is used to exit the current function or menu.
•  
• F9: This is used to Depart trains and Clear notices
•  
• F10: This is used to Post (display) trains and notices
•  
• 1 to 5: Whilst in the Todays List, these numbers select the relevant platform.
•  
• Enter Key "¿ ": If you are using the keyboard to select items from lists (rather than the mouse), you will need to use the Enter Key to gain access to the item once the item has been selected.
•  
• The cursor keys "­ ¯ ": These are used to select an item from a list with the keyboard (as opposed to the mouse).

The keys which are shown in italics (including the entire numeric keypad to the right) are not relevant to the RCIS application and there usage is not recommended.

1. 1. 1.  
      2. Key Combination press’s

Some functions are only accessible by pressing a combination of the above keys. Combinations include Shift+Key (eg: for capital letters), Alt+Key (eg: to activate a screen button). If you are unfamiliar with key combinations, the precise method (using the example of Alt+3 as an example) is to press and hold the Alt key and then (while still holding the Alt key) press key number 3.

1. 1. Mouse:
   2. 1. Tips:

      Keyboard Care:

      The keyboard requires no maintenance other than to ensure that it does not have fluid or ash spilt on it. If there is a fluid spill, the keyboard may be salvaged by immediately turning it upside down and at an angle so that it will drain and dry. Shaking it may cause fluid to be forced further into the switches. Leaving it over a heater will warp it. Flushing it with water will probably cause more damage.

      Mouse Care:

      Keep the mouse in a clean environment. Fluids, dust and ash are particular causes of mouse jamming.

      If the mouse appears to jam, (will not move or will only move horizontally or vertically), the ball and rollers should be examined and cleaned.

      Dust can be cleaned off the rollers by removing the circular cover that contains the ball on the bottom of the mouse. Instructions for removing this cover are shown by way of arrows on the bottom of the mouse (instructions vary depending on the mouse provided).

   3. Windows:
   4. 1. Fundamentals:

      2. QUESTIONS	ANSWERS
         What are Windows?	Windows are the visible frames that appear on the screen to contain controls and menus
         Do I need to know about Windows?	Much of the window management is done for you but there are some prerequisite concepts.
         What do I need to know?	Mainly that if a window is not active, you will not be able to control it with the keyboard! Also some windows take over when they appear and you will not be able to control the system again until that window is closed. This is called a Modal Window.
         How will I know if a window is active?	It’s border will be hilited. The hilite colour varies as this is set up in Windows according to preference. However, normally an active window has a cyan/blue border whereas a non active window has a washed out grey border.

         ACTION	METHOD
         To open (fetch) a window	Use the screen buttons provided. They are titled to show the window that they will pick up. You must click these with the mouse button (see p*).
         To close a window	The RCIS application has been written so that Windows automatically close when you press the ESC key. The last window you called will reappear
         To make a window active	As explained above, a window must be active before you can control it with the keyboard. Normally the window that you last opened is active. If it is not active, click it on it’s border.
         To move a window	You should not need to. However, you should know that it is possible to move a window if it has a title bar. This is performed by dragging on the title bar (see para 4.3.3, p*).
         To click a control	A control or button is a screen object within a window that performs some function. The function is usually written on the button or control. To action that function, you must click it with the mouse. This requires that the mouse pointer is moved to the button and then the Left Mouse Key is pressed.
         To activate a control using the keyboard	See the next section.

      3. Using the Keyboard to "click" a screen button:
      4. Almost all the screen buttons provided within the Window Menus have associated keys or key combinations allowing the user to use the keyboard to click the button. The two types of key are Function Key (as written on the screen button where applicable) or the Alt+Letter combination.

         The Alt+Letter combination is indicated by the underlined letter (where provided) in the text on the screen button. For example:

         

         In the above example, the correct key combination would be ALT+M.

         If there is more than one button with the same underlines letter then Windows will alternatively hilite (make the border darker) every button in turn each time you press the combination. Once the desired button is hilited, press the Enter key.

         For more information on pressing Alt+Key combinations, see the previous Keyboard Section, page *.

      5. Advanced Window Usage
      6. If you are familiar with MS WindowsÔ , you will be aware that there are many complex functions associated with Windows. Most of these functions (such as resize, minimise, maximise) have been removed to simplify RCIS.

         The only remaining function that may be of residual interest is Moving Windows. This is achieved by placing the mouse on the top "title bar" of the window and dragging it. To drag, press the left mouse key and hold it on the object (in this case the window) while moving the mouse so as to effect movement of the object. Once the desired position is achieved, release the mouse key. This functionality is not essential to RCIS.

      7. History

For RCIS, MS WindowsÔ was selected to provide a frame oriented graphical menu structure. This format has the advantages of commonality allowing the user to adapt quickly between differing applications (other than RCIS) and allowing added functionality through upgrade for graphics etcetera. Whilst at first it may appear complex, it should become evident that Windows offers a very flexible, consistent approach. The two main advantages are the self explanatory graphics and the windows clipboard. The clipboard allows the user to copy text anywhere between text boxes.

1.  
2. Faults & Maintenance:

Faults in the system can occur due to a number of reasons. The most common reason being electrical noise caused by power surges, electrical storms or track power transients. These faults are generally compounded by the complex nature of the operating system (Windows). Such faults exhibit themselves in a number of relatively inconsistent ways. For example, a menu may no longer appear as it did or the system may slow up or the system may simply no longer function. In all of these instances, the solution is to Reset The Computer.

To Reset the Computer:

1.  
2. Exit any current activity: First, where possible, press the ESC keys until the Main Menu is shown. If the Status panel (at the bottom of the screen) is visible, click CLOSE. Wait 20 seconds for any internal activity to finish.
3.  
1. Click the Power Down Icon. This is the icon at the bottom that looks like a power plug being removed from a socket. It will ask you to confirm - click yes. If you see a black screen, skip to paragraph 5 below.
2.  
1. Press Ctr+Alt+Delete. Press and hold the Ctrl key, while holding Ctrl, press and hold the Alt key, while holding both the Ctrl and Alt keys, press the Delete key. Avoid using the "RESET" button, long term harm may result.
2.  
1. Wait another 20 seconds. A blue Windows screen will be visible that will give you some advice on how to reset. This information can be largely ignored as it is not relevant to RCIS.
2.  
1. Press Ctr+Alt+Delete again. After about 10 seconds, the computer should begin to reset. Note that re-booting to RCIS can take as long as 2 minutes. If the computer does not respond to the above, switch it off and on again at the rear of the computer itself or at the power outlet.

If the above does not cure the problem, or if problems persist, please note all details and contact your maintenance department.

If Windows displays an error and exits:

If you see a screen with only white text on a black background, Windows has exited. Usually, you will see a prompt first. If this is the case, follow the instructions. As instructed, you should reboot the system (press RESET button on computer after a 1 minute pause). If spontaneous exiting persists, enter FIX at the instruction. This will flush out the Today's file. Note that you will need to reinstate the Today's File. See section 3.8, page *.

1.  
2. Support:
3. Our policy at QSL is to provide a 2 months question answer service via an intermediate department (unless support has been specifically purchased extra to the system). In the early stages we will contact you depending on the complexity of the system to gauge progress and answer questions.

   For further support at most sites, contact Faults (unless you have been advised otherwise) and issue a fault report carefully describing the "fault" as an "Urgent Request For Support".

   Please use this convenience with consideration for others. If it is deluged with requests, our ability to support everyone equally will be diminished. Please always consult the user manuals and other users first where possible. May we advise with the greatest respect that the support facility is not a suggestion box and that the software cannot be changed according to preference. Unless the system is provided for completely operator free operation, a degree of labour intensive supervision and manual intervention will always be required.

4. INDEX: (not included on Web).