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A layout is the top-level container that operators select when they log in to BigFred. Each layout has its own roster of vehicles, its own set of command stations, and its own collection of interlockings. Think of a layout as a named running session or physical location — you might have one for the club workbench, one for the exhibition hall, and one for a member’s home setup.

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The System layout

BigFred automatically creates a System layout (shown as Default (workshop)) the first time it boots. This layout is always available as a last-resort login target — even when every other layout is locked, operators can still choose the System layout at the login screen.The System layout’s name is fixed and cannot be changed or deleted. For a real installation you should create one or more named layouts and reserve the System layout as a fallback.

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The Layouts table

Open Admin → Layouts to see all layouts. Each row shows the layout name, its type (System or Custom), and its current status (Active or Locked). Use the action buttons on each row to edit, lock/unlock, or delete.

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Creating a layout

1

Open the create dialog

Navigate to Admin → Layouts and click New Layout.
2

Name the layout

Enter a descriptive Name — for example Exhibition Hall 2025 or Member A – Home Layout. The name appears in the login dropdown that operators see.
3

Assign command stations

Use the Command Stations multi-select to choose which command stations this layout will use. At least one command station is required before the form can be saved. Command stations must already exist in the catalogue — if you have not added any yet, open Admin → Command Stations first and return here.A layout can share a command station with other layouts (useful when one Z21 serves multiple sessions).
4

Assign interlockings (optional)

Use the Interlockings multi-select to attach signal boxes to this layout. Interlockings must already exist — create them at Admin → Interlockings before assigning here. Layouts with no interlockings are fine if you do not use signalman roles.
5

Set additional options (optional)

  • Max vehicles per user — caps how many vehicles each operator can drive simultaneously. Defaults to 8. Raise or lower this to match your track capacity.
  • Radio chat — toggles the walkie-talkie phrase chat feature between drivers and signalmen. Enabled by default. The radio stop command is always available regardless of this setting.
  • Admin PIN — sets a numeric PIN that grants temporary admin/signalman elevation from inside the running session (the “sudo” flow). If left blank, a PIN is generated automatically. Operators can use this PIN at the layout prompt to request elevated access.
6

Save

Click Create. The layout appears in the table and immediately becomes available in the operator login dropdown.

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Editing a layout

Click the pencil icon on any layout row to reopen the edit dialog. You can rename the layout, add or remove command stations and interlockings, adjust the vehicle cap, toggle radio chat, and rotate the admin PIN.
The System layout’s name is read-only in the edit dialog. You can still update its interlockings, vehicle cap, radio chat setting, and admin PIN.

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Locking and unlocking a layout

Locking a layout hides it from the operator login dropdown and prevents new logins to that layout. Use this when you want to close a session to new entrants while any operators already logged in continue running normally until their sessions end.
  • To lock: click the lock icon on the layout’s row and confirm. The status badge changes to Locked (amber). The layout disappears from the login dropdown immediately, but existing sessions are unaffected and continue running until they close on their own.
  • To unlock: click the unlock icon on a locked layout’s row and confirm. The status returns to Active (green) and the layout reappears in the login dropdown.
When all layouts are locked, the System layout remains visible in the login dropdown as a last resort.

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Managing interlockings

Interlockings are created and maintained on their own page before being assigned to layouts.
1

Navigate to Interlockings

Go to Admin → Interlockings.
2

Create an interlocking

Click New Interlocking. Enter a Name (required) and an optional Location — a free-text description of where the signal box sits on the layout (for example, North throat junction). Click Create.
3

Assign to a layout

Go back to Admin → Layouts, edit the relevant layout, and add the interlocking from the Interlockings multi-select.
You can edit an interlocking’s name and location at any time from Admin → Interlockings without affecting the layouts it is assigned to.

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Deleting a layout

Click the red trash icon on a layout’s row and confirm. Deleting a layout removes its roster associations but does not delete the command stations, user vehicles, or interlockings themselves — those remain in their respective catalogues and can be assigned to other layouts. The System layout cannot be deleted; its trash button is permanently disabled.