Oh ive tried all the database repairs, deletes, re adds, complete rebuild the area. same thing. open for edit submit, fresh install didn't change anything either. Seems to be just the one area, I have quite the "Frankenstein" route on the go so that probably don't help things. The railroad decided to put that passing siding out of service and just sail through the area now anyway
Sometimes, sailing through is the easiest thing to do. I had one of those areas myself. This was a simple siding with a branch that led off to a quarry. When the AI got to that spot, they sat there and wouldn't move unless I nudged them past the signal. I even tried track marks to "force" the AI beyond that spot, but they would not go. They would go in the opposite direction fine and if I drove the train myself, there was nothing wrong with the junctions or track. With the utter frustration, I yanked out the siding and made a single ended siding instead of a through track. Since then, there hasn't been a problem in that location.
There's something things you need to watch out for. The AI drivers will what most AI drivers do and that is take the shortest route between points even if that's the slowest route due to track speed. To get around that, you need to use track marks.
To prevent the AI from playing tricks, such as going to the track mark, backing up and continuing through the yard, place the track marks towards the middle of the mainline. I'll go as far as to place a track mark about 50 meters in from the first junction to the through yard, followed by one in the middle, then finally one at the opposite end. Instead of using the Navigate via command, I use the Drive via command which is more specific and doesn't give the AI a chance to ponder the best trip through the yard. Using this method, I have had a 100% success rate in preventing the AI from avoiding the 65 mph mainline in favor of a 15 mph rough and bumpy yard. This also works for wye configurations. Place a marker before and in the middle of each leg of the wye. This assures that the AI has to follow the tracks and not do sneaky things as I saw one driver do once. This driver hit the wye, went up one leg, reversed, and continued in the direction the driver was supposed to be going except backwards. Doing this, the AI was forced to follow the rules and there were no more problems after that.
Keep in mind there is a difference between the two commands. Drive to/via and Navigate to/via.
The Drive via and Drive to commands tell the AI to follow the directions absolutely with no variation. These work very well in such places and those where specific instruction is required. The Navigate to and Navigate via commands are a bit more loose. The AI still has to hit the specified markers but can ponder the shortest way between the points and also work their way around obstacles such as junctions thrown against them or other AI trains.
If your large route is like mine, I wouldn't be surprised. My route is an amalgamation of new construction, mergers and acquisitions, and other bits and pieces. I started the route in early January 2004. It has been renovated and rebuilt in most areas but never completed. When I get to that point where the route is completed, I don't know what I'll do!
