AI Trains

[Bill69]

Hi Joe,

The whole reason the slow train takes precedence over the fast train is because it is looking for the end of track marker all the way and reaches the siding junction trigger point before the fast train does. Once the slow train is in the lead you will have to have some way of stopping it to let the fast train overtake. Trainz does not have a system that will give precedence to one train or another. You could try cutting down the fast train's wait time so that it catches up with the slow train before the siding but you will still have to have a trackmark on the siding so that the slow train is not looking for the end of track marker until it gets into the siding.
Cheers,
Bill

 

[Dieselbuilder]

Bill,

I do like your idea of placing the fast train trigger further down along the main line. It would lessen the need for inserting a wait time for the slower train once it's in the siding. Depending on where the next signal is, the fast train setting off the trigger means AI would start looking for a path for the slower train out of the siding straight away. This would smooth out the sequence as well, as the slow train would not be depending on a wait time to elapse. It's very frustrating when AI has to sit and think about what it has to do. Joe, I know it does sound like it's getting more complicated rather than easier, but don't give up, you'll get it right. Dan.

 

[Bill69]

Hi Dan,

You have summed it up correctly, the slow train will be ready to go at the earliest possible time but the siding exit signal will stay red until the fast train passes the next signal on the main line. Of course the siding exit signal must be an absolute signal.

Cheers,
Bill

 

[Skypilot0023]

Thanks guys for all your input. I guess I have to keep at it. Yes it can get a wee bit frustrating dealing with AI, but it is very rewarding when they actually do what you expect them to... So.... does anyone know if there is a Trainz 2014 in the works?..
Have a great day...
Joe

 

[Skypilot0023]

Hey all,
For those who are interested in the Faster/Slower train problem I was having, I figured out a solution.

The solution is the same setup as I had stated before in my reply to Danny, except I placed an invisible junction between the stop light and the real junction on the siding. Not sure if that makes any sense, but it worked like a charm. Now the slower train takes the siding and if there is the faster train behind it, it waits for the faster train to speed by on the mainline. Then it continues on its on its way.

Now while the slower train is on the siding, the faster train doesn't even slow down because it gets 2 green signals at both ends of the siding. Once it passes the siding, it sets off a Trigger to set the signal at the siding exit, where the slower train is waiting, back to automatic.

I had to leave the problem for a few days then get back to it to solve it. I hope this helps others.

Thanks to all for their input.
Joe

 

[JCitron]

Joe,

Sometimes we have to go through hoops and leaps to get the AI to do what we want them to do. What we do doesn't always make sense to us, but it makes sense to the AI drivers.

Just for kicks, I suggest testing this a few times. There is a certain amount of randomness in the AI operations which will allow triggers and other things work great once or even a few times, but then will fail again another.

John

 

[Dieselbuilder]

Joe,

That's great work. Invisible junctions was something I was going to mention as well, so I'm really glad that you got it working! I use invisible junctions to get my shunt loco to move down and couple to my electric sets to take them through the wash plant.

John, that's absolutely right too! Lots of head scratching occurs when it all works perfectly time after time then has a complete brain fade the next time round!

Dan.

 

[Skypilot0023]

John,
Yes I know what you mean about the AI drivers. Seems they have a mind of their own at times...Ha ha..

Well, I found out that I don't even need the set junction rule either. Trying to simplify the setup, I removed them and left only the Set signal Extended rule.
So now the faster train Triggers the signal at the exit point of the siding and sets it to Danger way before it the junction to the siding, then it sets it back to Automatic after it passes the siding and it still works.

Go figure, after all the over thinking the problem. Mind you, I have not tried this solution on my real route because I decided to replace all the double tracks with two singles. That way I can lay the track in the direction of traffic flow.

Dan, yes that invisible junction worked well. Now I have to find out if there is a way to hide the Red and Green arrows just for that invisible junction. Minor. If I can't find a way, no big deal.

Joe.

 

[Dieselbuilder]

Joe,

In Surveyor most of the display can be cancelled by Alt-o. Invisible Track, Track Markers and Triggers will still show up though. In Driver Ctrl-H will shut off the Red/Green arrows and F5 will cancel the HUD as well as the Taskbar. F6 will just do the Taskbar only. I have found that sometimes the Red/Green arrows will show up on nearby switches and then disappear again after you move away from them. Others might have suggestions I might have missed. Sounds like you're getting on top of AI at least. Fun isn't it?

Dan.

 

[Skypilot0023]

Dan,

Thanks for the info about the display. A couple of those commands are new to me. I am trying to get on top of the AI. Gotta keep an eye on those drivers... It can get a little frustrating at times but yes it is fun.

Have a good day.
Joe.