Bristol Temple Meads

[angelah]

Norfolk

Angela
I notice you have used Norfolk rusty, they also do normal track kuid:79563:50004 this might solve the VSR problem.

Dear Stagecoach,
Yes, I have used both in the past on a few routes but I wanted a slightly more detailed track for this one. Hey Ho, keep looking....

Bless you,

Angela

 

[Glenethson]

Post deleted

 

[angelah]

delete

Did you get my email address angelah? Its afscapes@aol.com

Hello,
I suggest you edit and delete your mail address, just pm me with things like that.

I will send the route now.

Angela

 

[angelah]

V 3

Version 3 is ready for beta testing now. Several alterations including different track, three types in fact ; AJS Perchpole in 2 colours of ballast, Uk Track Detailed and Uk Track plus the 2 Norfolk tacks.
Then the gantries have been changed to UK Custom Signal Gantry.
A UK Yard Point lever too and SR/LMS ground signals.
Stations have name boards, GWR ones.

These additions show how well the beta testers worked with many suggestions and I thank them, well done.

CDP file size is 2335Kb, 42 boards.

Angela

 

[stagecoach]

Hello Angela
You know what i want. Ive tried flooding the route with trains from all directions and on the original some direction markers contradicted each other and the buffers in the HST area failed to stop trains. So would love to see what alterations youve made.

Keith

 

[angelah]

HST

Hello Angela
You know what i want. Ive tried flooding the route with trains from all directions and on the original some direction markers contradicted each other and the buffers in the HST area failed to stop trains. So would love to see what alterations youve made.

Keith

Dear Keith,
Flooding a high detail route may well cause problems unless you have a very high spec PC, Alistair gets very confused for some reason. The station platforms have been renamed and that may remove some of the problems, there are no markers there now, oh maybe one.
Running 4 trains at once didn't cause any hiccups.
I have just tried and tried to get trains to miss buffers in the HSt and failed. I have no idea why they do it with you. Even running in at moderate speeds doesn't work, they just slow down and stop at the markers.
Remember to set your trains running value to 1 and use the Via Parson marker to keep it on the main lines. And I have found before that the purple value markers reset to 2 on saving as a cdp so they will need changing to 1 also. Not doing these things will cause running problems just as they will on WCL1 from Paddington.
I am about to send the new version to you.

Angela

 

[angelah]

Update for beta testers

I have solved the problem of express/maimline trains whizzing onto minor tracks on their approach to BTM. It's taken a while for it to sink in to me, probably everybody else has been doing it for ages.
It's the train Priority Value that associates with the purple Priority track marks.
I have always set express/fast trains to value 1, but this give them permission to go wherever they like - and they do! I have used Via markers before but realised today that if I reverse the priority order mainline trains behave themselves perfectly.
This means you need to set your express passengers or trains needing to use main lines to Value 3 (not 1) and the mainline track also to Value 3.
Then put purple people eater markers on the relief lines and set those to value 1 and Bob's your Uncle! So any sidings in an inside curve like the Coal sidings need the entrance tracks set to V1, the right and left Norfolk tracks going and coming from/to the western portal also to V1. Basically any sidings you find passenger trains diving into really, there are a few. It means that when you send a goods out to a siding you will have to drive it, but if going to Bath, the west, the Docks and the Parkway portals then they set to Value 3.

I had this problem on WCL1 from Paddington and used Via track marks but doing it this way you don't need those.

Other than that the cdp hasn't changed much, a bit but not much.
Oh hang on. Trains incoming from the west refused to go into BTM platform 5 so I put an invisible signal on a short bit of track between points just before the platform starts. You will see where immediately, it needs a signal to let the train know the next set of points are correctly set. I found it because trains stopped at the signal gantry just after Bedminster and plonked a few invisible signals down to see if the train moved. It did, but I didn't want three signals so removed them one at a time untill I had the right one, the one on the crossing track. If you are unsure I'll send a piccie...

Other than that it runs well with 4/5 trains zooming about so I don't know why Stagecoach had problems. Probably had too many trains moving at once, he did state he 'flooded' the route with them.

Angela

 

[angelah]

Pictures

Here are three pictures.

First is the placement of the invisible signal just before BTM platform 5.......

One in, one out. BTM working..........

A Teal set leaving Bedminster for Bristol.......

And thanks to Photobucket for hosting the shots.

Angela

 

[stagecoach]

Hi Angela
I always tend to flood a route just to see what problems it throws up, but please remember i had the original not T2 at the time. The HST buffer problem I sorted with a reduced (10mph) speed on those tracks. T3 works much better but needs a direction mark on the up line at Lawrence as the train went via the up platform instead of the down going to BTM. I like the differing tracks more in keeping with BR in there patch work way of working.
Thanks for your dedication you produce some great routes.

 

[angelah]

Directions

Hi Angela
I always tend to flood a route just to see what problems it throws up, but please remember i had the original not T2 at the time. The HST buffer problem I sorted with a reduced (10mph) speed on those tracks. T3 works much better but needs a direction mark on the up line at Lawrence as the train went via the up platform instead of the down going to BTM. I like the differing tracks more in keeping with BR in there patch work way of working.
Thanks for your dedication you produce some great routes.

Hi Stagecoach,
Yes, I found trains jumped tracks and have placed the marker. But thanks for pointing that out.
I am at V4 now.... not a lot of difference, mainly bits and pieces. The most important is reversing the priority order on the purple (pink?) priority markers that are on the tracks and that works well. It stops trains dashing through sidings... Of course the trains themselves need to be set to the same priority.
Also V4 has 2 AJS single stations on the first and second platforms from the main entrance. This is according to the track plan (yes, I do have one) and having tested it yesterday find two trains will enter the first platform but the second, although it stops just short of the rear of the first, does not finish its route, by that I mean the target marker does not disappear.
But I expect it would if the first train moved away so it is not too desperate. I have to test that again today.

Thanks for helping,

Angela

EDIT :- And now also on platforms 10 and 11. Always go to the furthest one first and then shunt to train to the platform end, just a few feet. I thought the AJS stations (single) set the train so the middle of it was at the station, but on this route the head of the train stops there. Any info would be helpful, otherwise the route goes up tomorrow...

 

[angelah]

Full station

Three shots hosted by Photobucket to demonstrate the stacking of trains at Bristol...

Platform 1, the main entrance platform...

A train pulling into platform 10/11, the first train is stationary...

And nearing the first train...

It is important for the first train to be in and stationary otherwise the second tries to get around the side on another track.
Bristol used this format of platforms and still does as far as I know. The second train won't complete to target but once the front one moves off the second will stop.

Angela

 

[Dean_Forest]

First comments on briefly looking through the route (CMP is still downloading dependencies):

From a local knowledge perspective:
I have noticed that there are two stations to the north of Bristol labeled "Easton" and "Lawrence Road" these should actually be named "Stapleton Road" and "Lawrence Hill"

From an operator's perspective:
Given that the route models just a few stations, this route is more suited to "watching trains go by" rather than driving. therefore, it would be nice to run it to the real timetable. Unfortunately, portals do not support using the timetable rule so could you replace them with "fiddle yards" at the respective places consisting of a number of sidings please.

Cheers,

Jack

 

[angelah]

Thanks

First comments on briefly looking through the route (CMP is still downloading dependencies):

From a local knowledge perspective:
I have noticed that there are two stations to the north of Bristol labeled "Easton" and "Lawrence Road" these should actually be named "Stapleton Road" and "Lawrence Hill"

From an operator's perspective:
Given that the route models just a few stations, this route is more suited to "watching trains go by" rather than driving. therefore, it would be nice to run it to the real timetable. Unfortunately, portals do not support using the timetable rule so could you replace them with "fiddle yards" at the respective places consisting of a number of sidings please.

Cheers,

Jack

Hi and thanks,
I agree, people can always delete portals and replace with a yard fan with waiting areas, I have no objections to that at all, each should configure the route to suit themselves. A large loop with fan sidings would be fine.
However, with portals spitting trains out that not only need to arrive on the correct platforms but would need chang-overs and redirection, locos taken from the MPD and used for freight to the docks and running the HST Depot I think it will prove a little more than just sitting on a platform watching trains pass. But that's up to the individual.

The station names I took from Google Eart which is probably the locality rather than the actual station which are not shown, so knowing that before I send it up is well worthwhile.

I have now placed double stations on the first, second and I think fourth platforms from the main entrance as this is how it is I believe, two platforms on the one for three of them. If that isn't suitable for some folk they can of course alter to suit, it isn't written in stone.

Thanks for the notations, I shall change the names. Hopefully this will go up either tomorrow or Wednesday.

Cheers,

Angela

 

[angelah]

About done

I think Bristol is about done now. The beta testers gave me a lot of valuable information and I thanks them all for their efforts. I have acted upon that information and changed quite a few aspects on the route.
Not much point in sending it up to the DS as that seems to be dead at the moment.
But this route will attach to an email which I am happy to do if anybody cannot possibly wait! Ha ha ... 2.3Mb.

There are some vital points....
You will have noticed that annoyingly certain assets do not keep the settings I used to make the route work and look right. These will need resetting.
The AJS Station Ends need returning to Barrels then they will fit the canopy. Right-click the asset and use the menu.
All purple (pink?) rail value markers in side tracks and sidings should be set to value 1.
The purple main line value markers should be value 3.
This will stop your trains diving through minor tracks as they approach Bristol.
The AJS Stations:- Again the black platform boards that are invisible when running need resetting to the correct number in Surveyor. This is found by right-clicking the AJS Station base or one of the people, the name will be at the top.

Apart from ensuring trains hit the right platforms and changing HST sets over by running back and forth between the HST Depot where they need servicing, there will be a wide variety of goods trains to organise running to and from the docks and out to other parts of the country. These will need both stock and locos so again the operator needs to run the MPD as well. And all the while keep the station mobile!
The only rather frustrating thing with portals is that a time delay cannot be set which in practice means they all start at the same time. I found this on Avalon (which really was a 'trains go by' route).

Bristol is a rather strange station in that it has specific roads for specific routes and trying to get trains from the west to go the platform 9 or above won't really work well. Each platform has a U or D for UP (London) or DOWN trains and that's how it works best.
Those coming from the Bath and/or Parkway portals are best directed to higher number platforms although any of the Downs (D) will do. Just try it out and you will soon see.
If you have problems you have most likely not set the train to the correct value so it will take to correct lines or have missed resetting one or more of the purple (pink?) track Priority Markers.
Remember this is based on an actual location and will work best when operated with that in mind. Having sensible gaps between trains is one way.

Platforms 1/3, 4/5 and 10/11 have double AJS Stations so the platforms are in effect two in one as per the real station. For this purpose use 6 coach sets. Allow the first train in to stop at the head of the platform before the second is near the station. There would in practice be a decent time gap anyway. I tested these a lot and it works (see pictures). The second train won't hit target but will come to a halt. Once the front train moves out the second will complete its run.

You can of course do away with portals and lay storage tracks like Karragh Bay, but it means leaping around all over the route to find what you want. If you wish to live with that then please set up the track ends as you prefer.

Angela

 

[angelah]

RESETS

Here are a few screen shots of what you need to RESET.

This is a wide shot of platform numbers, I used AJS Invisible Stations.

And the east end of the platforms. You will see I have Reset this end of the Canopy End to Barrel while the other is still on the default Gable.

Here the sidings are being reset to Value (Priority) 1.

And in this shot the main line is being set to 3

Angela

 

[BLACKWATCH]

Angela, I thought I'd stumbled into your garage today

That little lots not yours is it ? :hehe:

 

[stagecoach]

Angela
Sorry to be a pain but I could not understand why ALL platforms could not be utilised from all directions, then I spotted it on Google Earth. The first three platforms where unable to get to the main line down to the west but I noticed that two cross overs just after the girder bridge that will take all three platforms to the correct down line. This means that all platforms can be reached directly from all directions. On your T3 version you have the crossovers but the second one links the wrong tracks, it needs to be one track over.

 

[angelah]

Crossovers and eyes

Angela
Sorry to be a pain but I could not understand why ALL platforms could not be utilised from all directions, then I spotted it on Google Earth. The first three platforms where unable to get to the main line down to the west but I noticed that two cross overs just after the girder bridge that will take all three platforms to the correct down line. This means that all platforms can be reached directly from all directions. On your T3 version you have the crossovers but the second one links the wrong tracks, it needs to be one track over.

Hello Stagecoach,
I have checked the approaches to Bristol on GE pretty close in over the last 2 days and the latest version is correct (Bristol Temple Meads.cdp). No T or version numbers after it.
You can take out the direction markers if you wish, I just found the station worked better with them in. Try experimenting, you might have better luck them I have had and let me know how you get on please.
Snowwhill kindly sent me a timetable yesterday and you are right, trains do run both ways through the low number platforms. As I said, it seemed to work better and easier by setting directions, but again I would be very interested in your results as I am sure you are much better and more knowledgeable than me at how trains and ops work.

Many thanks for your input,

Angela

 

[angelah]

Garages!

Hello Blackwatch,
What on earth made you associate that lot with me? I am rather fascinated to know...

Had it been an armoury I would have realised immediately!

Angela

 

[angelah]

Platforms!

Okay, I have fiddled. I put in two more AJS single invisible stations on each of the first two platforms and signalled them, then took out any direction marks that might interfere.
Then I made up some storage sidings beyong the Parkway and Bath portals and stacked HSTs.
Initially I got chaotic results, trains went all over the place, but in the end I got them backing up behind other trains on platforms 1/3 and 4/5 as for Up Lines, only this time is was for Down Lines.
However, I immediately hit a snag, there is no crossover going out of the platforms to the west until well past Bedminster which means a long run wrong line working. Is that right, I ask?

But I numbered platforms from the main entrance and I may have them wrong. Can one of the local folk let me know which side platform 1 is please? Main Entrance or far side? If I have them all back to front then that will make a lot of difference!

According to the timetable trains do go on Down lines from platforms 1-5. So they could well be Down not an Up because trains go from there to a place called Severn Beach. Where is that exactly please? I suspect near the Severn estuary... which definitely is Down...
Pl 11 has trains running from Portsmouth to Cardiff... while pl 3 can run from Penzance to Newcastle!
Talk about confusing... Any help with platform numbers will be appreciated. The track plan I took from close in snaps off Google Earth so are up-to-date but the track plan on paper is marked 1935...!!!

I would like to get this running problem sorted out as soon as possible.

Angela