Changing Head-End Locos and Cab Views

[NJCurmudgeon]

So here's what I want my AI engineer to do...

<<A-B>[Train]

< = Train's direction of travel
<A = Locomotive facing left, head end
-B> = Locomotive facing right, coupled to A
[Train] = Consist

This pulls into a yard. Both locos uncouple:

<<A-B> [Train]

Then move via a parallel track to the other side of the consist:

[Train] <<A-B>

And couple:

[Train]<A-B>>

I use the "run around train" command to accomplish this. Throughout the maneuver, the cab view is in loco A. When I get everything coupled heading the other direction, where loco B is now head-end, I want B to be "the" loco so when I go to cab view, I am in it, looking into the new direction of travel. Instead, I am still in A, looking into the consist. I have tried the "Change Direction" command, and while it makes the green arrow point where I want it to, it doesn't change the head-end engine.

Is there a way of doing this in AI?

A related question has to do with a push-pull loco - one engine (payware) with a cab at both ends I am using for a commuter line. The point is to be able to do the same maneuver just described, except instead of changing locomotives, I want to change from one cab to the other.

I've been unable to find any command or series of commands that do this, though I would imagine it is a pretty prototypical maneuver.

Thanks!

 

[fran1]

Run round extended (command) will do both.

 

[NJCurmudgeon]

Thanks fran1! I will check it out. I figured it was a common enough real-world maneuver that there had to be a command for it!

 

[NJCurmudgeon]

It didn't work.

I have a train set up as described above. I have a "navigate to trackmark" command followed by the "run around train ex" command. It moves around correctly, but the cab view remains the "A" loco (using the description in my original question). I have tried both with and without the "change direction" command and added a "navigate to trackmark" command in case it needed somewhere to go before it would switch. None worked. I didn't try with the push-pull loco yet.

So is there something I am missing in the command sequence? I didn't see any options for the extended run around train command, so I don't think I am missing anything there?

Thanks.

 

[fran1]

After using the command come out of cab view then use it again. You should then be in the other cab.

 

[NJCurmudgeon]

I tried that and it still returns me to the first loco's cab.

 

[fran1]

I tried that and it still returns me to the first loco's cab.

Sometimes I have to use the command twice to get the driver to shift.

 

[NJCurmudgeon]

Which command? If you mean changing the view, I've tried that multiple times, both going to external tracking and just external. No difference. When I get some more time I will try the push-pull loco and maybe a different set of locomotives for the first issue. I don't think it would be asset-specific, but can't hurt to rule it out anyway.

 

[Haccp4me]

Which command? If you mean changing the view, I've tried that multiple times, both going to external tracking and just external. No difference. When I get some more time I will try the push-pull loco and maybe a different set of locomotives for the first issue. I don't think it would be asset-specific, but can't hurt to rule it out anyway.

I have tried in my scenario exactly what your are trying to do. There is another command which you can use " Move Train" which allows you to change train . The program will ask you which train to move in. Normally the camera should set automatically into "cabin view " If that is not the case then set a Camera onto your loco , Then use the command set camera and set it into cabin view.
Hope this may help
Cheers

 

[fran1]

Which command? If you mean changing the view, I've tried that multiple times, both going to external tracking and just external. No difference. When I get some more time I will try the push-pull loco and maybe a different set of locomotives for the first issue. I don't think it would be asset-specific, but can't hurt to rule it out anyway.

Which command? run round extended. Use it after the run round has been done. Driver should then move from cab A-B. It works the same with 3 or 4 locos or a push pull set.

 

[NJCurmudgeon]

Hi Haccp4me - I am aware of the "Move to Train" command, but I don't think that works with AI. If we're talking about the same one, you have to manually click on the train you want to move to. I'm trying to set up a layout that will run as AI (but where I can take manually over a given train if I want to).

fran1 - I may be misunderstanding. If I put two "Run Around Extended" commands, all it does is move the locos right back to the other end again (which I would expect). I tried it with a "run around" "run around ex" and a "run around ex" "run around ex" command string and neither worked. It sounds like you're getting them to do exactly what I want, so am I just missing something? Thanks!

 

[dnevans8]

NJCurmudgeon - There are two Move to T/train commands, one that works like you describe and a second that allows you to move the driver to a different locomotive from a list of locomotives when you add the command to your drivers list of commands:

Move to train,<kuid2:71155:60004:2>

After the command is executed any remaining commands that driver has to execute are transferred to the new locomotive. Unfortunately this will not work for what you want to do because the locomotive you move to, must be in a different consist.

The Run round ex command was intended for use with EMU's or DMU's where it does in fact move the driver from one end of the train to the other, it will also do it if your consist is only made up of locomotives. However, if the locomotives are part of a consist containing wagons or coaches then it operates in the same way as the Run round command, as you have found, and takes the coupled locomotives from one end of the consist to the other.

The only good news in any of this is that if you use an uncouple command followed by changing ends via trackmarks, then a couple to command you will be able to include the Run round ex command at some point to make the driver change locomotives. All a bit long winded but unless there is another command that we are unaware of then it is probably your only option.

Perhaps somebody familiar with writing scripts could come up with a single command to do what is required, I am sure many people would find it useful.

 

[NJCurmudgeon]

Ah! So what you're saying is when the "run around ex" is applied to a consist of two locomotives or one push-pull, the result is the cab switch? So that would require, as you point out, a move via a track mark to allow it to stop and be applied to the locos only. Now it makes sense - thank you dnevans8!

Yes, a script that could do that all in one go would be very useful. As I've said, it seems like a common enough prototypical move that I'm sure I can't be the only one who would want it! But, alas, I have no experience with writing scripts for this either...anyone else?

 

[dnevans8]

NJCurmudgeon - Yes a consist of two or more locomotives or EMU's or DMU's results in a cab switch. Most of the locomotives I have come across with a cab at both ends (push pull as you refer to) such as the BR class 37's, 47's, 50's etc. when the locomotive changes direction the driver automatically changes end so I do not think a command is needed unless the locomotives you have are scripted differently.

An alternative method I have been looking at if you have locomotive sidings nearby is for your consist to enter the yard, uncouple, perhaps move to the sidings, then use the "Move to train" command to move to another locomotive without a driver in the sidings. This locomotive then couples to your consist in the yard and as I said in the earlier post the driver will take any commands with him from the old consist to the new one.

This method could be used to swap locomotives almost indefinitely by incorporating the "Run round ex" command when the arriving locomotive reaches the sidings where it would be ready for the next consist coming into the yard.

 

[NJCurmudgeon]

Thanks guys - now it makes sense. I think I can figure out how to do what I want now. I am going to send the locos to a siding trackmark after they uncouple to "park" for a few minutes (maybe to refuel!) at which point I can use the run around train ex to change the head-end for the recouple.

Thanks again for the help!