helper or pusher AI

[Jayturf]

Hey all,

So on my route I have a heavy drag that is all set up with a long schedule. When I have an AI helper engine tie into the consist the new engine takes over the control of the train.

Is there a way to make this work all on AI control? Also when the top of the grade is reached I want the helper to uncouple and run back light and the original train to continue on with it's schedule.

Without creating a bunch of different schedules I don't see how I can make this work.

 

[Isegrinns]

Yeah, it can be done, but its a bit tricky, as the AI is acting weird sometime.
I used triggers and the "uncouple from" rule.

I set up a trigger for the incoming train, which told the pusher to wait 5min while the train pulls into a siding.
After 5min the pusher couples to the caboose of the train, which I named before, like ie "Cab Pusher".
It helped to told the engineer to leave his train BEFORE the pusher coupled.
Next commands for the pusher were "drive to XY", "wait for 2min" and "uncouple".
Then "Drive to "pushersiding"".
After that, the engeneer entered his train again and on we went.

I worked most of the time, but I do not know if it would work with 2 AI-Drivers on board. Test it a bit, eventually you´ll find a way to set it up correctly.

 

[stagecoach]

Its not complicated if you have the right commands, just means you must move one driver out of the way. Ive used this type of routine often.
You will need an asset like a drivable car placed on invisible track, say in the station car park, and a trackmark. This is the temporary location for the incoming driver. You will need the post message and wait for message and clear driver commands plus the move to train at tm and couple at TM commands (all on the DLS).

Incoming train commands
arrives at destination (for helper engine)
move to train at TM car
post message Alistair 1
wait for message and clear Alistair 2
wait for 1 minute
move to train at TM (TM in front of the arrived train)
change train direction (only if the helper was coupled at the rear)
depart on journey

Helper engine commands
wait for message and clear Alistair 1
couple to train at TM (TM at rear of arrived train)
drive to TM (destination to uncouple)
change train direction (only if coupled to rear)
uncouple
post message Alistair 2
drive to yard/shed

The incoming train arrives and the driver moves to the car while the helper couples and the train moves up the incline. At the top the helper uncouples and returns to its base and the original driver returns and continues the journey. If you use TM's the helper does not need to know any of the wagons names or numbers.

 

[Jayturf]

Thanks stagecoach! Because the original train is running on a scheduled timetable would it work to have the helper driver get off his train instead of the original train driver? This would save having to assign the helper engine the timetable.

 

[Jayturf]

I guess the problem with my plan would be that it would be harder to figure out the uncouple from the pusher loco.

Another problem with your solution for me would be that after the driver of the original train was moved back to his train at the top, his original schedule would be messed up as he skipped a bunch of trains. maybe if I used the copy schedule rule this would solve that problem?

 

[stagecoach]

You could have the original driver goto the helper engine and do the job. It was just that after the job was done the original driver could not continue his journey until he had returned the helper engine to its waiting place. All driver commands are not effected by the move to train at trackmark command, only the move to train. So your original train has all the commands to the point that the helper steps in and all the commands from when the helper uncouples. Blah is your present schedule
Blah, Blah, Blah drive to TM bottom of incline
now add all the lines of the incoming train from move to train at TM down to change direction.
Blah, Blah, Blah
Place the helper commands in the helper engine with repeat set and it will keep helping any train that stops at at the TM at bottom of incline asking for help. With post message only those trains activate the helper.