I Need help with signaling, please.

Hi,

Sorry to add a little more confusion to the subject, but why try to mess with 'signals' to correct the problem?

You want trains to use the 'loops' (the blue lines) to trains can pass each other off the main line (the black line), what I would be doing is to use "Directional Markers" to force trains traveling in a certain direction to use the 'loop'.

In your picture, I would place a track directional marker inbetween the junction and the signal C facing signal A. This would stop trains heading in the direction of signal D from taking the 'loop', now place another directional marker inbetween signal D and the junction facing signal F. This would stop trains heading in the opposite direction from taking the main line, they would take the 'loop' instead.

Repeat at the other 'loop' also, the AI drivers will not go against the directional markers.


Hope this helps and doesn't confuse too much more... :)
 
To add still more confusion to the pot, here's a rule of thumb (I don't remember where I found it, it's not original) that has pretty much always worked for me:

Don't ever put a signal anywhere that you don't want a train to stop at.

Sooner or later, if there's a signal, a train will stop at it. And, for example, you wouldn't want a train to stop at A,F, G or L, hence no signal. Similarly, two signals facing away from each other on a single track line will eventually attract two trains staring at each other endlessly. It shouldn't happen but eventually it does.

Simple-minded? Well, yeah...

--Lamont
 
I have found on my copy is that Computer trains Blatantly ignore track direction markers. It's like they don't exist.
 
Hi,

Strange, I have never had any problems with AI drivers ignoring driectional markers, I use them all the time, on my own layouts. The only thing I can think of is that the directional marker is not positioned correctly.
 
I've only skim read this thread, so if this is covered I apologise, but I think the solution lies in tokens.

For those unfamiliar with the system, the idea is that the train cannot proceed without possession of the token, of which there is only 1.

So, using a trackmark (labelled TOKEN so you can easily find it) and the commands "control track at trackmark" and "free track at trackmark" you can emulate tokens within TRS. If one train has the token, the second cannot obtain it without the first surrendering it, and therefore will wait in the loop. The only other thing is you need to drive to trackmarks in the loops, before requesting the token for the single line ahead. The train on the single line must have arrived in the loop before surrendering the token.

Also be aware that you must surrender one token before obtaining another, otherwise you might create a "deadly embrace" where each of the two trains passing are requesting the token held by the other, and then neither can move.

Hope that helps,
BidMod.

EDIT:
PS, if you want to see how these work, and are prepared for some downloading, take a look under my username in routes/layouts and be sure also to download the corresponding session.
 
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Hi,
I would like to share my findings and feelings with you about this thread.


First thing I'd like to say is, I haven't learned much about triggers, track marks, driver commands and such and they all seem rather confusing to me at this time but, I do want to thank all of you who have tried to help in that area. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Everyone here has been a big help.


Second is, I only wanted to keep it as simple as possible. A signal here or there I thought would work but it didn't. Setting it up as prototypically as I could also failed. I've come to the conclusion that it is nothing but trial and error combined with a lot of experimenting to find something that will work.


Thirdly, someone mentioned something about the terminology of, AI. I believe that most of us that play PC games use the term loosely to mean anything that isn't directly controlled by you/me/us but something that your PC does by itself so, I've ignored this until now. I don't believe it's relevant here. I think we all know what is meant by AI in Trainz.


That said, here is what I found that will work with two trains ONLY. I've tested this by placing the trains inside the loops and outside the loops. It doesn't work with more then two trains. (More confusion) It also doesn't work if I tell a AI driver to DRIVE but, it does work if I tell a AI driver to go to a place beyond the loops. (More confusion)


Anyway, I did this;

signalsok1fw5.jpg



And, thanks again... HELP :D

Believe it or not, I'm stil having fun...
 
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Hi, I am a french trainz user so sorry for my english.
When I started to play with trainz I put lot of signal on my map, I believed with many signals the AI can drive safely an easily. So it's wrong, when I started a second map I tried to use signal only it's necessary, when there are shunts on the railroad. With only useful signals I notice the AI is more efficient and the trains don't stop every time.

Thank you and sorry for my english.
 
ac49 has also used the 'simplicity' method and that may be the answer to signaling this mountain.;)

(Your English is far better than my French. Thanks for the input, ac49.):)

Thanks again, everybody,
 
You need intermediate signals between those 2 sidings. Use the signals with the number plates between them and place them just a little farther apart than your longest train. As far as the sidings go, you have them signaled correctly as along as you used interlocking signals.

If you're not sure which are which, the interlocking signals do not have number plates and the intermediate(distant) signals have number plates.
 
thegrindre said:
OK, to be a little more specific, I'm building a narrow gauge route around the 1800 area and don't want any signals to show so, I'm using the invisible ones. I've read that the AI drivers only follow 3 signals anyway, Green, yellow, and red, period. This is the simplest form of signaling and that's what I am trying to do.
Unfortunately, I've run into the same problems as SpikeTop has in that sometimes they work and other times they don't.
All I'm trying to really do is signal a mountain pass. I don't want two trains at the top of the mountain at the same time. I want each train to wait at the bottom of the mountain until it is clear to pass.

Does this help any?

Thanks,
Click to expand...


Hold it, guys... You missed this post and what it is I'm trying to do...



First try that didn't work at all...

signalsok2.jpg



And got this working somewhat...

signalsok1fw5.jpg


Thanks,
 
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Hi,

Something I have just thought of, silly really, should have thought of it sooner, what about track priority?

Set your passing loops (the blue tracks in your picture) to say 3, then set the train that you want to take that track to 3 also, now you can set the 'main line' to another priority and the train to match.

This way it shouldn't matter which direction the trains run in, they should take the track that matches their own priority, so when they reach the end of the line, turn around and head back the train with priority 3 should take the 'passing loop' and the other should stick to the main line.

Well theoretically it should work... :)
 
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