Invisible Signals

[Ian_Coleman]

I have a situation where I have a passenger train pull into a terminus, then the loco uncouples. Then a second loco drives to the rear of the first train and couples to it.
I'm trying to use invisible signals to get loco 2 close enough to couple.

I realise that it's probably ust a matter of putting the invisible signals in the right place, but I don't seem able to get it right!

Obviously, we are talking AI here, and I'm using TRS2004.

If anyone has any suggestions I would be most grateful!

Ian

 

[Capt_Haddock]

Ian

You may not need an extra signal at all. Try the following sequence:-
1 train pulls into terminus
2 train driver "moves" to a spare engine, (I use the drivable Austin Cambridge or the invisible signal box for this)
3 second loco can then couple to the rear of the driver-less train (couple beyond track mark or something similar)
4 second loco uncouples coaches from the first engine and drives them away
5 first loco driver can then "moves" back to the first loco and drives it away.

A similar manoeuvre also works for banking or piloting operations. It looks as if A1 treats driver-less locos like rolling stock rather than locos.

Regards

Chris

 

[itareus]

Ian,

What Chris said is interesting and well worth a try (I will be giving it a go). What I do is have the first locomotive uncouple and pull away a short distance (using Drive to Trackmark), seems to work - most of the time!

 

[Ian_Coleman]

Thanks Chris, but as far as I am aware, moving a driver to a different loco is something that has to be done manually.
I am trying to create a fully automatic scenario where all locos go about their business with no help from me!

Ian

 

[Bill69]

Thanks Chris, but as far as I am aware, moving a driver to a different loco is something that has to be done manually.
I am trying to create a fully automatic scenario where all locos go about their business with no help from me!

Ian

Hi Ian,

This can be done quite successfully. The first loco does not have to move after decoupling it can just sit where it stops. The second loco should have a trackmark to couple at and only the platform entrance signal to hinder it.

First loco commands, drive to stationXXX , terminate passenger train, uncouplez, wait for trigger XXX. Shunter commands from where ever it is, drive via trackmark XXX, couple at trackmark XXX, Stop train, wait 5 seconds, drive to wherever. This second loco should run over a trigger to tell the first loco to go to MPD or wherever. The shunter will stop at the plaform entrance signal then should approach the coupling trackmark and stop about 50 - 60 metres away then move slowly to the coupling point. Give it a bit of time it can be frustrating waiting for it but it will do it.
Note place a trackmark near the rear of the train when it comes to a stop for the shunter to couple at.

If all else fails post again and I will do an example for you.

Cheers,
Bill69

 

[fran1]

You could try this, as the 1st loco approaches the platform it hits a trigger which the 2nd loco is waiting for, with the command couple to vehicle in front/behind signal (name it).
You will need to time this, give the first loco a "wait for" command after arrival in platform. He then uncouples and moves forward into an area between the buffers and a signal which isolates him from the empty coaches.
Whether this will work in 2004 I dont know, it does in 06.

 

[stagecoach]

Use Post message and Wait for message and clear commands. Arrival train post message when it has completed task, second engine wait for message and carry out its task. The couple after signal might work but in other cases the second engine wont pass a danger signal if a consist is beyond it. I always set it up so the second engine had no facing signal between it and the consist.

 

[Bill69]

Unfortunately stagecoach is right. In 2004 the driver will not pass a red signal, it works very well in 2009. However I have set up an example in 2004 which works without the shunter driver passing a signal, coupling to the coaches that have just arrived at the station and taking them to a siding.
If you want it drop me an email Ian.

Cheers,
Bill69

 

[Mick_Berg]

Interesting thread! I've been playing with this at Kings Cross on the ECML.
I found that it could be done with "Post Message", "Wait for Message and Clear" (I made my own messages by the way, the driver names are unnecessary and confusing), and "Couple at Trackmark." I never found a solution to the signal problem though. Had to remove the offending signal from the route, which is pretty bad.
Thanks,
Mick Berg.

 

[Capt_Haddock]

Ian
"Move to Loco" is a command that can be called up in an A1 session, it is not quite the same as the command that necessitates you moving the mouse until it is hovering over the new loco.

Chris

 

[itareus]

.....The first loco does not have to move after decoupling it can just sit where it stops........................ second loco should run over a trigger to tell the first loco to go to MPD or wherever.......

Does this not mean that the first loco moves before the second loco couples?

 

[Bill69]

Does this not mean that the first loco moves before the second loco couples?

The loco that brought the train into the station does not have to move away after uncoupling. When the shunter couples it will move the train slightly but it won't recouple to the original loco. The shunter can then take the train away to a siding or to another station, however if the coaches are passenger enabled they will load when the shunter couples.

I have sent the demo to Ian if anyone else would like it drop me an email.

Cheers,
Bill69

 

[itareus]

...I have sent the demo to Ian if anyone else would like it drop me an email....

You have mail..

 

[Red_Rattler]

I have a situation where I have a passenger train pull into a terminus, then the loco uncouples. Then a second loco drives to the rear of the first train and couples to it.
I'm trying to use invisible signals to get loco 2 close enough to couple.

Doesn't your terminus have a run round/passing loop?

 

[Ian_Coleman]

In answer to your question, Red Rattler:-
No. It is a 3-lane terminus which has the station building facing the end of the 3 tracks.

Ian