Multi-Path Control v5 Help with setting up please - or suggest an alternative

[davidbird]

Well, I've hit a problem.

...

The problem is this.
As the train clears the path, the starter momentarily switches to Danger, then back to clear.

...

Well, that was simply solved by having a longer train! The problem seemed to occur when my test train - a light engine - cleared the last junction before it reached the starter signal. By having a longer train it seems to have cured it!

Now the problem is as stated by Kenilworth at the start of page2 of this thread, the path is not released by the player-train, it needs to be the train that activated the path that clears the path, which is of course the dummy non-moving train...

 

[davidbird]

Got it!

By using _mutton_ 's Path Rule and associated Select Path drivercommand there is no need to use a dummy non-moving train for route setting.

Use Path Rule to set up the paths, no need to include signals within the paths - so they stay on automatic control.
Place triggers on the route at the appropriate places where you want a train to set the path.
In "Driver Commands - Specify which commands will be available for drivers" Rule, ensure the Path Command (with the yellow path) is ticked.

In "Driver Setup" rule, assign "select path" drivercommands to your player train.
Click on the green arrow to add a command and add the "select path" drivercommand, but rather than choosing the path, choose the last item on the list - Mode:xxx > Set on Trigger> Appropriate trigger.
This will appear to have no effect but by clicking the green arrow and adding Select Path again now the last item should read Mode:On xxx trigger. This time select the required path from the list of yards > paths. The path icon should now appear in the row of drivercommands.
Add further paths as needed, remember to change the Mode to the correct trigger for the path each time.

When you run the driver session, the drivercommands all activate and are stored somewhere, they all complete and control is returned to the player. You drive the train manually. When the player-driven train hits the trigger, the path is set, when it hits the release object the path is released.

Happy?

 

[Kennilworth]

Hi David

Thank you for posting the solution to this. It will be useful in the future for me as I hadn't figured out how to use the mode option in _mutton_s path rule - too lazy to bother really as I had brummfondels path trigger rule working perfectly for what I needed it for.

Regards

Brian

 

[davidbird]

A few more things about this method -

To ensure automatic signals stay red until the path is set, make the default direction of each junction (the direction of the red/green arrows in surveyor) within a path lead onto a dead end. As already mentioned, the SnC semaphores don't like having an aspect forced on them, also I seem to remember that Bloodnok's MAS colourlights also don't keep a "Set Signal State".

I think (more testing needed to definitely confirm) that junction directions are not changed unless all the permits for a path have been obtained. This avoids the "fiddler's elbow" effect mentioned in the 2nd link in pwjohnson' s post above where a path part-completes, allowing a signal to clear, then un-sets as the full path is not available.

By carefully positioning triggers, when a path sets can be controlled. A class 1 express would be set to use a trigger a log way before the junction, to reserve the path with priority over any other train; a slow freight of lower priority would use a trigger much closer while "approach release" can be used by having the trigger only just before the start of the path - remembering that the signal is held to red by the default dead-end path.

By using Check Consist, On Time rules, with set Driver Schedule as a child rule, to send fresh select path command to your player train you can get the player train to run to it's schedule. As a simple test I have manually driven my train into a loop, watched a following AI train pass, then at departure time waited for signals to clear and then driven my train back onto the main line.

Hope this helps.