Navigating to a Particular Track in a Yard?

[FloridaGuy]

I'm a relative newbie starting to program scenarios in my route. I have track marks near the end of each track in my 12-track yard but when I give a driver the command 'Navigate to Track Mark Yard 8', for example, the consist always goes to Yard 1 at the top. It then realizes it's in the wrong place and drives back out on to the yard lead and starts over, ad infinitum. Same thing happens with a 'Drive to Track Mark Yard 8' command.

I've thought about using the Path Control rule but even with the brief tutorials on the jsTRF site I don't know where or how to start. The demo routes are no help either because I'm not sure what they're trying to accomplish.

I'd really appreciate some help on either the 'Navigate to...' approach or the Path Control approach.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Lewiscc65]

How far is the train from the yard when you start. If it is to close AI will not have time to check the route and the train will follow the direction the switches are set too when you start driver. Carl

 

[misterchugg]

hi mate
put a trackmark in just before the yard ladder and then make it go via that to the 1 you want it to go to.

i had the same problem before releasing my route

you also need to have it signalled and make sure that there are no dircetion arrows going the wrong way

cheers
ron

 

[FloridaGuy]

Still having problems getting into yard tracks under AI. To answer your questions and suggestions

The train is about 900' before the start of the yard ladder.

I added a trackmark just before the yard and used 'Navigate Via' followed by 'Navigate To'. Also changed the default settings of a couple of switches which helped some. Tried putting a 30 second 'Wait For' after 'Navigate Via' without success.

The situation now is: if the train drives in (loco first) it will go directly to the specified yard track, but if the train is backing in it will back up past the upper end of the ladder. Then it stops, drives down to where it started from, backs up again and this time it backs into the specified yard track.

Help!

 

[misterchugg]

hi mate
thats 1 of the problems with AI.
they do basically what they want.

if you have a look at my caboolture to rockhampton route and session you'll be able to see how i set it and the signals up.
the signals you use and where they are placed alos have a big bearing on how AI go.

it took me a long time to get it to this stage.
a lot of being frustrated too.
i run 15 AI on my route.

let me know how you go

cheers
ron

 

[FloridaGuy]

Hi Ron

Installed your route and session and ran it briefly before hitting the sack. Magnificent tour of Down Under!

I'll get back to you after I've had some time to study it.

Thanks

Warren

 

[misterchugg]

hi warren

will wait to see how you go
cheers
ron

 

[trev999]

How to use JS-TRF Path Control

Hi Warren - Are you using jsTRF-Path Control and jsTRF-Setpath commands?

It is not too difficult to use, but your signals must have localised names.

To program jsTRF-Path Control first add the rule to your route.
Also Edit the Driver Command rule and add PathControl setpath command
And an Autodrive driver command.

Now Edit the Path Control rule: Click New Yard and give it a new name.
Click New Path and name it after the destination you want.

Now click the Edit box to the right of the path name.
To the right of the message "No Start Signal Selected" click the edit box
Click on the first signal ahead of the loco and set it to green.
Underneath the signal icon will be the first junction icon.
Click the junction icon to set it's direction.
Continue until you reach your destination trackmark.
The signal icons can be set to 'automatic' all except the first one.

MOST IMPORTANT: Click the <save> link or everything will be forgotten.

Now in Driver, add a Setpath command and select your destination trackmark.
Then add an Autodrive command. You can wait for the path to clear or not, as you choose.

In the General instructions it says press the K key on the keyboard for info on the route, or something to that effect.

Bingo!

Cheers - Trevor

 

[FloridaGuy]

Re: How to use js-TRF Path Control

Hi Trevor

Thanks for your info on using Path Control. I followed your instructions but can't make Path Control run.

Here's the situation: I have a yard lead going into a ladder with 6 tracks. Near the end of each track is a Trackmark labeled Yard 1, Yard 2, etc.

On the yard lead, about 100' before the switch (Jct. 3) that turns into the ladder, I have one signal. It is the only signal in the path I want to establish.

The 6 switches on the ladder are Junctions 4,6,8,10,12 and 14. These turn to the right into the yard tracks 1 through 6 which, as I said, end with the Trackmarks Yard 1 through Yard 6.

In the Path Control setup I set a path from just before the signal, which is labeled Yard Entrance SW, to Yard 4. My setup shows the signal Yard entrance SW with a green light followed by junctions 3,4,6 and 8 set left followed by junction10 set right. (Incidentally, it seems like 4,6 and 8 should be set straight, not left, but there's no way to do this. A click on the switch icon sets it left and the next click sets it right - no way to get to the middle position).

I saved the path with a name. In Driver Setup, Under Path Control, I selected Set Path (queue) and my named path, followed by Autodrive to my Trackmark Yard 4.

When I go into Driver, nothing happens. The consist just sits there and the switch to track 4 doesn't change to the right. Worse yet, I lose control of the loco. If I remove the Autodrive and Path Control icons I should regain DCC control over the loco but I don't. Other locos on the route are unaffected. Same thing happens if I choose Set Path (wait)

I'm sure there's some simple thing I'm missing. I'd appreciate any thoughts you have.

Thanks a lot,

Warren

 

[misterchugg]

hi warren

you will need to signal all the sidings or the train will not go there

the trackmarks will need to be inside both signals

i had the same problems with my route

it takes a bit to get it set up the right way

cheers
ron