Noob help with quick drive

[jpmeyers]

Hello,

I'm new to TANE. I have successfully completed the in game tutorials and I'm able to operate those trains. However, when I moved on to creating my own first route, I am running into a problem being able to operate a train. I have created a fairly simple closed loop route with some yards attached. I also added a simple train and some cars to the default session. When I open the route in quick drive, I am able to get the train moving with the simple controls. However, if I stop the train with the S key, I am unable to get it going again with either the W or X key. The throttle responds, however, the train never starts moving again. What am I doing wrong?

 

[pitkin]

Instead of using quick drive, try saving and exiting surveyor and opening the session in driver. See if the problem persists. You should be able to use quick drive as you are trying to, but....

I will get pushback on this, but quickdrive seems to have quirks such that I try not to use it.

 

[Alikiwi]

Depends on whether you're using simple control or full cab mode. If they latter it is possible the brakes aren't releasing, so hold down the D key until the pressure drops to zero.

 

[jpmeyers]

Depends on whether you're using simple control or full cab mode. If they latter it is possible the brakes aren't releasing, so hold down the D key until the pressure drops to zero.

I was using simple control mode. The problem appears to happen near switches. I ensured the switch was set correctly but still couldn't get the train to start moving again. When it happened a second time, I opened the Train menu (F7) and used the Move Train tool to move the train backwards along the track a short distance and was able to resume operations.

 

[Enkidoh]

This is just a guess but do you have the actual locomotive selected as the unit you're controlling? There is no specific visual indication to show which is the one you currently have control of in a train (or 'consist' as Trainz calls them), but if you have a carriage that is not self-propelled targeted then no amount of moving the controls will get that moving, you have to target the locomotive at the very front (or rear, as the case may be).

As stated there is no indication in the game which locomotive or carriage you currently have targeted when you're in external, tracking or free range view (in other words, outside the train), so it's easy to accidentally shift yourself along the train to another carriage which has no power. Try clicking on the locomotive at the front and then try the controls again and see if that helps.

 

[jpmeyers]

This is just a guess but do you have the actual locomotive selected as the unit you're controlling? There is no specific visual indication to show which is the one you currently have control of in a train (or 'consist' as Trainz calls them), but if you have a carriage that is not self-propelled targeted then no amount of moving the controls will get that moving, you have to target the locomotive at the very front (or rear, as the case may be).

The problem happens when I have only a single engine on the layout and no rolling stock connected to it. I was using it to test out the track I was laying. The thought had occurred to me that I was some how de-selecting the locomotive and I tried clicking on it to reselect it but as you point out, there is no indication if the locomotive is selected or not. I also tried ctrl-right clicking the locomotive and I get a long menu of options. However, none of them allow me to regain control of the locomotive.

This problem happens in both quickdrive and the regular driver modes.

One time, I was able to restore operations by going into the options and changing from simple controls to realistic controls and then back to simple controls. I'm not sure if that helps anyone to figure what I'm doing wrong in the first place.