Priority Track Marker
- Thread starter sethmcs
- Start date
shaneturner12
Tutorial Creator
There are 3 priority levels.
Trains will use the track (usually) that matches their priority level.
The default level is 2, but using commands from the Download Station (for portal trains) or modifying the properties of a train, the priority of particular trains can be changed.
Shane
Trains will use the track (usually) that matches their priority level.
The default level is 2, but using commands from the Download Station (for portal trains) or modifying the properties of a train, the priority of particular trains can be changed.
Shane
Does anyone know how the track priority marker works?Intuitively I assumed that AI trains would use this path unless ordered otherwise. That doesn't seem to be the case. What am I missing here?
I've posted a few threads about these myself and I'm still trying to figure them out. I really don't see the use for them the way they currently work. Just like you I thought an AI train would follow them and stay off a passing siding for example but that's not how they work. If you ever find a use for them more power to you...
As a long standing Trainzer I have to ask you, did the "Priority Markers" come in before, or with, TS2004? I suspect they were part of the original Trainz concept and have never been looked at since - if it ain't broke dont' fix it - but I agree with you, they really are pretty useless as they stand.
This what I use them for also, however if you have a siding that has a priority marker set so that you trains won't go there, be aware if your preferred route is blocked, your train will choose the siding.
John
Working them out
I had the problem on my WCL1 from addington due to multiple tracks that trains went every which way, especially high priority ones.
At forst I used 1 as high priority but soon discovered that didn't work very well so class expresses as priority 3.
As 'normal' is 2 this meant that local trains would take the local lines unmarked.
I never tested what would happen to a 1 priority that would have been for goods. I suspect they would have taken the 2 routes?
Angela
I had the problem on my WCL1 from addington due to multiple tracks that trains went every which way, especially high priority ones.
At forst I used 1 as high priority but soon discovered that didn't work very well so class expresses as priority 3.
As 'normal' is 2 this meant that local trains would take the local lines unmarked.
I never tested what would happen to a 1 priority that would have been for goods. I suspect they would have taken the 2 routes?
Angela
Conductorphil
Master Yard Builder
To the best of my knowledge, priority markers change how the AI use the track.
The higher the priority, the more important the train. If two trains approach a single line that they must both use, the train with the higher prioirty will automatically be given the go ahead.
Think about it logically with your cargo. A Passenger train typically needs higher priority than say... a coal train. THe passenger train is priority one so on a priority one track, it will always have precedence over the coal train which is defaulted at priority two.
On a priority two track, the coal train would be more important than the passenger train.
Priorities are ignored if a track does not have a priority marker. It does not matter which direction the marker faces.
This is my structure of priorities in a simple form.
1. Passenger trains
2. Standard Freight trains
3. Shunters and slow freight.
Or, if you want to make it a little more complex.
1. Passenger Trains, Important trains
2. Perishable freight (meat, etc), important freight
3. Through freight trains (I.E: One portal to another, not stopping), Shunters, slow freight trains
As we humans are, we don't like being held up. So on busy routes, it's typically best to prioritize your tracks based on trains going through. Passenger trains should always be given high priority.
I generally found that trains ignored the type of priority track unless it involved opposing loco's. They always try to find the shortest route to their destination. If you want them to take a specific route, even using priority markers, then use the "Via Track Marker" command as well.
Does that help?
The higher the priority, the more important the train. If two trains approach a single line that they must both use, the train with the higher prioirty will automatically be given the go ahead.
Think about it logically with your cargo. A Passenger train typically needs higher priority than say... a coal train. THe passenger train is priority one so on a priority one track, it will always have precedence over the coal train which is defaulted at priority two.
On a priority two track, the coal train would be more important than the passenger train.
Priorities are ignored if a track does not have a priority marker. It does not matter which direction the marker faces.
This is my structure of priorities in a simple form.
1. Passenger trains
2. Standard Freight trains
3. Shunters and slow freight.
Or, if you want to make it a little more complex.
1. Passenger Trains, Important trains
2. Perishable freight (meat, etc), important freight
3. Through freight trains (I.E: One portal to another, not stopping), Shunters, slow freight trains
As we humans are, we don't like being held up. So on busy routes, it's typically best to prioritize your tracks based on trains going through. Passenger trains should always be given high priority.
I generally found that trains ignored the type of priority track unless it involved opposing loco's. They always try to find the shortest route to their destination. If you want them to take a specific route, even using priority markers, then use the "Via Track Marker" command as well.
Does that help?
Kennilworth
Active member
Hi
As mentioned by Itareus above these markers give a false impression with their name. You have to set the priority yourself to use them. The name given to them implies that if you just place them the AI will follow them anyway.
On the ECML route the main line in the London area is 4 track and trains using the two centre fast lines will swap to the slow lines everytime a bend makes the slow line shorter. This is the sort of situation where Priority Markers work best. I have the fast lines set to 3, the slow lines set to 2 and any through lines in yards set to 1. In my AI train driver schedule the first driver command is always a Priorityz command which sets the train to the appropriate number for the track that it needs to use. The beauty of this command is that you can use it at anytime in the trains schedule so if you are running a freight train on the slow line and it needs to enter a yard you can change the priority just before the yard entrance and the train will go into it.
The Priority markers are ideal in this sort of situation but are probably less useful on a two track system and no use at all on a single line system although I can see a use for them with passing loops where you want a train to always enter a particular track. You could use the Priorityz command to change the train priority as it approaches the loop and then switch it back after it has left the loop.
Regards
Brian
As mentioned by Itareus above these markers give a false impression with their name. You have to set the priority yourself to use them. The name given to them implies that if you just place them the AI will follow them anyway.
On the ECML route the main line in the London area is 4 track and trains using the two centre fast lines will swap to the slow lines everytime a bend makes the slow line shorter. This is the sort of situation where Priority Markers work best. I have the fast lines set to 3, the slow lines set to 2 and any through lines in yards set to 1. In my AI train driver schedule the first driver command is always a Priorityz command which sets the train to the appropriate number for the track that it needs to use. The beauty of this command is that you can use it at anytime in the trains schedule so if you are running a freight train on the slow line and it needs to enter a yard you can change the priority just before the yard entrance and the train will go into it.
The Priority markers are ideal in this sort of situation but are probably less useful on a two track system and no use at all on a single line system although I can see a use for them with passing loops where you want a train to always enter a particular track. You could use the Priorityz command to change the train priority as it approaches the loop and then switch it back after it has left the loop.
Regards
Brian
Yes they were around with the 2004 version and haven't changed. For me they are a little too much. I've posted before about someone creating a simple marker. One where all AI trains always follow these markers as long as the path is clear. No need to assign priorities to the marker, trains, and so on.
I can't remember exactly the responses I got but the jest was it was harder to create than what I'd expected.