Random direction change

mag315

Member
Does the direction in which track was laid affect locomotives under manual control? I know I've read where it affected AI trains but nothing about a manually controlled loco. Since installing Hotfix2, my locos randomly change direction and I have to manually change them back before they will continue. It's especially bad when running trains with two units on the head end. Any ideas?
 
Not under manual control - you can drive it where you like. Because I've found AI drivers seem to pick the shortest route to the destination, I've always laid my track in the direction of travel and positioned a few directional markers in appropriate areas,... and have not had any trains going in the wrong direction.
There are times when you do need the train to reverse and change direction, so you must allow for that. Good signalling helps.
Whenever I run a double-header or a tail-ender 'pusher', I only ever nominate one driver to the lead unit. That one driver controls the consist, so there is never any conflict and it always runs smooth.
Of course when it comes down to it, it's all trial and error until you achieve what you are looking for. Good luck.

Cheers,
Roy3b3
 
Although the AI train control issue is more anecdotal, the track direction does affect how trackside objects are placed. If all the track is placed in the direction of travel, then all left and right side objects like signals, signs, etc, are all placed correctly, i.e., left side on the left, right side on the right. If the track is randomly placed, then half the time you have to change the side they appear on. That is why for double track lines, each singe track should be placed separately, makes signal placement that much easier. There are several track spacers available, some purely visible, others where the track attaches, to help maintain track spacing.
 
This particular layout has no signals and is designed as a shortline route where there will never be more than one train operating at a time. As far as laying track all in the same direction, this is not possible on this particular layout because it contains several "wye" junctions to provide for continuous running and you're going to have a conflict no matter how you lay the track. I've re-laid some of the track and it seems to have helped relieve some of the problem but it still pops up from time to time.
 
Are you going into the cab? If you originally reversed the direction in Driver, (it started with one end as forward and you changed it to the other) and you go back into the cab, it resets the changed direction.
 
Are you going into the cab? If you originally reversed the direction in Driver, (it started with one end as forward and you changed it to the other) and you go back into the cab, it resets the changed direction.[/QUOTE

No, this happens when I am viewing the train from the outside. I'll be driving along and a red arrow will appear over the engines and the train will start to slow down, come to a stop and start going in the opposite direction. Never had a problem with this until I installed the latest "hotfix."
 
Are you going into the cab? If you originally reversed the direction in Driver, (it started with one end as forward and you changed it to the other) and you go back into the cab, it resets the changed direction.[/QUOTE

No, this happens when I am viewing the train from the outside. I'll be driving along and a red arrow will appear over the engines and the train will start to slow down, come to a stop and start going in the opposite direction. Never had a problem with this until I installed the latest "hotfix."

Are you running the train with 'Driver Commands' or 'manually' controlling yourself?
It's always a good idea to use some signals, so that the train knows if it can travel along that particular line. Even on dead-end lines or sidings, I will place a dwarf signal or a buffer at the end of the track. Placing a signal close to your turnout 'wye' and the end of the siding shows the train how much space it can work within.
If a red arrow appears over your loco, you've switched it into reverse. A click of the mouse near the speed regulator (which is very sensitive) can cause the train to change direction in a split second.
Have you tried running your loco to 'trackmarks' ? By placing these at specific points on your layout and giving driver commands to your train, you can test the best way to actually set your layout to give the results you are looking for.

Good luck,
Cheers,
Roy3b3
 
Are you running the train with 'Driver Commands' or 'manually' controlling yourself?
It's always a good idea to use some signals, so that the train knows if it can travel along that particular line. Even on dead-end lines or sidings, I will place a dwarf signal or a buffer at the end of the track. Placing a signal close to your turnout 'wye' and the end of the siding shows the train how much space it can work within.
If a red arrow appears over your loco, you've switched it into reverse. A click of the mouse near the speed regulator (which is very sensitive) can cause the train to change direction in a split second.
Have you tried running your loco to 'trackmarks' ? By placing these at specific points on your layout and giving driver commands to your train, you can test the best way to actually set your layout to give the results you are looking for.

Good luck,
Cheers,
Roy3b3

I use the keyboard to control my locos, don't even have the controller showing on the screen. I like my screen to be completely clear when operating trains. Would the direction orientation of the cars I'm pulling have any bearing on this at all?
 
I use the keyboard to control my locos, don't even have the controller showing on the screen. I like my screen to be completely clear when operating trains. Would the direction orientation of the cars I'm pulling have any bearing on this at all?


The direction orientation of the cars you are pulling has no bearing on your operating problem. I often have tail-ended locos reversed-facing and it has no effect, because it is the lead loco that is actually in control.

I do prefer to set individual routes for each train and I do this via 'Central Portal Control' - In addition, I usually have 'entry' & 'exit' Portals set up at all ends of my routes which launch new and different trains every 5, 10, 20 minutes apart. For it to run smoothly and without any major stoppages, it is important for my routes to be signalled properly.

I also like to have a completely clear screen in order to take screenshots when I like. I still use a mouse but if you press the F6 key, it toggles your task-bars and other controls on and off.

So, once I have my route all 'programmed-up' I can sit back and enjoy the ride and view. And, if I want to change trains or check the progress of new trains entering the route via a portal, I just toggle F6 - it's easy.
I also get more satisfaction when I can see 20 trains all running to schedule.

Before I retired, I was a manager of an insurance company, so I like to delegate and give orders. Trainz gives me the opportunity to still do that.

Cheers,
Roy3b3
 
What I have found unfortunately, I think since TS2009, is AI like to face the direction they are traveling in. This presents a problem if you want to reverse a train over a long distance such as when running a commuter push-pull arrangement with a cab-control car on the trailing end of the train.

I've been able to get around this somewhat by using two locomotives connected tail-end to each other. It's not always prototypical, but it gets the job done, otherwise, the AI will attempt to turn themselves around, drive the wrong way, keep backing up, or heading into sidings and getting stuck.
 
I found that if you use the Drive to command then the consist would move to the marker or industry in the shortest possible route.
If you use the Navigate to command the the consist would possibly change direction if waiting at a red signal for some time to find another path to the marker or industry point.
 
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