To ATLS or Not to ATLS

[Zygon2004]

Hi.

I apologize ahead of time for what is likely a dumb question. But honestly, I just learned what ATLS stood for an hour ago.

I've been watching video tutorials on how to set up an ATLS crossing. It's new to me. Prior to this, I've always used the built in crossings.

I'm curious what the difference is, what is the advantage of all the additional work to set up a crossing?


I plan to try it, it looks fun, but hopefully someone can take a moment and tell me the difference.


Thanks.

 

[JIb228]

You get a much more flexible crossing system then what you get with the fixed tracks one. For example:

That is an ATLS crossing, because there are no fixed track ones that fit it.

And another:

And one more:

And a last one showing the mixing of crossing elements/styles.

On one had, you can make any style, angle, and number of tracks and road's you want/need. On the other hand, it can be a bit more work in setting up and getting to work right. It also has a few more issues then fixed tracking crossings.

In my opinion though, its worth it.

 

[Dermmy]

Ditto above - there's a bit of a learning curve, but ATLS crossings are absolutely worth the effort....

 

[Zygon2004]

Awesome pictures, thank you! I'll definitely give it a try.

I opened up a built in route to look around for ideas and saw crossings using this method. It confused me, so I appreciate your time in answering my questions. Thank you.

 

[stagecoach]

There are so many different ways to set up the ATLS to make it work as in the real world. The crossing can be set up to open early for fast trains or later for slow trains. It can be used when a crossing is at the end of a station and you don't want the crossing to activate because the train will wait in the station for some time. There is no end to the other uses of the ATLS assets when placed together. Remember the set up is only saved to the session unless you name each asset with the code that appears in the top left of the assets properties window. This will then save all settings to the map.

 

[Falcus]

As someone thats dinked around with Routes now for awhile, the freedom that ATLS offers is worth the learning curve. I did have to have someone show me how to set it up the first time because the directions on the assets are a little less then Crystal Clear, but once you get the basic set up, its cake. In exchange you get a system that allows you to choose how to create each and every grade crossing and every asset that goes into (Or over) it. Which road, which track, which crossing lights/Gates, what Sounds, when/how it activates, what angle the crossing is at......

This alone makes it worth it.
Falcus

 

[jordon412]

I originally planned on using ATLS on my routes, but I found an Achilles heel about ATLS: when switching (i.e. delivering cars to industries), and you activate an ATLS crossing, you must go completely across the crossing, plus all the ATLS triggers for the crossing, and any other crossing and triggers you activate while going thru the ATLS crossing and triggers, to prevent any script errors or screw up the crossing in other ways. That's the reason why I'm using the railroad crossings designed to be used with the roads I'm using. If the route you're making is just to drive a train from point A to point B, ATLS is the way to go.

 

[JCitron]

I too have discovered the ATLS crossings. They're not that difficult to setup once you do a couple of them. I use them for those odd angled road crossings that will twist everything at funny angles if prebuilt crossing is used. On one route, this turned out to be most of the crossings in one area.

John

 

[KenRuof]

One of my route has 40 ATLS, pain to setup but works except for the aforementioned switching moves. I am waiting for Vincent to get his crossing triggers working with bnsf50 crossing, it seems to have more flexibly. He has a post in the free creations section.

 

[JohnnyC1]

The also can be use to open/close rail gates, bridges, and doors.

John

 

[stagecoach]

With regards the switching moves mentioned. Don't forget there are driver commands that can replace the triggers. In yards where a crossing is situated I always use the ATLS driver commands to activate the crossing. One yard I have is set up with one trigger on entry from main line while all the workings in the yard are driver commands. Use the correct driver command for the crossing set up.
You could set up a 4 trigger crossing with just 2 triggers placed on the crossing and the other 2 as driver commands.

 

[Falcus]

I originally planned on using ATLS on my routes, but I found an Achilles heel about ATLS: when switching (i.e. delivering cars to industries), and you activate an ATLS crossing, you must go completely across the crossing, plus all the ATLS triggers for the crossing, and any other crossing and triggers you activate while going thru the ATLS crossing and triggers, to prevent any script errors or screw up the crossing in other ways. That's the reason why I'm using the railroad crossings designed to be used with the roads I'm using. If the route you're making is just to drive a train from point A to point B, ATLS is the way to go.

Theres a French Gentleman working on a fix for this. His new Trigger system should make this occurrence non-existent. Last I read though there was some question about how well it worked with BNSF50's Crossing assets that he was working on.
http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?113958-A-new-system-to-manage-your-rail-crossing

Falcus

 

[ryanstrains]

Theres a French Gentleman working on a fix for this. His new Trigger system should make this occurrence non-existent. Last I read though there was some question about how well it worked with BNSF50's Crossing assets that he was working on.
http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?113958-A-new-system-to-manage-your-rail-crossing

Falcus

I very much like this new system over ATLS, I am still trying to figure out some little issues with it but overall its much simpler to set up as well as more prototypical. I recently modified all my crossings to have a TRC and ATLS versions and am now testing them.

 

[rr325]

Sorry to bump an old topic, but I was wondering how to get your crossings to work with TRC
Again, sorry!

 

[KenRuof]

That did not pan out, which is sad as Vincent's system is much more flexible and easier to use. I use it for things like bridges, the only crossings that work are the HP ones and Vincent's of course.

 

[ish6]

Hi All --

I have use it on a massive scale --- similiar to having lots of avenues with lots of intersections -- One suggestion: Set it up on a demo board --- then when ou got it working merge that board, and then copy and paste -- Always keep the demo board so you can refers back to!

Good Luck
Ish

 

[rr325]

What crossings?

 

[wholikestobepirate12]

You get a much more flexible crossing system then what you get with the fixed tracks one. For example:

That is an ATLS crossing, because there are no fixed track ones that fit it.

And another:

And one more:

And a last one showing the mixing of crossing elements/styles.

On one had, you can make any style, angle, and number of tracks and road's you want/need. On the other hand, it can be a bit more work in setting up and getting to work right. It also has a few more issues then fixed tracking crossings.

In my opinion though, its worth it.

In the second ATLS crossing with HOG textures, what is that giant red pin? It's name please and what it is there for?