Trouble with Priority Markers

[KonstantinMMRR]

I have place my own priority (purple) markers on the Mojave Subdivision (then saved under a new name). The default is "2" and I have left all of my trains as "2." The problem is, the trains do not seem to follow the priority at all.

For example, on a passing siding, I made the priority (purple arrows) be for the southern track. This means it will be the right-hand track for eastbound trains and the left-hand track for westbound trains. I did this because there are spurs on the northern track. This way, a way-freight can switch, and not disturb AI through-freights passing through. I noticed that the AI trains decided to run on the right side, even if no other train was anywhere near it. This is only one example, I have noticed throughout the route, that AI trains do not seem to notice the purple priority arrows, even when no other trains are anywhere near them. What am I doing wrong?

Dean

 

[JCitron]

I have place my own priority (purple) markers on the Mojave Subdivision (then saved under a new name). The default is "2" and I have left all of my trains as "2." The problem is, the trains do not seem to follow the priority at all.

For example, on a passing siding, I made the priority (purple arrows) be for the southern track. This means it will be the right-hand track for eastbound trains and the left-hand track for westbound trains. I did this because there are spurs on the northern track. This way, a way-freight can switch, and not disturb AI through-freights passing through. I noticed that the AI trains decided to run on the right side, even if no other train was anywhere near it. This is only one example, I have noticed throughout the route, that AI trains do not seem to notice the purple priority arrows, even when no other trains are anywhere near them. What am I doing wrong?

Dean

Priority markers work when set to something other than 2. You need to then change the priority on each of your AI consists so they will use the markers.

An alternative is to use trackmarks (red ones), and have the AI drivers drive via the trackmark-name. When you place a trackmark, the properties dialog box comes up automatically. You can name the trackmark from something else other than "trackmark number" to something more intuitive like Northside through track, etc.

John

 

[dricketts]

I've brought this up before but no one really responded. Would it be possible to create a priority marker without the numbering system.

I've always found it troubling how AI trains will use old rusty passing sidings because it is the shortest point between two points. Could a marker be created where all trains use the marker unless the path is blocked by another train?

 

[JCitron]

I've brought this up before but no one really responded. Would it be possible to create a priority marker without the numbering system.

I've always found it troubling how AI trains will use old rusty passing sidings because it is the shortest point between two points. Could a marker be created where all trains use the marker unless the path is blocked by another train?

I remember that post, actually. This would be a great idea. How about assigning a priority to the consist based on content or train type? I've suggested this at one point.

Instead of using priority number, the priority categories could be setup like Fast Passenger Express, Slow Freight Drag, Local Passenger, Commuter, etc.

With this setup, there then needs to be supporting code that would read the assigned priority, and allow the fast passenger express for example, have the main line and force the slow freight to take the siding to get out of the way.

This is only the concept of the idea since I'm not a programmer, and have no clue on how to write something like this.

John

 

[dricketts]

I'm was actually thinking something even simpler. Just a priority marker you don't have to assign any value. A marker that keeps all trains on the mainline and off passing sidings.

This would alleviate the need to add so many drive via commands on a long route.

 

[JCitron]

I'm was actually thinking something even simpler. Just a priority marker you don't have to assign any value. A marker that keeps all trains on the mainline and off passing sidings.

This would alleviate the need to add so many drive via commands on a long route.

I like that even better. Sometimes simpler means easier to implement.

What we don't want is something else to try to fathom out and then support for days on end in the forums.

John

 

[dricketts]

I'm not an expert but it's a simple concept so I would hope it's a fairly simple creation compared to other track markers.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge than me will chime in.

 

[KonstantinMMRR]

If they don't work with priority 2, then that is different than what the manual says.

If I have to change priorities, then how do I change the priority of trains arriving from portals?

 

[JamesMoody]

If they don't work with priority 2, then that is different than what the manual says.

They do work with 2 - but track has priority 2 by default. So a track with no marker is already priority 2.

Try placing the markers where you don't want the AI to go and setting them to priority 3 instead.

Also note: you can place the markers in the session layer, and then you don't have to edit the route.

 

[baz66]

My understanding of priority markers is : if your AI has a choice of track to drive, he will go to the priority that is set for him. EG train priority is set to one. Ai comes to siding with main line set to 1, siding set to 2. Ai follows main line.
baz

 

[colourlight]

I use a combination of red track markers and yellow direction markers. I prefer that to priority markers.

 

[JohnnyC1]

Priority Markers work best when you don't want a consist to take the shortest route between 2 points ie; a passing siding with a industry on a inside curve, AI will take to the siding. If you put a priority marker a use a priority other than 2, AI will not venture there, however AI will sill go there if you issue a "Navigate To" or "Drive To" command to an industry on the priority 1 or 3 track even though your consist is priority 2.

John

 

[Kennilworth]

Hi

Try setting the priority markers to different numbers for each track. Then use the Priorityz driver command to set the priority for each train. The beauty of this command is that it can be used in the middle of the driver commands to change the train priority if, for example, the way freight needs to access the other track when shunting.

Regards

Brian

 

[KonstantinMMRR]

James Moody, now I understand what you are saying. I changed priority markers to "3", then ran some prioirty 3 trains. It worked perfectly. It is also nice to see sections of track various colors based on priority.

Dean

 

[dricketts]

They do work with 2 - but track has priority 2 by default. So a track with no marker is already priority 2.

Try placing the markers where you don't want the AI to go and setting them to priority 3 instead.

Also note: you can place the markers in the session layer, and then you don't have to edit the route.

Priority Markers work best when you don't want a consist to take the shortest route between 2 points ie; a passing siding with a industry on a inside curve, AI will take to the siding. If you put a priority marker a use a priority other than 2, AI will not venture there, however AI will sill go there if you issue a "Navigate To" or "Drive To" command to an industry on the priority 1 or 3 track even though your consist is priority 2.

John

I've tried this and the AI set at default 2 still wants to take the shortest path through a priority marker set at 3.

Are you sure about this?

Edit:
I think I see what the problem is. Every time I save the route the markers revert back to priority 2. I guess the markers' priority can only be saved in sessions which is not what I'm looking for. Is this correct?

 

[mtldrm38]

I found that track markers work if ya have sidings etc and some odd reason they on a shorter route the AI follows.......
usually a mistake on route builders with some routes with yards along a main its wiser to make the yard a one entrance or placing a lead track prior to the line that ends also works well