Notice to all visitors and members of the Train-Sim.Com message forums: If you plan on using a signature banner in your posts, we would like to remind you that there is a maximum size for banners. That maximum is 450 pixels wide by 120 pixels high, and not to exceed 25k. Your compliance is appreciated. FORUM RULES Problems? There are two common reasons for problems with logging in and posting messages. The first is that you are running a firewall that prevents your messages from being sent to the server. The other is that you have cookies disabled; the DCForum software requires cookies to work properly.
Ive been fooling around Balloon Loops for a month or so , primarily to get them to be able to be used in Activities, and Ive had a bit of success. Ive been able to get player and AI trains to run around Balloon Loops without any probs. I was prompted to do this after having played around with the excellent Marias V3 route which has Balloon Loops at Shelby and Whitefish. Ive now been able (with a small amount of modifications) to get these Balloon Loops to work properly and Ive run a train from Whitefish to Shelby ,around the Loop at Shelby all the way back to Whitefish around the Loop at Whitefish and then out to Kalispell. Took all day to run.In order to explain what needs to be done , Ive created a small route called Balloon.zip (which should be in the File Library), and there is a read me which contains what Ive learnt about Balloon Loops. The route has to be modified slightly and there are a couple of tricks necessary with the AE to get the AI Dispatcher to allow your train to run around the Loop. Its not perfect though, as there are still some probs I havnt figured out how to solve.The modified Balloon Loops are uni-directional and explore mode doesnt work if you try and run around the Loop (the AI Dispatcher wont let you out of it .)Best of luk.Maurie Daly mauried@tpg.com.au
Maurie I downloaded and went through the route and documents today and appreciate the work you've put into this.I've found one exception to your explore not working (at least on mine). I've got a balloon on mine that will let you in (opposite direction as an activity btw) and if you clear the incoming switch, it will conditionally let you out the other side: you have to ask permission first which is always granted the first time, but don't ask again The only two constant rules I've found with mine is you go in one way with an activity and the opposite way in explore. This has not changed in literally hundreds of times of trying different combinations. Everything else seems to change with how you hold your mouth .. etc
Yes , I found that sometimes in explore mode you could get out by asking permission , but it didnt always work. Occasionally I would get the dreaded Permission denied msg. It might work in a scenerio where there is only 1 Loop. Ive mainly tried all the testing on a route with 2 loops as Marias V3 has 2 loops and thats what got me trying to fix this. Im currently making a route with 4 Loops in it to see if there is a limit .Ive found also a minor prob with passenger activities . If you stop at a station to pick up passengers , then go around a Loop and come back into the same station but in the opposite direction you cant pick up or set down passengers. The Sim knows your in a station as the station mileage indicator counts down to zero as you approach. I think its something to do with what side of the train the Sim thinks the doors are on. You can fix this by making the station an island platform or a 2 track platform ,and ensuring that when you return to the station you use the opposite platform. Then the doors appear to be on the right side.MD
