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andyknott (4 posts)
Nov-22-01, 02:51 AM (EST) "Driving the helpers" I am trying to design an activity where you drive the helpers on Marias Pass.I have put a couple of BN SD40's at Cutbank and aranged a BN coal train to arrive. The activity then is to drive the helpers out of the yark and on to the back of the coal consist.
All works well in the activity editor.
If I set the coal consist to be standing at Cutbank before the activity starts all is well, but I wanted to be looking out of the helpers cab as the coal drag pulls in, but to no avail.
When I run the activity for real, the coal train never shows up.Is this because I have a consist in the yard so the program won't run an AI train on the main? Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
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Subject Author Message Date ID RE: Driving the helpers lnghairedwizard Nov-22-01 1 RE: Driving the helpers michigandon Nov-23-01 2 RE: Driving the helpers lnghairedwizard Nov-23-01 3 RE: Driving the helpers michigandon Nov-23-01 4

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lnghairedwizard (249 posts)
Nov-22-01, 05:19 PM (EST) 1. "RE: Driving the helpers" First youve got me alittle confused, there is a coal consist AND a coal drag that arrives? I dont know why there should be both (if that is what you meant....). certainly an AI train will stop for a either a static consist or if your helpers are in its path or on a siding less that 5 signals away the AI train may be stopping to avoid a collision, hence..it never shows up. (you will find alot of good info on deadlocks between player and AI trains by searching the archive ...use the search feature ...put in keywords AI and/or Red signals for example). As far as helper sevice goes, that is a toughy!!! I was thinking about attempting it myself and have a few thoughts I'll share with you...1. Its probably not possible to get close to the rear of an AI train if you have to pass through a signal or an automatic switch because the computer wont let you. It may be possible...(on a section of track between signals, and the swithes you use to get behind the AI train would all have to be manual).... but it would be much easier on a non signalled route (try PO&N for example as there are plenty of helper sidings)2. in real life, a train would likely stop before any helpers are attached and you would have to get the AI train to stop either by cleverly orchestrating it to stop at a signal for another AI train whilst you sneak up behind it and couple to it, or place several wait points in a row to slow it down to a crawl while you CAREFULLY couple to it. or probably easiest is to have it stop at a station (as if it were a passenger train) and couple while it is "loading", this last one assume you conviniently have a passenger station very close to where the helpers should be added.
3. Use a static consist as instead of an AI train...you could start out your activity with the "train in need of helpers" already stopped...just create a static consist with engines on the front and when you couple your helper engines to it you will "Automagically" have control of them while keeping your rear helper view although you still have one problem you'll have to confront...mentioned below4.Probably the BIGGEST PROBLEM is the fact concerning the front coupler problem...if you couple your helpers to the AI train by the front coupler so your "looking" forward you probably wont be able to budge a respectable size train, let alone get it up the hill. A solution to this is use an engine(s) with the "out the window" view (most of your downloadable engines have these) so you can "look backward" towards the front of the train. The 3D-Trains GP9's or other "Hi-Nose" diesels would look decent even travelling long hood forward.Hope some of this helps and good luck.Let me know is you have any success.Longhairedwizardbbzak@msn.com Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
michigandon (275 posts)
Nov-23-01, 00:52 AM (EST) 2. "RE: Driving the helpers" On many diesel helper units I have seen in action the engineer was driving "backwards" or operating from the rear unit or cab. So that would be the best way to get around number 4 (I know the West Olive coal train always got a little boost out of Plymouth Yard and they were facing that way, probably to they could "Head Back" easily).Don Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
lnghairedwizard (249 posts)
Nov-23-01, 01:16 AM (EST) 3. "RE: Driving the helpers" Plymouth eh?I'm from the Detroit area....Cheers to us michiganders!!!!Longhairedwizard Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
michigandon (275 posts)
Nov-23-01, 04:09 AM (EST) 4. "RE: Driving the helpers" >
>Cheers to us michiganders!!!!
>I'll drink to that!!! Grew up in Plymouth, now reside in Jackson.Don
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