SurvivorSean

That looks like an advanced version of Track Builder 3 which is awesome! Thanks Sean

That's correct (and i need to familiarize myself with some of the more restrictive aspects to get those speeds). But I've been lazy because I just follow the speed shown coming up. The issue of course still is the speed limits dependant on what track it takes. Some lines are slower than others as well. There are times the signal will not cover a slower track speed. Another one of those pro can con situations. Thanks Sean

The majority of the time I do not have red signals, exception tonight coming in after the 2 hour mark. I'm still not 100% sure what the issue is. I've come in right after a server reset and got by the so called problem areas 1.5 hours later (there are lots of trains that pass through that area). Yet tonight after 2 hours I came in had multiple red signal on mostly North American servers. Yet for some reason the players are loaded over on the Polish servers and other countries. I even went on to a fairly dead Australia across the world from me at 900+ ping and it was both stable and had no issues. The only conclusion I can come to is 1) trolls 2) people making mistakes in DS that ties the system up. If the AI can last 2 hours it should be able to last 3 so it makes no sense to me other than those 2 reasons. As I've mentioned in a couple threads now (seems to come up quite a bit) you need to protect the servers once this goes live. Now is a good time for this to happen because measures can be introduced such as preventing trains from making moves on wrong tracks. If it can stop you from passing a red signal it should be able to do the same thing if you try to drive a train on a route the train is not meant to take. AI trains should also stop in their tracks. That eliminates some of the troll issues. But you will still have some people doing stupid things with trains regardless. Which is why they should know how ugly things could get. I'm starting to lean towards at least the option of private servers but we will see. Thanks Sean

I agree that I don't want to be spoiled by the upcoming signal, however is it prototypical? In many North American units it is now, but it wasn't always and that is due to cab signalling. I don't know if this exists in Poland. Here is also one other thing to consider. The speeds will often give away what routing you have coming up. For example if you are set to take a switch the speed will show. I had a dispatcher who kept throwing the switches back an forth (I believe it was AI) and I could see the speeds changing with them. I do want to know the speed limits but not necessarily the signal speeds. As far as I know with the expception of the clear 100 KMH flashing green there is no speed designated signal. It's supposed to be up to the very qualified engineer (which is not me) to know the timetable and each switch I'm coming up to in advance. Thanks Sean

I think having random AI variance is a good idea. In other words when you look at TD3 there are startup delays that mimick human behaviour. Humans are not as quick as AI and that is something that would be welcome. Because everything is server based you are at it's mercy regarding settings. However having the likelihood of AI failures higher vs human might be a way around this. The dispatching will get better but then we get into the whole thing of what is the criteria to be able to dispatch. There is some complicated boxes on the way. I'm not sure where the manual boxes are coming in play as well. Other than the screenshot we've been shown, I'm looking at places around Lazy where there is plenty of complicated junctions that I can't wait to get my hands on. But not everyone is going to be able to handle something that complicated without experience. Thanks Sean

I've run servers off and on for Run8 for 10 years. I can attest that when certain servers gain popularity other servers die out. Now the good part here is at least there is an AI system. But those who may not for example fit the Depot's character or because of personal issues can just as easily be excluded. The real issue here is if they remain totally public how is it policed, enforced, and what are the rules. Anarchy works great in MMO because if someone trolls word gets around and others simply gang up on them and force them asside. Anarchy doesn't work as well in a smaller niche. I do like that I don't see or hear constant social banter on the public servers. Sure you might get a few friendly exchanges but that is part of reality as well. Now what is the difference between trolling and joking. Personally I like to remain serious in a friendly manner when I'm on a server. I was thrown into a siding for no apparent reason the other day. Was it a joke, or simply someone trying to emulate their version of a detour? What ever it was it was not a big deal, but I could do without it. I think it's clear when someone is deliberately causing chaos in some of the examples we have been shown. Everything else below that are shades of grey. Private servers do prevent some of that from happening but will reduce public numbers. To use Depot Run8 for an example their Depot+ membership where they are more serious requires passing tests etc. It's great for people who have experience like myself (though I have no interest in Depot) but for the new member they are left to their regular server. Their regular servers are pretty dead in comparison. Anyways there are pros and cons and no easy or right answer. Thanks Sean

As far as the server I see that post and that is fine if it's not included. There are pros and cons of having private servers but the big one I overlooked is that the public servers would die, just like MP on private servers for Run8 died off when AI became a thing. As long as we have features and there is ways to deal with trolls I'll live with it as I do enjoy seeing people that otherwise wouldn't be on my private server. My main point for doing this was the single player part. I am more of a MP person but I do know people who avoid MP for some of the issues we are seeing (trolls, stuck at signals, etc.) Having another option might be appealing for some. The AI eventually needs random factors. For example TD3 had a random delay and random startup delays as well as random issues. Something that tries to emulate this would make it a bit more interesting. Otherwise I'm fine with how things are now. Thanks Sean

Hell I even miss signals unless the boxes are screwing with me like this afternoon. I find it a challenge just to keep the speed up as best as possible without the cruise in the wheelmobile (though I enjoy this the most). Thanks Sean

While adding to my schdule sheet I noticed an issue with train 14141. It is shown in the schedule all the way from KZ to SG and resumes again at DG. However it is not present at Bedzin. I checked the box just to make sure I didn't copy over and indeed that train is not showing up in the schedule. Not sure if AI knows how to route it. Below is a sorted train list from my matrix showing the discrepency. Thanks Sean

One thing that I know has been talked about but not in the ideas that I'm aware of is Single Player that would allow you to play as if you are joining a server. However you can set the time as you would be essentially hosting your own server. This would allow you to use whatever editors were available depending on how far along the software is. But the main feature is being able to play any position with the others in AI. As an added bonus it would be nice to host either locally, part of the network, or through Steam. You would be able to set the requirements to join possible access etc. Considering the servers appear to be geographically separated (or using Steam's servers) being able to become part of one to allow a group of friends, clan, etc. would be a very rewarding experience. In addition to the servers publically available, having this would reduce or eliminate trolls, and those trying to mess up a server and have an enjoyable process. Thanks Sean

I went for a walk. Recognized the area from my strolls from SG though a bit further past the curve.

The only time I use the notes is if I'm holding something for some reason to remind me (you can also move them around if they are in the way). But something I didn't know when I first started that I found out about a week ago is the 2nd page. In the schedule tab they have separted the junction and the actual station. If you don't notice this you will only have data at the junction which doesn't give much information about how long the trains are stopping. For example they've scheduled cargo for a good layover here. I'm not sure why they've scheduled this considering the cargo trains can move along just fine and often outpace many of the passengers in these lower speed zones. Thanks Sean

Oh I thought that was just with the forum. This is good stuff to post. Hopefully this gets the attention of the developers. Obviously this is not accidental. The only danger I suspect is if someone new is innocently made mistakes (even I've done it but nothing like this). Everyone should add on to this evidence of anything suspicious. Thanks Sean

I'm pretty big on playing around with spreadsheets, so tonight I decided to start the big project. I know other schedules have been published but I wanted something where I could really play with the data. The goal here is to have a tool so I can plan and make decisions based on how trains are performing whle dispatching such as routing on the left track etc. This will help since I believe the AI will grant any access no matter how much it blocks their own movements. Here is the link https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Lpp5rn0ZvUvrO_0uRipRWcrEfnF66_qf5_CEHLRMu-I/edit?usp=sharing I will be adding lots of goodies to this including formulas a full timetable etc. Might help for those wanting to find the right train to take etc. Enjoy Sean -Removed redundant fields etc.

Hopefully it's being logged. Perhaps adding in a report button would be a good idea on the server. Thanks Sean

I reviewed the video and noticed the white slip light (didn't know that light was for slipping). Don't know what most of those lights are except the ones where I blow the circuit 🙂 I think I'll be more patient next time and use the fill for a tiny bit. Thanks Sean

Perhaps they should end the tutorial there 🙂 Not sure what else they can teach. I ran that the other day and got stuck there as well. Thanks Sean

Thank you all for the feedback. I think the next time I may just leave the train let the AI grab it and then try and take over from them 🙂 I have a habbit of hitting the green button to reset the breaker (which of course cuts the power) then just hitting a red button. For me it always feels like red is bad 🙂 The power setting I did put high for a bit but it didn't help. I did the one thing with the antislip motor or whatever it's called, but I did not try that antislip breaking idea. I'll have to keep that in mind next time. You guys are right about rolling back as I've had that happen before but in this case it did not. In Run8 for North American engines there is what is called an EOT device that gives you the brake pressure at the end of the train. Normally I would always wait for that. Is there such a device in Poland? Thanks again for all your help. I figured it was human error. Sean

Interresting I was stuck at tower SG1 outside of SG. I was hoping to learn something other than the basics. Oh well stuff happens. Thanks Sean

In North America depending on the railroad the bells will stop after the gates are down but many actually do continue to ring (the dopler effect is good but I imagine as a passenger in a closed window that you wouldn't hear them until you were very close with the dopler already mentioned). Many of the crossing have no sounds in the sim. I was checking out a train at SG and I noticed the flashing lights turn off just as the gate was starting to raise. In North America all lights remain on until the gates are in the upright position. Thanks Sean

At the 53 minute mark I'm in control of a freight train where I come up against a yellow approach signal. I probably had a bit too much break on but I still manage to keep it going at low speed with a bit of a struggle. Unfortunately I get a bit impatient and trip the breaker. After resetting the breaker I try to get going again with little to no avail. Is there something on the steering wheel engine that I can do to help me either in sanding, extra power, or reduce power if this is a wheel slip issue? Otherwise is it possible that there is a wheel slip issue here that simply can't be overcome and I'm on a hill where I don't have enough power to continue? I'll assume there is something I'm doing wrong. I'm trying to find slip indidators, sand, or something that will allow me to do this properly. Your help is very much appreciated. Thanks Sean

There are a few issues here and I'm not sure what to classify it as. at the 1:42:00 mark I was approaching GW at VMax when I received a restrictive signal. I'm not sure if I blew a signal or not but my understand was to slow to 60KMH. As I was approaching a sudden 20KMH limit showed up with very little warning and I was moved from right hand running on the bottom up to the top siding with a speed of 20KMH. The desk was AI at the time and it eventually was manned (not sure when) but it moved me out of the siding for right hand running while an oncoming train held an opposing signal for me to clear. What was very strange was afer I left this siding I was restricted to 20KHM all the way to Psary from this location. The AI kept at this 20 limit when I abandoned the service and I actually overtook this service in another train on the left hand running track. Thanks Sean

We better get back on topic before the word counters and forum militia start barking orders at us 🙂 Thanks Sean

The signal changing is cool as I was able to capture it in the screenshots (but wasn't streaming at the time). Run8 does a good job as well. Thanks Sean

A couple hours on the night shift at SG.