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Great But Bewildering

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Great But Bewildering 04/09/2024 at 11:42 #158402
NorthernWarrior
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Well, well.

0630 and my score is 50%! Much better than I thought. Was expecting a SIAM style, "Your rating is appalling, you're fired."

Vern
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Great But Bewildering 04/09/2024 at 16:58 #158406
postal
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@Vern

I've currently running through the THU TT and have got to 08:00. I have only had to chivvy one join along and that was my own fault. I put the pilot into the Shunt Neck rather than reversing at CE295 so when it reached the back of the train to join the location was still showing in the TT as CE295. Adjusted the location to Carlisle, pressed Shunt Forward and the join started straight away. No idea what caused the problems with your earlier run.

Have you got a saved game with the problem you can post?

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
Last edited: 04/09/2024 at 18:37 by postal
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Great But Bewildering 21/09/2024 at 11:39 #158602
NorthernWarrior
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Well now got to 2000 and it's going fairly well, albeit I still had to delete a couple of other trains which refused to join. I also seemed to "lose" trains out of the Wigton GF into some sort of black hole...

One where I've found a possible error is 1M56 booked off the GSW into P1 where the loco runs round and then becomes 5P88 to Kingmoor. Now maybe I shouldn't have cleared 1M56 beyond CE314 but if you do then the stock fouls the run round route via SA, S1 or S2. It also blocks the forward loco for 1S44 which is due out of Wapping Sidings about the same time.

So I'm now trying to coax 0M56 down to Currock Jn, reverse and via the Goods to Caldew then back into the north end of P1.

Vern
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Great But Bewildering 21/09/2024 at 12:38 #158603
postal
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NorthernWarrior in post 158602 said:
Well now got to 2000 and it's going fairly well, albeit I still had to delete a couple of other trains which refused to join. I also seemed to "lose" trains out of the Wigton GF into some sort of black hole...

One where I've found a possible error is 1M56 booked off the GSW into P1 where the loco runs round and then becomes 5P88 to Kingmoor. Now maybe I shouldn't have cleared 1M56 beyond CE314 but if you do then the stock fouls the run round route via SA, S1 or S2. It also blocks the forward loco for 1S44 which is due out of Wapping Sidings about the same time.

So I'm now trying to coax 0M56 down to Currock Jn, reverse and via the Goods to Caldew then back into the north end of P1.
Glad you've got so far and hope you are surviving the challenge!

I can only say that the trains that refused to join are because of something you must have done. The problem did not occur in hundreds of hours of testing and as I noted earlier I did have the problem when I was re-testing but that was due to my own fault in routing the joining train via the neck rather than the southern throat. Problem solved when the 2 portions were adjacent to each other in the platform by using f2 to reset the current location of the joining portion so it showed as Carlisle rather than the reversing point then instructing the joining portion to shunt forward. It would be helpful if you could supply a save where the two portions are refusing to join so that someone can try and diagnose why things are not working for you.

What do you mean Wigton GF? Once you get past the Wagon Sidings GF on the Maryport and Carlisle the only GFs are at Dalston They are used to get the Grangemouth tanks into the oil terminal then the empties out and subsequent run round in the station.

As you surmise, 1M56 works exactly as planned if you signal it into not through the platform.

Some would call it a cheat but if you use f3 to save the game every so often (I normally use 10 minutes) then when things don't work as you expect (or you have even fouled up) you can just step back a few minutes and have another try.

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
Last edited: 21/09/2024 at 12:39 by postal
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Great But Bewildering 21/09/2024 at 15:30 #158605
NorthernWarrior
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I can't remember what time I had the initial joining problem but as you say probably something I did wrong!

Yes my mistake,I meant Dalston. I got the trains in okay and was able to get them out but when I operated the main to main crossover the service just seemed to disappear off towards Whitehaven.

And yes, 1M56 sounds like user error on my part!

Oh yes and as you describe, editing to the current location on the schedule is the way to get round "train in front". Just had that with 1M56 after successfully trekking the loco round the goods, changed current location to the end point and joining.

Guess I will have to do a rerun of the sim once I've finished this one.

Vern
Last edited: 21/09/2024 at 15:42 by NorthernWarrior
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Great But Bewildering 21/09/2024 at 16:26 #158606
postal
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NorthernWarrior in post 158605 said:
Yes my mistake,I meant Dalston. I got the trains in okay and was able to get them out but when I operated the main to main crossover the service just seemed to disappear off towards Whitehaven.
Never seen that happen. Again a saved game would be the only way to delve into the problem. The operational steps are:

1) Use the Oil GF (F942) to get the train out of the Oil Siding. The train will stop as soon as it is clear of the GF.
2) Restore the GF and close it.
3) Open the South GF (F943), reverse it and wait for the train to request permission to move. Give the permission and the train will propel into the Northbound Platform where it stops and the light engine drops off the rear. Leave the GF reversed and allow the light engine to run back over to the Southbound line. It will stop when it is clear of the GF.
4) Restore and close the South GF. Open the North GF (F944) and reverse it.
5) The light engine runs through the Southbound platform and stops when it is on the Northbound line, clear of the GF.
6) Restore and close the North GF. Let the light engine run back onto the empty tanks.
7) IIRC when the join has completed the train requests permission to proceed. When all is done it sets off towards Kingmoor.

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
Last edited: 21/09/2024 at 16:26 by postal
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Great But Bewildering 24/09/2024 at 15:11 #158652
NorthernWarrior
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Well I finally reached the end, all trains cleared off the map. Results not as bad as I expected...

Analysis of your performance and score

Trains passing timing points: 4147 total timing points
On time: 2450 (59%)
2 mins late: 526 (13%)
5 mins late: 350 (8%)
Over 5 mins late: 821 (20%)

Minutes lost/gained overall:
Total minutes lost by you: 5797
Total minutes recovered by you: 196

Trains using the correct platforms: 201 occasions
Correct: 160 (80%)
Opposite: 1 (0%)
Incorrect: 40 (20%)

Miscellaneous:
Total routes cancelled with trains approaching: 7
Total wrong routes set for trains: 14
Total joining moves abandoned: 3
Total trains removed: 18
Total trains shortened: 1
Other points lost: 232
Bonus points: 140 out of a possible 250 (56%)

TOTAL SCORE 19297 OUT OF 30027 (64%)


What a great simulation I have to say and looking forward to repeating in the future. And, best of all, in the original spirit of SimSig - free of charge to boot.

Vern
Last edited: 24/09/2024 at 15:11 by NorthernWarrior
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Great But Bewildering 24/09/2024 at 15:24 #158653
lazzer
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Those 40 incorrect platforms are impressive, but there's no such thing as a "wrong platform" when you've got tannoy systems :-)
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Great But Bewildering 25/09/2024 at 11:50 #158664
NorthernWarrior
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Addicted to this.

Going to start a new play through with the 2009 Groundhog Day Scenario.

Wish me luck!

Vern
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Great But Bewildering 25/09/2024 at 19:31 #158665
postal
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NorthernWarrior in post 158664 said:
Addicted to this.

Going to start a new play through with the 2009 Groundhog Day Scenario.

Wish me luck!
Totally different dynamic with the avoiding lines taken out after Signalman Willie Taylor managed to divert a runaway train onto the relief lines to avoid a catastrophic collision in the station. The runway was moving at such speed that it derailed and destroyed the bridge over the River Caldew which was not replaced after the derailment. Tom O'Flaherty, the developer of the sim received a lot of help from Mr. Taylor; Pascal (58050) who wrote the 1979 TT has a copy of Mr. Taylor's hand-annotated station working book for 1979. There is a video on YouTube about the derailment including an interview with Mr. Taylor at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1ghybKjHUE&ab_channel=DavidTaylor.

The relief lines are now light industry, retail and car parking areas and everything N-S/S-N has to go through the station (although some easing with the each way working at the northern end of the station).

Good luck.

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
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Great But Bewildering 25/09/2024 at 19:59 #158668
Robyn
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postal in post 158665 said:
NorthernWarrior in post 158664 said:
Addicted to this.

Going to start a new play through with the 2009 Groundhog Day Scenario.

Wish me luck!
Totally different dynamic with the avoiding lines taken out after Signalman Willie Taylor managed to divert a runaway train onto the relief lines to avoid a catastrophic collision in the station. The runway was moving at such speed that it derailed and destroyed the bridge over the River Caldew which was not replaced after the derailment. Tom O'Flaherty, the developer of the sim received a lot of help from Mr. Taylor; Pascal (58050) who wrote the 1979 TT has a copy of Mr. Taylor's hand-annotated station working book for 1979. There is a video on YouTube about the derailment including an interview with Mr. Taylor at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1ghybKjHUE&ab_channel=DavidTaylor.

The relief lines are now light industry, retail and car parking areas and everything N-S/S-N has to go through the station (although some easing with the each way working at the northern end of the station).

Good luck.
Goods lines* not relief Passenger trains couldn't use them and this is the Midland Region not Western

7-5-5, closing of comment
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Great But Bewildering 25/09/2024 at 20:43 #158669
Steamer
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postal in post 158665 said:

The relief lines are now light industry, retail and car parking areas
The central section can be walked, and is a pleasant way to pass half an hour. You can walk over the second (surviving) bridge over the Caldew, and also of note are some bits of OHLE kit still fixed to the underside of Nelson Bridge, and a few sections of railing which are stencilled to look like signal box levers.

The downside is the requirement to use Carlisle's road system as a pedestrian, an undertaking of which the author shall not speak nor give direction.

"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
Last edited: 25/09/2024 at 20:56 by Steamer
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Great But Bewildering 25/09/2024 at 22:32 #158671
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Robyn in post 158668 said:
Goods lines* not relief Passenger trains couldn't use them and this is the Midland Region not Western :P
During the currency of the 1979 TT and the Penmanshiel diversions there was at least one train (1S60 2000 EWD London KX - Aberdeen) routed S-N using the avoiding lines. The SimSig TT shows this as booked a crew change at Rome St. Junction and forward over Down Through Goods. Mr. Taylor's Station Worker has a hand-written annotation that shows this train booked for relief at Bog Jn. Either way It went round the goods lines rather than through the station.

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
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Great But Bewildering 26/09/2024 at 06:19 #158672
lazzer
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That train always annoys me, as it gets right in the way of all kinds of movements :-)
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Great But Bewildering 01/10/2024 at 15:27 #158721
NorthernWarrior
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Getting on nicely with the 2009 scenario now. Quite a different challenge - gone are the locomotive and shunting moves but daytime sees far more Class One expresses and faster too. Even the Class 4 freight struggles to keep out of the way at 75 MPH. So unlike the 1979/80 timetable when generally the main line looked after itself apart from the various quarry trips, there's a lot more use of the loops for regulating.

I shoved up delays to near maximum to spice things up though left incidents off for now.

Figured out the Dalston oil tanks move and a dab hand at it now, so won't present any issues next time I go back to '79.

The only puzzlement perhaps bug in 2009 is the occasional loco shunt moves at Kingmoor which ask off hours before they are due. They just sit there unless you manually edit the time to current. No option when they ring up to say wait for booked time, either.

Vern
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Great But Bewildering 02/10/2024 at 10:37 #158725
flabberdacks
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Nice work.
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Great But Bewildering 10/10/2024 at 17:39 #158793
postal
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NorthernWarrior in post 158721 said:
Figured out the Dalston oil tanks move and a dab hand at it now, so won't present any issues next time I go back to '79.
Make the most of it because it has recently been announced that the terminal will close at the end of this year.

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
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Great But Bewildering 14/10/2024 at 11:44 #158842
NorthernWarrior
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Finished 2009 on 73% which surprised me a bit as I thought I'd done quite well, probably delayed a few Class 4's unnecessarily looping for hour late Class One's which seemed the right thing to do, but not fully au fait with how SimSig "Trust DA" works might have been the wrong call.

Tea and biscuits with the Signalling Manager too, in order to discuss the several wrong routings and changes of aspect given to drivers.

But good fun, now wondering whether I go back to try 1979 again with delays on or do something else for a change of scenery.

Vern
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Great But Bewildering 14/10/2024 at 13:25 #158844
postal
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Each of the 5 days in the 1979 TT has differences in the shunts and carriage movements so you could try another day. Monday is a much quieter start but then picks up during the day while the other 4 days are all manic through the early hours.
“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
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Great But Bewildering 07/11/2024 at 12:38 #159082
NorthernWarrior
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Well surprisingly with one train left to exit the area, only managed 62% on my second play through of the Friday 1979. Albeit I was playing with delays on the severe setting (no infra failures though) but obviously SimSig's interpretation of resolving conflicts and problems differs from mine! I only had a couple of deletions this time, when I somehow ended up with van shunts hanging out the top end of SB!

Anyhow think I'll take a break and do another one but next time come back and go for the whammy with the main lines closed and one at a time signal or points failures switched on.

Vern
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Great But Bewildering 07/11/2024 at 17:24 #159087
flabberdacks
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While you're having a rest, maybe give the New Street 1990 one a whirl, or Piccadilly June 1989, both have periods where everything is happening, all at once, everywhere.

Or, an underrated one is West Hampstead 1991. One of my favourites with delays on. Working the freight through without anywhere to refuge them once they're on the main line, trying to run the loco around at Bedford in between pax moves...

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Great But Bewildering 07/11/2024 at 17:49 #159088
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Or try my Derby summer 1987 TT. That's a busy one too.
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Great But Bewildering 07/11/2024 at 19:28 #159094
lazzer
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flabberdacks in post 159087 said:
While you're having a rest, maybe give the New Street 1990 one a whirl, or Piccadilly June 1989, both have periods where everything is happening, all at once, everywhere.

Or, an underrated one is West Hampstead 1991. One of my favourites with delays on. Working the freight through without anywhere to refuge them once they're on the main line, trying to run the loco around at Bedford in between pax moves...
WH 1991 is bad enough with everything running perfectly. I always find it a struggle once rush hour starts.

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Great But Bewildering 08/11/2024 at 06:19 #159097
flabberdacks
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lazzer in post 159094 said:
WH 1991 is bad enough with everything running perfectly. I always find it a struggle once rush hour starts.
Yeah, just keeping track of what needs to cross and at what junction is a whole job

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Great But Bewildering 08/11/2024 at 09:49 #159098
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Exactly. Without that, it would be easy :-)
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