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| New to Peterborough - several questions... 23/04/2011 at 11:46 #2909 | |
Quaxo76
17 posts |
Hello, Until now I've only played (rather extensively) the Cambridge simulation. Now I downloaded Peterborough, and I find it very different, mainly due to the heavy ARS usage. So I have a few questions. For example... I had 4E66 at PBRO, I think it was platform 5. It didn't auto-set the route, but I didn't get any message about it. And the train describer color didn't change. The train just sat there waiting. By contrast, 6L28 needed manual intervention, but I got a message to tell me so. The same happened with 5P15: it had to leave PBRO platform 4 (it was 2P15 before) and before its scheduled time, the ARS information said "Waiting for 02:26 slot" or something like that... so I thought that at the right time, the ARS would "kick in" and auto-set the route; but it didn't, I had to do it manually. This confuses me, because I never know if/when intervention will be needed. With Cambridge, I knew I had to do everything manually, so I constantly scanned the screens checking every train to see if it needed attention; but here, I don't know how to tell if I need to know something, before the train stops at a red signal (at which time I have already caused a delay)... Shouldn't the color of the describer change if ARS can't do what the train needs? Another question: With Cambridge, clicking on a train describer pops up a window with the complete timetable for the train. I found that very convenient because I could see at a glance the whole route of the train, including the final destination, which helps me see clearly how to route it. But with Peterborough, clicking on a train just prints the next 2/3 stops in the message area. This has two problems IMO: first, I don't get an idea of where the train is heading, so I have to check back often; second, printing all this stuff in the message area clears any important messages like other trains needing attention. Is there a way to change the behavior to something more "Cambridge-like"? Thank you, Cristian Log in to reply |
| New to Peterborough - several questions... 23/04/2011 at 11:46 #15298 | |
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Quaxo76
17 posts |
Hello, Until now I've only played (rather extensively) the Cambridge simulation. Now I downloaded Peterborough, and I find it very different, mainly due to the heavy ARS usage. So I have a few questions. For example... I had 4E66 at PBRO, I think it was platform 5. It didn't auto-set the route, but I didn't get any message about it. And the train describer color didn't change. The train just sat there waiting. By contrast, 6L28 needed manual intervention, but I got a message to tell me so. The same happened with 5P15: it had to leave PBRO platform 4 (it was 2P15 before) and before its scheduled time, the ARS information said "Waiting for 02:26 slot" or something like that... so I thought that at the right time, the ARS would "kick in" and auto-set the route; but it didn't, I had to do it manually. This confuses me, because I never know if/when intervention will be needed. With Cambridge, I knew I had to do everything manually, so I constantly scanned the screens checking every train to see if it needed attention; but here, I don't know how to tell if I need to know something, before the train stops at a red signal (at which time I have already caused a delay)... Shouldn't the color of the describer change if ARS can't do what the train needs? Another question: With Cambridge, clicking on a train describer pops up a window with the complete timetable for the train. I found that very convenient because I could see at a glance the whole route of the train, including the final destination, which helps me see clearly how to route it. But with Peterborough, clicking on a train just prints the next 2/3 stops in the message area. This has two problems IMO: first, I don't get an idea of where the train is heading, so I have to check back often; second, printing all this stuff in the message area clears any important messages like other trains needing attention. Is there a way to change the behavior to something more "Cambridge-like"? Thank you, Cristian Log in to reply |
| New to Peterborough - several questions... 23/04/2011 at 12:14 #15300 | |
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sloppyjag
480 posts |
To change to popup: Menu -> Options -> ARS tab and change "Clicking on a train description shows..." to "ARS popup information". Planotransitophobic! Log in to reply The following user said thank you: delticfan |
| New to Peterborough - several questions... 23/04/2011 at 14:05 #15302 | |
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Quaxo76
17 posts |
Thank you both for the popup info... I had even looked in the F3 page, but somehow missed it. Regarding the other problem... I get your point about the "christmas tree" effect, but then I don't know what to do. For example: 6H91 stopped at a red signal (signal n. 613). I had to manually set the route. And I got no "manual routing needed" message. I found out it was stopped there when it phoned me. Sure, I could have noticed that ARS hadn't prepared the route, but I missed it. And another question... When trains are early, sometimes they are willing to leave a station early, sometimes not. Example: 5P99 was at PBRO plat. 4, it had to go to the sidings; I prepared its route, but it didn't leave early. The same happened to 5M47, at PBRO platform 2. I thought that being empty stock, they would leave early, especially as other trains do leave early sometimes. This created a problem because I had manually set the route, but the train didn't leave, so later I had to cancel the route to make way for another passing train, and I lost points. I think that dispatching early trains earlier can optimize things, but how can I know which ones will agree to leave early? Cristian Log in to reply |
| New to Peterborough - several questions... 23/04/2011 at 14:24 #15303 | |
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sloppyjag
480 posts |
Class 1, 2 and 5 (and possibly class 3, not sure about that one) trains will stick rigidly to the booked departure time whilst everything else is more flexible and will be ready to depart when it's done it's stuff and is ready to depart. Class 1, 2, 5 (and 3?) will depart early only if the timetable author has included the "set down only" option for that location in the timetable. Trains may also dwell longer at a location if a rule has been included in the timetable. Planotransitophobic! Log in to reply |
| New to Peterborough - several questions... 24/04/2011 at 10:01 #15318 | |
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Quaxo76
17 posts |
Thanks, that makes good sense. I noticed that class 1,2,5 depart early for example when they have to reverse on the main track to go to a siding... That makes sense, too, so that they don't keep the track occupied. Thanks again, Cristian Log in to reply |
| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 20/07/2011 at 17:47 #18043 | |
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delticfan
476 posts |
Hi all, I too have just started with Peterborough and Quaxo76's query about popup info has solved it for me. i did initially feel a bit unsure about the route info only appearing in stages in the bottom right corner. I find the individual train popup boxes much more convenient. There really is a mine of info on here! This is another sim which I think is going to sit well in the memory now I've worked out the page flow. Cheers, Mal.
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| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 20/07/2011 at 21:14 #18067 | |
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GoodbyeMrFish
148 posts |
are you sure it needs a manual route set if you didnt get the message, maybe its giving priority to something else. the driver would still phone in for this check the trains ars status
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| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 20/07/2011 at 21:46 #18069 | |
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UKTrainMan
1803 posts |
" said:This is another sim which I think is going to sit well in the memory now I've worked out the page flow.And then before you know it the developers will probably sneak up behind us all whilst we're happily signalling away and throw scrolly versions of both Cambridge and Peterborough at us and we can start happily scrolling all the way from King's Cross to (almost) Grantham via either Huntingdon or Cambridge and who knows maybe onwards.... :cheer: :woohoo: 
Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for. Log in to reply |
| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 21/07/2011 at 04:53 #18073 | |
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clive
2789 posts |
The next Peterborough release will be scrolly. I've no plans to make Cambridge scrolly.
Log in to reply The following user said thank you: ajax103 |
| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 21/07/2011 at 09:27 #18076 | |
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delticfan
476 posts |
Hi all, I'm really getting into Pboro now. As it's the first sim I've used with ARS and ACI, I'm fascinated by the way these work, but it begs the question - is there anything actually for the signaller to do? (He asked tongue in cheek). With Cambridge I was so used to keeping an eye on certain crossings and platforming. At the moment I'm upto about 03.00 on the default timetable and everything seems to be behaving. Would welcome comments regarding anything I should be doing and aren't. :lol: Cheers, Mal. Log in to reply |
| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 21/07/2011 at 14:03 #18089 | |
DriverCurran
688 posts |
Delticfan. The easiest way to allow the signaller to actually signal any trains is to click on the ARS buttons to disable those areas, you then have full control of the locations that you disable. I would 'recommend' that initally you turn off the ARS at Peterborough station itself, and possibly the yard, Peterborough East (I think it is labelled, been a long time since I've used this one myself) and Fletton. However I would also recommend that you keep an eye on trains approaching these areas, as what may seem like a route that should set itself by ARS will also need one of these areas enabled for ARS to call that route. Also you can override the ARS by manually routing a train before the ARS has done its thing. ARS is only an aide or some would call it a hinderance, although while learning routes and moves it can be a very useful tool. Enjoy the rest of your time on Peterborough. Paul You have to get a red before you can get any other colour Log in to reply |
| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 21/07/2011 at 15:43 #18090 | |
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delticfan
476 posts |
" said:Delticfan. Hi and thanks for the comments. I've had the idea to turn off the station area to give myself something to think about. Pboro is the only sim I've used so far that has ARS. It's another area I know well, also Cambridge, I reckon that's why I'm managing to pick them up so quickly. Cheers, Mal. Log in to reply |
| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 21/07/2011 at 15:45 #18091 | |
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delticfan
476 posts |
" said:The next Peterborough release will be scrolly. I've no plans to make Cambridge scrolly.Hi Clive, although I did have reservations about scrolly sims, I would be quite happy for Pboro to be scrolly, also Cambridge as I've got to know them so well with knowing the actual areas. Log in to reply |
| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 21/07/2011 at 18:01 #18097 | |
ajax103
1120 posts |
" said:The next Peterborough release will be scrolly. I've no plans to make Cambridge scrolly.This is most excellent news, is it hard converting the simulations from paged to scrolly? Secondly, how far along are you - I hope it's available for December 
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| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 21/07/2011 at 18:13 #18099 | |
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UKTrainMan
1803 posts |
" said:" said:Indeed, sure is excellent news. So we will actually be able to scroll all the way from London King's Cross to just south of Grantham - fantastic! :cheer:The next Peterborough release will be scrolly. I've no plans to make Cambridge scrolly.This is most excellent news Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for. Log in to reply |
| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 21/07/2011 at 18:38 #18101 | |
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UKTrainMan
1803 posts |
" said:Hi all, I'm really getting into Pboro now. As it's the first sim I've used with ARS and ACI, I'm fascinated by the way these work, but it begs the question - is there anything actually for the signaller to do? (He asked tongue in cheek). With Cambridge I was so used to keeping an eye on certain crossings and platforming. At the moment I'm upto about 03.00 on the default timetable and everything seems to be behaving. Would welcome comments regarding anything I should be doing and aren't. :lol:Mal, I've recently found myself interested in Peterborough again after I found some photos and videos I took there a while back so I gave the sim a bit of a run just the other day and will probably run the default timetable through properly at some point soon. What I found I preferred to do is turn on / leave on ARS for the crossings leaving myself to control any junctions or anywhere where trains are known to or do regularly cross from FL to SL or SL to FL. That way, I didn't have to worry about setting a route too early over a crossing which would hurt the score with penalty points for excessive delays, etc. There is some information on the Wiki regarding ARS which you may like to read up on. Hope this helps. Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for. Log in to reply |
| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 22/07/2011 at 08:22 #18135 | |
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delticfan
476 posts |
" said:" said:Hi all, I'm really getting into Pboro now. As it's the first sim I've used with ARS and ACI, I'm fascinated by the way these work, but it begs the question - is there anything actually for the signaller to do? (He asked tongue in cheek). With Cambridge I was so used to keeping an eye on certain crossings and platforming. At the moment I'm upto about 03.00 on the default timetable and everything seems to be behaving. Would welcome comments regarding anything I should be doing and aren't. :lol:Mal, Hi Clive, totally agree with letting ARS sort out the crossing points. At the moment I'm running the default TT and controlling the station area, that gives me enough to worry about, especially getting caught out with the trains that are booked through non-stop. One thing I've noticed - had this at Cambridge also - is the amount of early running. So far this has varied from 1 minute, but the record is 16 minutes by 1L05! When trying to use correct platforms this means alot of services held on approach. Been caught out by a few of these already. For a bit of background i tend to watch some of the excellent videos on Youtube filmed at the relevant locations. these give me some background as to layout etc. Cheers, Mal. Log in to reply |
| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 25/07/2011 at 07:50 #18315 | |
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delticfan
476 posts |
Hi all, well Pboro going brill at the moment. I'm concentrating on the station area and letting ARS sort the rest, (rightly or wrongly). One thing I've had to watch out for is the overlap on sig 442 when a train's leaving/arriving P5 and arriving P4 from the south. Been caught out a few times as quite a few of the East Anglia bound services arrive off the Ketton line quite early and may set up a conflict of interest with southbound arrivals into P4. Cheers, Mal.
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| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 25/07/2011 at 08:52 #18316 | |
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AndyG
1842 posts |
Mal, Another way you might like to try with the ARS is to have ARS on for Class 1,2,5 and off for class 4 & 6. As the freight runs at variable times, you can concentrate on regulating them around the passenger trains running themselves to time. See the options under F3/ARS tab. I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either. Log in to reply |
| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 25/07/2011 at 09:00 #18318 | |
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delticfan
476 posts |
" said:Mal,Cheers for that Andy. Will give that a go. As you say, the freights can be variable and could clog things up if they aren't regulated. Another thing - as I'm more bothered about timekeeping rather than using specified platforms, I do sometimes override ARS and replatform. The ARS seems to panic and give a message 'train not ARS'. I presume I can then change it back to ARS control once it's at the platform? Log in to reply |
| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 25/07/2011 at 09:11 #18319 | |
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AndyG
1842 posts |
Yes, just set it back onto ARS. Not sure whether it applies on PBO, but on latest ARS sims a train routed off ARS picks it up again automatically once it's manually routed back onto its correct route. I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either. Log in to reply |
| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 25/07/2011 at 09:42 #18320 | |
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delticfan
476 posts |
" said:Yes, just set it back onto ARS.Cheers for the help Andy, that's another little query solved.
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| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 25/07/2011 at 10:15 #18321 | |
GeoffM
6376 posts |
" said:I do sometimes override ARS and replatform. The ARS seems to panic and give a message 'train not ARS'. I presume I can then change it back to ARS control once it's at the platform?The principle behind this is that ARS sees you routing a train differently to what it expects, so it says "ok, you have it - I don't know what your plans are so it's not safe for me to do anything". As Andy says, in the later simulations you can make it ARS again if it's on a parallel line (as opposed to a completely different route) and ARS will try to get it back on its planned path ASAP. SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Re: New to Peterborough - several questions... 25/07/2011 at 10:41 #18323 | |
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delticfan
476 posts |
" said:" said:Thanks very much for that Geoff. Apologies for the barrage of queries, but you have confirmed for me that the way I'm using ARS is basically ok. It's certainly worked fine so far.I do sometimes override ARS and replatform. The ARS seems to panic and give a message 'train not ARS'. I presume I can then change it back to ARS control once it's at the platform?The principle behind this is that ARS sees you routing a train differently to what it expects, so it says "ok, you have it - I don't know what your plans are so it's not safe for me to do anything". As Andy says, in the later simulations you can make it ARS again if it's on a parallel line (as opposed to a completely different route) and ARS will try to get it back on its planned path ASAP. Just as an additional comment - It has taken me a long time to be confident with Simsig but I've now drifted away from other producers' sims I had and am a firm Simsig convert. As funds permit I do intend to make donations for the sims which I am hooked on. A big thank you to yourself and the developers/testers for birnging us the Simsig experience. Log in to reply |