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| "Run out of valid track" explained? 28/11/2011 at 01:44 #23841 | |
maxand
1637 posts |
Can anyone explain clearly exactly what the message "Run out of valid track" means in SimSig, what circumstances are likely to cause it and what remedial actions can be taken? I've looked through the Wiki and Forum posts and found several instances but it's still not clear why this message occurs. Big thanks in advance. Log in to reply |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 28/11/2011 at 02:05 #23843 | |
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UKTrainMan
1803 posts |
Not sure how to explain this one, but I can give you an example of when I've known it to occur. If you authorise a train to pass a signal at danger or authorise it to move and the trailing points ahead are set against it, then it will show "Run out of valid track". Here's a slightly dodgy diagram showing what I mean. -----------¬\-------- ---TRAIN--\_----- ¬\ and \_ is the points set from the top line to the bottom line, so against the train. 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. Last edited: 28/11/2011 at 02:10 by UKTrainMan Log in to reply |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 28/11/2011 at 03:30 #23850 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
Thanks UKTrainMan. I'm starting to get the idea now. So if a train coming from C heads towards A, such a message will be generated?  (courtesy of Wikipedia) Hard to imagine this happening in SimSig where points are supposed to be interlocked, therefore a route could not be set from C to A in the first place to enable a train to pass that way. Conversely, it ought be impossible to lock the points (shown above) normal if a route had been set. But as you say, authorizing the driver to pass signal (at C) at danger would force this. However, even in the absence of such authorization this message can appear, as I discovered here. Last edited: 28/11/2011 at 03:37 by maxand Log in to reply |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 28/11/2011 at 03:40 #23851 | |
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UKTrainMan
1803 posts |
Happens in SimSig if you authorise a train from C to A with the points set against it, and as it's an unsignalled move there is no interlocking involved. Bit like the driver seeing the points are set wrongly ahead of them (have seen this actually happen) and stopping the train suddenly, but missing a phone call (hmmm... ;)). edited to add In this case, it looks like "Run out of valid track" had occurred because the train doesn't fit there. 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. Last edited: 28/11/2011 at 04:21 by UKTrainMan Log in to reply The following user said thank you: maxand |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 28/11/2011 at 04:43 #23854 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
Thank you. Added to Wiki.
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| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 28/11/2011 at 06:48 #23858 | |
BarryM
2158 posts |
Maxand, there is more to the above than quoted. A train running into a dead end without a timetable location is one. Clive will be able to explain the technical reasons that create the message. Barry Barry, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Log in to reply The following user said thank you: maxand |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 28/11/2011 at 06:57 #23860 | |
Peter Bennet
5402 posts |
There are other circumstances but I can't recall all of them -save that it's essentially what it says on the tin- the train has come to a bit of track that it can't access. Whether there is anything you can do about it depends on the facts. Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 28/11/2011 at 08:31 #23868 | |
dmaze
88 posts |
Another case where I've run into it is trying to work around a track circuit failure by trying to route trains on to a track that's only signaled in the opposite direction; it turns out the sim won't let you do this and you'll get "run out of valid track". (I think this particular attempt also did involve having a train pass a signal at danger.)
Log in to reply The following user said thank you: maxand |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 28/11/2011 at 13:01 #23898 | |
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alvinhochun
249 posts |
Also once trying to make a train collide with the other one... (but it seems the main reason is that the train runs to a dead end...) I've also tried in Royston, signalling a long train from K244 to Sherriff's sliding and it ended up stuck in there showing the status. Log in to reply The following user said thank you: maxand |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 28/11/2011 at 13:08 #23899 | |
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Albert
1315 posts |
" said:Another case where I've run into it is trying to work around a track circuit failure by trying to route trains on to a track that's only signaled in the opposite direction; it turns out the sim won't let you do this and you'll get "run out of valid track". (I think this particular attempt also did involve having a train pass a signal at danger.) This usually happens on old sims, most current simulations don't have this problem. Or at least I didn't notice it. AJP in games Log in to reply |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 28/11/2011 at 13:25 #23902 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
alvinhochun said: Quote: I've also tried in Royston, signalling a long train from K244 to Sherriff's sliding and it ended up stuck in there showing the status. That sounds **very** familiar. 
Last edited: 28/11/2011 at 13:26 by maxand Log in to reply |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 28/11/2011 at 21:44 #23939 | |
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clive
2789 posts |
" said:The message appears when a train can't proceed because of the state of the track. This can be because: - there's no track ahead - the track ahead exists but the points are set wrong - the track ahead exists but the relevant sub-route doesn't exist - the track ahead has the wrong electrification for the train. The third case needs a bit more explanation. In older sims, if a track wasn't specifically made bidirectional, you'd get this if you tried to send a train the wrong way down a track. Nowdays it's limited to complex track situations. Suppose you have a track circuit with back to back points, so that a train on the main line in either direction can turn off on to a branch or crossover. If there's no expectation that a train will come off one branch and on to the other, and it isn't a signalled route, it might not be included in the simulation. In that case, a train approaching the track circuit with both points reversed will go into this state. Log in to reply The following user said thank you: maxand |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 28/11/2011 at 21:51 #23941 | |
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clive
2789 posts |
Quote:I've also tried in Royston, signalling a long train from K244 to Sherriff's sliding and it ended up stuck in there showing the status.Royston has some special code for Sherriff's siding: trains will only exit the sim if timetabled to the siding with no further plans. Log in to reply The following user said thank you: maxand |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 29/11/2011 at 00:13 #23961 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
Thanks again Clive for your expertise.
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| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 01/12/2011 at 00:36 #24172 | |
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Josie
310 posts |
I've also noticed 'run out of valid track' in connection with a bug in the Incident Control Panel which I first mentioned here - I (still!) haven't got round to properly testing the circumstances in which it occurs but I have definitely noticed it recently,  )
Last edited: 01/12/2011 at 00:38 by Josie Reason: Over-excitement at new sims causing memory loss. Log in to reply |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 01/12/2011 at 23:09 #24261 | |
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Lardybiker
771 posts |
It happens on South Humberside when trains enter at a place that requires certain GF's to be operated to let it into the sim proper. If a train entered the sim from say Barnetby sidings, if the signaller is a bit tardy, then the train will run up to the GF points and "run out of valid track". Theres no signal to stop it (the GF controls only the points and there are no other signals so adding one would be unprototypical). At the time I hadn't got a better of dealing with it so I left it as it was. Suprisingly few people have actually spotted it but it did get noticed so it will be fixed along with a bunch of other stuff when I complete the South Humberside update. Log in to reply |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 02/12/2011 at 00:26 #24264 | |
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BarryM
2158 posts |
" said:It happens on South Humberside when trains enter at a place that requires certain GF's to be operated to let it into the sim proper. If a train entered the sim from say Barnetby sidings, if the signaller is a bit tardy, then the train will run up to the GF points and "run out of valid track". Theres no signal to stop it (the GF controls only the points and there are no other signals so adding one would be unprototypical). At the time I hadn't got a better of dealing with it so I left it as it was.It will be great when it is done. Barry Barry, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Log in to reply |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 02/12/2011 at 02:48 #24271 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
Lardybiker wrote: Quote: It happens on South Humberside when trains enter at a place that requires certain GF's to be operated to let it into the sim proper.Interesting situation, no interlocking here! Must try this sim to get the feel of using GFs (Ground Frames). At the beginning of this thread I asked what remedial action can be taken. When a train runs out of valid track, can the situation be saved by signalling the driver to reverse? Log in to reply |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 02/12/2011 at 17:17 #24308 | |
Steamer
3985 posts |
Yes (via the F2 menu), or shortening the train until it fits in.
"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) Log in to reply |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 04/12/2011 at 21:44 #24454 | |
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Lardybiker
771 posts |
Quote:It happens on South Humberside when trains enter at a place that requires certain GF's to be operated to let it into the sim proper. Interesting situation, no interlocking here! Must try this sim to get the feel of using GFs (Ground Frames).[\quote] Quote: At the beginning of this thread I asked what remedial action can be taken. When a train runs out of valid track, can the situation be saved by signalling the driver to reverse?In South Humberside, the only place I've had a report of it happening is at the GF's in which case you simply release the GF, operate the GF levers and the train will enter the sim. For other sims or situations, it depends on where the train is and what its doing. Last edited: 04/12/2011 at 21:45 by Lardybiker Log in to reply |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 07/12/2011 at 07:18 #24624 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
Here's another puzzling one in Bristol sim, 1980s era, starting 5.00 AM and concerning the first loco, 0C081. It departs from the Bath Road Depot (arrowed), bound for MS1 (Middle Siding 1, circled). The logical route to set is from 553 at the depot to 59.  From here on it's obvious; via 560 and 566 into MS1. How else can one possibly get there?  Time passes. 0C081 sits there like a stunned mullet, still facing Up. Finally in desperation, I signal the driver to Reverse. 0C081 begins to move, losing its headcode in the process. But who cares, as long as it arrives where it's s'posed to?  Uh oh. 0C081 runs out of valid track and disappears up its own fundamental orifice.  Enough to make a grown man weep. Last edited: 07/12/2011 at 07:21 by maxand Log in to reply |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 07/12/2011 at 07:58 #24628 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
Where could the train have gone? Recalling the 1994 movie Speed, I phoned the Bristol Temple Meads stationmaster in case 0C081 had crashed through the station and come out the other side. He assured me that this could not possibly have occurred as SimSig is too well-behaved to permit anything like this to occur. Instead, he conjectured, it was more likely to have returned to the depot via another dimension. I understand its next scheduled stop will be Hogwarts.
Last edited: 07/12/2011 at 08:02 by maxand Log in to reply |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 07/12/2011 at 07:59 #24629 | |
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Late Turn
699 posts 
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Max, Without running the sim, I wonder if the loco wants to go behind the main signal in the opposite direction (20??) to reverse - I think that's where the timetable location is. The 'run out of valid track' error is probably then because the loco's still looking for Bristol East Jn. If you were dead set on reversing at that dolly 's nothing wrong with that - but you'd need to either change the timetable location (through F2 and 'edit timetable'  to - from memory - something like Bristol East Outer Reverse (??), or reverse the train manually and then set Bristol TM to be the next location.I'll try that out on the sim after breakfast! Tom Log in to reply |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 07/12/2011 at 07:59 #24630 | |
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AndyG
1842 posts |
It's because it reverses at Bristol East Jn, not Bristol East middle or inner reverse locations, ie it reverses behind signal 59. As a side effect, as you reversed it before it reached that location, the TT hasn't stepped up so it's looking to reach that location rather than MS1/2 and so runs out of track. If it's allowed to reverse behind 59, all works perfectly well without intervention. I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either. Last edited: 07/12/2011 at 08:02 by AndyG Log in to reply |
| Re: "Run out of valid track" explained? 07/12/2011 at 08:09 #24631 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
AndyG, on the layout signal 59 IS at Bristol East Junction. The next signal along (on Filton Main) is at 233. I could have routed to 571, but then there's no way to reverse back to MS1. Log in to reply |