Customizing AI Stop location at platform

[Angelo]

Hey guys, I have really been diving deep into finally making scenarios and have gather quite a bit from YouTube, the great tutorials by Rudolf posted here at RWA and other sources. I can now make pretty darn good passenger activities, with timetables, static AI, moving AI, meets, and traffic that gives me a red for a bit then clears and I proceed on. I really enjoy it now and keep tweaking and fine tuning, adding instructions, and text boxes etc.

The two things I have yet to find out, one not so important, and another that I really need to find the solution.

1. Lets use San Diego Pacific Surfliner for example, I have a train that comes in and its the final stop. The train should stop before the last pedestrian crossing to allow departing and arriving passengers access to the specified crossing into the station. The AI train will stop with almost two cars past the crossing. There's tons of platform length behind and it really doesn't need to come that far up. How do I limit the stop or tell the train do not pass this point when stopping?

2. For static AI consists at stations with multiple platforms that don't drive anywhere, how can I have them set with headlight on dim or off /red illumination and the rear or tail end also lit up markers. Again using say a commuter consist for example. I don't mind the leading car or loco to have headlight on dim if red rear red front is not an option.

Thanks again guys, after this, I think I will be fairly on point making future scenarios.

[harryadkins]

1. Create a Scenario Marker to have the AI train stop wherever you want.

2. Have no clue...

[OldProf]

I have no idea about your second question, either. In regard to your first, however, and to Harry Adkins' reply, isn't there already a Platform marker where you want the train to stop? If not, how are you instructing it to stop there at all? By the way, if you want the train to load/unload passengers. If you just want it to stop, any marker will do. Most route makers place Platform markers alongside station markers, in my experience.

If there is a Platform marker present, the train will stop at the very end of it. Specific Stop devices can be placed along a marker to indicate where a player engine should stop, but AI trains will not recognize those devices. If the Platform marker isn't where you want it, you could enter the route editor and modify it, but doing so would alter the marker only in your installation, not for anyone else.

If the problem persists, please provide screen shots of the marker in question in both 3D and 2D views to help the rest of us understand the situation better.

[Angelo]

I have no idea about your second question, either. In regard to your first, however, and to Harry Adkins' reply, isn't there already a Platform marker where you want the train to stop? If not, how are you instructing it to stop there at all? By the way, if you want the train to load/unload passengers. If you just want it to stop, any marker will do. Most route makers place Platform markers alongside station markers, in my experience.

If there is a Platform marker present, the train will stop at the very end of it. Specific Stop devices can be placed along a marker to indicate where a player engine should stop, but AI trains will not recognize those devices. If the Platform marker isn't where you want it, you could enter the route editor and modify it, but doing so would alter the marker only in your installation, not for anyone else.

If the problem persists, please provide screen shots of the marker in question in both 3D and 2D views to help the rest of us understand the situation better.

The platform marker is there, and the train already stops and loads / unloads but it stops too far and blocks a crossing. Real world they always stop prior, so I am trying to emulate that.

2. Basically what I am saying is my static AI consists at the station are half unlit. Real world the marker lights would be illuminated to indicate a train is there and powered with crew nearby. My problem is the static trains are in a lights off state, more precisely the rear of the train or cab car end closest to were peds would walk directly in front of.

[Angelo]

So what worked for me on #1, I had to go to World editor for that route then adjust the platform marker distances and shortened them to just before the crossing.

I am not sure if this is the most practical method as I believe just submitting the scenario for use other users routes will probably not replicate what I did and the train may stop like it did before.

2. Still trying to figure out how to lite an AI static train.

[buzz456]

"The platform marker is there, and the train already stops and loads / unloads but it stops too far and blocks a crossing. Real world they always stop prior, so I am trying to emulate that. "

That is not a entirely accurate remark. Commuter trains have been stopping across the streets in downtown Elgin for years and years.

[Angelo]

"The platform marker is there, and the train already stops and loads / unloads but it stops too far and blocks a crossing. Real world they always stop prior, so I am trying to emulate that. "

That is not a entirely accurate remark. Commuter trains have been stopping across the streets in downtown Elgin for years and years.

That may be, but I am talking about my specific scenario in San Diego where the train terminates and reverses direction but not for 30 minutes or more. There are two more platforms that need to be accessible to board other trains and if the AI blocks the crossing or the train real world blocks the crossing passengers would have to walk across the tracks and ballast.

Now you see the importance? My post above was referencing San Diego.

[buzz456]

I understand now.

[Chacal]

So what worked for me on #1, I had to go to World editor for that route then adjust the platform marker distances and shortened them to just before the crossing.

I am not sure if this is the most practical method as I believe just submitting the scenario for use other users routes will probably not replicate what I did and the train may stop like it did before.

That is correct.

[Angelo]

Any tips on how to make it compatible with anyone's sim, ie just sending the scenario.

Anything further on AI Lighting?

[Chacal]

The recommended solution would be to add a short Scenario destination marker, but they can't overlap a route destination marker. I presume you already considered this and it is not possible. I don't know of any other way.

[hertsbob]

Guessing at No.2 first, mainly because I don't fully understand what you're after. But can't you just stick a driver's head on the loco in question without any instructions to get it to just sit there with the headlight on? (This may screw up the pathing for the trains you want to move so may not be useful for you)

Back to No.1.

You want to put a Scenario Stopping Point in. They were designed for this exact purpose, although I guess their use isn't perhaps as common for US routes as it is for European routes due to their general freight bias.
This is an example from a Railfan scenario on the North London Line I did a while back. It works exactly the same way regardless of the route or type of scenario - this was just the first example I can immediately think of, so don't assume otherwise.

In the scenario editor, right at the bottom of the list where you usually find the other markers you'll see Stopping Point. (just checked PS and it's definitely available)
Slap a Stopping Point in with the arrow pointing in the direction of the train's arrival. (sorry for the poor screenshot)

SP-1.jpg

You name it in the same way you would with a normal Scenario Marker. I generally leave them with the (S) bit in place so they appear at the top of the list which makes them easier to find when you're setting up the instructions. The marker looks like a loud hailer for whatever reason. Probably just so you can see it. ;)

Then your instructions for the stop/passenger pickup need to reference the Stopping Point rather than the Platform Marker itself, so your instruction should look something like this -

SP-2.jpg

The AI train will stop with the nose of the loco right on the Stopping Point and the job's a goodun. You can see in my example that the train sits in the platform for a few minutes and then leaves the station in the direction from whence it came. Or possibly you can't, but that's what it does anyway.

All of the setup for the Stopping Point is done in the scenario editor so there's no need to amend any route markers etc. and it will therefore work for everyone.

Hope that's of use.

[OldProf]

As I read the OP, the poster wants an AI train to make this passenger stop. In my experience, AI trains do not recognize stopping points.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

As I read the OP, the poster wants an AI train to make this passenger stop. In my experience, AI trains do not recognize stopping points.

Please elaborate a little more.

In my observation, AI trains when stopping at signals, do so with the scenario driver symbol next to the signal. The couplers and pilot are past the signal.
Can the driver signal be positioned such that the whole engine/train is in front of the signal when stopped at the red?

Perhaps when stopping at platforms, passenger trains and multiple units also behave like this in regard to the driver symbol?

[hertsbob]

Perhaps when stopping at platforms, passenger trains and multiple units also behave like this in regard to the driver symbol?

That sounds about right.

The stopping points can be used either for AI or player train instructions. I've just knocked up a quick scenario at San Diego just to make sure there's nothing weird there that would stop it working. Please excuse the multiple screenshots again.

Stopping point added at the relevant location.

PS3.JPG

Instructions created so the AI train comes into San Diego, picks up passengers for a couple of minutes and then heads out in the opposite direction.

PS4.JPG

This is where the train stops, which I believe is what Angelo is trying to achieve.

PS1.jpg

Two minutes later the train pulls back out northwards.

PS2.JPG

Hope that explains things in a bit more detail.

Cheers

Bob