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Gatwick Express mega run - for 3 routes - work in progress

Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2005 3:54 pm
by jamestcc
Hey everyone,

I'm under taking a massive project that will span 3 routes:

Dorset Coast
Portsmouth to Brighton
London to Brighton

The activity will be a fictional activity spanning the 3 routes starting at Poole and finshing at Southampton (Dorset)

Southampton link line to Brighton (Portsmouth to Brighton)

Brighton to Gatwick Airport (London to Brighton)

Do not expect the 1st of the 3 parts out for a while (University commentiments), hoping to get the Dorset part before the Dorset CD is out.

It will involve:

Coach pickups on 2 of the 3 parts
Engineering works
Overtaking and Undertaking
Failed signals
Loads of AI traffic from the start

Hopefully get some screenshots up as time progress.

Commets/questions always welcomed

James :)

Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2005 6:31 pm
by depman2004
Sounds very interesting
Good luck..

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 8:26 pm
by jamestcc
Thanks :)

Update on the 1st activity of the Mega Run, it is going well, AI traffic from Poole upto Brockenhurst is near enough done and the Southampton traffic is getting there.

I'm not sure if it has been done before (correct me if I'm wrong) but the players service does a Overtake then a Undertake of a AI service, in short on the approach into Bournemouth you pass a AI passenger service in the siding, this follows you out on your path and when the players service stocks on Brockenhurst that AI service passes you on a different platform.

I've got the service running behind a late finishing MPV service (that you see in the siding at Bourenmouth) so its riding the yellows a little bit at first, all the trains you see at Bourenmouth are AI service and no static, finally got grips of the reverse points!

More updates when I have progressed :)

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:26 pm
by charlierc
Okay.

Sounds good.

What stock is used?

Except West Coastaway Express and LBE

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 8:30 am
by jamestcc
All the stock used apart from those 2 routes are the usuall suspects from the SWT range found on UKTrainsim, you have downloaded "Southampton Shuttles" then that is near enough it :)

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:12 pm
by jamestcc
Does anyone know how to work the 'time event' funtion on AE? Having problems allowing a service to overtake me as the player train gets into the station with a red signal showing (as it should) but when it come to a complete stop after a few seconds, it turns green and the overtaking train hasn't overtaken me.

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:16 pm
by ca55ie
I believe double reverse points also work.

Sam

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:27 pm
by jamestcc
I'm using that for that as well, I need the train to wait for about 5 mins at the station whilst the passing trains passes

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:38 pm
by Lad491
That wont work James. For the double reverse point trick to work the following train must be one section behind waiting to enter the section. If its longer MSTS will break the path for the player service and look for another service - when it doesn't find it it gives the player service the road. Therefore you need to have your following AI service right behind the player service.

Time event will enable you to program an event to occur at a set time - regardless of where you are. You cant use it to break the player path to allow another to pass. The problem with time events is that it activates whereever you are at the appointed time - so if you are late it still happens. It has very limited use ive found.

I think you will probably have to use poetic licence and advance the following AI service so it passes you at the station, rather than having to wait for it.

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 9:42 am
by jamestcc
Thanks for the advice Lad, I'm playing about with the AI service/reverse points and see what I can do.

Virtually all of the AI/Static AI have been done, hopefully it should be released soon :)

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 5:24 pm
by jamestcc
Hey all, quick update, I have to halt the 1st part of the activity as a heap load of Uni work/graduate job advice has hit me, the activity will not as originally stated have a over/under taking bits, just a over taking of a express train.

Release will be soon, need to get on with Uni work and apply for graduate jobs! (P.s. I've applied to Stagecoach who run South West trains to name of company!)

Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 11:05 pm
by d1023
James - looks as though your main train is a Southern Class 377, these have never run to/from Poole, I know you said it was fictional but please try some attempt at accuracy!!! :oops:

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 9:55 am
by jamestcc
Hey d1023, I've never been on the Poole - Brighton route and I wanting a train that runs on the London-Brighton route that I use for a special service from Poole to Gatwick Airport :)

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 9:56 am
by jamestcc
Any more feedback/problems?? :)

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 6:36 pm
by colinm74
Downloaded and completed it last night. Enjoyed it! :D Looking forward to the next installments...