Atomic Systems

I've finally bitten the bullet and begun to get my head around scenario creation. I'd always wanted to create a scenario covering an FGW train I often catch; the 08:34 HST from Exeter St Thomas to Paddington via Bristol. And now I'm just about there! One or two things to sort out and add (some loose consists in the main), but it works and just about follows the actual timetable, and I've got AI just about sorted for the actual trains coming the other way.

Just about because RW won't let me follow the actual timings, which are up to 3 minutes faster in real life. When timetabing in RW it just won't let me use the actual times for both the p[layer service and the faster AIs, which RW says can't be accomplished. Except that in real life they can, and they are 5 days a week.

My question is; can RW be forced to accept faster times than it wants to? RW's allowances are very generous. The HST is capable of knocking several minutes off, both in RW and in real life.

Simon Spoerer

Hi, Simon

Could you post the detailed timetable (including platforms) so that we can give it a try? I think it would be an interesting test.

Regards

Manuel

PS: Feel free to pm me and I will give you my email so that you can sen dme the scenario for testing, if you prefer.

What timetable are you using? The public timetable doesn't show the full picture, such as allowances for pathing. I have seen Working Timetables where there have been several minutes difference what the public are advertised & what the staff are expected to work to.
Another thing to look at is the performance % for your services. Depending on the route, a few % difference can make a notable difference to the timings.

The actual published timetable is shown below (all departures). The best arrival times RW will allow are shown (where relevant) in brackets. The journey from EXD to TAU could certainly be achieved in a substantially lower time. You don't need ever to exceed notch 2 to gain the RW times from EXD to TAU, and can cruise from Whiteball summit to TAU in neutral, plus some braking. I kind of doubt it's like that in real life!

EXT 0834
EXD 0841
TAU 0905 (0908)
WSM 0927 (0934)
BRI 0957

I'm very happy to share my scenario beta with you. There's a couple of things I want to sort out but I'm away for a week (work) and can't do any more until I get back. Be in touch! Please send me an email to simonatspoererdotorgdotuk and I'll send it on soonest.

Simon Spoerer

I had no trouble setting up a 2+8 HST to that timetable just now. I just set the effort percentages to 100%. If you leave it at the default 75% you will have trouble - though 75% is appropriate for a commuter stopper, a fast train spends more time cruising at line speed, which is comparatively easy for a player to match.

You should even be able to set 90% for a more realistic estimate of arrival time given to the driver. Interestingly the timing from WSM to BTM is comparatively slack, so 75% is adequate.

Ahh, it's a percentages thing is it? I wasn't sure what the percentage value was about so left it untouched. Thank you. I will amend the timetable percentages as soon as I can.

Thanks again.

Simon Spoerer

I do explain what the percentages are about in my tutorials in the FAQ section.

Where's the FAQ section? I've seen it referred to and no doubt I'm being very thick and stupid, but I don't know where it is...?

D'OH - how stupid. Found it. I was looking for a specific scenario FAQ section. Couldn't see the wood for the trees. Thick and stupid? Yes to that!

Glad you sorted it out, I am looking forward to your scenario.

Manuel