Prototypical Freight AI

[alexisn]

Hi all,

I'm having a go at creating a scenario for Newcastle to Edinburgh and, much to my surprise (due to several failed attempts in MSTS & the original Rail Simulator), it's going quite well so far! I'm recreating 1S15, the 11:30 Kings Cross to Edinburgh service.

I've been using realtimetrains to get the details of passing services and, where necessary, google image search to get an idea of stock formation. I'm a bit stuck when it comes to freight though. Realtimetrains doesn't give the headcodes for freight services, nor any indication of what the traction or the wagons might be. I toyed with the idea of either making it up or leaving it out, but I don't really want to do either if I can avoid it.

Any suggestions as to where I can find out sufficient detail about timetabled freight services to be able to include them in the scenario? I figure this information must be available somewhere, or else how do the likes of Armstrong Powerhouse & DPS do it?

Thanks in advance,
Alexis

[thethirdrail]

Make a note of the start/destination locations and Google the depots; it may provide some info on what services and rolling stock come out of them.

Try searching Flickr, either directly or via Google images, for pictures of operations around the depots. Also, when us train spotters publish to Flickr we tend to be quite finicky about naming the trains (for example, this one of mine https://www.flickr.com/photos/lunaticus ... hotostream) so you may find some of your services on there.

Hope you get the info you need. I understand the need to make scenarios as accurate as possible!

t3r

[alexisn]

Thanks t3r, I'll give that a go. I notice that the photo you link to has no headcode listed either. Any idea why the headcodes aren't available for freight through the same channels as they are for passenger services? If only I still had a TRUST login.

[TOMMO79]

Spend a while watching this... http://www.railcam.org.uk/watchsingle.php?ti=RCYork1

[Anthony061]

You could look up the start/destination along with the time of the train in Network Rail's WTT. The WTT is the industry timetable and provides the headcodes of all timetabled trains along with the booked loco/multiple unit. In addition for freight trains, it provides details of maximum haulage weight allowed for that specific train.
Alternatively, you could buy the Freightmaster guide at £16. Published twice/three times a year, it shows the time and direction at which freight services pass certain hotspots. These include Peterborough, Newark, Doncaster, Colton Junction (York) and Newcastle. Information provided include the headcode, booked loco along with the type of train it's hauling I.e. Loaded FHH coal hoppers etc.
What I suggest is to use the WTT to find the routings of the trains so you know if and where they would pass 1S15 but also use the WTT max. haulage weights alongside the Freightmaster details on train type to work out what the longest theoretically the train could be.
I hope I have made some sense, feel free to ask for any clarification.
Anthony

[alexisn]

Thanks Anthony, most helpful. I've had a look at the WTT (not the most user friendly thing is it?) and the Freightmaster website. I think these two together could be exactly what I need. I'm not going to invest in the Freightmaster book or online subscription for the time being but it's certainly something I'll consider in future if I decide I want to devote more of my life to scenario creation.

For the 1S15 scenario I'm working on at the moment, I think the only freight that the player service could conceivably pass is 6X60, an engineers train which I believe will probably have stopped running by February when the scenario is set anyway.

If anyone has any further tips for future reference though, they'll be greatfully received.