GN HiLine Options

[Ralph@Train-Puzz...]

Hi Steve!

I just wanted to stop by and thank you for a most enjoyable six hours that I spent yesterday and today working the Havre - Great Falls leg of this route (I actually just went to Ft Benton). Very nice!

I did have one head-scratching occurrence at Ft Benton. As I entered Ft Benton from the East, the switch into Ft Benton Elevator 3 was set for the through path (correctly) and I proceeded on into the town. A few minutes later, I backed up through this same switch, and when I moved forward again, it had become set to the diverging path (into the siding) and I couldn't pull forward because one of the cars was tangled in the switch. I had to back up until the entire train was clear of the switch, and then reset it. No problems after that.

I'm familiar with the "spring switch" problem of moving through a switch from the diverging side and then trying to back up, but this is the first time I've encountered this situation. Since I couldn't have operated the switch from the side that I was on, and the "dispatcher" would have had no reason to operate it, I'm at a loss as to how it got changed.

Anyway, good job (again)! Thanks for your efforts.

[jrmeindl]

Hi Steve!

I just wanted to stop by and thank you for a most enjoyable six hours that I spent yesterday and today working the Havre - Great Falls leg of this route (I actually just went to Ft Benton). Very nice!

I did have one head-scratching occurrence at Ft Benton. As I entered Ft Benton from the East, the switch into Ft Benton Elevator 3 was set for the through path (correctly) and I proceeded on into the town. A few minutes later, I backed up through this same switch, and when I moved forward again, it had become set to the diverging path (into the siding) and I couldn't pull forward because one of the cars was tangled in the switch. I had to back up until the entire train was clear of the switch, and then reset it. No problems after that.

I'm familiar with the "spring switch" problem of moving through a switch from the diverging side and then trying to back up, but this is the first time I've encountered this situation. Since I couldn't have operated the switch from the side that I was on, and the "dispatcher" would have had no reason to operate it, I'm at a loss as to how it got changed.

Anyway, good job (again)! Thanks for your efforts.

One of the quirks of MSTS. Anytime the engine is separated from the rest of the train, the switches are reset to their normal positions. If possible, never uncouple a train where the remaining section is left over any switches that you have thrown. If you do leave them over switches, the cars will hang up over them if you try a reverse move. The basic rule with stopping on a spring switch, always keep moving in the original direction you were heading. Never do a reverse move if you stop a train over a spring switch. The same rule modified to say any switch that was thown from its normal position in MSTS.

Jim

[Ralph@Train-Puzz...]

One of the quirks of MSTS. Anytime the engine is separated from the rest of the train, the switches are reset to their normal positions. If possible, never uncouple a train where the remaining section is left over any switches that you have thrown. If you do leave them over switches, the cars will hang up over them if you try a reverse move. The basic rule with stopping on a spring switch, always keep moving in the original direction you were heading. Never do a reverse move if you stop a train over a spring switch. The same rule modified to say any switch that was thown from its normal position in MSTS.

Jim

Hi Jim!

Thanks for the reply. Actually, I'm familiar with the situation that you describe -- that's not what happened. The switch was set for the through path, and I never changed it (in fact, I couldn't have changed it if I wanted to -- after I passed through it, I was on the wrong side of it to be able to change it manually). After I passed through it, it changed to the diverging path.

[jrmeindl]

Hi Jim!

Thanks for the reply. Actually, I'm familiar with the situation that you describe -- that's not what happened. The switch was set for the through path, and I never changed it (in fact, I couldn't have changed it if I wanted to -- after I passed through it, I was on the wrong side of it to be able to change it manually). After I passed through it, it changed to the diverging path.

I can think if two more ways it can change. That must have been an AI dispatcher controlled switch. Normally, even for manually controlled switches, they will normally reset to their normal position after you pass. If you left cars on the other side, you would have to use AG to change all the switches over to manual so you can get back over. Another way is the based on the traffic and AI dispatcher. Taking into consideration the timing and how many reverse moves you have made, the dispatcher sometimes looses the location of the player. That can change the position of switches and signal indications for the player. That usually comes into play if you are on a route with passing sidings or you are switching mains.

Jim