Wupper Express 11 plus Options

[conburt]

I would like to request a template for Wupper Express 11 as this is the final version, also I read that the subject of Passenger templates was to be considered back in last January any news on this development

[sgdavis]

I would like to request a template for Wupper Express 11 as this is the final version, also I read that the subject of Passenger templates was to be considered back in last January any news on this development

I hope someone will take on this route for a template! As for passenger activities, I am sorry but I haven't been able to figure out how to get Activity Generator to calculate the station stops and timing to each so I haven't included that feature in Activity Generator. Since those are so easy to create with the MSTS Activity Editor anyway, and it WILL automatically calculate the times of the station stops, I think for passenger activities it's probably best/easiest to just use the MSTS Activity Editor.

You COULD use a template to generate a freight activity with an initial train and maybe just a destination track, that would give you the path and all the AI traffic, cars in spurs etc. Then just edit that to remove the Pickup or Setout "Actiion Events" and in the Player Service check the stations to stop at, and change the consist to passenger cars. Then the AE will calculate the arrival and departure times etc.

Thanks,

Steve

[nbeveridge]

I hope someone will take on this route for a template! As for passenger activities, I am sorry but I haven't been able to figure out how to get Activity Generator to calculate the station stops and timing to each so I haven't included that feature in Activity Generator. Since those are so easy to create with the MSTS Activity Editor anyway, and it WILL automatically calculate the times of the station stops, I think for passenger activities it's probably best/easiest to just use the MSTS Activity Editor.

You COULD use a template to generate a freight activity with an initial train and maybe just a destination track, that would give you the path and all the AI traffic, cars in spurs etc. Then just edit that to remove the Pickup or Setout "Actiion Events" and in the Player Service check the stations to stop at, and change the consist to passenger cars. Then the AE will calculate the arrival and departure times etc.

Thanks,

Steve

I haven't thought this completely through, but if the template is designed correctly for passenger service, then I think that AG will indeed set up a passenger only activity from the start. You might have to include a destination track, but I think that no pick up events are required at all, unless you want head end cars or maybe a Pullman switched along the way.

My approach for a passenger only template would be to start with a freight template and then modify it. First, define the "any" cars as passenger only. Then the destination track will take only passenger cars. If any pick up or set out along the way is to a track taking only an express reefer, a baggage car, or a Pullman, for instance, then you will generate a passenger only switching activity. Once you have generated a passenger activity with the passenger template, it should include all the AI freight traffic. But at this point it gets sticky. First, you might not have the passenger cars you want, and the cars may not be set up in the proper order. CB would be the tool to fix the order issue, and to add more cars if needed. Be careful not to renumber the cars in CB, since the car number is needed to do teh passenger switching. But at least any pick up and set out would be arranged by AG. Next proceed to the AE in MSTS to set up the station stops. After that, save the activity and have fun!?!!

As I said, I haven't thought this completely through. Maybe someone will want to try it.

[sgdavis]

I haven't thought this completely through, but if the template is designed correctly for passenger service, then I think that AG will indeed set up a passenger only activity from the start. You might have to include a destination track, but I think that no pick up events are required at all, unless you want head end cars or maybe a Pullman switched along the way.

My approach for a passenger only template would be to start with a freight template and then modify it. First, define the "any" cars as passenger only. Then the destination track will take only passenger cars. If any pick up or set out along the way is to a track taking only an express reefer, a baggage car, or a Pullman, for instance, then you will generate a passenger only switching activity. Once you have generated a passenger activity with the passenger template, it should include all the AI freight traffic. But at this point it gets sticky. First, you might not have the passenger cars you want, and the cars may not be set up in the proper order. CB would be the tool to fix the order issue, and to add more cars if needed. Be careful not to renumber the cars in CB, since the car number is needed to do teh passenger switching. But at least any pick up and set out would be arranged by AG. Next proceed to the AE in MSTS to set up the station stops. After that, save the activity and have fun!?!!

As I said, I haven't thought this completely through. Maybe someone will want to try it.

This is basically correct but it won't generate the passenger schedule i.e. station arrival and departure times. The MSTS Activity Editor WILL automatically generate these simply by checking the station boxes as stops in the Player Service setup.

[conburt]

This is basically correct but it won't generate the passenger schedule i.e. station arrival and departure times. The MSTS Activity Editor WILL automatically generate these simply by checking the station boxes as stops in the Player Service setup.

Thank you Steve

Tim

[dgionet]

Hi to all,

I have been looking over the comments for this route. I have decided to consider the possiblilty to take on the challenge in creating a template for the Wupper route. But before, I have to make a test. I have finished putting markers on the first 70km , that is from Muenster, on the Northeastern side to Wanne Eickel. I will create a mini template to see if my 2 Ghz PC can handle such a route. Glad the builders have decided to use material from the 6 default routes! I believe it will pass the test compared to the Adelaide route which took a lot of muscle from my computer. But as you will see in the following screenshots, it is very sceniced, lots of work has been done on this route. It is well praised by many users.

Some aspects are unique to this route. I have never seen that many platforms on any route, even more than on the Burton-Derby route. Also to notice areas with as many as 8 tracks wide. Path making will be a very challenging task. I may have to use the included paths to help me in finding the proper tracks to travel on.

The language issue may be another obstacle to be hurdled since my knowledge of German is none. Haven't found much details in english for details for the route. I may write on the TS forum to get some info if necessary. I have found and downloaded a German Railway vocabulary from German to English, that will help a bit. I have done a primary test of that 70km stretch, the class 145 electric was used. Here are some of the shots.

Will update

Muenster ( the first two photos)




inside the route


In the Wanne Eickel area ( three photos)

[conburt]

Yes the Wupper Route is quite congested although if you think there are a lot of platfoms you should see some of the ProTrain routes I have about 15 of them. For example Munich station has 36 platforms. I am rambling on.

All my Geman routes are translated by myself, the following I find useful

imtranslator.com
dict.leo.org
Please PM me if you wish
Tim

[conburt]

Hi there.
Something I should have mentioned, I have a full detailed track plan of Wuuper Express 11. If this is of any use to you I can forward it to you It is produced on MS Visio again PM me with your details etc.

[conburt]

Hi there.
Something I should have mentioned, I have a full detailed track plan of Wuuper Express 11. If this is of any use to you I can forward it to you It is produced on MS Visio again PM me with your details etc.

[conburt]

Message for dgionet
Attached map as requested

[dgionet]

Message for dgionet
Attached map as requested

Hi Tim,

I have checked in my mail. There was a reply but no attachment.

Oops!

Denis

[conburt]

Hi Tim,

I have checked in my mail. There was a reply but no attachment.

Oops!

Denis

[conburt]

Message for dgionet
Attached map as requested

Sorry about this, it now appears that the file is too large and this forum format is a little strange to us.You can download it yourself at

http://wwww.zugsimulator.de/new/_cms/index...537001187954940

This download includes two Acts which you can discard alternatively I can forward the Map only file to you once I have your E-Mail address

Sorry Tim

[dgionet]

Sorry about this, it now appears that the file is too large and this forum format is a little strange to us.You can download it yourself at

http://wwww.zugsimulator.de/new/_cms/index...537001187954940

This download includes two Acts which you can discard alternatively I can forward the Map only file to you once I have your E-Mail address

Sorry Tim

Hi to all,

Here's some update to the project. Testing of the route have suggested me to continue with the making of the template. Performance is reasonably acceptable for most areas. However, with the railfill level at two, (with about 400 cars added to the simulation from Muester to Moenchengladbach) there are some areas (like inside Muenster) where the fps gets as low as 5fps. I am looking for the possibility to change my computer (2Ghz) for a more performant one.

I have already marked 150 of the 550+ siding the route contains with their respective orientations. Building the Burton-Derby and the Adelaide route templates will be helpful in building this one. Most of the sidings will have the orientation of the marker to indicate if the siding is oriented for EB or WB traffic, this was introduced with the Adelaide template. And the B-D template has given me some experience with ways to better define regions because of the complexity of the route. I will be using the paths included with the Act pack, renaming them for the template purposes. It will a lot easier to ensure the trains drive in their proper tracks and not collide with oncoming AI traffic.


So it's a go ahead for the Wupper template but must admit it will be a lenghty project even compared with the Burton-Derby template.

Will update later.

[dgionet]

Hi to all,

Here's a run-down of the template project so far.

The project is going slowly but surely. As of now, half of the 550+ sidings have been marked. It may not be as much in a week but the approach in making the template is quite different from all the previous templates because of so many interlocking paths and making sure the train won't be running on the wrong track.

To give you an idea of the type of approach I am using, consider the 14.7km Mount Macdonald tunnel in Rogers Pass built in the 80's. Two companies were hired and were assigned to tunnel from opposite ends and reach in the middle. Who would win the race? Company #1 used a "mole", a huge tunneling machine to carve a huge hole inside the tunnel. Company #2 used conventional tunneling methods. #1 reached the middle first, but the tunnel remained to be benched and lined to finish the job. #2 went "full-faced" but advanced with a finished product behind them. Actually both companies have reached the middle at about the same time.

So, in my case, the approach to the previous templates was like #1. But this time a #2 approach is done to work the template .

The markers are being put after selecting one of the already existing paths inside the route, renaming them WPE11WB Template, etc.. And the sidings get marked as I progress along the path and determining regions taking in consideration the interlocking paths. After, the TDB file is configured. Once finished, I go with path #2, 3, etc. I try to use preset paths that covers new areas as possible to be able to add markers to new paths. Once finished, it is estimated that the template will have 35-40 different regions, some of them have actually only one siding.Such region marking will ensure the paths will have sidings that will all be serviceable.At half-point I have around 22 regions created. I am writing at the German forum for additional information when needed and it is appreciated (English forum section )

Hope I haven't confused with such explanation. Other news, I am getting close to changing my PC. Hope to have it changed in about 2 weeks (from 2Ghz to about 3Ghz) to settle some money matters.

Will update later

[dgionet]

Hi to all,

A major snowstorm (more than a foot) on Sunday kept me inside the house. This allowed me extra time in working and finally finishing the WB template. Here are some numbers which comes with the template; 10 paths, 11 AI trains and 542 sidings to service, all sidings indicated with the orientation of the marker if they are customized for EB or WB pickups. It may not be as many paths as it seems. Remember that on the Burton Derby template, each of the 5 templates has about seven paths for each one. So I have worked a lot in looking at the 90 paths the act pack contains and choosing appropriate paths.

I have started to do some testing and will start working on the EB template. This second half should go easier because the markers have already been set. But still, I must take extra time in choosing the paths for the EB, mostly the ones already coming with the route and act pack. This applies to the player train and AI traffic too. You will probably have to use the manual siding feature of AG to do some switching ( BTW,In Germany, are they more familiar with the word switching or shunting?) Remember the Wupper track database is one of the biggest ever seen on any freeware route (15MB+) it will take close to a minute to make the conversion to manual. It may be the same for the signalling in permissive mode.

I would like to have some testers willing to test the WB template while at the same time I will be working on the EB. Those interested, please let me know. I'll send you the zip file with all the necessary files. I will try to make the same invitation on the German Forum to help with the testing

So it's coming closer to reality.

[dgionet]

Hi to all,

Here`s the latest update of the project. This week-end, I have finally got a more performant PC, from a 2Ghz(784MB RAM) to a 3.2Ghz (1Gb Ram). I have seen a notable difference in handling the present route. It will make it easier in testing the template. The Wupper 11 template is now finished and I will start testing the route. Both EB and WB templates have in total 21 paths and 21 AI trains. It has been a complex task but believe this template will deliver! The major difficulty was making sure the paths did run on the proper tracks because of so many parallel and interlocking tracks along many areas of the route. I was able to use the pre-set paths from other activities coming with the act pack which is complimentary to the route package. Another difficulty has arisen during its construction; since the paths have not been verified before, had to check along each path, especially at both end points making sure the path does not go through sidings where markers were present. In the reality, about 10 of the markers were located in paths and was able to correct all the paths except for one. This one was removed from all csv files in order to keep the path intact. I am including two screenshots of my master documents used to build the package, giving you an idea of the complexity and the challenge I was faced with to overcome and succeed in building it.

[dgionet]

Hi to all,

Testing of the route is going very well and it looks good so far. Hope to have it released in about a week to 10 days.

I am including six screenshots of this remarkably detailed route to enjoy.