CSX M&M After-action thread...

[jdtrainman]

Enjoyed the quick run tonight in spite of the broken coupler at N. Akka....Also discovered that I lost 3 mail cars somewhere out thar...

There are apparently several points on this route that need some attention with regard to smoothing track....

Some Radio Traffic comments....

Calling signals: Unless otherwise required by rule, calling your speed isn't a requirement. When calling signals call the indication NOT the color or action... Proper signal calls would be "CLEAR", "APPROACH", "STOP", "APPROACH DIVERGING", "CLEAR DIVERGING", "ADVANCE APPROACH". The call "ALL RED" is used when encountering a multi-head signal displaying Absolute Stop.

OS'ing trains: In CTC territory this would be an invisible action but since we don't have true CTC (or multi-player YET!) we should consider agreeing on verbally OS'ing our trains through each control point. This will help the DS move his little train guys around the map and track were everyone is...

If you're unsure about RR radio traffic, tune in to the local RR frequencies in your area (borrow a scanner or listen in on RR Radio Online sites) to get better familiar with the standard lingo used between DS and trains.

Guess I'm the current Dixie Cup record-holder.... Derailed and tore up the main and siding first time out... Broken coupler and cars left behind tonight! LOL Technically the EOT device SHOULD have reported the loss of the 3 cars AND the train should have gone into emergency at that point....

Fun time this evening and just the right amount of time for me to play.... Hope to see everyone on the GM&O Sunday, 5/16.... Wonder who will get the honor of the first public trip over the Eads Bridge???

JBD

[kinnamon]

"OS'ing trains: In CTC territory this would be an invisible action but since we don't have true CTC (or multi-player YET!) we should consider agreeing on verbally OS'ing our trains through each control point. This will help the DS move his little train guys around the map and track were everyone is..."

I agree with the above as long as the channel is clear and you are not walking on top of another transmission. I do need to hear more "signal calling" as trains make their way over the road. With the F6 key, one can check the names of control points and call the name rather than the milepost. This makes it easier for me to find you on the track diagram. "CSX M729-Clear signal North Brewton, CSX M729 Out." The short form of ID is better for our purposes since we are all "in radio range" of each other.

Now, in the real world of the CSXT, the dispatcher cannot hear signals being called on his radio, unless he happens to be tuned into a particular tower. The way I ring up the AK dispatcher in Cordele, GA is by using a tone code (6) on my handset. The code opens a switch on the wayside base and tower that alerts him at his desk in Jacksonville. Once I hear the return code (sounds like a phone ringing) I know that he sees I am calling him. He may or may not answer right away. I may even use my cell phone to call him that way as well. Many times I have paced the platform at departure time waiting on him to answer to get us across the diamond.

When the dispatcher calls you, he simply uses whatever tower he needs to reach you at a particular location.

Listen to your scanner, as JDtrains advised.

Lee

[BlakeTyner]

The broken coupler problem is solved when you modify eng and wag files to reflect the added /s in the "damper" section. Kuju forgot to set the value up correctly so by default they say /m when it should be /m/s

Once that is updated your train will not break apart at places like Chapmon anymore. EngMod is a fast and pretty easy way to do this quickly.

Without the /s there is NO damping on the couplers and they'll break apart easily. There is no need to set the value up high.

[sou2601]

Os'ing trains and calling signals has been/is difficult due to constant "radio chatter". I felt bad that I missed Os'ing Q619 at La Chausse and he was never able to know that I had passed him and to let the dispatcher know that I was passed. But it was at that time that everyone started lawing out and calling the dispatcher to inform him. It does seem that at times there is no break in the chatter at all, but it has been all offical business. Maybe there is a way we can break some of this chatter down as we are in range of each other. Thought or ideas?

Jonathan

[jdtrainman]

Using the "Send Text Message to Player" option would certainly be a good way to get around the QRM...

JBD

[Macster]

I'll be sure to make a note in my rules when future BNSF routes are ran, signals and TRAIN SPEED must be called out, unless clear.

UP trains also must follow this rule between Argo and Black River/Tacoma to Portland.

All BNSF trains after the last Longview accident made this rule mandatory on all subdivisions.

[Claude350]

Those BC dispatchers are something else Kinnamon.I think they hate the NS crews.I've had to wait at least an hour on few occassions before I could get a response.But time is money.If I'd make the hog law it was all good.If not that was cool too.