Backward switches

[skaliwag66]

Is there some utility that repairs the backward switches in MSTS automatically?

[Vince]

What exactly do you mean by "backward switches"?
Being that a picture is worth a thousand words, could you provide a screenshot of what you see as the problem?

[skaliwag66]

Here's what I mean. It's a very strange problem that you'd think they would have patched.

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q287/Skaliwag66/scrgrb2.jpg
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q287/Skaliwag66/scrgrb1-1.jpg
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q287/Skaliwag66/scrgrb0-1.jpg

[Richard]

You must be running in explore mode? MSTS always aligns the points for the thru route of a switch. Go ahead and run the points, it won't cause a derailment.

[skaliwag66]

yeah I know it won't derail
it just looks really weird

[Vince]

Ahh! I see what you mean. Actually that would be referred to as running through a closed switch. If you are running explore route mode you will get this but it won't cause trouble unless you try to reverse your train before you clear the switch. It's basically a visual problem. The switch is actually lined for the player as you can see in my screenshot (the switch monitor at lower right) but visually the switch itself looks like it's not lined correctly. This is the same switch at Baltimore you posted in your screenshot. BTW what is a IRT Seventh Ave Local doing at Baltimore. Motorman got lost? :P

In Explore Mode, the switch REALLY does not line correctly and you will notice a slight jump when you run through it. No matter, you wont derail. In the real world you would split the switch for a nice $$50K bill or therabout. :o
There is a problem if you try to reverse your train without clearing the switch, your train will try to take each exit, usually breaking couplers or derailing.

Reversing in an activity before clearing the switch will work okay though. The switch just LOOKS like it's not lined. See switch monitor.


http://forums.flightsim.com/vbts/up1/114664.jpg

[skaliwag66]

Yea, it's the Taking of Pelham 123 the sequel :P

I just used that car cause it was lower to the ground and it would provide better shots of the switch.

Thanks for the info. Strange problem but no big deal I guess. I noticed it the first time I played train simulator.

P.s. are those scalerail track on your NEC? How'd you change the signals too?


thanks for the replies guys

[Vince]

No, not ScaleRail, just upgraded track textures that are part of the route. The picture is not the NEC. . .it's the NECv4, available in the file library as a single ~30mb download that automatically installs (when you ask it to) a complete new route. Also has the CSX Capitol subdivision (Washington to Philly), part of the Washington Metro and the Baltimore Light Rail Line from Baltimore to Glenn Burnie, Md. Each of the added divisions has it's own protypical signals.
This is one of the easiest installs (just two clicks after you download it) of a route in the file library. Look for necv4.zip
It doesn't affect any of your presently installed routes but does require all 6 MSTS default routs be installed.
As to the signals, the route has a custom signal set designed by Hank Sundermeyer (Signalmaster). that are protypical as to what the signals are on the present day real route.

Just be sure to completely read the readme file. Look in the route folder after it installs for a route docs folder. There is a crude map in there(see below). There are also a very fine detailed set of maps of the route somewhere in the library. Use the search function to find it.

http://forums.flightsim.com/vbts/up1/114680.jpg

[skaliwag66]

Awesome. Thanks for the help!

[jovet]

The only time I have seen MSTS do this (Explore or otherwise) was when it gets "confused" from peculiar track layouts. These include certain layouts of wyes, reversing loops, and other odd situations that one can encounter laying and traveling on track. It seems you can still drive over it, but it refuses to throw the swich back to normal (or visa versa in other situations) from either direction of travel. Would probably just make it lock up anyways.

Anyone know what I mean?

[skaliwag66]

I think I know what you mean but this problem was still present with the default routes. I remember commenting about it no more than 15 minutes into playing MSTS for the very first time while exploring the NEC.

Shame that there is no patch for it.

[klsc85]

This is a problem that crops up anytime you're "off path" (not following the proper path in the activity -- which is why it's most noticeable in explore mode...there's no programmed path).

Say the path follows the main line, but you route yourself through a manual switch onto a spur or into a yard. You're now off path. Facing point switches will operate normally (provided you can throw them manually), but not trailing point -- they'll stay in the last used position. Direction of travel makes no difference -- there's no path contolling the switch points.

I've noticed that equipment connected by drawbars, or with .wag files that provide for a rigid connection, will "jump" from one track to the other when going through a closed trailing point switch. On the other hand, equipment with standard couplers will roll through without a visible hitch.

Uncle E

[rd4man]

I guess one way to think of these switches is to think of them as spring switches, which do exist in the real world. You can't back through those either!

Uncle E: Any activity down there on the old KLS&C?

[klsc85]

rd4man: You've got mail.

[jovet]

But I've NEVER had mis-lined points happen, unexplained. The very few times it does happen (or the opposite, where MSTS refuses to throw the switch) is for one of thost track oddities I mentioned.

I also use Explore mode a lot. There must be some reason why it's happened to him/you/others (constnatly) and not me?

[Swissie]

Hi Joseph,

> It seems you can still drive over it, but it refuses to throw the swich back to normal (or visa versa in other situations) from either direction of travel. Would probably just make it lock up anyways.

There is a simple trick with this kind of situation that works most of the times with those switches that 'confuse MSTS'. The confusion caused by a loop lies in the fact that MSTS cannot make sense out of a path that goes through the same switch node twice without the player reversing his train to achieve this. So the sim defaults to treating that strange node as if it was already behind your train, regardless of where it actually is. Therefore, Shift + G throws the switch.

A lock-up usually only happens if either of the following applies:
- The entry and exit of the loop is not controlled by signals: For MSTS, your path ahead is already occupied by your own train, and that's too much for the sim to handle, or
- The throwing of the switch takes the path into a full circle (rather than a reversing loop), which immediately crashes MSTS in unsignalled territory, or locks up all switches in your route if signals are present.

Lukas a.k.a Swissie

[ivatt]

Hi Vince

Just came across this topic whilst browsing for something else and notice your transparent switch monitor.

Not seen that one before, looks really nice and clear, can you let me know where to download it.

thanks

[Richard]

Hello Chris,
The transparent monitor in Vince's screen shot, looks like the ones installed during the MSTSbin update. For more info on MSTSbin have a look at the MSTS Bin forum.

Take care,
Rich S.

[ivatt]

Thanks Rich (second time of replying to one of my questions).

I have MSTS Bin installed and hadn't spotted that. Wil take a look at the forum as you suggest.

Chris