In Game (MG) Question about my end of player path

[qballbandit]

After creating a new path yesterday using Track Viewer, and then constructing an activity, I gave the activity a test run. It includes my westbound player path, 2 eastbound AI's, and one westbound AI not far behind me - pretty simple and routine.
My player path takes me off main track 1, over main track 2, and into a small multi track yard. My path ends at the end of the longest yard track, at a Red/Stop Signal. I arrive with no issues, and then using the Dispatcher window, make sure the switches that I traversed from main1/main2/into yard are lined back for mainline traffic.
My problem is this - the Dispatcher window shows my path is extending forward past my red light, and through the switch back to main track 2 and abruptly stops with a red "X". I am not able to force the switch or the signal in any way to correct this. The keeps the 2 eastbound AI's from ever running by once I am snug in the yard at the red.
Why would my path extend past where it was designed - which has an "end path" symbol in the yard at the red light in Track Viewer ?

Thanks for any ideas and suggestions!

[rdayt]

You've got a break in the TDB line.
What route and where?

Randy

[qballbandit]

Hi Randy, Con Indy.
Weird, I can create other similar activities in the route without issue.
Refresh, just added pictures, and the track viewer has the lat/lon.

[rdayt]

Can you run through it?
The switch is misaligned.

[wwhall]

Neil,

You might experiment by removing the end point on the player path and re-placing it, maybe a bit farther back on the siding. See if that makes any difference. Also, if the AI train has a straight path through (no passing paths for it or the player train) and you do not have the activity in manual mode, the AI dispatcher should set the switches back to favor the AI train without your intervention. I have a couple of other ideas to check, but I won't have a chance to test them out for a day or two.

[eric]

I'd also move the end point further back and maybe set a reverse point you can pass over..

Does the path stay extended if you put the reverser in neutral and set the brakes?

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

[qballbandit]

Thanks guys,

Wade -First, I moved the end of path back further from the red signal on the yard track. I'll check and see if that has a positive result and reply back.
Second, yes - the eastbound AI path runs through where I crossed that track to enter the yard on the east end. in Auto, I had to realign the
switches so both mains were lined back to mainline. Even though the switches are aligned for mainline traffic at the west end of the yard, the
dispatch reads as my screenshot above.
Yes Eric, I am in neutral with train and loco brakes set - the path extends as in my screen shot.

[qballbandit]

First screenshot shows the east side of the mains and yard, in Auto Mode, after I have diverged from main one, over main two, and into the yard:



Second screenshot shows the front of my train in the yard at my end of path, and the issue with the path in leading out to main past my red signal:



With Auto Mode not realigning the signals, I used dispatch to line the east end switched back to mainline, though my issue in screenshot 2 is still present. Now, my westbound AI's run fine, but the eastbounds do not, due to the issue at hand.

[eric]

Pop into reverse... does the path undo itself?...

[Vince]

My player path takes me off main track 1, over main track 2, and into a small multi track yard.

Hi Neil,
The first diverge into the yard; In the activity when written was the diverge choice to 'Use passing path' used?
That's gotten me into trouble where there is a passing path available and if checked creates this problem.
The red X is the clue to an incomplete passing path.

vince

[qballbandit]

Hello Vince,
I am forced to admit ignorance - where would I see that "Use passing path" option - in TSRE or in TrackViewer?

[eric]

Good to see you checking in, Vince...

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

[Vince]

hi Neil,
I believe I saw that in the MSTS Activity Editor.
edit add I just now:
1. opened an activity on the Long Island Rail Road
2. selected the Path Editor (player)
3. right clicked on the first diverging switch and a Pop-up Menu appears:
4. The 2nd line down is 'Take other exit' and the 3rd line down is 'Begin passing path'

If Begin passing path is ticked then an endless loop is setup that ignores the endpoint. No true path past the endpoint screws the passing path logic.
I know this one well from the old days and am surprised it's still lurking about.

vince

[wwhall]

Hello Vince,
I am forced to admit ignorance - where would I see that "Use passing path" option - in TSRE or in TrackViewer?

Neil,

The TrackViewer manual over at OpenRails.org might be of help to figure out the Passing Path issues, if you have them. Another trick to try to "fool" OR into allowing a following train to overtake your Player train is to place a very long waiting point in the the Player train path before the signal where it would stop, but where the Player train would not pass over the waiting point before stopping.

Another less elegant trick is to set the Player train path to, say, remain on the mainline. Then use Manual mode to be able to throw switches to allow the Player to place the train on the siding, Then line the switches back to the main. By necessity, you must then leave the sim in Manual mode (the Player train is off of its path), but the AI trains will then meet or overtake the Player train. I use this method all the time when I'm running, say, a local train activity where I have to do a lot of switching. For example, I created an activity for Blackfoot 3 where I run a local train east from Lloydminster to Lashburn, then "have lunch," switch ends and return to Lloydminster. The Player path is a simple mainline Llloydminster->Lashburn path with a reverse point, then Lashburn->Lloydminster on the mainline. I use the Manual mode to do all of the switching going out and back. At Lashburn, I run the train past the reverse point while in Auto mode, then back into the siding through the east Lashburn siding switch using Manual mode, line the switches back to the main, and allow the AI trains to pass while I'm "having lunch." Once the AI trains have passed, I change cabs on the Player train, head west out of the siding, putting the sim back in Auto mode once I'm back on the main and have lined the west Lashburn siding switch back to the main. Then head back to Lloydminster, putting the sim in manual mode when I switch sidings to pick up or set out cars on the way back. OR gives such great flexibility for this type of operation that created all kinds of complex paths often really isn't necessary.

I hope this helps.

[qballbandit]

Vince, I am not using MSTS editors. I am using the OR/MG Track Viewer to build my paths, and TSRE to create the activities.
Wade, I think I will try the "less elegant trick". That makes the most sense to me. I'll respond back tomorrow night with my results.

Thanks guys!