AI train destinations/routing?

[StoneC0ld]

Please pardon the total newb question, total newb at Run8 and I can't seem to find anything that specifically answers my question, or not looking in the right places or not using the correct google search terms....

I'm using a scenario as a starting point that is preset with 159 trains. I assume some of those are parked in yards, but that also includes a bunch of running trains on mainlines tagged as AI. Easy enough to figure out actually setting signals and switches to make the trains move, but....

With the AI trains spawned around the map, how do I actually find where they're going so I can route them accordingly if I'm manually dispatching? If I stand beside the track with the destination tags enabled, it just has some train symbol and "AI" tag, and if there's a method within the DS screen, I can't seem to find it to even get that....

Are these trains supposed to just be passing through as I see fit? Should I be routing any of them to receiving yards or whatever to be sorted/humped/etc. for industries?

I know I can just enable Otto, but I was hoping to actually learn manual dispatch along with everything else in the game...

[SurvivorSean]

Depending on the railroad/region you would need to know what the symbol's destination is. Non California routes would use CSX trains and you could look for a CSX train symbol list. I think Depot may have some list as well. I usually usually however use Wayback machine and go to www.bullsheet.com select a year like 2007. Keep in mind CSX does change their symbols and some of them could have more modern meaning.

If you're in California then you're dealing with either UP or BNSF. Here you're going to know where the trains are going baed on the symbol vs the train number. The actual symbols change over time but for 99% of the symbols the location remains the same. A good reference is once again on Depot where you would look for a map that was done up that shows you destinations outside of California. The symbol starts with a train type letter followed by dash then 3 letters BNSF for origin and destination. So M-BAKBAR-1 (don't worry about the number at the end in routing) is a manifest train that runs from Bakersfield (BNSF) to Barstow Yard and is a regional train. The map on Depot will help you figure out other locaitons. This can be found in BNSF symbols.

For UP they would use MBKWC for a manifest train that runs from Bakersfield Yard (UP) to West Coloton. Once again more locations are found on this California map I mention as it's a good reference. You can also search online for BNSF symbols, UP, symbols, and CSX trains for more information on everything.

Keep in mind some trains just pass through, while others may actually work. An intermodal train will often pass through though could work (SBD)San Bernardinio while heading to and from (SDG). This is also true for Auto trains etc. Don't quote me on that as my CA knowledge is a bit rusty since I haven't run it in some time.

CSX trains are grouped by classes where the 100's are IM, 200's are Auto, then 300 400 500 600 are various manifests (again despite just running them a while ago I haven't set up non-manifests in a while). I usally refer to a list the letter that precedes it will determine it's type and priority.

Hope this helps.

Thanks

Sean

[TrainSimJack]

Another trick thats new in V3, is to look at the trainsymbolroutings.xml file - it should list the patterns that AI would route, and give you another reference.

Hey as a side note, as you learn something about the sim, put a text file in the Run8v3\Content\V3Routes\Regions\(yourregion)\UserN otes folder - you can pull them up right from within the sim with Alt-F1, and you can add as many text files as you want - I have one for each local with instructions on how I break them down. You could put one in with notes about dispatching as you learn.

[SurvivorSean]

Good idea on the notes. I was using them when putting together my territory that I never quite finished.

Thanks

Sean

[StoneC0ld]

Thanks, guys!

Sorry for the late reply, excessively busy with work and trying the above. Got a drawn facsimile of the overall map from the depot with all of the off-route destinations they list, and adding to it from the xml files as needed...

Just a further point of clarification... From the xml file in the Barstow folder, the symbol AGM is supposed to exit to the Needles sub. However, in the Needles sub folder, the xml file does not list it--it only lists Amtrak. Does that mean that I don't have to worry about it and just route it straight off the sector on the other end? (From what I could find on google, this example is Argyle, Minnesota...)

[Brad3816]

Needles Sub has no CTC off-ramps in which to route traffic so there is no reason for tags. EB trains continue on to Seligman, WB trains to Barstow.