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Date

Locked Re: Signalling issue with my panel

 

Hi Iain,

Your system sounds interesting. ?I was using routes to set up the various routes and signals, my frustration is that the signal masts on the panel are just dumb. ?Would love to see what you have done. ?Was looking to see if I could figure out a script that would set all signals to danger and update the panel. ?Then I could just operate the signals manually whilst the points are set by routes.

Would love to see what you have done.

regards

Doug


Locked Re: Raspberry Pi 3 Horse Power?

 

Dennis,

I'd question the 'headless' in conjunction with '?a large HO layout with automated trains'. ?It also depends what you mean by automated trains. ?E.g. is it just the control of the train while it is in motion that is automated, or are you automating the scheduling too. I started off with this idea a few years ago - no point in rushing - on a moderate size N gauge layout. ?I'm still nowhere near the stage where 'headless' fully automated operations are feasible (i.e without human intervention via screen or physical control panel). ?My pi (it's actually an Orangepi zero, but similar in concept) is still in use but simply provides access to the layout via LocoNet over TCP, and everything else is on a desk top. I've tried using VNC to provide a virtual screen but a reasonable sized screen eats in to the pi's resources. ?Of course there may be good reasons for using a pi, e.g. using the GPIO capabilities for accessories or a physical control panel. ?If in the future I get to the stage where I can get the behaviour I want from the current configuration, then I'd consider going 'headless'!

BTW another way of dealing with the ramping issue is to use the acceleration and deceleration CVs in the decoder instead. ?I guess it means that the automated engineer has less control and possibly sensors used for stopping need to be positioned to allow for this, but it seems to work OK in practice for me.

Paul





Locked Re: Operational concept for a single operator #operationspro

 

Hi Paul

Now that you are ?understanding the program better I thought I would throw in some real life scenarios to help you?set some?guidelines for Building Trains.

  1. Give your spurs time to load or unload a railcar.? Depending?on the car(and era) real railroad?industries could 1/2 to a full day to load or unload a car.??You may want to run your trains 1/2 day (session) apart.
  2. Not all trains need to service all locations.? Consider Through Freights that just work mayor cities.? Wayfreights can be setup to work the smaller towns between.
  3. Facing Point and Trailing Point spurs.??It is easier and faster?for a train to switch Trailing Point spurs.? Set up your Spurs?as serviced by East (North) or West (South) trains only.? This would divided the workload between trains travelling in opposite directions.?
  4. Lessen the number of moves at a Location. If you have 10 Spurs, make the moves (pickups and?drop offs) 8 or less.? This will allow other?cars and empty spurs to be available for the?other?trains.
  5. Change the types of cars that a train can accept.? Say you have a train that just handles coal cars such as a Mine Run and you have several?industries that require coal (and send back empty coal hoppers).? That train?will then only?exchange coal cars.? Another train can be setup to handle the regular merchandise.?
  6. Return When Empty cars.? This is part of a more advance setup.? You can designate an empty car to go to a certain location.? The program will route the car there.? For example empty UP cars need to go west while empty B&O cars go east.
  7. Limit train length using "Max Length" in the Route Window.? I limit my train length to?the?siding lengths on it's route (or maybe the shortest siding). This way when opposing trains meet they can easily pass each other.
  8. Consider creating a timetable to run your Trains.? This will help to ensure you don't have 2 trains trying to switch a town at the same time.??Schedule Mainline Trains to give your local switchers time to pick up and drop off cars between trains.
The nice thing about the JMRI-Ops program is that you can continue to change it as your understanding and knowledge increases. You do not need to get it right the first time - keep experimenting!

Hope this helps
-Scott-
(aardtechus)


Locked Re: Using Digikeijs DR5000 with a Macintosh Computer

 

You should be able to make a network connection (i.e. Cat5 Ethernet cable) from your Mac. See



But I haven¡¯t done it myself.

Bob

On Dec 4, 2018, at 5:42 PM, John Kabesh via Groups.Io <jwkabesh@...> wrote:

Is it possible to use JRMI by connect my Mac to the DR5000 with a USB cable or CAD5 cable? The instruction I found are to use the wifi network but then I can not use the z21 App on my phone.
Thank you


Locked Re: How to deal with empty cars in OpsPro

 

Dan,
Thanks. That is exactly the type of info I needed. The bulk of my cars will move with a purpose and some are in dedicated service for a specific type of load. I know how to make my loaded cars (with custom loads)? move like I want but I was not sure how the program handled E vs E(mpty) designations. The terminology used was confusing because the documentation was calling a E(mpty) a custom load while at the same time calling it a type empty. I read your response to tell me that although E and E(mpty) are both a type empty, the E(mpty) has an additional designation as a custom load thus the program handles them differently. A plain empty (E) is a random move whereas a E(mpty) is a special case of empty that is routed like a load.
You gave me the info I need to set up my schedules to work the way I need.
Thanks
Paul D


Locked Using Digikeijs DR5000 with a Macintosh Computer

 

Is it possible to use JRMI by connect my Mac to the DR5000 with a USB cable or CAD5 cable? ?The instruction I found are to use the wifi network but then I can not use the z21 App on my phone.
Thank you


Locked Re: Panel Pro - looking for up to date Tutorial for CPE

 

John,

Attachments are removed from emails. For images, such as screen shots, you need to upload them to the group¡¯s Photos section. File sharing is done by uploading files, such as a panel xml file, to the Files section.

Take a look at this image: /g/jmriusers/photo/79886/0?p=Name,,,20,1,0,0

This is a simple interlocking for a double cross-over. The dwarfs are temporary target masts for SML. The blocks are colored to show the block boundaries. The ABS support is automatic with SML. When a control system is added, such as CTC, the control system holds and releases masts based on the control system actions.

NX is also based on the block topology. Since it does not have a manual method like SML, it requires a Layout Editor panel.

My recommendation is that you start with Layout Editor. Once you have that fully functional, then you can create a CPE panel the leverages the LE generated components, such as SML. The turnouts, sensors and signal masts are independent of the panel type. As I mentioned before, SML can also be panel independent.


Dave Sand

On Dec 4, 2018, at 4:58 PM, John Pearson <pearsonjohn99@...> wrote:

Dave
Thank you for the reply
I'm sort of lost and may need to try one of the many options
If it helps at I have created a non working CTC panel in Editor, copy of panel Plus close up of model board attached
The Layout will never be larger although there are Non Signaled yards at each end..

I want to activate the panel so I can use it to drive model hardware signals and turnouts which will be driven by MRCS's version of CMRI
Track power is DCC Lenz

I can see advantages of creating an activated single line layout diagram with working logix and operability
Given that there are only 2 green signal lamps on the layout and both are towards virtual unmodeled track I know that ABS etc is not required.
I think this rules out SSL in favour of SML ?

Would you recommend LE or CPE in my case ?

Finally I may choose to MODERNIZE the control panel to a more modern NX push button or modern dispatcher arrangement, I'm assuming I can still do this in front of my LE or similar Layout ?

Thanks for any guidance
John Pearson

Hope the screen shot photos get thro

On Tue, Dec 4, 2018 at 4:18 PM Dave Sand <ds@...> wrote:
John,

Using CPE and SML is fine. Doing so DOES change how the SML is created.

¡°Automatic" generation of SML is based on the block topology defined by the Layout Editor track plan.

"Manual" creation of the SML does not require any panel of any type. The signal mast pairs, turnout positions and block states are entered directly into the SML definition screen.

Some people create a LE panel to provide the block topology and then create a CPE (or PE) panel for running the layout. The LE panel is either hidden or sits behind the CPE panel.


Dave Sand



On Dec 4, 2018, at 2:41 AM, John Pearson <pearsonjohn99@...> wrote:

Dick
Thanks you for the EXCELLENT reply dated Dec 2nd it has opened my eyes to the differences in the different JMRI design systems. I agree with Alan B Pearce¡¯s comments ¡° it should be in FAQ¡± As a newby JMRI bless it is akin to drinking from a full bore fire hydrant !

To your note it is apparent that I should be using (CPE ). Control Panel Editor
My layout is quite small and caters around an interlocking controlled by a CTC machine. there are several back to back crossovers and a flat crossing with 4 90 degree diamonds, many of the signals are eye candy with of stage virtuals.
I have no room for ABS or long stretches of track.

Signal Masts are obviously the way to go ( thanks again for the explanation )

What I need now more than anything is a JMRI tutorial covering CPE & SML

BTW I have some of your SM LEDs ( RR-CirKits ) the Colors are excellent
Many thanks
John Pearson


On 3 Dec 2018, at 11:55, Alan B. Pearce <alan.b.pearce@...> wrote:

This needs to be in an FAQ somewhere. Thanks to Dick for a clear definition of the differences.

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of dick bronson
Sent: 02 December 2018 23:47
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [jmriusers] Panel Pro - Layout Editor - looking for up to date Tutorial

John,

I'll make some (many) comments based on my personal opinions.

a) Layout editor (LE) is a vector view of your layout. I.e. the toe bone connects to the foot bone, the foot bone, connects to the ankle bone, .... It is designed to document and edit the connectedness of the layout. It only allow for one definition of each chunk of the layout. (vector) As soon as you have two turnouts that operate as one (e.g. crossover) or two detectors that operate as one you need to fight the system to figure out how to defeat its basic nature. (typically by making an internal shadow to define the duplicate item) It was never designed to make a CTC panel drawing in the first place. Doing so is sort of like trying to use a CAD program to paint a landscape.

b) The Control Panel Editor (CPE) is designed to create a pictorial CTC machine (Control Panel) view of your layout. It consists of various icons and images that allow you to recreate either a classic or modern CTC panel with surprising fidelity. It neither knows nor cares how one image or icon connects to another. The disadvantage of that of course is that you need to manual define the items and how they fit together or what they control. The advantage of that is that it will not try to force you into its own way of doing things.

c) The Panel Editor (PE) is the original JMRI panel editor which has been superseded by the Control Panel Editor which has many new features and ease of use advantages over the original. PE should have been depreciated years ago, but JMRI seldom does that for anything.

d) Signal heads refers to the class of hardware that can only control a signal one set of lights at a time. Typically it controls R, Y, and G lamps.

e) Signal Masts refers to an entire signal, be it one head or many heads, 3 lights per head or 7, etc. Typically it operates by sending aspect messages, not individual light commands. However if your hardware doesn't understand aspects, then JMRI can create signal aspects out of multiple heads.

f) SSL stands for Simple Signal Logic. Think 'Simple' as in 'Simple minded', not simple as in 'Easy'. It does basic ABS on single track fairly well. However as soon as you add a crossover or anything more complex you need to cross your eyes and stand on one leg to figure out how to make it work correctly. (mostly done by adding invisible signals and calling them 'distant')

g) SML Signal Mast Logic. IMHO This is the way signal logic should always be done. It treats signaling as aspects (per the prototype). It calculates aspects as they relate to pairs of signals, i.e. the signal you are facing paired with the next signal along the path you will be taking. It has built in rules for a growing number of prototype railroads. This saves you a lot of research into how signaling should be done on your railroad. It takes the most complex trackage in its stride. For each signal pair you simply list the correct turnout positions along that route and list all the blocks between this signal and the next.

h) NEVER mix SSL and SML unless you enjoy cat fights and detective mysteries. They do not play at all nicely with one another and you will be left wondering just why in the world your signals behave the way they do.

i) Crossovers in CTC territory are two blocks. When calculating any block requirements always think about how many different trains can occupy any given area at the same time. That is the number of block detectors required. For single track it is one, unless the track is long, then it may be several so one train can follow another. For a single turnout it is one. For a crossover it is two, one on each side if they are passing. For a yard ladder it is ........ one. (unless you can switch two parts of the ladder at the same time somehow) Of course a yard ladder is not usually signaled, but it makes a nice example. <G>

Dick :)

._,_._,_




Locked Re: Raspberry Pi 3 Horse Power?

 

Dennis,
Using Dispatcher and auto engineers I can run 7 trains on a Pi3, at any one time 3 can be in motion, and the others waiting, so 7 evalutions take place on a sensor change. That is with full signalling that uses the extended dcc packets. The major bottle neck is on the loconet, (I use digitrax) and on the dcc for the signals thru the command station. Excessive ramping demands and stopping by speed profile can be further drains on cpu power. Both can be eleviated by running in 28 step mode.
The number of concurrent trains is not the limiting factor, it's how many events are happening at once and how much time it has to react in. So a 60x60cm nscale trolley layout with 3 cars might bring the pi to it's knees, but a 4 hectare garden railway with 10 trains can be handled with ease.
Steve G.




On December 4, 2018 11:33:31 AM EST, Steve Todd <mstevetodd@...> wrote:
Dennis,
I agree with the maybe, depends a lot on HOW you're planning to automate. I use JMRI Dispatcher for my layout, and I've had 5 trains scheduled, with 3 active at once, with no issues running on my RPi3.?
--SteveT

--
Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.


Locked Re: Raspberry Pi 3 Horse Power?

 

I¡¯m using an RPI3 for layout control, no issues with horsepower so far.

I¡¯m taking a slightly different approach to automation though¡­¡­automatic stopping of trains at signals is using asymmetric DCC, this avoids the need for quite so much block detection, just the addition of some diodes to the power feed.

It does mean that all locomotives need to be fitted with chips that support asymmetric DCC, (many low quality decoders don¡¯t do this) and allow brake on detecting an asymmetric signal to be turned on. I¡¯m standardising on Zimo decoders to do this. Avoids all the complex logic of changing throttle settings in JMRI¡­¡­just set throttle at required running speed, leave it set at that point, and let the signals stop and start the trains.

Kevin


Locked Re: How to deal with empty cars in OpsPro

 

Paul,

The program works in two ways, random movement, or with purpose.? Cars with "E" or "L" default loads move randomly.? This is the simplest approach, the program finds a car, and then finds a track somewhere in the train's route that is willing to accept the car.? Some folks don't like this type of car movement, they want to see cars move with a purpose.? So the program allows you have all cars move randomly, or all with a purpose, or any combination of the two.?

When you create a custom load for a car, that's the first step in creating car movement with a purpose.? When you create a schedule for a spur, you create demand for cars with custom loads.? A custom load can be either a type "Load" or type "Empty".? Cars with either load type move the same, the only difference is how the program calculates the train weight, and how the program reports the number of car load and empties in the train.

I strongly recommend that when starting out with the program that you use the random method, no custom loads, no schedules.? You simply decide what type of cars a track can service, the number of cars that can be serviced (track length) and then you're done.? You will have the most car movement with the random method.? Later you can introduce custom loads and schedules for some of your spurs and see what the results are.? In most cases you will decrease or prevent car movement .as you will reduce the options the program has for moving cars.? For example, you might have an interchange.? You find a nice track that can hold several cars and decide it would be nice to see the exchange of cars via the interchange.? But if for whatever reason, you end up with most of your car having to pass through the interchange, that can be a bottleneck.? Now you have to figure out the ebb and flow of cars through the interchange, just like the prototype.

My experience with many operators is that they can't tell the difference between random and car movement with a purpose, In most scenarios, the operator only sees a particular car once, he doesn't see it traveling across the layout.? And in most sessions a car is only moved once.

Dan


Locked Re: Panel Pro - looking for up to date Tutorial for CPE

 

Dave?
Thank you for the reply?
I'm sort of lost and may need to try one of the many options?
If it helps at I have created a non working CTC panel in Editor, copy of panel Plus close up of model board attached?
The Layout will never be larger although there are Non Signaled yards at each end..? ?

I want to activate the panel so I can use it to drive model hardware signals and turnouts which will be driven by MRCS's version of CMRI?
Track power is DCC Lenz?

I can see advantages of creating an activated single line layout diagram with working??logix and operability?
Given that there are only 2 green signal lamps on the layout and both are towards virtual unmodeled track I know that ABS etc is not required.?
I think this rules out SSL in favour of SML ??

Would you recommend LE or CPE in my case ?

Finally I may choose to MODERNIZE the control panel to a more modern NX push button or modern dispatcher arrangement,? I'm assuming I can still do this in front of my LE or similar Layout? ?

Thanks for any guidance?
John Pearson

Hope the screen shot photos get thro

On Tue, Dec 4, 2018 at 4:18 PM Dave Sand <ds@...> wrote:
John,

Using CPE and SML is fine.? Doing so DOES change how the SML is created.

¡°Automatic" generation of SML is based on the block topology defined by the Layout Editor track plan.

"Manual" creation of the SML does not require any panel of any type.? The signal mast pairs, turnout positions and block states are entered directly into the SML definition screen.

Some people create a LE panel to provide the block topology and then create a CPE (or PE) panel for running the layout.? The LE panel is either hidden or sits behind the CPE panel.


Dave Sand



> On Dec 4, 2018, at 2:41 AM, John Pearson <pearsonjohn99@...> wrote:
>
> Dick
> Thanks you for the EXCELLENT reply dated Dec 2nd it has opened my eyes to the differences in the different JMRI design systems.? I agree with Alan B Pearce¡¯s comments ¡° it should be in FAQ¡±? ?As a newby JMRI bless it is akin to drinking from a full bore fire hydrant !
>
> To your note it is apparent that I should be using (CPE ). Control Panel Editor
> My layout is quite small and caters around an interlocking controlled by a CTC machine.? there are several back to back crossovers and a flat crossing with 4 90 degree diamonds, many of the signals are eye candy with of stage virtuals.
> I have no room for ABS or long stretches of track.
>
> Signal Masts are obviously the way to go ( thanks again for the explanation )
>
> What I need now more than anything is a JMRI tutorial covering? CPE & SML
>
> BTW? I have some of your SM LEDs? ( RR-CirKits ) the Colors are excellent
> Many thanks
> John Pearson
>
>
> On 3 Dec 2018, at 11:55, Alan B. Pearce <alan.b.pearce@...> wrote:
>
>> This needs to be in an FAQ somewhere. Thanks to Dick for a clear definition of the differences.
>>
>> From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of dick bronson
>> Sent: 02 December 2018 23:47
>> To: [email protected]
>> Subject: Re: [jmriusers] Panel Pro - Layout Editor - looking for up to date Tutorial
>>
>> John,
>>
>> I'll make some (many) comments based on my personal opinions.
>>
>> a) Layout editor (LE) is a vector view of your layout. I.e. the toe bone connects to the foot bone, the foot bone, connects to the ankle bone, .... It is designed to document and edit the connectedness of the layout. It only allow for one definition of each chunk of the layout. (vector) As soon as you have two turnouts that operate as one (e.g. crossover) or two detectors that operate as one you need to fight the system to figure out how to defeat its basic nature. (typically by making an internal shadow to define the duplicate item) It was never designed to make a CTC panel drawing in the first place. Doing so is sort of like trying to use a CAD program to paint a landscape.
>>
>> b) The Control Panel Editor (CPE) is designed to create a pictorial CTC machine (Control Panel) view of your layout. It consists of various icons and images that allow you to recreate either a classic or modern CTC panel with surprising fidelity. It neither knows nor cares how one image or icon connects to another. The disadvantage of that of course is that you need to manual define the items and how they fit together or what they control. The advantage of that is that it will not try to force you into its own way of doing things.
>>
>> c) The Panel Editor (PE) is the original JMRI panel editor which has been superseded by the Control Panel Editor which has many new features and ease of use advantages over the original. PE should have been depreciated years ago, but JMRI seldom does that for anything.
>>
>> d) Signal heads refers to the class of hardware that can only control a signal one set of lights at a time. Typically it controls R, Y, and G lamps.
>>
>> e) Signal Masts refers to an entire signal, be it one head or many heads, 3 lights per head or 7, etc. Typically it operates by sending aspect messages, not individual light commands. However if your hardware doesn't understand aspects, then JMRI can create signal aspects out of multiple heads.
>>
>> f) SSL stands for Simple Signal Logic. Think 'Simple' as in 'Simple minded', not simple as in 'Easy'. It does basic ABS on single track fairly well. However as soon as you add a crossover or anything more complex you need to cross your eyes and stand on one leg to figure out how to make it work correctly. (mostly done by adding invisible signals and calling them 'distant')
>>
>> g) SML Signal Mast Logic. IMHO This is the way signal logic should always be done. It treats signaling as aspects (per the prototype). It calculates aspects as they relate to pairs of signals, i.e. the signal you are facing paired with the next signal along the path you will be taking. It has built in rules for a growing number of prototype railroads. This saves you a lot of research into how signaling should be done on your railroad. It takes the most complex trackage in its stride. For each signal pair you simply list the correct turnout positions along that route and list all the blocks between this signal and the next.
>>
>> h) NEVER mix SSL and SML unless you enjoy cat fights and detective mysteries. They do not play at all nicely with one another and you will be left wondering just why in the world your signals behave the way they do.
>>
>> i) Crossovers in CTC territory are two blocks. When calculating any block requirements always think about how many different trains can occupy any given area at the same time. That is the number of block detectors required. For single track it is one, unless the track is long, then it may be several so one train can follow another. For a single turnout it is one. For a crossover it is two, one on each side if they are passing. For a yard ladder it is ........ one. (unless you can switch two parts of the ladder at the same time somehow) Of course a yard ladder is not usually signaled, but it makes a nice example. <G>
>>
>> Dick :)
>>
>> ._,_._,_
>





Locked Re: Ops: "Percentage of custom loads generated by staging"

 

Thanks!



Locked Re: Double crossover needed in Control Panel Editor

 

Ken,
Finally figured out how to properly add a turnout in PE/CPE thanks to a tutorial I found on line. As a result, I can add a double crossover in PE then convert the panel to CPE. Just dig a quick test but it appears your suggestion to flip to PE to add a double crossover then back to CPE is working.
Thanks.
Paul D


Locked Re: Operational concept for a single operator #operationspro

 

Dan,
Thanks. Makes sense to me. As I build my OpsPro locations, cars, routes and trains I am constantly running into situations not covered in the OpsPro documentation. Knowing a bit about the rules behind the scene helps to decipher these situations.
Paul D


Locked Re: Test Release 4.13.4 Timetable tool #timetable-tool

 

Paul,

Test release 4.13.6 (coming soon) has a new scale process. This will also apply to production 4.14 when it is released. N148 is being replaced by UK_N.

Before you upgrade to either of these releases, you will want to temporarily change the timetable scale to N. If you do nothing, the scale will automatically change to HO the first time you use the timetable tool.


Dave Sand

On Nov 23, 2018, at 9:22 AM, paul@... wrote:

Dave,

I've now downloaded 4.14.5. Thanks for the inclusion of N148 and the example script. I'm looking forward to setting up the timetable. I'd been wondering how I could easily set this sort of data up but this solves the problem brilliantly and I can now start experimenting with a script to do the integration with dispatcher.

A minor point - it appears that the 'Route Duration' field is not being set on the train display. This seems to be the case for new trains and trains migrated from the 4.14.4 version. The timings appear correct on the relevant segment's Train Graph. Also if you're considering any enhancements, a function to duplicate a train would be really useful, allowing for the situation where there a several trains with the same basic itinerary but at different times in the schedule.

Paul


Locked Re: Operational concept for a single operator #operationspro

 

Paul,

A car can only be assigned to one train.? When you move or terminate a train, you are telling the program the car dropped off is now available for the another train.? In your example, you have two trains moving in opposite directions.? If you build both trains, the cars assigned to each train are captured by that train. Since both trains are built, the cars can't be shared or swapped between them.

Now let's say you only build one train, that train captures a bunch of cars, and is scheduled to deliver those cars along the train's route.? If you move the train along the route, the cars that are spotted are now available for the train going in the opposite direction, or any other train.? So let's say the first train is half way through its route,? you move that train to the 5th location, 5 locations now have cars that were set out by the train.? If you now build the train going in the opposite direction, the cars that were set out are available to be pulled into that train.

So taking your example to an extreme, if you built 12 trains at once, not one of those trains would share a car.? But if you built and then terminated each train, the 12 trains could share many of the same cars.

You might want to try the demo files and play with them to see how cars move.

Dan


Locked Re: Raspberry Pi 3 Horse Power?

 

One thing I would say about Ras Pi boxes, they are very sensitive to the
speed of the SD card you plug into it. So the better cards are very much
worth the price.

I'd correct Jim's remark about Java, it is compiled, JavaScript is
interpreted. Ok, Java is compiled into P-Code, but I recall over 10 years
ago it was proved to be over 90% of the efficiency of native code. One thing
I fully agree with Jim is about automation, it requires a lot more blocks
and THEY MUST DETECT PERFECTLY.

On 'what's the slow point' I'd say that over 40 years of programming says it
is seldom where you think it is. Only when you can test and measure do you
find where the problem with speed lays. It usually turns out to be a big
surprise.

-Ken Cameron, Member JMRI Dev Team
www.jmri.org
www.fingerlakeslivesteamers.org
www.cnymod.com
www.syracusemodelrr.org


Locked How to deal with empty cars in OpsPro

 

I am not clear on how OpsPro handles empty cars. If I schedule an industry to receive an empty (E) boxcar, I would expect the program to find a E boxcar and route it to the industry. However, the documentation for OpsPro states "The program doesn't route cars with the default loads "E" or "L". So, if your schedule is requesting a car with the empty default "E", it can take awhile before that car shows up.". Why does OpsPro ignore (or defer?) the request for an empty (E) boxcar?
The documentation goes on to say that I can create a custom load called E(mpty) and implies that the industry would get a E(mpty) boxcar quickly just as if it was a load with implication that the boxcar would be considered loaded (thus routed) rather than empty (not routed or deferred).
If the answer is....the E boxcar will get to the industry eventually but not as fast as a loaded (aka...E(mpty)) boxcar, I can deal with that. However, if it means that OpsPro will never route an E and the industry will never get a E boxcar, then I am totally confused on why E (or L) even exists.
This brings up a related question....if a train stops at one location and picks up an E boxcar, will the train drop off the same E boxcar at the next location in its route that is requesting an E boxcar?
As a side note, I have been experimenting with this and I created some E(mpty) loads for boxcars but it is not clear how the program is treating these boxcars with a E(mpty) load if no industry is requesting a E(mpty) boxcar.
Obviously I am not clear on how to handle empties as I try to build schedules for my industries. Any help is appreciated.


Locked Re: Ops: "Percentage of custom loads generated by staging"

 

Hi Jon,

1) it applies only to the spur in question.
2) It can limit number of the cars with custom loads from staging.? 0% means no cars from staging to service the spur.
3) Yes, you can restrict which custom loads can ship from each staging track.

Dan


Locked Re: Packet Delays and Timeout - SPROG3 and JMRI 4.12

 

This is how SPROG in programming mode works. When you are programming (Read or Write) track power is OFF and you are using the programming track power levels. The whole layout/track you are linked to.?
When you open a throttle, the track power goes ON, and you can use the (single) throttle to test your settings.
SPROG in Operation mode has power ON, unless you switch to programming, when the power goes off, and you are in programming mode with lower track power etc.

Check the preferences for the mode you are using.
I generally set Decoder Pro to SPROG (Programming) and Panel Pro to SPROG Command (Operating) to avoid confusion. Then open DP to program, or PP to run.