Large Scale Central

Using TrainOps

Operations Train Operations Software
#1

Steve’s thread is getting a little cluttered, so I thought I’d start a new one primarily to discuss how you are using TrainOps.

I’ll start off by describing an operating scenario that I haven’t quite figured out how to set up properly in the software.

I’ve created 4 trains, two in each direction. Eastbound trains originate indoors and terminate outdoors. The Westbound turn originates outdoors where the Eastbound ended.

One pair, is the the Eastbound/Westbound Daily (WX10 - WX11). WX10 originates at my my Main Yard and serves the Interchange Yard and Team Track (indoors) and my only facing point industry outdoors where there is no run-around facility. WX11 retraces the route in the opposite direction serving the same places.

The other pair, Eastbound/Westbound Mixed (MX10- MX11). MX10 originates at my Interchange Yard and serves my Team Track, Main Yard, and two trailing point industries outside. MX11 runs the same route the other direction.

In both cases, the Eastbound trains terminate at a place that is not a Yard. This was giving TrainOps fits, but Bob quickly fixed that. That still leaves a problem of a car in limbo when the train terminates on the main, which MX10 did. Since it’s a simple matter to call my Eastbound end of track a siding, I did so but I did not designate it as a yard or a place for empties to go. That idea seemed to work, the cars picked up on the Eastbound turn now live in the siding. I had expected me Westbound turn to pick up the cars and bring them back to the main yard or interchange, but it did not. The Westbound turn says it has nothing to do (no cars found).

So, for those of you running a two train turn, how do you handle the terminating points? Do you have a yard at both ends and keep cars in both? Or is there some trick to getting cars to come back to the main yard or interchange?

I’m open to any suggestions of how I should set this up, both within the TrainOps software or physically on the layout, other than suggesting I add a run-around as that’s on the to-do list.

#2

You may be running into either 1) a bug in the software, or 2) the car may be either marked as “off layout” and its load/unload time hasn’t passed. I suspect 1. :slight_smile:

#3

I have a staging area on one end that I have designated as a yard track. It’s really just a long passing siding.

But, I only run two trains per session; one in each direction.

So, Train #2 starts in a yard, and finishes in the staging area. Train #1 starts in the staging area and finishes in the yard. If I’m running by myself, (or with 2 man crew), we always start with Train #2, just so there’s room in the yard for when Train #1 shows up. If I’m running two trains simultaneously, I have Train #2 wait in a town for Train #1.

Since you’re running two trains each day each way, you might be having siding capacity issues. It takes a day to load/unload a car before it’s ready to move again. If just the 1st two trains each drop off one car at a siding, that may fill it up, especially if you had something from the previous session. Or, maybe you have a lot longer sidings than I do.

#4

I’d designate the track a yard as well…

#5

Well, I seem to be back to square 1…“unable to build train, no cars found”

#6

Gee Ken…then just back onto the combine and run the mail train on schedule…

#7

or just do what I always do…wing it…:wink:

#8

You can do what I used to do. Make the switch lists up using MS Word. The problem is that it gets too predictable, but it’s not bad for a few sessions.

But, I think I’d wait for Bob to fix that problem. I know he’s working on it. We’re getting to see some different views now that you guys are trying this. I’m also trying another install on one of my other computers.

BTW, if you have any suggestions for the manual, I’d sure like to get them. I’m beefing up the manual now; especially the tutorial section.

#9
Bob McCown said:
You may be running into either 1) a bug in the software, or 2) the car may be either marked as "off layout" and its load/unload time hasn't passed. I suspect 1. :)
I ran the Eastbound Mixed and picked up an empty, then terminated the train in a newly created "siding" at the end of the line. I then checked the Car database withe the edit car dialog. It says the car is in the siding, but it marks the status as L. not E. The Westbound says nothing to do.
#10

Waiting for the car to be unloaded…did you advance the date and check the car report?

#11

Did you check the union contract?

#12

Wow!! I’ll be busy for awhile. I make up a train and every stinking car in Delores gets put on it, my whole damn fleet…I had to go back and uncheck about 20 cars so the train can haul them…or I can double-head it…:wink:

Me thinks he fixed the bug…:wink:

Bruce, you may want to explain how to change the “chance of each car %” thing…took me a few times to figger it out…unless that’s another bug. I have to put the cursor to the right and backspace then add 2 numbers, then go to the left and delete the last number from the old integer. Iffen ya know what I mean.

#13
Bart Salmons said:
Waiting for the car to be unloaded.....did you advance the date and check the car report?
Hmmm... Where did it get filled? It was an empty when I pulled it from the industry. It only got as far as a holding siding when the train terminated. That siding is not designated as a yard or a place for empties. Next train on the same day (the turn) should want to take it back to the yard, but it doesn't. That would be the only work for the Westbound so the fact that it's thinking the car is full again is probably why it stays on the siding (probably forever).

Now it is an EBT hopper. There is something in the cars DNA that says it should stay put until the wheels and the rail are one and trees have grown up through the doors. Could that the real problem. The car just does not WANT to move ? :slight_smile:

I’m going to try again with the siding designated as a yard.

#14
Ken Brunt said:
Wow!! I'll be busy for awhile. I make up a train and every stinking car in Delores gets put on it, my whole damn fleet........................I had to go back and uncheck about 20 cars so the train can haul them......or I can double-head it....;)

Me thinks he fixed the bug…:wink:


Must be nice to have enough cars that it wants to build a long train :smiley: I have exactly the opposite problem. Most of my trains are one or two cars because there just aren’t enough cars is the pool to choose from. I’m working on that, but I need more storage shelves.

Glad you got it going.

#15

First Ever RGS Operating Session using TrainOps…

http://www.largescalecentral.com/articles/view.php?id=103

Ran the WBX4 (west bound extra 4) today…boy, that was fun…:wink:

#16

I’m still busy adding all the cars. Forgot just how much goes into entering all the required data.

BTW I like the fact that it is very adaptable. :wink: :open_mouth:

#17

That’s a neat session, Ken.

#18

Bob,
Know you are probably busy and I appreciate ALL the hard work you have put into this program but unfortunately for me I am pretty well computer illiterate. I managed to enter all my cars, towns, and industries but I’m stuck on how I indicate what cars are where and how I program a train. Any help for me or should i stay with my color coded card system? Thanks again,
Fred

#19

Fred,
Oops. That sounds like my fault.

I thought I had it covered, but then I’ve been working with this program for quite some time.

What do I need to add to the tutorial?

#20

Bruce,
Not your fault, sounds like the rest of the guys had no problem, I’m just not to swift when it comes to computer programs. What is the next step after all the frt cars, towns, and industries have been entered into the program?
Thanks for your time.