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Dispatchin' the Action Guide

2020-11-05T22:46:02Z

Jimbursch: /* Beginning */

== Introduction ==

This guide was initially developed on the forum: https://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?161107-first-draft-guide-to-Dispatchin-the-Action

"Dispatchin' the Action" is a session on the Kickstarter County 2 route that is intended to introduce players to the role of dispatcher in Trainz, directing AI drivers through the session to complete a total of nine tasks ( 1 passenger, 8 freight). The session is designed well for its purpose, but there is very little guidance provided to the new players on how to complete the tasks. This is a guide to help new players learn how to dispatch AI drivers through the session.

== AI Driver Command Mode ==

The first thing a player needs to know is how to issue commands to AI drivers. This YouTube video is a start: https://youtu.be/hEE_8aE1KOI

== Beginning ==

When you start the session, you will see a list of Passenger Tasks (0/1) and Freight Tasks (0/8). Click to see the full lists; the numbers indicate the number of tasks that have been completed, but it does not tell you which tasks have been completed.

You are given seven drivers/engines to complete nine tasks. Five of the drivers are ready for specific tasks at the beginning; you just have to give them the commands to get started. The remaining four tasks have to be assigned to the two remaining drivers and/or use one of the other drivers after they have completed their initial task.

One of the biggest challenges as is dispatcher is dealing with the long single track between Fogarty's End and Arsao Village [see track diagram]. You want to avoid a "cornfield meet" along that track because it could be a long trip backwards for one of the trains. In the beginning there are three trains coming down the mountain while you are sending as many up the mountain.

AI drivers can at times behave in unexpected ways, so keep an eye on them.

Sometimes they indicate being "stuck" when what they are really doing is waiting for the track ahead of them to clear.

Sometimes they get stuck between junctions and just need a manual push to get going.

Dennis is the driver of the yard switching engine tasked with pulling apart a consist to assemble four CP boxcars. He will need lots of help.

When using "Navigate to" be sure to also select the correct platform.

Don't forget to load/unload at industries/stations.

Left to his own devices, Miksa will drive his long coal train through the Gard Family siding and prevent trains from using the siding, getting stuck in the process. Use track marker #60 (drive to trackmark.., or drive via trackmark...) to keep Miksa on the main line while allowing access to the Gard Family siding.

Dispatchin' the Action track diagram
https://imgur.com/a/ATbLeSv

== AI Driver Commands ==

Marilyn
Start: Main yard
Task: 3 cars woodchips from Gard to Horizon
Navigate to Gard Family Forestry: woodchip platform
Load
Navigate to Horizon...
unload

Dennis
Start: Main yard
Task: Leave a rake of 4 CP Rail boxcars at the siding of OnTrack Printing
The four CP boxcars have to be separated from the middle of the consist in the main yard, then sent to nearby OnTrack Printing.

Edgar
Start: Southeast Produce
Task: 4 cars fruits/vegs from Southeast to Ricochet
Navigate to Ricochet; unload

Kat
Start: Oyonix Station
Task:
• Navigate to Smallbrook Jct... unload,load
• Navigate to Arsao Village... unload,load
• Navigate to Zaandam-Kogerveld... unload,load
• Navigate to Fogarty's End... unload,load
• Navigate to St. Nicolaas... unload

Miksa
Start: Rubycon
Task: 10 cars of coal to be delivered to power station
Couple with Coal Hopper 1
Drive to/via trackmark #60
Navigate to Westside Power Station... coal platform

Ian
Start: Main yard
Task: unassigned

Carol
Start: Main yard
Task: unassigned

Unassigned:
4 cars of pallet goods from Ricochet to Rubycon
Use the four boxcars that are already assembled and waiting in the main yard.
Commands:
couple with 40' Boxcar 4
Navigate to Ricochet... platform
load
Navigate to Rubycon
unload

4 cars diesel from Jackson to Daydream
Use the four tanker cars that are already assembled and waiting in the main yard.
Commands:
couple with Tanker 40' UTLX 1
Navigate to Jackson Refinery ... platform
load
Navigate to Daydream mine ... diesel platform
unload

2 cars logs from Clearwater to Gard Family sawmill
Use the two flatcars that are already assembled and waiting in the main yard.
couple with BNSF Flatcar 1

2 cars lumber from Gard to Rosario
Use the train with two flatcars that just delivered the logs

Dispatchin' the Action Guide

2020-11-04T23:58:51Z

Jimbursch: /* Dispatchin' the Action Guide */

== Introduction ==

This guide was initially developed on the forum: https://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?161107-first-draft-guide-to-Dispatchin-the-Action

"Dispatchin' the Action" is a session on the Kickstarter County 2 route that is intended to introduce players to the role of dispatcher in Trainz, directing AI drivers through the session to complete a total of nine tasks ( 1 passenger, 8 freight). The session is designed well for its purpose, but there is very little guidance provided to the new players on how to complete the tasks. This is a guide to help new players learn how to dispatch AI drivers through the session.

== AI Driver Command Mode ==

The first thing a player needs to know is how to issue commands to AI drivers. This YouTube video is a start: https://youtu.be/hEE_8aE1KOI

== Beginning ==

When you start the session, you will see a list of Passenger Tasks (0/1) and Freight Tasks (0/8). Click to see the full lists; the numbers indicate the number of tasks that have been completed, but it does not tell you which tasks have been completed.

You are given seven drivers/engines to complete nine tasks. Five of the drivers are ready for specific tasks at the beginning; you just have to give them the commands to get started. The remaining four tasks have to be assigned to the two remaining drivers and/or use one of the other drivers after they have completed their initial task.

One of the biggest challenges as is dispatcher is dealing with the long single track between Fogarty's End and Arsao Village [see track diagram]. You want to avoid a "cornfield meet" along that track because it could be a long trip backwards for one of the trains. In the beginning there are three trains coming down the mountain while you are sending as many up the mountain.

AI drivers can at times behave in unexpected ways, so keep an eye on them.

Sometimes they indicate being "stuck" when what they are really doing is waiting for the track ahead of them to clear.

Sometimes they get stuck between junctions and just need a manual push to get going.

Dennis is the driver of the yard switching engine tasked with pulling apart a consist to assemble four CP boxcars. He will need lots of help.

When using "Navigate to" be sure to also select the correct platform.

Don't forget to load/unload at industries/stations.

Left to his own devices, Miksa will drive his long coal train through the Gard Family siding and prevent trains from using the siding, getting stuck in the process. Use track marker #60 (drive to trackmark.., or drive via trackmark...) to keep Miksa on the main line while allowing access to the Gard Family siding.

Marilyn
Start: Main yard
Task: 3 cars woodchips from Gard to Horizon
Navigate to Gard Family Forestry: woodchip platform
Load
Navigate to Horizon...
unload

Dennis
Start: Main yard
Task: Leave a rake of 4 CP Rail boxcars at the siding of OnTrack Printing
The four CP boxcars have to be separated from the middle of the consist in the main yard, then sent to nearby OnTrack Printing.

Edgar
Start: Southeast Produce
Task: 4 cars fruits/vegs from Southeast to Ricochet
Navigate to Ricochet; unload

Kat
Start: Oyonix Station
Task:
• Navigate to Smallbrook Jct... unload,load
• Navigate to Arsao Village... unload,load
• Navigate to Zaandam-Kogerveld... unload,load
• Navigate to Fogarty's End... unload,load
• Navigate to St. Nicolaas... unload

Miksa
Start: Rubycon
Task: 10 cars of coal to be delivered to power station
Couple with Coal Hopper 1
Drive to/via trackmark #60
Navigate to Westside Power Station... coal platform

Ian
Start: Main yard
Task: unassigned

Carol
Start: Main yard
Task: unassigned

Unassigned:
4 cars of pallet goods from Ricochet to Rubycon
Use the four boxcars that are already assembled and waiting in the main yard.
Commands:
couple with 40' Boxcar 4
Navigate to Ricochet... platform
load
Navigate to Rubycon
unload

4 cars diesel from Jackson to Daydream
Use the four tanker cars that are already assembled and waiting in the main yard.
Commands:
couple with Tanker 40' UTLX 1
Navigate to Jackson Refinery ... platform
load
Navigate to Daydream mine ... diesel platform
unload

2 cars logs from Clearwater to Gard Family sawmill
Use the two flatcars that are already assembled and waiting in the main yard.
couple with BNSF Flatcar 1

2 cars lumber from Gard to Rosario
Use the train with two flatcars that just delivered the logs

Dispatchin' the Action track diagram
https://imgur.com/a/ATbLeSv

Dispatchin' the Action Guide

2020-11-04T23:56:09Z

Jimbursch: This is a detailed guide to the Dispatchin' the Action session

= Dispatchin' the Action Guide =

This guide was initially developed on the forum: https://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?161107-first-draft-guide-to-Dispatchin-the-Action

"Dispatchin' the Action" is a session on the Kickstarter County 2 route that is intended to introduce players to the role of dispatcher in Trainz, directing AI drivers through the session to complete a total of nine tasks ( 1 passenger, 8 freight). The session is designed well for its purpose, but there is very little guidance provided to the new players on how to complete the tasks. This is a guide to help new players learn how to dispatch AI drivers through the session.

The first thing a player needs to know is how to issue commands to AI drivers. This YouTube video is a start: https://youtu.be/hEE_8aE1KOI

When you start the session, you will see a list of Passenger Tasks (0/1) and Freight Tasks (0/8). Click to see the full lists; the numbers indicate the number of tasks that have been completed, but it does not tell you which tasks have been completed.

You are given seven drivers/engines to complete nine tasks. Five of the drivers are ready for specific tasks at the beginning; you just have to give them the commands to get started. The remaining four tasks have to be assigned to the two remaining drivers and/or use one of the other drivers after they have completed their initial task.

One of the biggest challenges as is dispatcher is dealing with the long single track between Fogarty's End and Arsao Village [see track diagram]. You want to avoid a "cornfield meet" along that track because it could be a long trip backwards for one of the trains. In the beginning there are three trains coming down the mountain while you are sending as many up the mountain.

AI drivers can at times behave in unexpected ways, so keep an eye on them.

Sometimes they indicate being "stuck" when what they are really doing is waiting for the track ahead of them to clear.

Sometimes they get stuck between junctions and just need a manual push to get going.

Dennis is the driver of the yard switching engine tasked with pulling apart a consist to assemble four CP boxcars. He will need lots of help.

When using "Navigate to" be sure to also select the correct platform.

Don't forget to load/unload at industries/stations.

Left to his own devices, Miksa will drive his long coal train through the Gard Family siding and prevent trains from using the siding, getting stuck in the process. Use track marker #60 (drive to trackmark.., or drive via trackmark...) to keep Miksa on the main line while allowing access to the Gard Family siding.

Marilyn
Start: Main yard
Task: 3 cars woodchips from Gard to Horizon
Navigate to Gard Family Forestry: woodchip platform
Load
Navigate to Horizon...
unload

Dennis
Start: Main yard
Task: Leave a rake of 4 CP Rail boxcars at the siding of OnTrack Printing
The four CP boxcars have to be separated from the middle of the consist in the main yard, then sent to nearby OnTrack Printing.

Edgar
Start: Southeast Produce
Task: 4 cars fruits/vegs from Southeast to Ricochet
Navigate to Ricochet; unload

Kat
Start: Oyonix Station
Task:
• Navigate to Smallbrook Jct... unload,load
• Navigate to Arsao Village... unload,load
• Navigate to Zaandam-Kogerveld... unload,load
• Navigate to Fogarty's End... unload,load
• Navigate to St. Nicolaas... unload

Miksa
Start: Rubycon
Task: 10 cars of coal to be delivered to power station
Couple with Coal Hopper 1
Drive to/via trackmark #60
Navigate to Westside Power Station... coal platform

Ian
Start: Main yard
Task: unassigned

Carol
Start: Main yard
Task: unassigned

Unassigned:
4 cars of pallet goods from Ricochet to Rubycon
Use the four boxcars that are already assembled and waiting in the main yard.
Commands:
couple with 40' Boxcar 4
Navigate to Ricochet... platform
load
Navigate to Rubycon
unload

4 cars diesel from Jackson to Daydream
Use the four tanker cars that are already assembled and waiting in the main yard.
Commands:
couple with Tanker 40' UTLX 1
Navigate to Jackson Refinery ... platform
load
Navigate to Daydream mine ... diesel platform
unload

2 cars logs from Clearwater to Gard Family sawmill
Use the two flatcars that are already assembled and waiting in the main yard.
couple with BNSF Flatcar 1

2 cars lumber from Gard to Rosario
Use the train with two flatcars that just delivered the logs

Dispatchin' the Action track diagram
https://imgur.com/a/ATbLeSv

Dispatchin' the Action

2020-11-04T23:46:04Z

Jimbursch: /* Hints */

[[File:dspna00.jpg|320px]]

It is expected that with some consideration experienced players will enjoy solving the problems presented in this TRS19 session unassisted. For those who would like some help, the following is provided:

If you would like additional help, visit the [[Dispatchin' the Action Guide]]

==Hints==

As the dispatcher you are responsible for directing rail traffic over your territory, keeping everything moving as safely and effectively as possible. 
 
'''Passenger Task Objectives'''

*Passengers are the most time sensitive cargo so it's best to begin by getting them on their way.
*:*Navigate to Oyonix and select the passenger train.
*:*The easiest way to do this is to click the driver portrait at lower left and find Kat in the list of drivers.

*The first stop on the passenger working is Smallbrook Jct.
*:*Issue the driver command Navigate to... and from the industry rollout select Smallbrook Jct.
*:*Next issue the Load command.
*:*Repeat these steps for the other stations listed in the Passenger Tasks objective.

*It's ok to hold the passenger train at stops en route to await opposing movements approaching on single track sections, but try not to keep the passengers waiting anywhere for too long.
 
'''Freight Task Objectives'''

*The freight tasks can be completed in whatever order you like.

*The first task in the list is the transfer of 10 loaded coal hoppers to the power station at Westside.
*:*Driver Miksa is in charge of suitable power for this task and is available at Pinecone Kurri Ridge for orders.
*:*The loaded hoppers are ready at the nearby Daydream Mine.
*:*You can begin by issuing the Couple > command and selecting Coal Hopper 1 from the list of vehicles.

*You can also issue additional commands so that once the consist is assembled the train can get underway.
*:*You might order Miksa to navigate directly to Westside Power Co and Unload but be aware this could delay trains travelling in the opposite direction.

*An effective dispatcher will coordinate opposing movements such that whenever possible everything is kept on the move.
*:*Where single track sections are involved, trains will inevitably need to stop for meets but careful planning helps keep these delays to a minimum.

*Drive to Trackmark > is a helpful command for arranging meets.
*:*For example if you order Miksa to Drive to Trackmark > TM60 he will stop on the main line at Fogarty's End short of the entrance to the single track section.
*:*This means any opposing movement out of St.Nicolaas can be safely directed as far as the siding at Fogarty's End regardless of Miksa's progress.

*Similarly a following movement out of St.Nicolaas can be sent as far as the siding at Kalen Turner Industries using TM50.

*TM00 at the north end of the main yard can be useful when directing the marshalling of consists for the various tasks.
*:*It's also helpful if you wish to complete the CP Rail switching task under AI control.

*The available trackmarks can be studied in Map View or you can refer to the diagrams below.

*At St.Nicolaas main yard there are several drivers available to help you complete the remaining road freight tasks.
*:*In the yard as out on the road it's best to keep the drivers out of each other's way wherever possible to avoid delays.

*An effective approach is to issue orders incrementally.
*:*For example you might send Marilyn out to Clearwater Logging to load logs and run around train.
*:*From there you could send her directly to Gard Family Forestry, but at this point it may not be clear what other movements will need that stretch of track when she's ready to leave.

*Alternatively after loading logs, Marilyn can be ordered to return to the main yard using e.g. TM10.
*:*That way when she arrives back at the yard with logs in tow you can make a more informed decision about the timing of her next move based on the progress of other trains.

*The session is complete when all the tasks have been accomplished.
*Full points are awarded if the passenger service is completed within 45 minutes and the session is completed overall within 90 minutes. 

==Trackmark Locations==
 
St.Nicolaas Main Yard

[[Image:Schematic_StNicolaas.jpg]]

----

Kalen Turner Industries

[[Image:Schematic_KalenTurner_.jpg]]

----

Fogarty's End

[[Image:Schematic_FogartysEnd.jpg]]

----

Arsao Village

[[Image:Schematic_ArsaoVillage_.jpg]]

----

Smallbrook Jct

[[Image:Schematic_SmallbrookJct_.jpg]]