Freight and IC Arrival Sensors

[tomfu]

I am currently setting up a fairly automated map. The problem that annoys me currently is that one-time Freight trains and IC's still need to be managed manually because the arrival sensors are not able to find a proper platform for these trains. Has anyone an idea how this could be done with the current setup?

For the long term my suggestion is to give the arrival sensors dedicated platforms for Freight/IC trains similar to the default/finished track options on the other sensors.

[TheLostPenguin]

I think part of the point of the one time contracts may be they can't be completely automated, at least at present, so you have something different to do once everything else is fully automated.
In the far future it may become possible, as there is a consideration to eventually add custom programmable sensors/logic that based on the outline would probably allow functionality to handle one time trains.
Linky as provided to me when I asked a somewhat similar question:
https://trello.com/c/Eox9dqij/19-automation-20-by-gergely

[adam.ruscoe]

Originally posted by tomfu:

The problem that annoys me currently is that one-time Freight trains and IC's still need to be managed manually because the arrival sensors are not able to find a proper platform for these trains. Has anyone an idea how this could be done with the current setup?

Sensors (routing or arrival) only react if the incoming train has something in their instruction set to react to. In other words arrival sensors only react if the inbound train has a platform set for that station.
Because "through trains" don't have a platform set the arrival sensors essentially ignore them. You can get around this by placing a routing sensor and linking it to the same arrival signal, and setting the instructions for the remote stations to that routing sensor (or indeed the catch all instruction to a "through platform" and then setting the platform departure sensor with the onward route (departure sensors seem to work whether the train stops or not, so long as it passes the sensor ONCE to begin with)

So the routing sensor directs the through trains, the arrival sensor directs the local trains and thus everyone is happy

The only addition I would add in a development scheme would be that arrival sensors could also have a catch all like the routing sensor does, negating the need for the additional sensor (and an additional spare square without switches)

[tomfu]

I guess what you both said is right, let's forget abou the automation for one-time contracts. The additional "through platform" would then still be useful for scheduled IC's, as I currently need 2 sensors for that which is expansive in cost and space.

[adam.ruscoe]

Originally posted by tomfu:

I guess what you both said is right, let's forget abou the automation for one-time contracts. The additional "through platform" would then still be useful for scheduled IC's, as I currently need 2 sensors for that which is expansive in cost and space.

On the Prague map, I have a lot of IC contracts that go end to end on "the middle run" or only stopping at Wilson station. Using four platforms at Wilson, routing sensors and arrival sensors I get straight through runs and thousands of points a time so that more than makes up for spending 47,500 initially on sensors.
That's the point of games such as this, invest in something to make it much easier to make loads of money without you having to do anything else!

[kenruof]

If the arrival sensor had logic to handle the (Any) destination it would be helpful. You would just have to preselect the route if it is a new train that needs to go to a specific platform.

[TheLostPenguin]

Originally posted by kenruof:

If the arrival sensor had logic to handle the (Any) destination it would be helpful. You would just have to preselect the route if it is a new train that needs to go to a specific platform.

I believe that's what we're getting in the next update, if you scroll down near the bottom of the devblog for the upcoming 1.1.x version there's a small bit on the arrival sensor being changed to include a default platform setting. With that option it should be possible to automate almost all current movements, the use of a turning wye for 1-time freights being the most obvious case remaining that will require manual working.

[adam.ruscoe]

Originally posted by kenruof:

If the arrival sensor had logic to handle the (Any) destination it would be helpful. You would just have to preselect the route if it is a new train that needs to go to a specific platform.

This is coming in v1.1
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1124180/view/2985308279387280861