Collecting info for TT creation

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Collecting info for TT creation 02/03/2017 at 22:18 #93458
P*Funk
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So I'm interested in taking the plunge into TT creation and I've read some about it but wanted to reach a bit further into the experts minds about how they go about collecting info for their TTs. I'm wanting to make a contemporary one, like 2017, and wanted to know all the info needed and where it comes from and resources used that may only be online temporarily such as live train info and what not.

Does anyone have a way of explaining how they catalog info before starting a TT? I'd hate to start making one then realize there's info missing that is no longer on a server somewhere or what have you.

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Collecting info for TT creation 02/03/2017 at 23:18 #93465
Steamer
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P*Funk in post 93458 said:
Does anyone have a way of explaining how they catalog info before starting a TT? I'd hate to start making one then realize there's info missing that is no longer on a server somewhere or what have you.
For passenger times, I pick a date several months in advance- preferably with minimal engineering work interference- and copy the times from Open Train Times. I do it manually (but the duplicate function speeds things up for clockface services, with any adjustments made as necessary), but there are ways of copying the data in automatically if you know how. I use Open Train Times for this because RTT only shows half minutes when the schedule is activated (which is just before the train runs).

When I've finished passenger trains, I pick a day for freight, and copy everything in from Real Time Trains that actually ran. RTT only keeps the data in an easily-searchable format for 7 days, so I either need to be relatively quick, or go onto each schedule page and save it. The latter approach is definitely needed if I decide to do freight over a whole week with rules set up to reflect trains that only work on certain days.

For passenger stock, some diagrams can be sourced online from various 'gen' groups- the ones for Virgin Trains and UK EMU group are very good in this respect. I'll sometimes put a request for info up on here; sometimes people are able to help, other times not. If I don't know other diagrams I have to make educated guesses based on my own knowledge of the network. This does dictate which simulations I write WTTs for. The nature of some simulations means that guesswork won't come back to bite you, because most trains work straight through the area with limited dividing and joining. You can't get away with this on other sims- anything with a major terminus on really needs diagram information to produce something realistic.

For example: when writing my Cambridge 2015 WTT, I got GTR and Greater Anglia EMU diagrams from the UK Modern EMU Yahoo group. This info was definitely needed because there's a lot of splitting and joining at Cambridge. CrossCountry was obtained from info provided by a forum member for my West Midlands 2014 timetable set. The GA DMU was pure educated guesswork- but that's OK because I knew the trains were all formed of either a 156 or a 170 (either 2 or 3 car). All the services either simply passed through the area or entered, ran to Cambridge, then went straight back where they came from. So I decided to make Ipswich- Cambridge pure 156 (156s are more common on these turns), Ipswich- Peterborough 2-car 170, and Norwich- Cambridge 3-car 170. Similarly, I knew that East Midlands Trains' Liverpool- Norwich is booked as solid Class 158. Perhaps in reality the odd train is formed of two units coupled, but I don't know, so I made them all single unit, because I know the vast majority are.

For freight consists, I've absolutely no idea, so I just set up generic train types ('Coal', 'Containers' etc.), with the correct maximum speed and a plausible (based on the supplied WTT) length.

That's how I do it- other people have different systems. Sorry for the essay, hope it's of some use!

"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
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Collecting info for TT creation 02/03/2017 at 23:33 #93469
LordSven
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@ Steamer - A very nicely written and informative post if I may say so.
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Collecting info for TT creation 02/03/2017 at 23:46 #93470
P*Funk
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Steamer in post 93465 said:
[quote=P*Funk;post=93458]Sorry for the essay, hope it's of some use!
Definitely don't apologise. I was hoping or an essay. This is the exact kind of detail and methodology I was looking for.

With respect to things like diversions like whats going on with the landslip on the S&C how do you address that sort of thing? I assume its reflected in the WTT as well?

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Collecting info for TT creation 03/03/2017 at 16:50 #93475
Steamer
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P*Funk in post 93470 said:
With respect to things like diversions like whats going on with the landslip on the S&C how do you address that sort of thing? I assume its reflected in the WTT as well?
Once I pick a date, I'll enter everything as it's booked to run on that date. If there's some engineering work/line closures, they'll go in.

It's up to you though- there's nothing stopping you combining several days to present a TT that has no engineering work at all affecting anything. I'd mention it in the TT description though.

"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
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Collecting info for TT creation 04/03/2017 at 21:52 #93504
P*Funk
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Looking through all the mentioned resources I'm curiuos how people even get the correct headcode for freight services given RTT and OTT seem to mostly report either no headcode or gibberish head codes. It seems relatively simple enough to guess who ran what service if you look at the origin/destination and have some familiarity with the area's operations but most WTTs I've played in SimSig have correct freight headcodes so I'm wondering what I'm missing.
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Collecting info for TT creation 04/03/2017 at 22:41 #93505
Steamer
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P*Funk in post 93504 said:
Looking through all the mentioned resources I'm curiuos how people even get the correct headcode for freight services given RTT and OTT seem to mostly report either no headcode or gibberish head codes. It seems relatively simple enough to guess who ran what service if you look at the origin/destination and have some familiarity with the area's operations but most WTTs I've played in SimSig have correct freight headcodes so I'm wondering what I'm missing.
Network Rail publish the WTT online, so you can get most of them from there. Unfortunately, this doesn't work for STP (Short Term Plan) schedules. The first number of the randomised code is the same as the first digit of the real headcode, so at least you know some basic facts about the train.

"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
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Collecting info for TT creation 04/03/2017 at 22:50 #93506
MarkC
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Steamer in post 93505 said:
P*Funk in post 93504 said:
Looking through all the mentioned resources I'm curiuos how people even get the correct headcode for freight services given RTT and OTT seem to mostly report either no headcode or gibberish head codes. It seems relatively simple enough to guess who ran what service if you look at the origin/destination and have some familiarity with the area's operations but most WTTs I've played in SimSig have correct freight headcodes so I'm wondering what I'm missing.
Network Rail publish the WTT online, so you can get most of them from there. Unfortunately, this doesn't work for STP (Short Term Plan) schedules. The first number of the randomised code is the same as the first digit of the real headcode, so at least you know some basic facts about the train.
I have noticed something lately with freight trains TD's on OTT, trains that are ran by GBRf tend to show the proper TD not "FRGT" or some other weird TD.



This is just one example but I have seen many more, and the only common FOC seems to be GBRf

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Last edited: 04/03/2017 at 22:52 by MarkC
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Collecting info for TT creation 04/03/2017 at 23:14 #93507
Steamer
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You're right, GBRF don't scramble their headcodes. The other FOCs do, for reasons that no-one quite understands.

Incidentally, if a randomised headcode instead of FRGT shows up, it means the schedule has been activated. This doesn't always mean the train will run (some will subsequently be cancelled, usually code FL [cancelled at request of operator]), but obviously anything that does run will have had its schedule activated.

"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
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Collecting info for TT creation 04/03/2017 at 23:30 #93508
Simdmuk
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Freightlocate is one source that doesn't scramble head codes (and data is retained usually for about a year)
,although you have to pay a subscription.Railcam have also recently introduced a data section to complement their signalling diagrams.This requires a modest donation.
In addition some gen groups can offer info.

Last edited: 04/03/2017 at 23:30 by Simdmuk
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Collecting info for TT creation 23/05/2018 at 16:29 #108184
phil1044
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For freight consists, I've absolutely no idea, so I just set up generic train types ('Coal', 'Containers' etc.), with the correct maximum speed and a plausible (based on the supplied WTT) length.

That's how I do it- other people have different systems. Sorry for the essay, hope it's of some use![/quote]


Just looking at the above thread, does anyone have any ideas where you can get freight consists from for creating timetables (even a rough idea for formations would do). I have access to TRUST at work but you have to do an enqiry when the train is actually running so is really no good for a timetable from the past. I'm busy with two timetables at the moment from Winter 2017-2018 which are my first ones and would appreciate any guidance from experienced writers.

Thanks for any help

Phil

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Collecting info for TT creation 23/05/2018 at 16:54 #108185
Noisynoel
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Try Option H from a TSIA screen, you "may" have access. Alternatively, Freightmaster website or one of the many enthusiast forums
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Collecting info for TT creation 23/05/2018 at 17:03 #108186
phil1044
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Noisynoel in post 108185 said:
Try Option H from a TSIA screen, you "may" have access. Alternatively, Freightmaster website or one of the many enthusiast forums
Ok Cheers for that. I'll give that a try.

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Collecting info for TT creation 26/05/2018 at 14:06 #108255
Chrisrail
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Dave wants to leave Ramsgate early where are you ?????
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