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24 hour simsig session

You are here: Home > Forum > Hosting and Events > Hosting General Topics > 24 hour simsig session

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24 hour simsig session 24/09/2013 at 01:02 #49540
arabianights
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Anyone interested in a 24 hour SimSig session at some point? Say a kgx TT 4am to 4am.

Unlike a normal SimSig game this would need a bit of organisation but I'm up for it in principle. Who else?

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The following users said thank you: Aurora, Temple Meads
24 hour simsig session 24/09/2013 at 01:04 #49541
arabianights
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To be perfectly clear, no one would have to be committed for the full 24 hours, not even the host in fact...
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24 hour simsig session 24/09/2013 at 01:12 #49542
Temple Meads
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I like this idea.. It might be better off being a smallish sim that one person can mange if required, such as Exeter ( ), and it would need a few hosts, with breaks to permit sending and loading the save game.

I'm definitely up for it though.

Username TIM in multiplayer
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24 hour simsig session 24/09/2013 at 02:11 #49543
Aurora
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183 posts
Sounds like a great idea. You'd have to sort out who'd host and when but I'm sure that could be accomplished.


" said:
To be perfectly clear, no one would have to be committed for the full 24 hours, not even the host in fact...

lol talk about fatigue towards the end of that one.

Though I think that would be an interesting experiment in decision-making towards the end of it. ;p

Nil.
Last edited: 24/09/2013 at 02:13 by Aurora
Reason: reply to arabiannights

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24 hour simsig session 24/09/2013 at 06:39 #49545
alvinhochun
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" said:
I like this idea.. It might be better off being a smallish sim that one person can mange if required, such as Exeter ( ), and it would need a few hosts, with breaks to permit sending and loading the save game.

I'm definitely up for it though.
If you can find a Windows machine/server that can stay online for 24 hours with remote access, you don't actually need to transfer files. Just let different people at different time to be the "host" and remote access that machine.

_ _ _ _,_ _ _ _! (censored by the Hong Kong national security law)
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24 hour simsig session 24/09/2013 at 08:26 #49547
AndyG
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A 24hr multiplay was done a while back by Afro09 (Alan), KX sim, and 1985 TT IIRC.

He ran the host himself for 24hr (I think I did about 16 client hrs), and was much enjoyed by all. Sim ran in real time (ie started at 0000 real time), at slightly faster than 1:1, to allow for the odd hiccup and short breaks for Alan.

KX with the 1985 TT (or 1977 TT) is a good choice, as reasonable trains in the small hours, and balanced workloads across the panels.

I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either.
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24 hour simsig session 24/09/2013 at 14:56 #49554
birchy74
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151 posts
Bring it on, i'm defo up for it
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24 hour simsig session 24/09/2013 at 15:27 #49560
GW43125
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495 posts
If it can be done on say a Saturday, I would probably be able to do ~9-12 hours
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24 hour simsig session 24/09/2013 at 20:07 #49566
BoxBoyKit
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I'm up for it if I'm available on the day.
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24 hour simsig session 24/09/2013 at 23:30 #49568
georgerb
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36 posts
OK for me. The idea of a remote host sounds good to me so that we can change the host.

If some one is happy to test my idea, I think I can start the hosting and use "logmein" to allow other members to access my computer.

Anyone OK for a test on Thursday (26/9/13) evening at about 8 pm BST ?

George (GRB)

Last edited: 24/09/2013 at 23:30 by georgerb
Reason: insert date

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24 hour simsig session 25/09/2013 at 13:56 #49573
UKTrainMan
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I'd certainly be interested in this. I seem to recall last time this was done I hung around throughout the session to assist the host by keeping an eye on things, suggest any timetable changes, and provide meal relief too, so would be happy to do the same again this time around as well if so needed/requested. I believe King's Cross has always been the simulation used in a 24hr session, so why not mix things up a bit and maybe do something like Saltley / Bristol / Edinburgh* / Peterborough / Cambridge / Waterloo instead?

Might I suggest putting up a Google Docs form asking who is interested in partaking in this session, and what simulation they'd like to see used this time around?

* Subject to a decision being made on either the free version or paid version...

Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for.
Last edited: 25/09/2013 at 13:57 by UKTrainMan
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24 hour simsig session 25/09/2013 at 14:54 #49574
Temple Meads
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I'd suggest that using an obsolete or payware sim is best avoided, as less people are likely to be able to play, thereby causing a potential staff shortage, Waterloo has the annoying lack of workstation control, the others are all good suggestions though, particularly Bristol
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24 hour simsig session 25/09/2013 at 16:00 #49577
AndyG
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Choice of TT is important, some have virtually no trains until 0400 or later (hence why most TTs come with a alternative 0445 start version), and even then any night trains can be confined to 1 or 2 panels too (eg Edinburgh is mainly Duty 3 & 4 at night).

If there is a suitable victim volunteer, a roster clerk is useful to ensure everyone gets a go and is one less thing for the host to get deal with; rolling breaks would be nice to see on a 24 hr session. I could dig out and update my Excel rostering sheet for the chosen simulation.

I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either.
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24 hour simsig session 25/09/2013 at 17:03 #49580
Underwood
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746 posts
A joint one isn't a bad idea actually.

Not trying to plug, my KX Olympic 2012 TT is 24 hour and compatible with the Peterborough Olympic 2012 should anyone decide on KX 2012

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24 hour simsig session 25/09/2013 at 17:09 #49581
Class 92
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359 posts
You could use a sim which has ARS to help out when there isn't many people
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24 hour simsig session 25/09/2013 at 19:41 #49586
DaveHarries
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1266 posts
I would happily join when the chance arose if I was around to do so.

Dave

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24 hour simsig session 26/09/2013 at 03:59 #49596
JamesN
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1574 posts
Well you just need to look at a real railway operation and how they do it over a 24h period.

For a box that's open 24 hours a day:

As a minimum 1 signaller per position, each generally working an 8 hour turn, with reliefs staggered over the best part of an hour so that proper verbal handovers with clear understanding can be achieved.

In quiet boxes this should be enough for signallers to work around their breaks.

Busier boxes will then often have 1 (or on extreme cases more) additional signallers as "meal relief" they cover each of the panels in turn to allow signallers on shift to have a break.

Some very busy boxes also have an assist turn - someone scheduled at peak times to help run the busiest positions

Simsig-wise you probably want to make the 'turns' shorter and more numerous, and get people to sign up for a time beforehand. Panels can then be allocated when you have enough people for the time of day.

If running multiple sims you may want to consider a train running controller too, who can keep an eye on the service. For example running KGX and PBO together the majority of your local traffic will be captive between the two sims

Best of luck!

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24 hour simsig session 26/09/2013 at 07:54 #49597
Aurora
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Now that'd be an idea. Kings Cross and Peterborough chained together. During any times of low staff numbers, you could always turn ARS on for some of the Peterborough panels with perhaps one SimSiger looking over the ARS areas for the occasional movement requiring signaller involvement.
Nil.
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24 hour simsig session 26/09/2013 at 11:22 #49603
pedroathome
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887 posts
" said:
so why not mix things up a bit and maybe do something like Saltley / Bristol / Edinburgh* / Peterborough / Cambridge / Waterloo instead?


* Subject to a decision being made on either the free version or paid version...
What about maybe a Bristol, Westbury, Bristol Exeter, Bristol Gloucester, or Bristol Swindid chain? This way, there is capacity to allow more people to play, and if necessary, most of these chains could be run by 3 people if there was a lack of signalers.


James

Last edited: 26/09/2013 at 11:23 by pedroathome
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24 hour simsig session 26/09/2013 at 15:14 #49604
Temple Meads
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307 posts
" said:
" said:
so why not mix things up a bit and maybe do something like Saltley / Bristol / Edinburgh* / Peterborough / Cambridge / Waterloo instead?


* Subject to a decision being made on either the free version or paid version...
What about maybe a Bristol, Westbury, Bristol Exeter, Bristol Gloucester, or Bristol Swindid chain? This way, there is capacity to allow more people to play, and if necessary, most of these chains could be run by 3 people if there was a lack of signalers.


James
Bristol and Exeter would float my boat, that's for sure.

As an aside I wonder if the time is ripe for another West Country mega chain?

Username TIM in multiplayer
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24 hour simsig session 26/09/2013 at 15:18 #49605
GW43125
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495 posts
" said:
" said:
" said:
so why not mix things up a bit and maybe do something like Saltley / Bristol / Edinburgh* / Peterborough / Cambridge / Waterloo instead?


* Subject to a decision being made on either the free version or paid version...
What about maybe a Bristol, Westbury, Bristol Exeter, Bristol Gloucester, or Bristol Swindid chain? This way, there is capacity to allow more people to play, and if necessary, most of these chains could be run by 3 people if there was a lack of signalers.


James
Bristol and Exeter would float my boat, that's for sure.

As an aside I wonder if the time is ripe for another West Country mega chain?
Bristol, Exeter, SwinDId & Westbury?

Sounds a brilliant idea i'm with Temple Meads

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24 hour simsig session 26/09/2013 at 15:28 #49606
Temple Meads
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307 posts
" said:
" said:
" said:
" said:
so why not mix things up a bit and maybe do something like Saltley / Bristol / Edinburgh* / Peterborough / Cambridge / Waterloo instead?


* Subject to a decision being made on either the free version or paid version...
What about maybe a Bristol, Westbury, Bristol Exeter, Bristol Gloucester, or Bristol Swindid chain? This way, there is capacity to allow more people to play, and if necessary, most of these chains could be run by 3 people if there was a lack of signalers.


James
Bristol and Exeter would float my boat, that's for sure.

As an aside I wonder if the time is ripe for another West Country mega chain?
Bristol, Exeter, SwinDId & Westbury?

Sounds a brilliant idea i'm with Temple Meads
Don't forget Gloucester!

Username TIM in multiplayer
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24 hour simsig session 26/09/2013 at 16:53 #49611
AndyG
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Don't get too carried away with the chaining.

If it's going to be a 24 hr shift, you'll need a 24 hr host for each of the servers, and you could well have problems if any connections drop, and then having to re-establish them, especially if the master server goes down. We've had problems even with all the servers in the same room (as at a meet), and hard wired rather that Wi-Fi connections. (Although we did manage 3 McSims in July 2010 for 5 hours unbroken.)

I'd suggest keeping to one sim, or an straight-forward pair such as KX-PBO, or KX-Cam; how about a KX-Royston psir, as Royston is really part of KX?

I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either.
Last edited: 26/09/2013 at 16:57 by AndyG
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24 hour simsig session 26/09/2013 at 18:59 #49615
Finger
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I'd go for KX-Pbro as it adds not so much complexity, but adds many miles of track so you can really see the result of your faults (like sending a slow train before a fast one). That way, there's more planning and less points-swinging.

KX-Cam only if there are many signallers available.

BTW All the servers can run on the same host; that way, you'll eliminate network problems and only need to solve software errors.

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24 hour simsig session 26/09/2013 at 22:11 #49623
arabianights
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138 posts
I am looking in to, very perliminarily (if that is a word) running this on amazon web services (and possibly, longer term, having a 365/24/7 server). I don't know enough about AWS yet to see how practical it will be.

Also next week I will start doing work for a web host on and off so even if the cloud solution turns out to be impractical, may be able to get a nice dedicated virtual server in a datacentre....

Thank heavens SimSig runs so well on wine!

Last edited: 26/09/2013 at 22:13 by arabianights
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