Train delay probability

You are here: Home > Forum > Wishlist > Features wish list > Train delay probability

Page 1 of 1

Train delay probability 19/07/2016 at 17:26 #83659
flabberdacks
Avatar
575 posts
Hello,

I'm trying to address a recurring frustration when playing the London sims which mix expresses and slow all-stations services.

I really enjoy giving myself regulation problems to solve using late trains, rather than track or signal failures. However, because trains are only delayed at stopping locations (stations etc) or when entering the sim, I'm finding a huge bias towards dead-duck all-stations trains being the ones I have to work around, while the expresses slip through untouched, having no stops at which to fail.

On most of my King's Cross playthroughs, the expresses from Peterborough are generally on-time, with the Moorgate all-stations jobs making me work. I've hardly, if ever, had a train fail at King's Cross itself. Maybe I'm just unlucky. Maybe the real-life KX signallers should hire me as a good luck charm.

Is there a way to mix it up a bit?

I'm wondering if there is any merit into dividing the 'Train delay probablity' slider into two options:
- Chance of delay entering
- Chance of delay in-sim

The idea being to somehow simulate major drama further out, so I would be presented with a bunch of very late trains entering, having to work them into the terminal, then deal with timetable rules and missing locomotive shunts and the like. Euston PSB on the 1980s timetable is really excellent with this.

Thanks all.

Log in to reply
Train delay probability 19/07/2016 at 21:48 #83678
J5flyer
Avatar
48 posts
Hello,

I've actually been thinking along these lines recently as well. Playing the Brighton sim lately, it was getting a bit repetitive with the majority of delays being at stations that blocked everything when really I wanted more delays on trains entering the area. As an example, with the delay slider up, I end up getting a train delayed at Hassocks for 20 minutes, then after it starts moving it (or another train just behind) gets delayed at Burgess Hill for 30 minutes, then a short while later another train stops at Wivelsfield for 15 minutes etc etc.

It is in these situations where it would be nice to have an option to reduce those type of delays in bias for more 'entering' delays to provide more regulation decisions on the go at places like Haywards Heath for example, with trains out of sequence. There is nothing wrong at all with station delays - they can be common in the real world too - but you just tend to notice on certain sims when the slider is set higher the majority of delays are random station delays over and over again, one after the other, with fewer entering delays which provide a different kind of challenge.

Seperate sliders as 'flabberdacks' suggests is the only option I could think of at the time as well. These are just some thoughts I had passing through my head while playing - please don't take any as criticism of any sims.

Regards,

James

Last edited: 19/07/2016 at 21:49 by J5flyer
Log in to reply
Train delay probability 20/07/2016 at 16:58 #83694
Steamer
Avatar
3913 posts
This is a really good suggestion. On a similar note, I've tried to play New Street with delays, but to get a realistic level of delay to entering trains also results in Cross City and the other 'Metro' routes falling apart as you get a ridiculously high number of trains delayed for long periods of time at the minor stations.
"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)
Log in to reply
Train delay probability 21/07/2016 at 02:11 #83708
ozrail
Avatar
197 posts
If a delayed train becomes a real nuisance I would detrain the passengers and send the train non-timetabled to somewhere else to get things moving. Then the fun is trying to get it back for its next trip. "flabberdacks" would know this as a Transposition.
Log in to reply
Train delay probability 21/07/2016 at 10:15 #83714
flabberdacks
Avatar
575 posts
" said:
If a delayed train becomes a real nuisance I would detrain the passengers and send the train non-timetabled to somewhere else to get things moving. Then the fun is trying to get it back for its next trip. "flabberdacks" would know this as a Transposition.
Yes, this is every single KX playthrough for me. Changing stopping pattern, changing next working, turning short of destination, all trying to get the all-stations service back in some sort of order. Meanwhile the expresses are cruising through with barely an issue. Sometimes they cause problems, but not often enough for my liking.

I guess this boils down to exactly how much a SimSig user is allowed to customise their own experience in the sim. Sometimes I want a points failure but not a signal failure - I can create one with existing options. If I get a track failure and can't be bothered to deal with it, I can make it disappear, that's fine. Train delays are much more limited in this regard at the moment.

Log in to reply
Train delay probability 21/07/2016 at 10:28 #83716
KymriskaDraken
Avatar
963 posts
" said:
Train delays are much more limited in this regard at the moment.
Are they? I've never had a problem "disposing" of an inconvenient train delay.



Kev

Log in to reply
Train delay probability 21/07/2016 at 10:39 #83717
KymriskaDraken
Avatar
963 posts
" said:


The idea being to somehow simulate major drama further out, so I would be presented with a bunch of very late trains entering, having to work them into the terminal, then deal with timetable rules and missing locomotive shunts and the like. Euston PSB on the 1980s timetable is really excellent with this.

Thanks all.
There is a workround - you can impose a long, slow TSR in the first couple of signal sections of the sim so that all of the trains get hammered. On KX for instance you could put a TSR between 726 and 718 on the Up Fast to simulate up express trains being delayed somewhere north of the patch. A couple of signal sections at 5mph should do the trick nicely.


Kev

Log in to reply
The following user said thank you: flabberdacks
Train delay probability 21/07/2016 at 20:11 #83722
GeoffM
Avatar
6274 posts
I've added this to our issue tracker (#15515).
SimSig Boss
Log in to reply
The following user said thank you: flabberdacks
Train delay probability 21/07/2016 at 22:15 #83727
ozrail
Avatar
197 posts
I like the TSR option and will try that. I also like to have a stand-by train available sitting out of the way at Gordon Hill or somewhere ready to replace a late running service if needed.
Log in to reply
Train delay probability 22/07/2016 at 01:01 #83731
BarryM
Avatar
2158 posts
" said:
I like the TSR option and will try that. I also like to have a stand-by train available sitting out of the way at Gordon Hill or somewhere ready to replace a late running service if needed.
You can do what ever you want as long as you know how to manipulate (copy/alter) timetables on the run!

Barry

Barry, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Log in to reply
Train delay probability 23/07/2016 at 18:25 #83764
postal
Avatar
5189 posts
" said:
I've added this to our issue tracker (#15515).
. . . and #15520.

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
Log in to reply
Train delay probability 13/09/2018 at 06:08 #112132
jem771
Avatar
102 posts
This would be a great feature if it could be done.
I tried to do feltham the other day, notched up the 'delay probability' only slighly to make it a bit more real
next thing I know i have the network all ground to a halt with drivers needing toilets, broken windows, replacement drivers, food trolleys etc. turned off in the end as that scenario although possible (in extreme circumstances) isnt really 'real life'
sims with lots of stations suffer this problem. turning off delays makes it a bit boring!!

Jezz
Log in to reply
The following user said thank you: simonroberts755