Animated stub switch proof-of-concept

Post by **Pencil** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:01 am

I've been playing around with the new switch type in TRS '06, and have managed to make a functioning animated stub switch!

Now, this was just a proof-of-concept model, so it will need quite a bit of cleanup and additional work (make a frog, possibly guard rails, and change the lever to a harp switch stand), but it looks like it will be possible!

One issue I've run into is that it doesn't look like you can set the switch direction in surveyor. However, it does work on a hill, and you don't need to fiddle with invisible track & templates like previous versions.

(Yet another project to distract from the Moguls)

Col Hogan · Post by **Col Hogan** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:12 am

Hi Curtis
It does look pretty interesting and you're right, it does need a frog. However, I have been very curious about the placement of the switchstand making sure it works proper each and every time. Once you make it's placement would you specify, somewhere close, as to where the switchstand should be??

Some of the locos don't like where I put them and go the other direction from the intended one and then I have to go back and move it.

Ken

Post by **bdaneal** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:56 am

Yep, a frog would be good. You will also need a harp switchstand. Once you have that, you can get rid of the silly arrows. Just keep in mind that harp switchstands indicate the opposite of what you'd think (swing to the left, go on the right path; swing to right, go to left)

thegrindre · Post by **thegrindre** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:09 am

WOW! This is really great stuff but not for '04, huh?

Post by **Pencil** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:51 am

thegrindre wrote:WOW! This is really great stuff but not for '04, huh?

Yeah, unfortunately, this function is only supported in '06 and later

bdaneal wrote:Just keep in mind that harp switchstands indicate the opposite of what you'd think (swing to the left, go on the right path; swing to right, go to left)

Yep, that's what I was figuring. However, I saw a diagram of a harp switchstand yesterday that looked like it had another lever in the mechanism, so that the target would face the path of travel. I don't know if that was ever built, or what the common configuration was; I'll need to look at prototype photos & see what they show, most likely. (And yes, the silly arrows will go away

)

Col Hogan wrote: However, I have been very curious about the placement of the switchstand making sure it works proper each and every time. Once you make it's placement would you specify, somewhere close, as to where the switchstand should be??

The switch stand is built into the model, so it won't be able to be moved. I might be able to script it so the user can pick which side of the tracks the stand is on, however.
When I get the switchstand in, I'll post a prototype for download, so you can see if the stand is in a good location. I'll also post the gmax files, in case anyone wants to make narrow-gauge versions.

Curtis

Dreadnought1 · Post by **Dreadnought1** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:07 am

Nice bit of work there!
It certainly looks spot on for any V&T layout.

Now I know it's just at proof-of-concept phase...but I'll ask the following on behalf of all the WP&Y fans out there: Any problems with or plans for doing a 36" version?

Cheers,
Dreadnought1

Post by **bdaneal** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:21 am

Dreadnought, Pencil covered that in the last sentence of his latest post.

Post by **Pencil** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:15 am

No immediate plans for 3' versions; though I may do a set of 30". Depends on how fast I burn myself out

And Ben, all the pictures I saw last night show a straight bar to the rails, so yes, the target will be facing the blocked track.

Dreadnought1 · Post by **Dreadnought1** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:24 pm

Ben,
Sorry, I missed that....my bad...
Cheers,
Dreadnought1

Post by **Pencil** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:02 pm

Wow - I can't believe it's been this long since I've played with these.....
Anyway, I updated the above picture to show the current status - I've added a frog and guard rails, but haven't finished the switch stand yet.

thegrindre · Post by **thegrindre** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:09 pm

You're breakin' my heart, here... No '04 stuff.

Fantastic! Looks really good.

Post by **Pencil** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:40 am

Unfortunately, it looks like a small but increasing amount of my content will be for TC3. There are just too many improvements in certian areas of the game; especially around mesh-reducing track, steam engines, and splines.
Of course, this is all dependant on TC3 being a stable program, with no new major bugs

.

nwhitney · Post by **nwhitney** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 1:59 pm

Boy, I sure hope so, but probably not.
Norm

Post by **Pencil** » Thu May 01, 2008 10:49 am

Next update:

I have the scripting working so that you can move the switch stand to the other side of the track, but you still can't set the default direction in surveyor.

nwhitney · Post by **nwhitney** » Thu May 01, 2008 3:07 pm

I don't know much about stub switches, but with the way the stand is now, wouldn't the target indicate the direction? Throwing the target to right would pull the points against the rails and direct the train to the right, or am I completely backwards?
Norm