Moving switches

[prr4ever]

Ok, I have an activity the requires me to switch from one main and cross to the opposite main. The switch on the main line does permit me to cross over. Within perhaps 20 feet of this mainline crossover is a switch from the main line to a branch line. I need to go down the branch to a yard. The switch on the main will not move to let me access the branch. I have tried the dispatcher window to get it to switch. It does not, I tried G to move the switch, it does not.

I have had several activities that I need to switch the consist to the other main and most of the time these do not allow the switch to move. Sometimes I can very slowly approach the switch while repeatedly pressing G or Shift G and when almost on top of the points it will switch.

There must be another way to do this?? I am normally in Manual mode to do the switching.

I admit that I am not very familiar with using the map and dispatchers windows.

[R. Steele]

Route please, and location of switch might aid others in diagnosing what is going on? Also usually best to include OR log when these problems occur.

[prr4ever]

Thanks Gerry,

I did not include the route etc as I was thinking this is an old route and probably not many have it. I will get that info together a little later today and Post it. The Route is the Pokey by Austin Yoder. I'll get on ORTS later and get some data for location and a better explaination also.

[R. Steele]

Thanks Gerry,

I did not include the route etc as I was thinking this is an old route and probably not many have it. I will get that info together a little later today and Post it. The Route is the Pokey by Austin Yoder. I'll get on ORTS later and get some data for location and a better explaination also.

I have the pokey - just ran an activity a few weeks ago...I'll keep a watch on the thread. The exact location of the switch in question would help me test it on my machine.

[prr4ever]

Added info

Okay Here are the details.
Pocahontas Route. Activity WB from Bluefield to Auville. Approx 100 car mixed consist 2 loco's on front 2 more on rear. The rear locos allow me to get onto facing switches by switching to the rear locomotives and performing pick ups and set outs to blind sidings or set offs.

I have many work areas on both the west and east bound tracks. No AI trains. It is often difficult to open a main line switch to cross to the other main. I have had some luck with creeping up on the switch and working with G or Alt G Running in manual mode.

Back to where I am stumped here. After working the Virginia Crews Mine Lat 37.461480 LON -81.815440 compass 230 on the West bound main I need to cross to the Eastbound main to reach the Dry Fork Branch which leads to my final destination of Auville yard. Pulling forward out of the Virginia Crews Mine area the mainline dispatcher controlled switch allows me to cross to the other main This switch is located at Lat 37.455060 Lon-81.828480 MP approx 422. The switch into the Tug Fork Branch East is located very close to the crossover. This switch, located at Lat 37.454380 Lon -81.829510, will not switch off the main onto the Tug Fork Branch. This is entering the East branch. I pulled forward and backed to the West Fork switch which also would not switch.

I will tr to attach the log but don't pay attention to the Emergency braking too much as I had to make some quick stops to get the proper LAT-Lon readings etc. Not my normal operating methods.

Note that I almost always operate in manual mode.

opps I am on quick reply here. Can't attach. If you need the log let me know and I'll send it on another message.

[prr4ever]

All posted Gerry.

Hope the exact locations help. I have not had this problem before at the Dry Fork Branch. Kind of strange. Doing some testing myself I reversed at Virginia Crews back to Sandy Huff where I could cross to the Eastbound track with the whole consist and run up to Tug Fork Branch. Still will not switch. I then cut off just the head end locos but also no switch action without the consist on.

[derekmorton]

Hi Dave,

If you zip the log file, you may be able to post it.
I don't see an activity with that description? Did you make it yourself?

[prr4ever]

Pokey switches

I make my own activities with the templates and Activity Generator from Skyline Computing. (Steve Davis). Limited to the template paths but lots of choices and available modifications in the application. Plus it posts a work order, saving looking on F1 all the time. I make the activity, pull it up on ConBuilder, mess around with the consist as I wish although you will not get the correct car numbers on any added cars. I just mess with the locomotives if the act did not choose ones I want. Then I print the work order, get out my Pokey track diagram, and pull the maps for the work areas in the activity.

Let me see if the log will attach here without zipping, if not I will zip it. Not a big file as it is just the part around and near Dry Fork Junction.

Dave

[derekmorton]

>There must be another way to do this?? I am normally in Manual mode to do the switching.

Route Riter has an option to free stuck points if you still have it running.

[R. Steele]

I think I've got the correct switch...if so, switch appears to be in working order, switch operates using "G" key, mouse pointer, and dispatcher window. See screenshots. I'm using an old BLW Norfolk Western T6 light engine "reverse consist". But that shouldn't make any difference.

bandicam 2022-03-11 15-21-43-544.jpg bandicam 2022-03-11 15-22-18-724.jpg bandicam 2022-03-11 15-15-02-674.jpg

[derekmorton]

Hi Dave,

Like Gerry, I have moved every switch around that junction and they all move for me.

[prr4ever]

From the photos I believe you are speaking of the mainline switch. The switch to cross from west to east running. That does function fine. It is the switch to turn off the main line and onto the Dry Fork Branch that does not function for me. I need to go into the DF Branch to reach Auville yard.

I will try to post some screen captures tomorrow.

[derekmorton]

From post 9

>Route Riter has an option to free stuck points if you still have it running.

[R. Steele]

From the photos I believe you are speaking of the mainline switch. The switch to cross from west to east running. That does function fine. It is the switch to turn off the main line and onto the Dry Fork Branch that does not function for me. I need to go into the DF Branch to reach Auville yard.

I will try to post some screen captures tomorrow.

Oh, okay... that switch functioned properly also...but just to make sure, I'll recheck. Switch works, it's a tricky one -- with two so close together, but they both work. I used "G" key, and the dispatch window ( which is easier in this case to align the switches for Dry Fork ).
It might be a problem of clearance since the switches are so close together.

bandicam 2022-03-11 21-03-05-520.jpg both switches closed.

and both switched aligned for Dry Fork >>>> bandicam 2022-03-11 21-03-45-398.jpg

[prr4ever]

Gave up on RR years ago Derek. Decent program but caused some problems also.

Dave