I haven’t posted here for a while, so first off I want to apologize for my silence.
No, it wasn’t Dorian (came close).
However, soon after that, I got involved into a software project, which of course takes some time away. Good news is, though, that I could use things from the CTC project into this new project – and from there things feed back into CTC, including problems I found that apply to both projects. Over there, I added a feature that allow to add images to be placed on the scenery – adjusts the size when zooming in or out. In CTC graphics (lines, circles, even texts) are drawn onto the screen, larger or smaller as needed. Actually, external images (from a file) are also drawn by the graphics routine, I just haven’t done it before and have since learned how to do it.
Although slowed down, development on CTC is not idle. As of now, the current release is 4.11. Besides of corrections here and there, you might notice additions for the future support of the helper function.
CTC will support both types, the coupled and the un-coupled types. While the coupled type could be run using the train merge/split feature, the required setup via train schedule is not flexible enough, e.g. you could not use any helper engine – it has to be the one assigned on that schedule, not anyone that happens to be currently available.
Note, we are talking here about pushers (aka bankers), not helpers in the middle of the train (those would still have to be handled by scheduling)
Part of it is an adjustment of the runtime model – the algorithm that determines the speed and acceleration/braking needed for any situation encountered by the train. The current model has a weakness when it comes to slow speeds which is detrimental for a good helper performance.
The next feature after that is probably going to be the crew time handling, e.g. the time available until a train crew needs to rest and to be replaced with a fresh crew.
That’s it for now. Hopefully there won’t be that long period of silence on my part!
As always
Enjoy the game and happy Dispatching
Your WebRailRoader Team