Dispatchin' the Action Guide

Introduction

This guide was initially developed on the forum: https://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?161107-first-draft-guide-to-Dispatchin-the-Action

"Dispatchin' the Action" is a session on the Kickstarter County 2 route that is intended to introduce players to the role of dispatcher in Trainz, directing AI drivers through the session to complete a total of nine tasks ( 1 passenger, 8 freight). The session is designed well for its purpose, but there is very little guidance provided to the new players on how to complete the tasks. This is a guide to help new players learn how to dispatch AI drivers through the session.

AI Driver Command Mode

The first thing a player needs to know is how to issue commands to AI drivers. This YouTube video is a start: https://youtu.be/hEE_8aE1KOI

Beginning

When you start the session, you will see a list of Passenger Tasks (0/1) and Freight Tasks (0/8). Click to see the full lists; the numbers indicate the number of tasks that have been completed, but it does not tell you which tasks have been completed.

You are given seven drivers/engines to complete nine tasks. Five of the drivers are ready for specific tasks at the beginning; you just have to give them the commands to get started. The remaining four tasks have to be assigned to the two remaining drivers and/or use one of the other drivers after they have completed their initial task.

One of the biggest challenges as is dispatcher is dealing with the long single track between Fogarty's End and Arsao Village [see track diagram]. You want to avoid a "cornfield meet" along that track because it could be a long trip backwards for one of the trains. In the beginning there are three trains coming down the mountain while you are sending as many up the mountain.

AI drivers can at times behave in unexpected ways, so keep an eye on them.

Sometimes they indicate being "stuck" when what they are really doing is waiting for the track ahead of them to clear.

Sometimes they get stuck between junctions and just need a manual push to get going.

Dennis is the driver of the yard switching engine tasked with pulling apart a consist to assemble four CP boxcars. He will need lots of help.

When using "Navigate to" be sure to also select the correct platform.

Don't forget to load/unload at industries/stations.

Left to his own devices, Miksa will drive his long coal train through the Gard Family siding and prevent trains from using the siding, getting stuck in the process. Use track marker #60 (drive to trackmark.., or drive via trackmark...) to keep Miksa on the main line while allowing access to the Gard Family siding.

Dispatchin' the Action track diagram https://imgur.com/a/ATbLeSv

AI Driver Commands

Marilyn Start: Main yard Task: 3 cars woodchips from Gard to Horizon Navigate to Gard Family Forestry: woodchip platform Load Navigate to Horizon... unload

Dennis Start: Main yard Task: Leave a rake of 4 CP Rail boxcars at the siding of OnTrack Printing The four CP boxcars have to be separated from the middle of the consist in the main yard, then sent to nearby OnTrack Printing.

Edgar Start: Southeast Produce Task: 4 cars fruits/vegs from Southeast to Ricochet Navigate to Ricochet; unload

Kat Start: Oyonix Station Task: • Navigate to Smallbrook Jct... unload,load • Navigate to Arsao Village... unload,load • Navigate to Zaandam-Kogerveld... unload,load • Navigate to Fogarty's End... unload,load • Navigate to St. Nicolaas... unload

Miksa Start: Rubycon Task: 10 cars of coal to be delivered to power station Couple with Coal Hopper 1 Drive to/via trackmark #60 Navigate to Westside Power Station... coal platform

Ian Start: Main yard Task: unassigned

Carol Start: Main yard Task: unassigned

Unassigned: 4 cars of pallet goods from Ricochet to Rubycon Use the four boxcars that are already assembled and waiting in the main yard. Commands: couple with 40' Boxcar 4 Navigate to Ricochet... platform load Navigate to Rubycon unload

4 cars diesel from Jackson to Daydream Use the four tanker cars that are already assembled and waiting in the main yard. Commands: couple with Tanker 40' UTLX 1 Navigate to Jackson Refinery ... platform load Navigate to Daydream mine ... diesel platform unload

2 cars logs from Clearwater to Gard Family sawmill Use the two flatcars that are already assembled and waiting in the main yard. couple with BNSF Flatcar 1

2 cars lumber from Gard to Rosario Use the train with two flatcars that just delivered the logs