Container Cranes on the Pacific Surfliner route

[robbit]

Anybody else noticed that all the cranes are installed backwards on this route (or at least not lined up properly)? I may go in and try to fix them all in a day or 2 and will upload the fix if I am able to fix them

[arizonachris]

Not entirely sure, but I think that Marc at 3D Trains did several fixes including to the cranes, with his Surfliner Scale Rail offering. The cranes are OK to me, but then again, I bought and installed Marc's Scale Rail update. His website would have a readme file.

[OldProf]

Anybody else noticed that all the cranes are installed backwards on this route (or at least not lined up properly)? I may go in and try to fix them all in a day or 2 and will upload the fix if I am able to fix them

This is standard practice for routes sold by RSC (what's their monicker now? Dovebut?), whether made by them or not. Very few route builders seem to have any concept of placing a crane correctly -- or perhaps they just don't care. The only just, workable, and viable fix would have to come from RSC, since any other "fix" would make scenarios written for it ineligible for Steam Workshop and unworkable for other forms of distribution. They are fixated on passenger runs, not on switching, much less loading/unloading operations, which in many cases they do not even know how to program correctly. Sorry for the rant, but I've been raving about this situation for years, and not only in relation to container cranes.

[robbit]

I agree with you wholeheartedly but the fixes for these cranes would not break the scenarios because it is just a slight movement of the crane. The pick up spots and all would still be in the same spot. The blue box in the editor where the crans would load the container would just have to move on to the track instead of beside the track.

[arizonachris]

I read Marc's post about his Surfliner Scale Rail update, he fixed all the track, fixed some scenery and put in a missing bridge, nothing about the cranes. viewtopic.php?f=13&t=9955 I haven't run that route again so haven't checked. Could also be I'm used to seeing them backwards so think nothing of it anymore.

[Bananarama]

I didn't know about the cranes, and I haven't a clue as to how they're supposed to be set up. What are the changes that need to be done? Just turned 180 degrees?

[robbit]

If you use one then you will see. they need to either be moved to align the blue box goes onto the track or turned and readjusted so the crane is not on the track but either way the blue box needs to be over the sensor on the track where it loads the car

[robbit]

I have fixed all the cranes and will upload to the file library in a moment but first:
This is the way they where originally:

original.jpg

So I aligned the sensor up properly like this:

corrected 1.jpg

But as you can see where the container to be loaded/unloaded would appear, the track is there. So to correct this particular crane I rotated it 180 degrees and presto:

corrected 2.jpg

A correctly placed crane. I have done all the cranes on the Route.

[Bananarama]

Ah, so. Thanks for that.

[robbit]

You are very welcome and I have uploaded the fix so whenever it is available is when you can get it :)

[arizonachris]

I know why I never noticed this. I didn't get the bundle deal with that BNSF engine when I bought Surfliner. So never ran any of the freight stuff. Thanks for the fix, Robbit. ( yeah, I got that diesel in the Xmas sale )

[robbit]

Your welcome!

[OldProf]

That looks like a good fix, Robbit, but for me, at least, it doesn't fix the underlying problem in the sense that your very welcome adjustments will not carry over into Steam Workshop scenarios. In fact, I wonder whether a scenario written for a modified DLC route would even be accepted by Steam Workshop. Hmmm .... Maybe I'll give that a try.

Can we hope that someone at RSC will take a look at the way in which you have correctly positioned these cranes and decide to finally dovetail your fix into all of the DLC routes in which these objects were originally aligned incorrectly? If memory serves, the only "official" route with correctly positioned container cranes is Barstow - San Bernardino!

By the way, I can't find this fix in the File Library ... could you provide a link?

[robbit]

If the scenario writer give the link to the fix in the description on the workshop then they too can get the fix. It is just a cosmetic fix so it would not affect the playability of the workshop scenario I have personally tested it with a workshop scenario. as far as having the ability to upload to the workshop I will need to test that as well good Thinking and thanks. The file has not made it to the public yet but it has been uploaded so when Bob gets around to adding it to the library I will post the link.

It would be nice if Dovetail would use the fix so it would be corrected across the board but I would not hold my breathe.

[artimrj]

It's up now.