Info about Portals

[ChuckF]

Hi! Where do I find out the purpose and proper use of Portals to control AI traffic? Found nothing in the Manuals or in a search here in the forum. Cheers; Chuck F.

[dick8299]

From the RS Developer Documents: (http://www.railsimdownloads.com/files/r ... evDocs.exe)

A good final destination for AI trains are portals. Portals are markers that be
placed on the track and can then be set as a valid destination. Running an AI
train into a portal as a final destination removes the AI train from the world.
This has benefits for performance as well as clearing the way for other AI
trains. As long as the times are staggered, the same portal can be used by
multiple AI trains.

[Machinist]

Should be intersting, for better performance of scenarios, if the Portal could emit AI Trains as well. And also if portal could be added in scenarios as marker, currently portals have to be placed in Route Editor.

[ChuckF]

Hi Guys! Thanks for the info. I too was hoping that the portal could be used to generate multiple AI trains from the same point, and then have them disappear upon arrival at destination. Cheers; Chuck F.

[sleepyto]

Hi Gang:

Unless something has changed drastically, Portals can generate AI traffic as well as being a destination. I haven't done it in some time as I am in the process of building a route, but
I know it works or at least it used to.

[micaelcorleone]

Portals can be used as spawners.
However, it's not recommended because this causes problems. At least, that's what i read.

[sleepyto]

I have ran a couple of test having various AI's leaving a portal and ending in a Portal without any problems. The only real issue is making sure the timing is correct and having the signal blocks set up correctly. Two AI's cannot occupy the same signal block at the same time. I personally think setting up signal blocks correctly is one of the most overlooked items when people are trying to run AI's. A good set of tutorials on setting up signal blocks correctly is located at www.pikesproducts.com.
I agree it can be difficult at times but with a little patience it can be accomplished. I have also used one portal placed right behind another on the same track and that has also worked.