Can Track Markers Overlap?

[drivertime61]

At Red Butte siding in Sherman Hill (my cloned version) there is an ideal spot to place a new platform and station setting to serve the new little community I plan to develop across the road. The problem is that there is a very long Destination marker right where I need to place the Platform marker. Can these markers safely partially overlap or one be partially laid on top of the other without messing things up?

Alternatively, I can easily shorten the existing Destination marker to make room for the Platform marker next to it, but wondering if the Destination marker has been made as long as it is for a specific reason that would be damaged if I shortened it.

Being the timid type when editing, I always like to ask the experts here before proceeding into unknown territory.

Thanks.

Al

[OldProf]

In a word, no. And this is an absurd problem that I have been inveighing about since the very first appearance of RailSim (as it was called in those long distant days. Long track markers of any kind are an absolutely unnecessary and annoying nuisance!

[drivertime61]

Thank you Tom. Absurd indeed! I will try shortening it enough to place a Platform marker and see what happens.

[drivertime61]

Success. I cut the Destination marker in half and placed a Platform marker. I can detect no ill effects. I suppose there may be a scenario with AI that could possibly be affected somehow, but that's mere supposition and I mostly run Free Roam using my own scenarios. Red Buttes now has its very own station (still needs some finishing touches) and a bustling community is beginning to develop. The old timers there hate me.

[BoostedFridge]

Looks good!

I think the issue is that when you modify a marker that is part of the route, other scenarios for the route would potentially not work properly.

[drivertime61]

Looks good!

I think the issue is that when you modify a marker that is part of the route, other scenarios for the route would potentially not work properly.

Yes I agree. The track on the left is actually a long through siding off the single track main on which the station is sitting. Perhaps there is a scenario in SH that uses the very long Destination marker that was there, before I shortened it to half length, to hold a long AI train while another train accesses the siding. Just one guess out of many possibilities. Hope I never find out.

Thanks for your comments.

[OldProf]

Actually, a train instructed to stop at the now shortened marker should do so; it just won't be aligned with the station platform in the same way. But that should work out just fine since it will stop in line with the regular station instead of your new one.

[drivertime61]

Actually, a train instructed to stop at the now shortened marker should do so; it just won't be aligned with the station platform in the same way. But that should work out just fine since it will stop in line with the regular station instead of your new one.

Thanks again sir. Encouraging comments and, so far, I've had no issues whatsoever resulting from my alterations.

[OldProf]

Thinking about your modification a bit more, the only problem I can foresee is that if you upload a scenario that uses the new marker to Steam Workshop, it probably will not run because that new marker is not actually part of the original DLC route.

[drivertime61]

Thinking about your modification a bit more, the only problem I can foresee is that if you upload a scenario that uses the new marker to Steam Workshop, it probably will not run because that new marker is not actually part of the original DLC route.

Never thought about that. So far I haven't seen fit to share my "incredibly talented" Enhanced route versions with the masses. In other words, I ain't gud enuf yet to join the really talented creators, IMO. But I will keep your thoughts in mind, should the day come when I feel competent enough to share my toys. Re this particular scenario, I guess I'd have to upload the entire enhanced route, as there are many other additions elsewhere on the route, all designed to bring passenger service to life on this primarily big hill/heavy freight route.

Just FYI, it all started with my getting tired of the mere scenery objects passing for depots at Cheyenne and Laramie. Now - in old Lionel terms - they are operating stations , with passengers milling and boarding/debarking trains, along with better lighting. I've since added a bunch of other completely fictional simple main line stations along the way. I like being able to run my choice of either freight or passenger service or both on various routes as mood dictates. And, in truth, I have as much fun in the editors as I do driving trains. Maybe more.

I appreciate your advice Tom.