Transport Tycoon Forums

I created small newgrf: End of Track - bumpers as objects.
Project is available on bananas: https://bananas.openttd.org/en
Source code: https://dev.openttdcoop.org/projects/eot/repository


You can place bumper on the tile adjacent to any tile with track, this bumper will try to adapt its orientation to this track.
four bumper layouts are available, for straight track, diagonal (v, h) track and double diagonal tracks:
In case of standard openttd, it is just eye-candy add-on.
But in case of infrastructure sharing patch, such objects can be used for securing attempt to your track by unauthorized companies.
Of course there already are bumpers in ISR station set, but making additional station is often not feasible (maintenance costs, town rating, label etc).
Bumpers as objects are also more convenient to use than station pieces (works like terrain property signs, but are cheaper and looks better if used as track terminals).

Magnificent GRF, I think it's very userful for decoration of the map or screenshot competitions, nice work!

I don't think that "buffers as objects" is a sound concept since they're missing the tracks (vehicles will fall off the track before reaching those buffers).

Buffers as part of station grfs are providing the needed tracktype automagically.

regards
Michael

Wow. This is really cool!

It's really nice to have the option to have diagonal buffers!

michael blunck wrote:I don't think that "buffers as objects" is a sound concept since they're missing the tracks (vehicles will fall off the track before reaching those buffers).

I don't get it, what do you mean "vehicles will fall off the track before reaching those buffers"? It is not possible in openttd to fall from the track.
Vehicles are stopping right before sand/ballast pile retarder: Main flaw with buffer as station tiles is, that they are station tiles, thus:
- increase overall infrastructure maintenance payment
- can be built only along cardinal direction
- if placed separately, need to be part of existing station (problematic due to station spread limit) or 1-tile sized additional station (additional label, worse town rating)
- not convenient to remove during station expansion + risk of total station destruction during buffer stop removal.

I really like this concept. I agree with michael that tracks should extend to the buffer, but that shouldn't be too hard to add and wouldn't need to replace the existing ones you made.

SimYouLater wrote:[...] I agree with michael that tracks should extend to the buffer, but that shouldn't be too hard to add and wouldn't need to replace the existing ones you made.

This is not possible since objects have no clue what particular track set would be in use. For "station buffers" this isn't a problem.

regards
Michael

michael blunck wrote:

SimYouLater wrote:[...] I agree with michael that tracks should extend to the buffer, but that shouldn't be too hard to add and wouldn't need to replace the existing ones you made.

This is not possible since objects have no clue what particular track set would be in use. For "station buffers" this isn't a problem.

regards
Michael

Then just make the tracks rusty.

SimYouLater wrote: Then just make the tracks rusty.

Didn't you talk about "incompatibilities"in that other thread?

regards
Michael

Well... I don't see the link ? Incompatibilities between trains that are made for X track width have nothing to do with buffers that don't match X track.

SimYouLater wrote:I agree with michael that tracks should extend to the buffer

Seems that there is misunderstanding: in this version of track terminal rails should not extend to the buffers, because are covered by sand retarder:
http://forum.modelarstwo.info/attachmen ... pg.187322/

Michael is talking about other kind of buffers, these mounted directly on rails without sand retarder (sometimes there are hydraulic retarders attached, instead of sand) - such buffers are usually placed on terminal station, where is no place for long sand retarder - therefore his idea with buffers as station tiles is right here.
My idea is right for standalone track terminals.

Thank you!!! Having buffers as objects is perfect. I like to make junctions and sidings as realistic as possible so most have a dead end peice of track often miles from a station so an object buffer is perfect. Also this is the only diagonal buffer i know about.
Great work.

McZapkie wrote:

SimYouLater wrote:I agree with michael that tracks should extend to the buffer

Seems that there is misunderstanding: in this version of track terminal rails should not extend to the buffers, because are covered by sand retarder:


Michael is talking about other kind of buffers, these mounted directly on rails without sand retarder (sometimes there are hydraulic retarders attached, instead of sand) - such buffers are usually placed on terminal station, where is no place for long sand retarder - therefore his idea with buffers as station tiles is right here.
My idea is right for standalone track terminals.

I see! Never mind, I was wrong to assume anything here. Looking forward to a release!

Version 2 uploaded to bananas.
I added small train stop signal at the beginning of the sand heap, as seen at real picture above.

Version 4 uploaded to bananas.
Black stop signs have now bounding box to avoid clipping,
and sand pile is terrain-type aware.

There is one flaw: newgrf is checking, if adjacent tile is a "railroad" type - thus it is not possible to place bumper at the end of the station - only at the end of lone track. Not sure if I should fix it or leave as it is?

I'd leave it as is. There are already lots of station tile buffers out there. That's why this grf is unique.


Edit: I've found a bug.

If you place the buffers above an existing line, they face in the wrong direction. See screenie.

Because automatic adjustment is convenient in case of lonely track, but is fooled if there are other track congested around,
I decided to add another type of EoT objects: end of track for straight track, with 4 fixed views.
These can be placed also directly to station tile.
Version 5 was downloaded to bananas, and have two objects: automatic (4 view options for straight, vertical, horizontal and double diagonal)
and fixed straight (4 view options for NE, SE, SW, NW)

Thanks for the fix!

Really smart!

Unfortunately, OTTD only returns 4 bits for a tile's landclass *type*. Since usually there's interest for more detailed information, and because there are still 4 bits free ("reserved for future use") in var60/62, it would be beneficial to return meaningful information by use of those 4 unused bits, depending on the landclass type. I.e., in case for class 1 (railway track), it could at least reveal bits 0/1 from L5 (track in x/y direction).

That would be smart.

regards
Michael