hi all,

i am progressing with my Rocrail setup, now i wanted to do something more advanced. I have a train that, when i start the locomotive in automatic mode, performs a certain loop. That works well without XML. But now I want to define 2 buttons (output) that do the following :

Button 1 (Terminate the service for the train)
- Terminate the automatic mode for that train
- send it to a specific block in my hidden yard (that are routes then can be used by this train from wherever it is in its normal loop, to the specific block i want it to rest. but i don't know which block the train is, of couse, when i hit this button)
- change logical direction, for the next start

Button 2 (start the service for the train)
- Send the train from the specific block in my hidden yard, to another specific block where there is a diesel pump facility (there are routes defined that allow this, there are several intermediate blocks to travel to, anche change direction and switches in the travel)
- activate some loco functions (i need to be able to specifity which functions activate, durations, delay, etc)
- Send the train to the block where the normal service begins
- activate the automatic mode for the train

i believe that everything i mentioned above is doable, but i cannot find many examples of XML scripts in the online documentation, this is why i am asking here, where i understand there are several people with yearly experience on rocrail, who i hope can help, thanks.

Fab

thanks, that is much appreciated. could you just send some examples of XML code, even if not 100% related to my needing, so that i can have a look at them ? also, the definition (actions) of your buttons, and so on. i understand that i am asking some effort from you, but that would save me a lot of trial and errors activity, as well as things that otherwise i could never knew i could do. thanks

thx, that was very helpful. i tried giving a try to the rocrail german forum, but of course i cannot understand anything there.... and i only have my company pc, which is not enabled to use the automatic translator. so any more examples of scripts, like the ones that you previously posted, will be good. i am a software engineer so i just need few basic info to be able to stand up on my feet....

Hi JCRTrains
I tried to send you an email through the forum so here is the text
but when trying to insert a file it did not work
So I include the text file at the bottom of this or you give an email address by PM where I can send the file and possibly others

Here is a more complicated example of XML program
What it does is to search for all locos listed in Rocrail by inspecting its tables.
Then it looks where these locos are located:
1- on the line
2- in a shed
3- not on the layout
Depending on the location, it will turn headlights on, sound on
It also processes the special cars with a fonction decoder

All activity and results are "traced" They leave a message in the bottom left quadrant

In your case, you have to list the names of shed blocks, for it to work
Cheers
Jean

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<xmlscript>
<!-- Programme recherche des locos -->
<!-- Allumage locos sur voie -->
<!-- Extinction locos remisées -->
<vr id="var15" value="0"/>
<vr id="var16" value="0"/>
<trace text="Démarrage début de journée" />
<foreach table="lclist" >
<query vr="vr_SBFLZtmp" table="lclist" id="%oid%" get="blockid"/>
<query vr="vr_engine" table="lclist" id="%oid%" get="engine"/>
<query vr="vr_id" table="lclist" id="%oid%" get="id"/>
<if condition="@vr_SBFLZtmp = (null)">
<then>
<if condition="@vr_engine = automobile">
<then>
<trace text="Décodeur de fonction %oid%"/>
<if condition="@vr_id = Speisewagen_DB">
<then>
<trace text="Programmation décodeur de fonction %oid%"/>
<fn id="Speisewagen_DB" fnchanged="4" f4="true"/>
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="0" f0="true"/> <!-- Ecl restaurant -->
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="1" f1="true"/> <!-- Ecl couloir -->
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="2" f2="true"/> <!-- Lampes tables -->
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="3" f3="true"/> <!-- Ecl rame -->
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="4" f4="true"/> <!-- Ecl cuisine H -->
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="5" f5="true"/> <!-- Ecl cuisine B -->
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="13" f13="false"/> <!-- La graisse brûle -->
</then>
</if>
</then>
<else>
<trace text="La loco %oid% n'est pas sur le réseau" />
</else>
</if>
</then>
<else>
<if condition="@vr_SBFLZtmp = 200|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 201|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 202|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 203|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 204|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 205|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 206|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 207|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 208|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 211|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 213|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 215|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 216|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 217|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 163|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 164|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 165|@vr_SBFLZtmp = 174" alltrue="false">
<then>
<trace text="La loco %oid% est en remise = @vr_SBFLZtmp" />
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="0" f0="false"/>
</then>
<else>

<trace text="Allumage loco %oid% en = @vr_SBFLZtmp" />
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="0" f0="true"/>
<query vr="vr_engine" table="lclist" id="%oid%" get="engine"/>
<query vr="vr_id" table="lclist" id="%oid%" get="id"/>
<if condition="@vr_engine = steam">
<then>
<trace text="La loco vapeur %oid% est en = @vr_SBFLZtmp" />
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="1" f1="false"/> <!-- Kein Rauchen -->
<!-- Son des vapeurs en pleine voie activé -->
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="2" f2="true"/>
</then>
</if>
<!-- Conditions spéciales locos -->
<if condition="@vr_id = Micheline">
<then>
<trace text="fonctions speciales %oid%" />
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="0" f0="true"/>
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="1" f1="true"/> <!-- Innenlicht -->
</then>
</if> <if condition="@vr_id = 241_A_002_EST">
<then>
<trace text="fonctions speciales %oid%" />
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="2" f2="true"/>
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="6" f6="true"/> <!-- Innenlicht -->
</then>
</if>
<if condition="@vr_id = 241_A_65_SNCF">
<then>
<trace text="fonctions speciales %oid%" />
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="2" f2="true"/>
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="5" f5="true"/> <!-- Innenlicht -->
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="6" f8="true"/> <!-- Innenlicht -->
</then>
</if>
<if condition="@vr_id = BR_01_138">
<then>
<trace text="fonctions speciales %oid%" />
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="2" f2="true"/>
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="8" f8="false"/> <!-- Kohle voll -->
</then>
</if>
<if condition="@vr_id = BR_01_147">
<then>
<trace text="fonctions speciales %oid%" />
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="2" f2="true"/> <!-- Sound -->
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="6" f6="truse"/> <!-- Brandende Feuer -->
</then>
</if>
<if condition="@vr_id = BR_110_1287">
<then>
<trace text="fonctions speciales %oid%" />
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="1" f2="false"/> <!-- Panto AR -->
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="2" f2="true"/> <!-- Sound -->
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="4" f4="false"/> <!-- Sound -->
</then>
</if>
<if condition="@vr_id = BR_98_FestZug_MFX">
<then>
<trace text="fonctions speciales %oid%" />
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="2" f2="true"/> <!-- Sound -->
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="8" f8="true"/> <!-- Fest licht -->

</then>
</if>
<!-- Ne fonctionne que si pas d'espace dans le nom de la loco -->
<if condition="@vr_id = SBB_RAM">
<then>
<trace text="fonctions speciales %oid%" />
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="2" f2="true"/> <!-- Sound -->
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="6" f6="true"/> <!-- Innenlicht -->
<fn id=%oid% fnchanged="8" f8="true"/> <!-- Getriebelicht -->
</then>
</if>
</else>
</if>

</else>
</if>
</foreach>
<trace text="Fin du programme début de journée" />
</xmlscript>

I`m a happy user of a simplified version of the XML JohnJean posted above. Each time I start my trains I remember Johnjean and his advice on Rocrail.
Rafael

Hi all
Here is another example of XML program

What is does
In a shadow station including one entry block, four parallel block and one exit block, one of the block being a long staging block (capable of holding up to 7 locos or trains behing each other, the program checks which trains are in the 3 normal parallel blocks to detect the shortest, see if there is enough space remaining in the staging block and send it into it by reversing the train back into the entry block

Here is are the blocks

Where block 150 is the entry block, 145, 146 and 147 are the 3 normal blocks in parallel, 148 is the staging block with 7 sections and 149 is the exit block.

Here is the XML program (there are surely better ways to do this but anyways..)
Cheers
Jean

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<xmlscript>
<!---Program um Aufstellblock 148 zu fühlen 30-01-2020 -->
<vr id="var15" value="0"/>
<vr id="ShortestTrainLocation" value="0"/>
<vr id="ShortestTrainLength" value="0"/>
<vr id="var145_loco" text="no loco"/>
<vr id="var146_loco" text="no loco"/>
<vr id="var147_loco" text="no loco"/>
<vr id="var145_length" value="2500"/>
<vr id="var146_length" value="2500"/>
<vr id="var147_length" value="2500"/>
<!-- Variabeln zu bearbeiten -->
<vr id="vr_frei_gleis_lange" value="0"/>
<!-- Variabeln zu entfernen
var15
numb_sections
numb_sections_libres
section_length
-->
<trace text="Aufstellblock fullen: start. V11 31-01-2024" />
<vr id="vr_SBFLZcount" text="" value="0" generated="true"/>
<tx id="tx_SBFLZcount" format="#vr_SBFLZcount"/>
<!---Program um Aufstellblock 148 zu fühlen -->
<if state="bk 150 = free|fb ABaf0 = off|fb ABaf1 = off" alltrue="true">
<then>
<trace text="Aufstellblock fuller: bk 150, ABaf0, ABaf1 sind alle frei" />
<foreach table="lclist" >
<query vr="vr_SBFLZtmp" table="lclist" id="%oid%" get="blockid"/>

<if condition="@vr_SBFLZtmp = 145">
<then>
<vr id="var145_loco" text="%oid%"/>
<trace text="lc in 145 = %oid%" />
<query vr="vr_SBFLZtmp" table="lclist" id="%oid%" get="trainlen"/>
<vr id="var145_length" value="#vr_SBFLZtmp"/>
<if condition="@var145_length = 0" >
<then>
<vr id="var145_length" value="2500"/>
</then>
</if>
<trace text="Train length in 145= #var145_length" />
</then>
</if>
<if condition="@vr_SBFLZtmp = 146">
<then>
<vr id="var146_loco" text="%oid%"/>
<trace text="lc in 146 = %oid%" />
<query vr="vr_SBFLZtmp" table="lclist" id="%oid%" get="trainlen"/>
<vr id="var146_length" value="#vr_SBFLZtmp"/>
<if condition="@var146_length = 0" >
<then>
<vr id="var146_length" value="2500"/>
</then>
</if>
<trace text="Train length in 146 = #var146_length" />
</then>
</if>
<if condition="@vr_SBFLZtmp = 147">
<then>
<vr id="var147_loco" text="%oid%"/>
<trace text="lc in 147 = %oid%" />
<query vr="vr_SBFLZtmp" table="lclist" id="%oid%" get="trainlen"/>
<vr id="var147_length" value="#vr_SBFLZtmp"/>
<if condition="@var147_length = 0" >
<then>
<vr id="var147_length" value="2500"/>
</then>
</if>
<trace text="Train length in 147= #var147_length" />
</then>
</if>
</foreach>
<!---Search for shortest train -->
<trace text="var145_loco = @var145_loco" />
<trace text="var145 length = #var145_length" />
<trace text="var146_loco = @var146_loco" />
<trace text="var146 length = #var146_length" />
<trace text="var147_loco = @var147_loco" />
<trace text="var147 length = #var147_length" />
<if condition="#var145_length < #var146_length">
<then>
<if condition="#var145_length < #var147_length">
<then>
<trace text="shortest train in 145"/>
<vr id="ShortestTrainLocation" value="145"/>
<vr id="ShortestTrainLength" value="#var145_length"/>
</then>
<else>
<trace text="shortest train in 147"/>
<vr id="ShortestTrainLocation" value="147"/>
<vr id="ShortestTrainLength" value="#var147_length"/>
</else>
</if>
</then>
<else>
<if condition="#var146_length < #var147_length">
<then>
<trace text="shortest train in 146"/>
<vr id="ShortestTrainLocation" value="146"/>
<vr id="ShortestTrainLength" value="#var146_length"/>
</then>
<else>
<trace text="shortest train in 147"/>
<vr id="ShortestTrainLocation" value="147"/>
<vr id="ShortestTrainLength" value="#var147_length"/>
</else>
</if>
</else>
</if>
<!------------------------------------>
<!---Jetzt messen freiblockstrecke -->
<!------------------------------------>
<!-- verify if shortest train can fit in bk 148--->
<trace text="shortest train (final) in #ShortestTrainLocation"/>
<trace text="shortest train length (final) : #ShortestTrainLength"/>
<!--&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&-->
<vr id="vr_ID" value="0"/>
<vr id="vr_section" value="0"
<vr id="vr_locid1" value="0"/>
<vr id="vr_frei_gleis_lange" value="0"/>
<vr id="vr_fini" value="false"/>
<trace text="Début analyse Block Transfert"/>
<vr id="vr_locid1" value="0"/>
<vr id="vr_locid2" value="0"/>
<vr id="vr_locid3" value="0"/>
<vr id="vr_locid4" value="0"/>
<vr id="vr_locid5" value="0"/>
<vr id="vr_locid6" value="0"/>
<vr id="vr_locid7" value="0"/>
<foreach table="sblist" >
<query vr="vr_ID" table="sblist" id="%oid%" get="id"/>
<if condition="@vr_ID = 148">
<then>
<!-- le bloc de transfert 148 est trouvé -->
<trace text="Bloc de transfert %oid%"/>
<query vr="vr_locid7" table="sblist" id="%oid%" sub="section" subidx="6" get="lcid"/>
<query vr="vr_locid6" table="sblist" id="%oid%" sub="section" subidx="5" get="lcid"/>
<query vr="vr_locid5" table="sblist" id="%oid%" sub="section" subidx="4" get="lcid"/>
<query vr="vr_locid4" table="sblist" id="%oid%" sub="section" subidx="3" get="lcid"/>
<query vr="vr_locid3" table="sblist" id="%oid%" sub="section" subidx="2" get="lcid"/>
<query vr="vr_locid2" table="sblist" id="%oid%" sub="section" subidx="1" get="lcid"/>
<query vr="vr_locid1" table="sblist" id="%oid%" sub="section" subidx="0" get="lcid"/>
<if condition="@vr_locid1 = (null)|#vr_fini = false" alltrue="true">
<then>
<trace text="section 1 vide"/>
<!-- le premier segment est raccourci de 80mm 320 devient 260 -->
<vr id="vr_frei_gleis_lange" value="#vr_frei_gleis_lange + 260"/>
</then>
<else>
<trace text="recherche finie Section 1"/>
<vr id="vr_fini" value="true"/>
</else>
</if>
<if condition="@vr_locid2 = (null)|#vr_fini = false" alltrue="true">
<then>
<trace text="section 2 vide"/>
<vr id="vr_frei_gleis_lange" value="#vr_frei_gleis_lange + 320"/>
</then>
<else>
<trace text="recherche finie Section 2"/>
<vr id="vr_fini" value="true"/>
</else>
</if>
<if condition="@vr_locid3 = (null)|#vr_fini = false" alltrue="true">
<then>
<trace text="section 3 vide"/>
<vr id="vr_frei_gleis_lange" value="#vr_frei_gleis_lange + 320"/>
</then>
<else>
<trace text="recherche finie Section 3"/>
<vr id="vr_fini" value="true"/>
</else>
</if>
<if condition="@vr_locid4 = (null)|#vr_fini = false" alltrue="true">
<then>
<trace text="section 4 vide"/>
<vr id="vr_frei_gleis_lange" value="#vr_frei_gleis_lange + 320"/>
</then>
<else>
<trace text="recherche finie Section 4"/>
<vr id="vr_fini" value="true"/>
</else>
</if>
<if condition="@vr_locid5 = (null)|#vr_fini = false" alltrue="true">
<then>
<trace text="section 5 vide"/>
<vr id="vr_frei_gleis_lange" value="#vr_frei_gleis_lange + 320"/>
</then>
<else>
<trace text="recherche finie Section 5"/>
<vr id="vr_fini" value="true"/>
</else>
</if>
<if condition="@vr_locid6 = (null)|#vr_fini = true" alltrue="true">
<then>
<trace text="section 6 vide"/>
<vr id="vr_frei_gleis_lange" value="#vr_frei_gleis_lange + 320"/>
</then>
<else>
<trace text="recherche finie Section 6"/>
<vr id="vr_fini" value="true"/>
</else>
</if>
<if condition="@vr_locid7 = (null)|#vr_fini = false" alltrue="true">
<then>
<trace text="section 7 vide"/>
<vr id="vr_frei_gleis_lange" value="#vr_frei_gleis_lange + 250"/>
</then>
<else>
<trace text="recherche finie Section 7"/>
<vr id="vr_fini" value="true"/>
</else>
</if>
<trace text="occupation segment 7 = @vr_locid7"/>
<trace text="occupation segment 6 = @vr_locid6"/>
<trace text="occupation segment 5 = @vr_locid5"/>
<trace text="occupation segment 4 = @vr_locid4"/>
<trace text="occupation segment 3 = @vr_locid3"/>
<trace text="occupation segment 2 = @vr_locid2"/>
<trace text="occupation segment 1 = @vr_locid1"/>
</then>
</if>
</foreach>
<trace text="total available length = #vr_frei_gleis_lange"/>
<!-- Muss Freiraum zwischenZüge Afddieren -->
<if condition="#ShortestTrainLength < #vr_frei_gleis_lange">
<then>
<trace text="OK to move"/>
<if condition="#ShortestTrainLocation = 145">
<then>
<trace text="OK to move from 145"/>
<co id="Rueckw.frei" cmd="off"/>
<co id="Reverse145" cmd="on"/>
</then>
</if>
<if condition="#ShortestTrainLocation = 146">
<then>
<trace text="OK to move from 146"/>
<co id="Rueckw.frei" cmd="off"/>
<co id="Reverse146" cmd="on"/>
</then>
</if>
<if condition="#ShortestTrainLocation = 147">
<then>
<trace text="OK to move from 147"/>
<co id="Rueckw.frei" cmd="off"/>
<co id="Reverse147" cmd="on"/>
</then>
</if>

</then>
<else>
<trace text="not enough space to move"/>
</else
</if>
<!-- end of program now sort all reject cases--->
</then>
<else>
<!---Program blocked because BK or ABaf0 or ABaf1 not free--->
<trace text="Aufstellblock fuller: bk 150, ABaf0, ABaf1 sind nicht alle frei" />
</else>
</if>
<trace text="Aufstellblock fuller: end" />
</xmlscript>

Hi Fab
Shadow station are the easiest to create:
- simply create the blocks as any other regular block
- now train will use them in fishbowl operation (you simply press power ON, AUTO ON and right click on a loco and select start)
- in this case, the blocks (if multiple in parallel) will be used randomly.

Additional Tricks

Locations
- create a location (tab tables and then select locations, give it a name
- list the blocks belonging to this location (Paris
- you may indicate the minimum number of trains you want to have in the location (your shadow station) so no train is leaving before that number is reached
- you may specify FIFO (first in first out) or Random.

Length management
- you specvify for each train, its total length or you manage car by car and edit the content of a train (see below)
- you specify the length of each block (I use mm but you may use any other unit)
- RR will only send a train to a block offering more space (length)
- RR offers you the option to use the shortest available block (leaving longer ones for longer trains
- RR offers you to use STAGING BLOCKS (A block, capable of containing more than one train). In this case RR will computer the occupancy of each section of the block.

train / consist edition


Routes and schedules
- routes are generated by the ROUTER (Tab Track plan / ROUTER).
- it generates all the routes between adjacent blocks
- you may add / edit / delete any route at your convenience

- schedules are used to create a circulation that makes sense (e.g.: in a depot) and specify either consecutive blocks to be used. Blocks may be replaced with locations.
- schedules must be created manually for turntables

Other possibilities
- you may assign a given block of your shadow station to a given train (in PERMISSIONS specify only this loco is allowed)
- you may lock / unlock the exit of a given block by creating an OUTPUT (a virtual relay with a name you give) and insert this output in the SENSOR field of the routes.
The output appear on your "PLAN" as a toggle and so, you may lock / unlock any train at any place
Outputs on my layout
(each of these red or green squares represent an output to start a tour, lock or unlock a fonction, etc


Sorry there as so many more possibilities that you may get bored
Thats all for now
Cheers
Jean

Hi Fab
The forum went garbled for one day or two and I received this truncated question by email
"can you call, from within an XML script, an Action ? i don't see any in the examples above... in particular, i would also need to be able to call some..."

Answer Yes, you can. Here is an example below (sorry text only)
Cheers
Jean

<actionctrl id="Start Lok swap 98 Ank.Phase 1" cmd="on"/>
<sleep time="200"/>
<actionctrl id="Start Lok swap 98 Ank.Phase 1" cmd="off"/>

Although it may look funny you have to turn off the action after having requested it (otherwise next time, it may not trigger the action

Hi Fab
Truth is I am discovering the Rocrail basics and am certainly not in a position to give lectures.

From all these operation years and seeking help from experienced users or from the designer (Rob Versluis), I think:
- same data is found in many places in multiple files (Plan.xml, Locomotive.xml, Occ.xml so changing in one place may be reverted by Rocrail itself
- unanimously, all say avoid making changes in these files directly. Why? It can create discrepancies (incoherencies) between the files
- they also recommend never, when using XML, try to replicate the RR operation or contradict it.
- never forget RR ends up being a multi tasking program (some may contradict others).
- beware of re-entrancy. Example: I wrote an XML program to drive the coal crane (3 motors and a solenoid). Nice and dandy but I discovered by accident that the same program could be executed multiple times in quasi-parallel when invoked multiple times by a stuttering sensor. So in some case I installed a re-entrancy lock to prevent a parallel start of the same program before the previous instance is finished.
- I rather make the changes from the outside of Rocrail files
- normally RR manages and correct discrepancies but not always. I had one instance where I had to delete some RR objects because I had erratic fonctioning (some routes were OK but never started the selected train)

Cheers
Jean