Ripped Rails - need some advise

[GustFire]

Hi Blues and Grays,

I've played most of the scenarios, and have now played several games of the April '61 scenario under the HARD level for the AI.

I don't last beyond Sept as the Union [Johnston really likes putting up his boots at Lincoln's desk], but that's another story.

So here's my problem [among many]: Johnny Reb rips up the rail lines from Baltimore to Manassas, and I am hard pressed to keep up. I put Engineers on the lines, but I can't get them to do repairs.

The lines do need repairs, the Union has sufficient resources, and there are combat infantry in the area, so what's the holdup?

Does it require a commander AND an engineer together to do it, or what?

I'm thinking of putting a dedicated unit to follow ripped rails and repair them. Maybe include engineers, officers, inf, art and cav.

Suggestions are welcome.

[soloswolf]

Not to be short changing you, but, are you pushing the button to have them repair the rails? (It's on the 3rd tab of the special orders section. It will show some rail and a hammer)

If you are in fact selecting that button, you may just be having bad luck. But engineers will increase your chances and also, make sure your stack that you have dedicated to rail repairs is either secure or large enough to defend itself.

Keep tryin'!

[GustFire]

Thanks soloswolf,

Yes, I tried to press that button, but it's not activated and so I can't use it, but it should be.
That's why I listed those factors that activate the button. All the conditions were fulfilled, but I still couldn't use it. I don't know what else I'm missing, hence my questions.

And yes, that's why I listed other combat units to be with the engineers, to protect them.

Thanks for responding.

[soloswolf]

There are only a few reasons why the button would not be active...

1) The rails are not in fact damaged. (Sometimes the icon looks like it is on the wrong region. While hovering over the affected region(s) with the cursor, the tool-tip should say something like "railroad - damaged".

2) Engineers cannot do it on their own. Stack them with the inf/cav and see if it lights up then.

3) You have locked units in the stack. Double check and make sure that all of the units are free to move. (i.e. not garrison troops, etc)

4) Your install is bugged. (Not very likely that this would be the only function not working, but it is possible. Maybe... :confused

[77NY]

If I'm not mistaken, I think force points add to the ability to repair rail. I've never tried to repair with just an engineer (which is just a support unit) so I would second solowolf's suggestion that you make sure you have created a detachment of engineers + combat units.

I haven't been playing the game long, but have finished a couple of '61 campaigns. Sometimes I still mistake the damned pillage icon for rail damage. Is it possible you're making the same mistake?

[Major Tom]

Sometimes I still mistake the damned pillage icon for rail damage. Is it possible you're making the same mistake?

I do that a lot too. Easy to do at first glance.

[Gray_Lensman]

deleted

[arsan]

There are only a few reasons why the button would not be active...

1) The rails are not in fact damaged. (Sometimes the icon looks like it is on the wrong region. While hovering over the affected region(s) with the cursor, the tool-tip should say something like "railroad - damaged".

2) Engineers cannot do it on their own. Stack them with the inf/cav and see if it lights up then.

3) You have locked units in the stack. Double check and make sure that all of the units are free to move. (i.e. not garrison troops, etc)

4) Your install is bugged. (Not very likely that this would be the only function not working, but it is possible. Maybe... :confused

Hi!
Another possible reason:
Be sure to put your engineers (or whatever unit you use: cavalry, infantry and militias can also repair rails :thumbsup on the outside of the region.
I mean, not inside the city, but out of it

[soloswolf]

Any regions that have this icon seemingly misplaced should be noted and reported to me so that I can take steps to relocate it into a more obvious location.

Will do.

[GustFire]

Thanks for all the responses, much appreciated.....

1. The icon is definitely for that region, and it definitely says "Rail lines destroyed".

2. I double check to make sure that there are no locked units.

3. Yup, I think that's best - combine eng/inf/cav together in one stack, and dedicate that to continuous repair duty - outside of a city.


I notice that a general can activate the repair button too, btw.

[Diggy]

Hei -
Here's a suggestion from the newbie (me) point-of-view: From what I remember when trying to repair raillines, the turn that I arrive in the region in which I want to repair the rails, the repair-rails button is not activated (unless the region I start the turn in has rails eligible to be repaired.).

The next turn (in which my unit starts in the ripped-rail area) the repair rails button is active.

Maybe this is the problem ?

[arsan]

Hei -
Here's a suggestion from the newbie (me) point-of-view: From what I remember when trying to repair raillines, the turn that I arrive in the region in which I want to repair the rails, the repair-rails button is not activated (unless the region I start the turn in has rails eligible to be repaired.).

The next turn (in which my unit starts in the ripped-rail area) the repair rails button is active.

Maybe this is the problem ?

Yes, Diggy is right
You can only repair rails on the region you start the turn.
Its like this with most/all special orders: ambush, build/destroy forts and depots...
But you can press the repair/buil/destroy button and give a movement order to the units and it will repair/build/destroy first (takes some days, depending of the action) and will move later.

Regards

[GustFire]

Diggy, I waited several turns with no activation, but you make a good point, thanks.

Arsan, thanks, that's good to know.
I wondered about that, I thought you had to to wait.
Now I can give a repair/build/destroy button and give a movement order, all at the same time, in the same turn, and they will both be carried out.

[GustFire]

Diggy, I waited several turns with no activation, but you make a good point, thanks.

Arsan, thanks, that's good to know.
I wondered about that, I thought you had to to wait.
Now I can give a repair/build/destroy order and give a movement order, all at the same time, in the same turn, and they will both be carried out.