Switching galore!

[OldProf]

Yesterday, I got around to running the "Power Line" scenario on the CSX route. This scenario comes with the CSX GP40-2 Loco Add-On.

I've enjoyed the freight sessions provided as a free update to the NEC route, but they are rather brief and repetitive. "Power Line", on the other hand, is a full-fledged switching scenario; how long it runs depends, of course, on the "engineer" -- you, that is. Without giving away the scenario's content, I will just note that some rather tricky maneuvers come along. The only problem I ran into was that at one point near the end of the scenario when I returned to the driven engine's driver's seat the throttle didn't work anymore, although brakes, reverser, etc. all responded to both mouse movements and keyboard controls. As I usually do, I had saved the scenario shortly before; so I dropped back to the main menu and resumed the scenario from that save point. When I again reached the trouble spot, the throttle worked normally. TS20xx simmers are familiar with this little work-around, but TSW drivers may not be. Along the way, this scenario requires working knowledge of the turntable and the spotter buttons (as far as I know, the first appearance of the latter in a scenario or session), so if you aren't familiar with them, it would be a good idea to, in the words of Flanders and Swann, "... practice beforehand, which ruins the fun". There's a tutorial for the turntable included with CSX, but for the spotter buttons, you'll have to search the forums. Used to move "dead" engines, they're really quite interesting.

If you're a switching devotee, don't miss this scenario -- it makes purchasing the CSX GP40-2 Loco Add-On worthwhile, in my opinion.

[ironcat60]

Wow! Thanks for the heads up!

I am a huge fan of 4 axle switching. Plus I have those locomotives and route. Just haven't the time to explore those engines much. But now it is added to my must do list. Thanks!