Pecularity department: DB BR 261

[OldProf]

This German engine offers some interesting features not documented in DTG's manual. For example, when the reverser is moved to change the driving direction, the driver actually moves from one seat to another: I've never noticed that in any other engine. I've been looking, too, at the various head/taillight pre-sets, which seem to change automatically with the reverser -- alas, this is another undocumented feature. One more: the engine's numbering scheme seems to have something to do with how the head and tail lights appear as a scenario opens, but -- you guessed it -- there's no mention of this in the manual. The DB BR 261's unusual throttle and braking controls also go undocumented.

DTG is very diligent about inserting all of their boilerplate pages regarding signalling and warning systems into each German engine's manual, but there's no information about other features.

I'm hoping that other forum members may be able to fill in these blanks and others that I haven't yet spotted.

[OldProf]

Am I the only one who bought this DLC package? Alright, then, I'll just talk to myself for a bit.

I sent my questions to DTG's support site and, as usual, received a quick acknowledgement followed by a helpful reply, which came from a Mr. Stephen Jones, who included a link to an RSC video that demonstrates some of this engines features: https://youtu.be/5Rrieaz17kU?t=287 . After watching that a couple of times, I wrote a Free-Roam scenario to allow myself to operate the Db BR261 without any pressure. So, now I'm at work on a supplemental guide to driving this engine. This is firstly for myself, to remind me how to drive it after not having done so for a while, but if anyone else is interested, I'll post it here, as well.

Some of the features not described in the far too terse manual include working window blinds and shades, opening windows (the video's narrator refers to such stuff as "twiddly-bits". There are also two operational driver positions and functional switches that control such things as head/tail light configurations and gear ratios. Of course, you have to take your eye off the rails to operate these gadgets, but how much does an occasional crash matter as long as it's virtual?

[trev123]

This loco wasn't very will rated on the German TS forums.

[OldProf]

This loco wasn't very will rated on the German TS forums.

So? That doesn't change my mind about documenting its advanced features. And, by the way, my current correspondent at DTG help has written that they're considering issuing a revised manual that would include those features.

[OpenRailer90]

This loco wasn't very will rated on the German TS forums.

So? That doesn't change my mind about documenting its advanced features. And, by the way, my current correspondent at DTG help has written that they're considering issuing a revised manual that would include those features.

It's advanced features are nothing compared to the offerings of vR, especially the FPS G6 which is another German shunter.