Soldier Summit SD40T-2 Independent Brakes

[ESzczesniak]

Agree that the braking is much better, but I also like the fact that the SD40T-2 scenarios don't have you racing along to make a timetable point by 15 seconds hanging with 1 mph of the limit. Allows for more responsible driving. That type of timetable might be for passenger (although I don't know), but for freight it's nice to not be b*lls to the wall.

[MontanaRails]

Agree that the braking is much better, but I also like the fact that the SD40T-2 scenarios don't have you racing along to make a timetable point by 15 seconds hanging with 1 mph of the limit. Allows for more responsible driving. That type of timetable might be for passenger (although I don't know), but for freight it's nice to not be b*lls to the wall.

I noticed that too - agree completely! DTG did A LOT right with this release.

[mrennie]

Agree that the braking is much better, but I also like the fact that the SD40T-2 scenarios don't have you racing along to make a timetable point by 15 seconds hanging with 1 mph of the limit. Allows for more responsible driving. That type of timetable might be for passenger (although I don't know), but for freight it's nice to not be b*lls to the wall.

You also have the ability to change the brake difficulty at any time during a scenario, so if you switch it to "Easiest", it's clearly going to be a lot easier to get the maximum score, whereas "Hard" is a real challenge. It's a pity you don't get some kind of bonus prize for getting the maximum score with the brake difficulty on "Hard" throughout the scenario.

[BNSFdude]

Lesson for everyone that I myself am learning. Don't use air if you don't have to.

For heavy grade, use balance braking and use DB4, if DB4 won't hold it apply that Minimum, and modulate DB from there. You shouldn't need more than 10 lbs to keep the train in good condition. Also, don't forget that a minimum will take longer to release than anything over a 10 lb set due to the accelerated service release feature found in the control valves of *most* cars. (I do not know if this was properly simulated or not).

It should also be known that the minimum brake reduction will trigger an accelerated service application which on each car will locally vent 4-6 lbs of local brake pipe pressure and develop a 10-14 lb brake cylinder pressure on each car. Once the minimum is taken, any further brake pipe reductions will take longer to transmit throughout the train as the control valves will not locally vent the BP.

[mrennie]

Lesson for everyone that I myself am learning. Don't use air if you don't have to.

For heavy grade, use balance braking and use DB4, if DB4 won't hold it apply that Minimum, and modulate DB from there. You shouldn't need more than 10 lbs to keep the train in good condition. Also, don't forget that a minimum will take longer to release than anything over a 10 lb set due to the accelerated service release feature found in the control valves of *most* cars. (I do not know if this was properly simulated or not).

It should also be known that the minimum brake reduction will trigger an accelerated service application which on each car will locally vent 4-6 lbs of local brake pipe pressure and develop a 10-14 lb brake cylinder pressure on each car. Once the minimum is taken, any further brake pipe reductions will take longer to transmit throughout the train as the control valves will not locally vent the BP.

Yes, all of that is simulated now :)