Soldier Summit SD40T-2 Independent Brakes

[Griphos]

How do I use F3 and F4 HUD for driving?

The same way as you've always done, but you just have to be aware of the independent bail-off feature, and that the automatic (train) brake handle is scripted to simulate the effect of moving the handle up against the ridges in the brake quadrant that separate different zones - there are ridges at Release, Minimal Reduction, Full Service and Emergency. When you come up against a ridge, the script stops you from moving smoothly past the ridge but keeps the handle there until you let go for half a second and then continue moving. That's so that (a) you feel the ridges and (b) avoid going into an adjacent zone unintentionally (for example, it'll stop you from going all the way to Emergency when you only meant to do a Full Service application, or from going to Release when you meant to stop at Hold).

The HUD levers mimic the way the mouse-operated levers in the cab work.

What an elegant scripting/solution to the problem of not having detents on the HUD or keyboard. Very nice work.

There are aspects of the scenery not to my liking, but I think I'm going to have to get this route just for the Rio Grande liveries and these excellent brake features.

[buzz456]

Which aspects are those?

[BoostedFridge]

Does this fantastic new braking system only work with the Soldier Summit SD40T-2 and rolling stock on that route? Or could one retain the same braking with other rolling stock, or on another route with just the SS SD40T-2 powering the consist?

[mrennie]

Does this fantastic new braking system only work with the Soldier Summit SD40T-2 and rolling stock on that route? Or could one retain the same braking with other rolling stock, or on another route with just the SS SD40T-2 powering the consist?

The new braking is only in the Soldier Summit (D&RGW) SD40T-2, but it works irrespective of the route you run it on.

[Chacal]

Hopefully this will become the standard for any new DLC.
Maybe Mike someday you could release a generic version of the lua script, that we could apply to other engines by adding/changing control values in blueprints.

[mrennie]

Hopefully this will become the standard for any new DLC.
Maybe Mike someday you could release a generic version of the lua script, that we could apply to other engines by adding/changing control values in blueprints.

The real problem there is that some of the values in the simulation blueprint (the brake setup) have to be copied into constants in the script itself. It's a real pity that scripts can't read the blueprints directly, or share definitions with them through an intermediate file.

Apart from the extra and modified control values in the engine blueprint, there are also changes in the inputmapper and the audio blueprints, and the whole lot have to work in unison.

[Chacal]

I wonder if we could do that by calling the generic script from a specific script.
This way you wouldn't have to give away your lua source code for the generic script.

Specific script for the GPXX loco:

constant1 = True
constant2 = 150
require ("generic brake script")

In this example, I suppose the generic script would have access to the constants?

EDIT
Another way to do this:

constant1 = True
constant2 = 150
assert(loadfile("generic brake script.lua"))(constant1,constant2)

In file generic brake script.lua:

local c1,c2=...

[mrennie]

I wonder if we could do that by calling the generic script from a specific script.
This way you wouldn't have to give away your lua source code for the generic script.

Specific script for the GPXX loco:

constant1 = True
constant2 = 150
require ("generic brake script")

In this example, I suppose the generic script would have access to the constants?

EDIT
Another way to do this:

constant1 = True
constant2 = 150
assert(loadfile("generic brake script.lua"))(constant1,constant2)

In file generic brake script.lua:

local c1,c2=...

Yes, I see what you mean. However, that would mean modifying the script, and DTG now has the IPR. I can't really see them paying to modify it (especially as any changes to it would mean going through an expensive round of non-regression testing ... a lot of work for DTG QA).

[Chacal]

Oh, I didn't know they now have the IPR to the script.
Does that give them the IPR to any advanced braking script?
My idea was that you could make a generic version, not the specific version you made for the SD40T-2 included in this DLC.
If it is sufficiently different, at some point copyright doesn't apply.

Also my idea was to release this generic script as 3rd-party, not through DTG.

[mrennie]

Oh, I didn't know they now have the IPR to the script.
Does that give them the IPR to any advanced braking script?
My idea was that you could make a generic version, not the specific version you made for the SD40T-2 included in this DLC.
If it is sufficiently different, at some point copyright doesn't apply.

Also my idea was to release this generic script as 3rd-party, not through DTG.

A very high percentage of the script would be the same, so the IPR would apply. Anyway, if the SD40T-2 is a success, which it appears to be, I'm sure you have a good idea as to what would be a logical next step.

Actually, I'm sure DTG probably browse this forum from time to time, so if people want to see more things like this being done, including extending the coverage of the advanced brakes, it wouldn't do any harm to make their views known to DTG, here or on Facebook, or through the Steam forum, or anywhere else that DTG are likely to read it. They do take notice, believe me.

[evafan002]

Oh, I didn't know they now have the IPR to the script.
.

I hate showing my ignorance like this but what Does IPR stand for?

[CrimsonKing]

Oh, I didn't know they now have the IPR to the script.
.

I hate showing my ignorance like this but what Does IPR stand for?

Intellectual Property Rights

---
It is kind of disappointing that DTG holds the IPR and a generic script isn't really feasible at this time. It would be nice to see 3rd party offerings with the advanced braking.

[buzz456]

Oh, I didn't know they now have the IPR to the script.
.

I hate showing my ignorance like this but what Does IPR stand for?

Intellectual Property Rights.

[evafan002]

Oh, I didn't know they now have the IPR to the script.
.

I hate showing my ignorance like this but what Does IPR stand for?

Intellectual Property Rights.

Thanks for clearing that up for me

[dr1980]

Actually, I'm sure DTG probably browse this forum from time to time, so if people want to see more things like this being done, including extending the coverage of the advanced brakes, it wouldn't do any harm to make their views known to DTG, here or on Facebook, or through the Steam forum, or anywhere else that DTG are likely to read it. They do take notice, believe me.

Let me just say then that i love this route and the advanced braking makes it a whole new game. DTG, if you're listening, this is a great step forward and i'd love to see more in the future.