RSC 2-8-0 CONSOLIDATION

[mrennie]

I still don't know if RSC have started the beta testing. I've had no word from them. In the meantime, I'm adding some more details, hand-painting more shadows in the cab, and I'm preparing the scenarios.

EDIT: I heard from Matt this morning. We're going to put in the crew figures (the chap who did the PRR K4s has kindly agreed to let me have the crew figures from his loco) next week and then make the beta available to the testers (via Steam).

[mrennie]

I've just now sent the beta, with the crew figures donated from the K4, to Matt at RSC for distributing to the testers. The chuffing sounds still need a little bit of polishing, but I'll do that in parallel with the first round of beta testing.

[XDriver]

Check your PM. I sent you some chuff loops you might like. I made them.

[mrennie]

I've come across a little problem while testing a scenario for the Consolidation.

First of all, I tried to do a run from Altoona to Johnstown with an AI Consolidation acting as a helper at the rear of the train. Everything went fine until the AI loco entered the tunnel near Cresson. The AI didn't keep his firebox doors closed and so I got "game over" because of blowback (in the AI engine, not the one I was running at the head of the train). I don't know what I can do to make the AI be aware of tunnels.

Next, I tried changing the AI helper for a GP7. However, as soon as the train was moving, I found that I couldn't move the reverser. I could move it while stopped, but once we were moving, it wouldn't move either backwards or forwards. It only happens when I put a diesel as a helper.

Anyone have any ideas as to how to to fix this, apart from the obvious solution of shortening the length of the consist and doing without a helper (which is what I've done for the time being)?

[mrennie]

I just couldn't resist showing you what I've been doing today ...

2013-01-14_00001.jpg

Tomorrow, I'll animate the valves (except for the four at the bottom) and also the oil droplets, so that you'll be able to see them (through the four sight glasses) rising up.

[bpetit]

It just gets better and better.

[mrennie]

I've implemented the animated oil droplets ... I think that must be a first for Railworks/TS2013.

To see them rising up in the sight gauges, you have to turn on the lubricator's steam throttle (from the steam turret), the main valve (on the lubricator's steam chamber) and set the lever at the bottom of the lubricator to "All Open". It's all done using the mouse (I've just about run out of key assignments, so I didn't bother to assign keys to these controls, as they won't be used very often anyway).

[bpetit]

This locomotive is a first in terms of detailing and animating.

[mrennie]

This locomotive is a first in terms of detailing and animating.

[ozinoz]

Don't think I will actually bother creating scenerios for it, just a single free-roam and I will sit in the yard and play with all the bits There are going to need to be some hefty instructions. Any idea just how much there will be with the automatic fireman? I am one of those who struggles to do just 2 things at once - drive and watch; I just cant do 3





Grant

[BNSFdude]

THIS is a locomotive that would benefit from Run8's Multiplayer. Oh boy.

[mrennie]

Don't think I will actually bother creating scenerios for it, just a single free-roam and I will sit in the yard and play with all the bits There are going to need to be some hefty instructions. Any idea just how much there will be with the automatic fireman? I am one of those who struggles to do just 2 things at once - drive and watch; I just cant do 3





Grant

I recommend you do the "extended tutorial" scenario. It starts off in a small yard in Johnstown and takes you through the steps, while doing some switching, refuellling (the coal animation turned out very well, if I say so myself) followed by a nice little run up to South Fork. The scenario has lots of pop-up messages to tell you what to do.

I've also begun writing the manual. I hope it'll be clear enough, but I'll be here (and on facebook probably) to answer any and all questions. I'll try to do an instruction video too.

I've set it up so that you can use the automatic fireman too. You'll still see the firebox butterfly doors opening and closing automatically, and the exhaust injector lever being pulled to refill the boiler. I myself prefer to run in manual firing mode, setting the stoking rate by "stepping" on the firebox doors foot pedal and monitoring the fire mass level using the F5 HUD. If you use the injectors in manual firing mode, it gives you the chance to see what happens if you bodge it by pulling the lever while the water valve is closed, or forgetting to close the water valve after filling the boiler (look for the steam and water coming out of the overflow pipe under the cab). There are some things that the automatic fireman can't do, like switching on the compressor and hydrostatic lubricator, so you'll still have to do that yourself (although they are just eye candy - and ear candy in some cases - to give a more authentic feel, and nothing will break if you leave them off*).

You can even drive it in simple mode if you like. I've made it to suit all tastes

One more thing ... I intend to write more scenarios that I'll upload to the Steam Workshop as soon as the loco goes on sale, so that people will have more scenarios to play after they've done all the ones provided in the package.

*EDIT: "nothing will break" .... unless you activate "expert pro" mode, by pressing ctrl-shift-E, which enables some slightly fancier stuff in the LUA code (like running out of sand if you leave the sanders on all the time)

[mrennie]

THIS is a locomotive that would benefit from Run8's Multiplayer. Oh boy.

Now that would really be something! To have one player as the engineer and another, online, as the fireman. I can just imagine the arguments!!

("oy, leave that brake handle alone!" ... "well you stop messing with the firebox doors then!" ... "hey, who forgot to turn off the water?!" ...)

[bpetit]

Man I can see that haha. Mrennie, can you do a screenshot with -SetFOV=40 and on the sunny side?
(right click ts2013 -properties -set launch options and paste that in. Default's 65)

Simply put this is the best third party engine out there.

[dejoh]

Yes, its been quite intresting watching the progress from your first post on this loco, to the present.
Keep up the great work