The new Pacific Surfliner Amtrak EMD F59PHI locomotives

[Whatzizname]

So I am not the only one having issues with the brakes, On My game, my brakes, even at 2% bring the train (1 loco 7 coaches) to a really sharp stop, unless I am traveling at 10-15Mph, During that time, it takes a billion years to activate.
Playing on my brothers PC (since my can't run railworks) I have discovered that when braking, keep the throttle at 13% because then when the train is slow enough, release the brakes, wait 10 seconds, then notch the throttle down to 0%, it seems to release the brakes instantly, and I can keep running.

[buzz456]

Also if you justput the brakes on for five seconds or so and then release them you get slowing then when they bleed back down to zero hit them again and release. This seems to work fairly well.

[artimrj]

Also if you justput the brakes on for five seconds or so and then release them you get slowing then when they bleed back down to zero hit them again and release. This seems to work fairly well.

Thats what I do and I also use the dynamic brakes as well. Mix em up and they work good once you get the hang of it. Everyone wants them fixed, but from what I have read they are just the way they are supposed to be. Not being an engineer I would not know any better, but I can play them in the sim just fine, once I caught on how to use them.

[OldProf]

I did discover that the instructions about waiting ten seconds before engaging the dynamic brake seems to make it work a whole lot better. Made it down the big hill with just one little touch of the brakes on the 2% grade. Working as advertised I think.

"When all else fails, read the instructions ... if that doesn't work either, try following them."

[PapaXpress]

"When all else fails, read the instructions ... if that doesn't work either, try following them."

Priceless...

[buzz456]

. I'll remember that one. It often applies at my workplace.

[BNSFdude]

They aren't the way they are supposed to be. There's a mistake going around like a cold at RSC towers in making rolling stock with "Graduated Release" being ticked, as well as "Triple Valve" which causes brakes to just be on or off.
It's known. But I'm not sure if RSC plans on pushing a fix for it or not.

[UP3985]

Just delete this one then...

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

They aren't the way they are supposed to be. There's a mistake going around like a cold at RSC towers in making rolling stock with "Graduated Release" being ticked, as well as "Triple Valve" which causes brakes to just be on or off.
It's known. But I'm not sure if RSC plans on pushing a fix for it or not.

These is also a distributor in the blueprint which I haven't seen before. Loco's do have a triple valve but I haven't yet found evididence the F59PHI's run with graduated release.
I have found some info on blended braking including speed vs retardation curves divided between air and dynamics.
Blended braking is operated off the train brake handle, including all kinds of valves and pneumatic logic between the 30CDW desktop controller and the 26L brakevalve.
The power handle needs to be in neutral and the dynamics are blended in off the automatic brake handle to provide smooth, maximum retardation.
See here http://www.railroad.net/articles/columns/shopnotes/blendedbrake/ and elsewhere on the Net.

If one ever plans to do a Expert version of the F59PHI, this can all be scripted in LUA. Likewise PCS cutout and how to recover from a penalty application, tring to start the train with doors open, ATS, brake status indication lights on the cars.

Interestingly, the borked brakes are linked to the scenarios. A free run scenario I did myself had the loco operate normally with unstuck eq gauge.

Fixes all the world over once and for all should come from RSC, but the faulty rear truck on the cars is much more an eyesore.

[BNSFdude]

I could do all of those things. But it takes a lot of time that I as a single person, don't have.
Fixing the brakes though, can be done. :)

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

I could do all of those things. But it takes a lot of time that I as a single person, don't have.
Fixing the brakes though, can be done. :)

You are right, good scripting for realistic operation and train handling for hardcore simmers takes time and lots of testing. Perhaps the announced GP40's that are completely done outside of RSC are a good first attempt?

There is a market for it, proof are TeamTrainBerlin, AP/Waggonz, virtualRailroads and other suppliers of UK and EUR models who sell Expert Line or whatever they call it for a small surcharge.
Given that US Diesels are technically alike, i.e. second gen GP/SD, third gen EMD's or GE's since the mid nineties, three Expert Line sets of scipts cover a whole lot of possbile units.

Perhaps replacement cabs are also needed, and different paint schemes for different roadnames, and that is where it gets tricky with RSC's current trend of a "no free repaint" policy.

[PapaXpress]

I could do all of those things. But it takes a lot of time that I as a single person, don't have.
Fixing the brakes though, can be done. :)

You are right, good scripting for realistic operation and train handling for hardcore simmers takes time and lots of testing. Perhaps the announced GP40's that are completely done outside of RSC are a good first attempt?

Don't put the spotlight on me

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

I could do all of those things. But it takes a lot of time that I as a single person, don't have.
Fixing the brakes though, can be done. :)

You are right, good scripting for realistic operation and train handling for hardcore simmers takes time and lots of testing. Perhaps the announced GP40's that are completely done outside of RSC are a good first attempt?

Don't put the spotlight on me

Well, Papa, you know your stuff and from our conversation I think you and your team know how to implement it! Perhaps proving that ProLine/Expert Line models are selling well will convince RSC to cater more to simulator train drivers instead of arcade players? I think it is a track worth following.

[BNSFdude]

I think that in a couple months, you'll be in for a pleasant surprise from RSC.

[imphantum]

I think that in a couple months, you'll be in for a pleasant surprise from RSC.

hmmmm. Elaborate, please.