Saluda Grade: Asheville - Spartanburg coming to Train Simulator

[Unoriginal]

I'm assuming it's just a difference in the physics department. Going off of what you've said the stock SD40s might have too much power output compared to the SS ones (again I'm just assuming based on what has been said above because I am currently unable to test either locos).

Might be better to subtract the amount of cars or just add another loco.

[buzz456]

I read somewhere that the rule of thumb was always one power unit for every ten loaded cars on the 'grade'.

[ElphabaWS]

A little background on this topic (the "Third Climb" scenario and the SD40-2s, etc.):

Among the regular movements on Saluda in later years were dedicated woodchip trains operating westbound to a paper mill in Canton, North Carolina. These trains typically carried 39 woodchip loads and to climb Saluda Grade, the trains "tripled the hill" from Melrose with three cuts of 13 loads each. The train's power was usually a trio of SD40-2s then later, a pair of SD60s. In the "Third Climb" scenario you are taking the last of the three 13-car cuts to the summit from Melrose. The three SD40-2s are well balanced against the 13-car tonnage to climb the hill at reasonable speed. There's lot of legit opinion about various physics elements of TSC (loco tractive effort versus car drag, et al.) but our goal is/was to make the experience feel realistic.

[AmericanSteam]

Doing a bit of testing on the new Saluda grade. on the scenario "3rd climb" I replaced the supplied power with Searchlight Simulations SD40-2s. With the supplied power as expected I was able to reach the top and finish the scenario. Using the SS SD40-2s I was only able to bring the end of train across the bridge at the start of the scenario then stalled just passed the start of the climb. Can someone poke under the hood to see if there is a difference in power/traction curves for both. I am of the thought that there should not be this much of a disparity.

It has been suggested that the physics has been copied from the SD45-2 (3600 HP) in stead of using the 3000 HP of the SD40-2. I think this is why an additional SD20-2 must be added to achieve the same pulling power.

[buzz456]

Doing a bit of testing on the new Saluda grade. on the scenario "3rd climb" I replaced the supplied power with Searchlight Simulations SD40-2s. With the supplied power as expected I was able to reach the top and finish the scenario. Using the SS SD40-2s I was only able to bring the end of train across the bridge at the start of the scenario then stalled just passed the start of the climb. Can someone poke under the hood to see if there is a difference in power/traction curves for both. I am of the thought that there should not be this much of a disparity.

It has been suggested that the physics has been copied from the SD45-2 (3600 HP) in stead of using the 3000 HP of the SD40-2. I think this is why an additional SD20-2 must be added to achieve the same pulling power.

Some busy body over you know where is always leaping to conclusions without facts to back up their opinions of what is supposed to be accurate. I just find it annoying that these same nit pickers can't just sit back and enjoy instead of beating everything into drivel.
Since I'm capable of looking at data I can assure you that the SD40-2 in the Saluda Grade Route does not have the same specs as the SD45 by DTM from years ago.

[Unoriginal]

I think they are referring to the CSX SD45-2 that recently released and not any of his older locomotives.

[buzz456]

I think they are referring to the CSX SD45-2 that recently released and not any of his older locomotives.

Who knows the nitpickers like fleas and mosquitoes will always be with us.

[AmericanSteam]

Doing a bit of testing on the new Saluda grade. on the scenario "3rd climb" I replaced the supplied power with Searchlight Simulations SD40-2s. With the supplied power as expected I was able to reach the top and finish the scenario. Using the SS SD40-2s I was only able to bring the end of train across the bridge at the start of the scenario then stalled just passed the start of the climb. Can someone poke under the hood to see if there is a difference in power/traction curves for both. I am of the thought that there should not be this much of a disparity.

It has been suggested that the physics has been copied from the SD45-2 (3600 HP) in stead of using the 3000 HP of the SD40-2. I think this is why an additional SD20-2 must be added to achieve the same pulling power.

Some busy body over you know where is always leaping to conclusions without facts to back up their opinions of what is supposed to be accurate. I just find it annoying that these same nit pickers can't just sit back and enjoy instead of beating everything into drivel.
Since I'm capable of looking at data I can assure you that the SD40-2 in the Saluda Grade Route does not have the same specs as the SD45 by DTM from years ago.

If not that then what is the difference between the SS SD40-2s and the HIS SD40-2s that could cause this difference in pulling capacity? Other that this curious anomaly I am happy with the route. I would like to run this with some backdated equipment.

[ElphabaWS]

I believe most will agree that setting up the performance of any loco in TSC, given the limits of the sim's physics and some of the vagaries of its tools, requires a mix of science with a bit of subjective black magic. I'm sure if you look "under the hood" (aka into the blueprints, etc.) of many existing TSC locos which in theory should have the same performance that you will see many variations in set-up. There's also the very important matter of matching loco performance to car weight/drag characteristics, et al., to hopefully replicate a realistic experience. In my post earlier in this thread, I tried to explain why we feel that was accomplished.

[trev123]

For me, the original colours were all washed (like too much contrast) out for this route so I have been mucking around with the in-game settings to make it look better. This is a screenshot of the first scenario. BTW only the front loco has smoke coming from it.

[buzz456]

Not to start anything but I think you need to look to your monitor settings. Your picture looks very strange to me. This pic looks very natural.

20230817190220_1.jpg

[trev123]

Nothing wrong with my monitor settings as everything else is fine as also most of my other routes.

[trev123]

Okay, I set everything in-game to default.

[AmericanSteam]

Looks better.

[AmericanSteam]

Lococontrol cars for mid train locomotive control.
These are in the file library. Here: https://railworksamerica.com/index.php/download-library/rolling-stock-repaints?view=document&id=2456:southern-locotrol-radio-car&catid=19:rolling-stock-repaints
History and description: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locotrol