RSC 2-8-0 CONSOLIDATION

[bpetit]

Seriously have to spread the word on this superb addon. I can't get enough of it.

[UP3985]

Hmmm, now that's odd. Somebody posted on RSC's facebook that the Connie is a piece of junk. Now why would he say a thing like that? I wouldn't mind at all if somebody were to correct him (I can't, it wouldn't look right).

It's probably some idiot who did not take the time to read the mannual, and complained because the headlight does not just magically turn on when "H" is pressed, and the marker lights with it, and because it does not pull a 100 car coal drag by it's self.

It is a marvelous machine,(and addition to the sim for that matter) one that will take time to completely figure out how to run. (That's what makes this sim fun!)

For example,

Yesterday I was running a connie on the point of a fairly short freight out of Cresson on HSC (in the k4 preset free roam) My train stalled shortly out of cressoon (too heavy of a train? Opperator error? IDK... I'll figure more of the locomotive out later ) But when I pulled a k4 up behind my train, the K4 was completely inferior! All the inoperable knobs, and half open unanimated windows ...

It is truly a beautiful work of art, and is a welcome challenge to the game
Well Done!

[BNSFdude]

Why any locomotive creator would bother modelling levers, knobs, and switches that don't do anything into the cab, is beyond me. With Mikes excellent model, I feel like I could join Steve Sandberg in the cab of 261 this year and fire it with him!

[mrennie]

Seriously have to spread the word on this superb addon. I can't get enough of it.

Thanks again for all the support, I'm a very glad that the Connie's been so well received.



Mike

[B-24_LIBERATOR]

Goes great with GN's turn of the century rolling stock.

[mrennie]

It's probably some idiot who did not take the time to read the mannual, and complained because the headlight does not just magically turn on when "H" is pressed, and the marker lights with it, and because it does not pull a 100 car coal drag by it's self.

It is a marvelous machine,(and addition to the sim for that matter) one that will take time to completely figure out how to run. (That's what makes this sim fun!)

For example,

Yesterday I was running a connie on the point of a fairly short freight out of Cresson on HSC (in the k4 preset free roam) My train stalled shortly out of cressoon (too heavy of a train? Opperator error? IDK... I'll figure more of the locomotive out later ) But when I pulled a k4 up behind my train, the K4 was completely inferior! All the inoperable knobs, and half open unanimated windows ...

It is truly a beautiful work of art, and is a welcome challenge to the game
Well Done!

Well, the guy hasn't responded since that post, so I still don't know what it was that provoked the comment. I suspect it was something like you said, the non-standard controls in the expert version, or he thought the brakes didn't work (didn't bother to start the compressor and ran out of air) ... could be anything. Probably he didn't even notice that there's an easier-to-operate F4 HUD-enabled version.

I had ideas for more things to make the Connie even more realistic, but I hit the physical limit on the number of control variables you can have in the engine blueprint. Putting in anything more would have meant taking something else out. But the ideas are still there in my head, so maybe they'll find their way into the next one.

There are some techniques to help in getting up a steep and/or long grade. From what I know of real steam locos (which is from reading up on it, and from watching interviews with real life engineers), the techniques that work in the real world also work for the Connie. Something to keep in mind is that she develops the maximum horsepower at about 15-20 mph, and beyond that it tails off as you reach 50. So, if you go into a rising grade at over 20mph, the momentum is a big help, but the speed will drop of course, and the trick is not to use up too much steam trying to keep the speed above about 15-20mph. That is, if you keep the steam chest pressure up too high (and reverser too far forward), the boiler pressure will drop quickly and if you don't hook up the reverser quickly, the boiler pressure will continue to drop. It's best to hook up until the steam chest pressure needle stays steady (stops falling) and the boiler pressure needle stays steady too, or starts to rise very slowly. Keep the damper fully open (lever all the way up) to allow air into the firebox (but close it if the safety valves pop) and try to keep the fire mass where you can see most of the big lump of coal on the left, because that's the ideal level corresponding to 650lbs.

I always try to run her without ever turning on any HUD, not even F5, because I find it more immersive. All the information you need, except for the water level in the tender (the coal level you can see in the tender), is there in the visual clues like the gauges, and the coal level you see when the firebox doors open, as well as in the sounds - for example, you can hear the safety valves lift when you're in the cab. That was always one of my prime objectives, to be able to run the engine without the need for any HUD (but then there is also the HUD version, more suitable when you're in the mood to spend less time in the cab and more time watching from outside, which is what I do sometimes).

[mrennie]

Goes great with GN's turn of the century rolling stock.

Yes, it certainly does This loco was built in 1921 (before the start of the superpower era a few years later), so it does go perfectly with them.

[UP3985]

Goes great with GN's turn of the century rolling stock.

I had that same thought!

Question: Where can I download Michael Stephan's B&O wood caboose? (I saw the cool Southern repaint in the file library and did a look around for it but found nothing. It also said it's freeware? )
Help appreciated!

[B-24_LIBERATOR]

If you open the readme it usually gives you a link or website to files you need.

[mrennie]

Question: Where can I download Michael Stephan's B&O wood caboose? (I saw the cool Southern repaint in the file library and did a look around for it but found nothing. It also said it's freeware? )
Help appreciated!

Maybe it was just the repaint that was freeware. Looks like the caboose is part of the "NP Early 20th Century Freight Pack", available here http://www.golden-age-rails.com/packsrw/npsteam20c.html

[mrennie]

Has anybody managed to "pee away their air" yet, going downhill for example?

I was thinking I might do a short video to show it in action ... a sort of "this is what not to do" type of tutorial.

P.S. The smut detector changed pi** for pee

[bpetit]

No it just refills at about 112psi with compressor off.

[mrennie]

No it just refills at about 112psi with compressor off.

I mean "Peeing away the air" in the cars' auxiliary reservoirs. If you release and apply the brakes several times in quick succession before the train line has had a chance to restore the pressure in the cars' tanks, you end up with ineffective brakes. The main reservoir might still be topped up but what you see is that when you apply the brakes too soon after releasing them, the brake pipe pressure has to drop lower and lower to get the brake cylinder pressure to rise (this is because I simulated the time it takes for the train line to recharge the auxiliary reservoirs, that lose pressure after a brake applicationon the typical length of consist the Connie would be pulling), and when it does, it stops at a lower and lower pressure, applying less braking force. This happens if you don't have the train brakes in the running position for long enough to recharge the car's reservoirs before applying the brakes again.

I think I'll need to do a video, going downhill, to show what happens.

[SargNickFury]

The thing with the whistle seems to be a problem that occurs when you place the engine into a scenario, with the scenario editor, and then going directly from the editor to play the scenario. If it happens, try quitting to the main menu, or even exiting the game and restarting. That seems to bring the sounds back again. I can't see anything wrong in the audio blueprints, so I think it's just the model that's stressing the game and the editor happens to be the place where it feels the crunch. Just my guess at the moment.

I see...I didn't actually add the engine I did however open the first learning scenerio and changed time of day. I have this mod that makes realistic lighting for day and night.....and night is EXTREMELY dark..... and it was making it hard for me to learn the cab controls in poor light....so I opened just to change time of day. So I guess it's just opening and going back in immediately... Thanks for that tip!!!

[steamman]

Ok this is kind of a a dumb question, and I'm probably missing the obvious somewhere, but... How do you take on coal and water in the Connie? I've pulled up to the coaling tower and/or the water stanchion, but I can't get it to load... 'T' obviously isn't going to do it 'cause that controls the roof hatch, Ive tried a few other letters, I've clicked on the icon with the mouse. But there is no joy in Mudville. Just can't get it to load up. Any help greatly appreciated, thanks.