Railworks America

So, I went ahead and purchased these two in a combo (for only $8, I couldn't pass up the SD40-2 pack), and after about an hour of messing around, these are my thoughts:

Marias Pass:
New rolling stock sounds are implemented by default, including brake application sounds
New horn for the SW1500, and nice sounds for the rest of the locos
The route is functionally awesome! Superelevation is buttery smooth (not like even the new version of DP, where its choppy in and out of curves)
Aesthetically, its very nice. Having been to many locations portrayed, I can affirm they did a good job. Extremely good attention to detail.
Physics seem to be MUCH improved. I haven't had a chance to really get a feel for it, but its obvious on the surface. Switching is now fun - the loco brake of the SW1500 is powerful and reacts quickly to input. And you have to really pour the coal to it (or...um...diesel) to overcome static inertia. We finally have a functional SETUP position on the Dynamic Brake control too! Nice!
All freight cars seem to have had a major overhaul in the graphics/modeling department. New trucks and wheel profiles that are much more realistic and scale.

BN/BNSF SD40-2 DLC

This isn't 'just another' SD40-2 addon - its worth the money this time!

Additional freight cars, with some cool loads - and these too have the new trucks and wheel profiles.
Ok, here it is! BEAUTIFUL new cab interior! Finally, notch markings on the throttle, and many other new details.
Sounds are....a disappointment, but easily fixed with BNSFDude's (and Simer4's) awesome modification.
The BN variant is missing some obvious details (as pointed out in an earlier thread so I wont go into it here)











I think RSC really raised the bar with this release. It's another leap up, as Horseshoe Curve was. As I was driving, I kept thinking "this is Railworks? This doesnt feel like Railworks....it feels better."

Awesome review and thank you for your input on it. I haven't bought Marias pass yet, but it's defiantly on my wishlist for when I have some extra cash.

MP is a very good route. Perhaps better that SHerman Hill. However, there are a couple of flaws. The brake sounds may be good, but, they are tied to speed and sound even if brakes are not applied ( if the speed is low enough).
There are two signaling errors, one at Red Eagle and two at Summit.
The Red Eagle is caused by two signals at same junction ( a post signal underground which can not be selected interfering with the dwarf signal at same locarion).
The others at Summit siding are incorrect dwarf signal types (1E1).
Still a worth while buy.

jamesphh wrote:MP is a very good route. Perhaps better that SHerman Hill. However, there are a couple of flaws. The brake sounds may be good, but, they are tied to speed and sound even if brakes are not applied ( if the speed is low enough).
There are two signaling errors, one at Red Eagle and two at Summit.
The Red Eagle is caused by two signals at same junction ( a post signal underground which can not be selected interfering with the dwarf signal at same locarion).
The others at Summit siding are incorrect dwarf signal types (1E1).
Still a worth while buy.

RU going to send these notes to RSC so they can fix these issues?

jamesphh,

Havent noticed these yet...but I agree with Buzz, hopefully you sent RSC a detailed message so they can fix them.

PhilCiborowski wrote:my only gripe is kinda minor- the Crossing signs that say "2 tracks" when its only one..


im loving the rest of it so far- then again i havent explored the whole route yet.

Xtreme rivet counting!

I could tell they put a lot of work in to this one, it's worth not waiting for it to be on sale, for once. Can't wait until I decide to buy it!

buzz456 wrote:

PhilCiborowski wrote:my only gripe is kinda minor- the Crossing signs that say "2 tracks" when its only one..


im loving the rest of it so far- then again i havent explored the whole route yet.

Xtreme rivet counting!

Considering this, I'm a total rivet-counter, the overused railroad crossing sign bugs me too, as will any other little things will, like times when signals on a gantry are even slightly misplaced, and, in the Northeast Corridor, the fact that every single 'wire holder' is slightly above the wire it is holding. At least the Marias Pass isn't a NEC clone, right?

Well...I must say, if you told me that I was going to be running on Marias Pass again...I would have laughed a couple of months ago! To think back in 98', when I first got the orignal MSTS, and ran it, I was sooooooo excited! Then, as we progressed through the years, with all the add on's, (Kickinh Horse, Donner, up to the FABULOUS Feather River!), Marias fell by the wayside...

Now, here it comes again...and all I can say is WOW! Brakes that act like brakes, Dymanics that WORK! WOW! And the scenery! Simple outstanding! I read the lttle complaints, and I still cannot justify anything in this route that makes me want to be upset. This, along with Sherman Hill, have reall made my opinion change. All I can say to the RAILWORKS team is.. "Job well done!" I have attached a few more pictures for you folks "on the fence"... I hope you enjoy!

Best Regards,

Galen

You know, I've got to say, I completely agree with Galen. After having some time to run a few more scenarios, the power and brake physics are really really good. RSC's finally gotten it nailed down. Now, it can be downright spooky if you're not careful. I've made a few 40 lb applications because I didnt plan far enough ahead...

MontanaRails wrote:You know, I've got to say, I completely agree with Galen. After having some time to run a few more scenarios, the power and brake physics are really really good. RSC's finally gotten it nailed down. Now, it can be downright spooky if you're not careful. I've made a few 40 lb applications because I didnt plan far enough ahead...

I don't have the route yet.... but percent wise..... how close are they to Run 8's physics now? I'm gonna get the route at some point anyways... but I was just curious as to how far they have come.

Well, with a full load of cars (70-100) The trains departure speed is much more accurate. No more jack rabbit take offs.
They used to take off like rockets.

I played with a 26 stand as well as talking with a man who worked for BN doing air brakes for 40 years. I came up with the statistics for RSC.
26-L
Min Reduction: 6lbs.
Reduction rate: 2.5psi/sec
Charging Rate: 4.3psi/sec
Max Svc Application: 64.7psi
and some details about bailing too, but that stuff is core so it couldn't be implemented right away.
I also maid it clear as to how a train recharges its brakes. The EQ reservoir is actuated from and the Brake pipe follows.
When charging back to 90psi, it takes the air from the M.R immediately. Most locomotives are set to charge back up at 130PSI and the "Control" switch on a control stand actuates the compressor unloader. The recharge rate is different as per what locomotive, but for most EMDs prior to the 50 series, they used Gardner Denver WXE 3 cyl compound compressors. These recharged the M.R from 130-140 at a rate of about .78psi/sec.

At 155 PSI, a safety valve will pop off reducing the pressure back down to 140.

dejoh wrote:Well, with a full load of cars (70-100) The trains departure speed is much more accurate. No more jack rabbit take offs.
They used to take off like rockets.

Well I'm liking the sound of that!

I will be getting these BN SD40-2s as well. I always thought their big unit numbers was kinda cool and convenient. But that looks good on BN locos... wouldn't want it on my SP's grey tuxedos.

Just for curiosity's sake, if that new SD40-2 is so great, I wonder if RSC could update all other SD40-2s with this one?
Or more simply, have only one model with different repaints?

Going off of the past record with updating. I think we will only see the other undated if they become part of a new route, or are DLC for a new route.