Physics

[kevarc]

Yep, RW_Tools can do some if it, but a program like EngMod would be nice, along with a RW Conbuilder.

I will go with Rich's stuff.

[Kali]

I'm still hoping for some major changes in the physics engine - or at least the way it handles engine power. The way it's set up right at the moment is like putting a nozzle on a water tap, so you can turn the tap up as high as you like but you'll never ger more than a certain amount of water coming out. Translate the tap to the engine throttle and the water as the power output, and you can see the problem. By scripting you can basically control the water pressure at the mains tap instead, but as you can imagine you have to do a lot of work before you can fill your sink...

There are other cheap hacks that probably should be junked to encourage people to set engines up better, like MaxSpeed - you don't need it because the resistance equation ( which is some well known physics you can look up just in wikipedia ) will handle that all for you if you do it right, and the train won't drive like it's suddenly run into a headwind. Other things are a bit misleading like MaxPowerAtRail, which you can set to 0 if you want, and MaxForce which doesn't do anything for player trains... some of this just needs better documentation of course.

I'm also hoping that RW3 will apply/release brakes gradually down a train, because while it's not a huge issue for european trains to have all the brakes come on at once, when it's a mile long then it's a rather different matter. On the other hand it might actually do it already, but I can't say I've noticed it happening...

[GaryG]

Hello Kevin

Don't know if you are aware or not but there is a heads up for all the physics mods (which do really improve the rolling stock).

If you ever Steam verify your RW installation and perhaps when it does an update as well, you will have all modified files replaced with original unmodified files.

GaryG

[MikeK]

I'm also hoping that RW3 will apply/release brakes gradually down a train, because while it's not a huge issue for european trains to have all the brakes come on at once, when it's a mile long then it's a rather different matter. On the other hand it might actually do it already, but I can't say I've noticed it happening...

Not only do they all seem to come on at once, but they also seem to release all at once and the brake pipe recharges in about 3 seconds flat.

This, plus the overpowered dynamic brakes, no setup position on the dynamic brakes, and the broken wheelslip modelling are the big things that I want to see addressed first. It is kind of strange getting wheelslip at 50% throttle or 20% dynamic brakes on a heavy train.

[Kali]

There aren't really any independent vehicle physics as such right now, it appears to add everything up & treat a consist as one item. We already know we're getting multiple engine simulations, we can hope for smaller multiple rollingstock ones also.

It does make some difference to UK stock, even - vacuum brakes took ages to propogate changes down a train. The dyna brakes I suspect is a feature of how the physics engine works and needs some rethinking to set up/work around, but the wheelslip code really badly needs fixing. It affects the way everything's adhesion is set up too, which affects acceleration, brakes, anti-slip, sanding ... so many things.

I suspect the US stock's brake settings might need some attention ( lord knows the UK stock did ) - while that won't sort out every train seeming to have EP brakes, it might help a bit at least. I don't have a clue about US brake settings... there are easily available european standards for that sort of thing, I wouldn't know where to start over there.

[MikeK]

I can only tell you that you'll really like the dynamic brake of the upcoming Genesis locomotive.
It's the first dynamic brake that really works realistically.

Now that this loco is out, is there any chance that someone can comment on the physics aspect?

Thanks! :)

[arizonachris]

Now that this loco is out, is there any chance that someone can comment on the physics aspect?

Thanks! :)

Seems to me to be very realistic (not that I've ever driven a train, LOL) Brakes take a while to bail off, you can watch the pressure fade off gradually. Similarily, applying the brakes, pressure builds slowly. Kinda makes this an interesting locomotive to drive. Also takes a while to accellerate. It's not like a rocket ship. I think they did a pretty nice job! Rick and Cesar. I got the hang of it pretty quick, tho!

[Kali]

Going to pop this in here for future reference, it's a little report about brake force for a selection of freight cars ( and it's a lot lower than I was expecting ). http://www.standardsteel.com/rdpapers/freightcar.pdf