Dash 9 TS2012 Update

[Kali]

Superelevation does *not* need track relaying if it was done with easements originally. You don't even need easements if you don't mind hefty bumps at the entrance & exit to curves.

[Machinist]

Superelevation can be added by scenario's writer as track rule, not that hard at all...

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

You don't even need easements if you don't mind hefty bumps at the entrance & exit to curves.

Like in Donner Pass you mean? A 30 MpH route with superelevation, seems rather a wasted effort.

One of the routes RSC has promised to fix, it would be nice if an updated Southern Pacific Dash9 comes with it.
Seams like a good deal to me: Sherman Hill with updated ES44 and SD70, plus the humpback of Laramie - Donner Pass II with updated Dash9 and SW1500 engines.

The consensus is that we are generally satisfied with the F7 and SD40-2 that came with TS2012, aren't we?
Appearance wise that is, physics is a different matter.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Superelevation can be added by scenario's writer as track rule, not that hard at all...

Please explain, as Kali stated you need to have easements "in hardware" for a smooth transition.

[Kali]

You can search & replace tracks.bin to turn it on ( and then edit the route in the editor to get rid of it from pointwork ), whether you get lumpy corner entrances is dependent on easements. You can go enable it on individual ribbons in the editor ( I presume the scenario editor even, I've never tried ) if you're insane enough or the route is short.

I've no issues with the F7 other than it being slightly aged, I'm not overly sure about the SD40 yet.

[MattW]

Having just bought the Donner Pass route in the Steam Sale, will the Dash9 upgrades include the Dash9 that comes with Donner Pass or would I still have to get the regular Dash9 pack?

[ArcticCatZRT]

The Dash 9 upgrade just includes the Dash 9s associated with that pack. All the Dash 9 upgrade is doing is adding lights and rain affects. The DP Dash 9 already has both of those features.

[arizonachris]

The Dash 9 upgrade just includes the Dash 9s associated with that pack. All the Dash 9 upgrade is doing is adding lights and rain affects. The DP Dash 9 already has both of those features.

And, Donner Pass itself is still awating a patch. And it needs a big one.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

The Dash 9 upgrade just includes the Dash 9s associated with that pack. All the Dash 9 upgrade is doing is adding lights and rain affects. The DP Dash 9 already has both of those features.

Thanks, Cat, for reminding me about the wet windows and projecting headlights.

I was referring to a total upgrade of the Dash 9. We don't know yet if the upgraded ES44 will finally have working cab displays instead of those dummy blank screens.
The same goes for the Dash9 and the SD70. IMO both upgrades must include working cab displays as I can add headlights myself and somebody else has already taken care of the wet windows on the Dash9 and SD70 models.

There are some more problems with the cabs, like the failing of the idle position on the throttle handle. Don't get me even started on the physics.

... we'll wait and see ...

[Kali]

Another guy and I are discussing making the screens work on the class 70 - systems wise it's basically a GEVO AC - and it'd be horrendous. While I think I've covered everything that needs doing it's also a monumental hack, and RSC aren't known for those. We can hope they implement screens in XML or something but that's pretty much the opposite ends of their apparent priorities, so I would start working on doing it yourself.

Physics, I have lots of stuff on an aussie SD70ace clone but no time atm.

[Machinist]

Superelevation can be added by scenario's writer as track rule, not that hard at all...

Please explain, as Kali stated you need to have easements "in hardware" for a smooth transition.

I added superelevation in all my scenarios (personal use so far) on Cajon curves, for example, usually when changing other parameters' values on the flyout tool. I'm sure I never noticed any bump at entrance or exit to curves (in fact if superelevation is available in the tool, it's supposedely core programmed to give a smooth transition, naturally), or if the bump exist I don't care (I love jumps, bumps, rough tracks, sways etc.).

Very easy, in fact, at least compared to other bothering and annoying things like the time you usually waste misleading the dumb dispacther to get the traffic you want, but I use to get what I want despite of "he" initially showing me that red icon saying that I can't.

Scenario Editor Superelevation.jpg

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Doc, would you care to share one of those "superelevated" scenarios with me (PM me please) or us at large?

I am looking into this myself and would like an example of how and what can be done and what it will bring.

I have cab sway usually at 20, but don't like rides rougher than that over high speed mainline tracks.
B-SB has a few bumps from sloppy joining of track sections that need ironing out but otherwise is pretty smooth.

Don't get me even started on the dumb dispatcher. I have so far only dabbled in scenario writing for COARW and P&LE. The scenario editor is one of the most flaky "assets" of TS2012 and no word so far from RSC what they will do about it.

Routebuilders have serious problems with the route editor as well, serious to the point of them wanting to throw TS2012 right out of the window. Instead of getting these issues - which surely must hinder RSC as well - fixed we are surprised with gamepads and other frivolities.

Before I am off on a rant again, better go into emergency braking before running out of control.

[Machinist]

Doc, would you care to share one of those "superelevated" scenarios with me (PM me please) or us at large?

I am looking into this myself and would like an example of how and what can be done and what it will bring.

I have cab sway usually at 20, but don't like rides rougher than that over high speed mainline tracks.
B-SB has a few bumps from sloppy joining of track sections that need ironing out but otherwise is pretty smooth.

I'm attaching an especial demo freeroam (with AI's) done for you test on Cajon:
a) SD70ACe BNSF (Track 1): no superelevation, roughness 50, departs in 30sec.
b) ES44AC UP (Track 2): superelevation, default cab sway (20), departs in 33sec.

Scenario's name is TEST Superelevation & Roughness, will be on top of scenario's list.

You can ride any AI, at any time (click on any part of consist) and take its control, or just follow them in freeroam view (8). The scenario finishes a couple of miles ahead (at End of Track 1 or 2 destination markers), you have about 9 minutes before it happens.

My Packager is broken (I don't care anyway ) so drop the attached scenario folder into:
\railworks\Content\Routes\76b3a3f0-c9b0-48f2-9eff-1af9b00166d6\Scenarios


Doc.

84fb1cb9-c24b-499f-8855-1845e5d5d746.rar

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Thanks, Doc.

I opened your scenerio and unserialized the ScenarioNetworkProperties.bin file. In the xml file I found a local networkridequality property applied to different ribbons of track. But no local superelevation property.
Is it linked to your global sanb_bars_track trackrule that you seem to have applied to these ribbons of track? I suppose I should add the global superelevation property to the sanb_bars_track trackrule file?

Otherwise, please supply your Kuju trackrules.

By using this window layout and having the "3" cam set up so the top of the rails is even with the top of the HUD I think I can detect superelevation, when present.

SS.jpg

Using the above sanb_bars_track wih global superelevation added, I set off the train on Track 2 and followed it all the way to its end. I didn't notice any superelevation.
When I added 6% maxcantagledegrees and 40 curvetoanglepercent, copied from Donner Pass I believe, I did not notice superelevation when the train got to track speed so I am not sure it works to counter the outward sway of those double stacks.

The train on Track 1 did sway a bit more.

[Machinist]

I did the same tests. The superelevation is in sanb_bars_ mainline.bin, the values are the same 6% and 40% and also some lines down superelevation is set to 0 (zero).
First I deactivated the SE in the scenario. Than I changed SE in the track bin to 1 (one) hopping to activate to all route, but din't noticed difference. Also changed those values above from 6% to 30% and from 40% to 15%, and nothing happened.

Then I set track bin back to the defaults (6%, 40% and 0) and green checked SE on scenario editor for the Track 2 (UP) train, the superelevation is visible on it, and none in the other (in which elevation was unchecked). So it works indeed. But I don't know where the the information is couldn't identify the elevation in the ScenarioNetworkProperties.bin (where supposedely should be).

Cheers,
Doc.