Railworks needs multiplayer

[Griphos]

Well, then, my bad!

Now, back to our regularly scheduled broadcast....

[OlPaint]

Hey Guys. Switching Puzzles are Fun. If multi-player would let me cooperate with another "Live" Switcher Crew to shunt cars around to assemble/breakup trains in the yard, that would be neat, wouldn't it?

OlPaint

[hertsbob]

Picking up on that. Do people use the Marshall instruction in scenarios at all?

[artimrj]

Picking up on that. Do people use the Marshall instruction in scenarios at all?

Yes we do. I do for sure.

[Chacal]

Hey Guys. Switching Puzzles are Fun. If multi-player would let me cooperate with another "Live" Switcher Crew to shunt cars around to assemble/breakup trains in the yard, that would be neat, wouldn't it?

Yes, that's precisely what I would like.
It would be great with the following additions to the game:
- additional camera spots for the brakeman that you could click on and "grab" when the train passes nearby, such as loco handrails and last car handrails.
- free camera with fixed height at head level
- a "radio" menu of signals to send to the engineer, such as "switch thrown", "cars coupled", "one-car lenght to go", etc, similar to the F1 menu.

@hertsbob

Some do, it is especially useful for switching puzzles. For example last night I played the NEPA-JMcE-016 scenario for the NERW PA Dicision route. It is available on the NERW web site.
In RW2 and RW3, there was a rumor that the marshall instruction was broken. I don't know if it is still true, or if it ever was.

[OlPaint]

I just discovered a neat way to simulate dropping the "Brakie" off by clicking the 'World View'(Key Command 8) icon in the HUD. As I approach the turnout in Overhead View(Key Command 2), I click the World View to freeze the vantage view there at the switch stand and watch the switcher with cut of cars pass on by. As if I, now the brakeman, were flat-foot'n it by the rails. As the cut clears the points, I can throw the junction over. Then I can rejoin and change hats as the Engineer in the cab (Key Command 1)to set the brakes and reverse...Or wait on the ground for a pickup as the engine running board steps come back within reach and click the Engine End Overhead view(Key Command 2)...Or pick the End Car Overhead view (Key Command 3)and ride the "Grab Iron" there. Great fun!

As for Marshall Instructions, Part of the challenge of a Switching Puzzle is to correctly assemble the cars in Waybill order (read that Marshall Instructions order) for the relief of the local freight crew who have to setout these same cars at a destination industries siding with the least amout of shunting. There definitely is a "Method to the Madness".

OlPaint

[BNSFdude]

I just use my "RCL Beltpack" technique when switching. Free Look view (8) and keyboard.

[Griphos]

That's how I often do it too, OlPaint. Always makes me smile a little when I do.

[Chacal]

Yup! Me too. And with Krellnut's new wagon sounds, it's even better.
I rarely go in the cab in a switching scenario. I just wait for the loco and grab a handrail.

[hertsbob]

Thanks for the replies. Glad to know that the function is being used and it seems slightly odd that nothing has ever been written about it officially, apart from the original statement that it didn't work?

My usual posture when switching is to have one hand over my eyes whilst silently screaming "AARGH! STOP!!! " as I inevitably demolish the fourth consist of the day.

[BNSFdude]

Thanks for the replies. Glad to know that the function is being used and it seems slightly odd that nothing has ever been written about it officially, apart from the original statement that it didn't work?

My usual posture when switching is to have one hand over my eyes whilst silently screaming "AARGH! STOP!!! " as I inevitably demolish the fourth consist of the day.

Especially with the *ahem* being much better. I found myself ramming cars too, having been used to having the *ahem* being really bad.

[OlPaint]

Several other things I have learned working "Switching Puzzles" - even though the yard speed limit is generally 15 mph, I never move faster than 5 to 8 mph when shunting. Of course, a light loco can push the speed limit and brake in a short distance. But with a cut of cars, that stopping distance is a lot more. If I attempt to couple at a speed greater that 1.5 to 2.0 mph, I can guarentee a broken knuckle or maybe a derailment in the collision. When I need to reverse after passing the junction, I try to time my brakes application ahead of time to prevent a huge roll by the points. It is a sense of pride for me not to go much farther pass the turnout then necessary so the Brakie doesn't spent must time flat-foot'n it on the ground. Also I have been successful setting a light Lap brake application to prevent me from rolling out of control if something distracts me for a moment. At least I know I can depend on the engine and cut of cars to eventually rolling to a stop. And a light Lap on the brakes can be overcome with a little more heavy hand on the throttle. Gawd, this is so much fun!

OlPaint