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Train splitting (dropping cars).

Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 11:10 am
by railduffer
A train is moving down the line smoothly. I did not catch it when it happened, but I happened to look down at the indicator showing things like grades, approaching signals and approaching speed limits, and only half of my train was there. I then looked at the rear (key 3) and the front (looking to the rear). Sure enough half the train was gone. I found it about half about a half mile back from the final destination. At the place it happened I was proceeding down a 0.05% grade.
What gives? Is there a reason why, and how can it be fixed?

Thanks for any help.

Re: Train splitting (dropping cars).

Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 11:45 am
by Alpenfreight
railduffer wrote:A train is moving down the line smoothly. I did not catch it when it happened, but I happened to look down at the indicator showing things like grades, approaching signals and approaching speed limits, and only half of my train was there. I then looked at the rear (key 3) and the front (looking to the rear). Sure enough half the train was gone. I found it about half about a half mile back from the final destination. At the place it happened I was proceeding down a 0.05% grade.
What gives? Is there a reason why, and how can it be fixed?

Thanks for any help.


I've seen this happen randomly. From what I can tell its nothing specific that causes it, but its almost always between two different assets (not the same cars), and it almost always occurs for me directly behind the locomotives.

It happens randomly enough for me that I "pretend" ive had a coupler break. I've probably had it only happen 5 or so times in the past few years.

Do you see it more regularly?

Re: Train splitting (dropping cars).

Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 11:49 am
by ssbobz
I had something similar happen a long time ago. I assumed it was possible to snap the couplers during improper braking/acceleration.

Re: Train splitting (dropping cars).

Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 12:00 pm
by BoostedFridge
This has only happened to me once in 5 years. Was on a flat section too.

I would love it if there was a mechanic in the game engine for breaking knuckles due to rough handling

Re: Train splitting (dropping cars).

Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 1:09 pm
by jalsina
I have experienced this in some scenarios when using the double container cars in Sherman Hill.

Re: Train splitting (dropping cars).

Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 1:18 pm
by gtrtroger
jalsina wrote:I have experienced this in some scenarios when using the double container cars in Sherman Hill.


Me too..... most times at or near the eastern approaches to Hermosa Tunnel.

Re: Train splitting (dropping cars).

Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 2:12 pm
by GERUNIMO625
Hello,

I find I can get break-in-twos from (like was mentioned before) from mixing cars from different routes/designers or older cars such as from the Rail Simulator days.
I think once I even got one when I had a DPU! Which is unheard of in real life. I mean you would have to go out of your way (almost intentionally) to break a DPU'ed train.
But again only happened to me maybe once or twice.

I for one am glad "getting a knuckle or drawbar" is not simulated. Having had to walk a 137 car coal train (both ways) myself to find it on uneven ballast was not fun, and I don't care to be reminded of it. *!lol!*
Also afterwards the company usually downloads the engine and finds the Engineer at fault (easier to blame him/her) then you both get wrote up for it.

P.S. Also the train doesn't dump after the break so its not that realistic...I know nit picking *!lol!*

Have a good day!

Re: Train splitting (dropping cars).

Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 6:17 pm
by Metrarailfan
GERUNIMO625 wrote:I for one am glad "getting a knuckle or drawbar" is not simulated. Having had to walk a 137 car coal train (both ways) myself to find it on uneven ballast was not fun, and I don't care to be reminded of it. *!lol!*


I wouldn't get Train Sim World =)

Re: Train splitting (dropping cars).

Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 6:38 pm
by jalsina
gtrtroger wrote:
jalsina wrote:I have experienced this in some scenarios when using the double container cars in Sherman Hill.


Me too..... most times at or near the eastern approaches to Hermosa Tunnel.


I believe so. There may be a track irregularity in that area, added to issues in the couplings parameters.
And these cars tilt easily and that is what is caused by something in the tracks:

20160628214848_1.jpg

Re: Train splitting (dropping cars).

Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 9:09 pm
by Ericmopar
It's the Sherman Hill Type-E couplers. I installed Dick Cowan's Type-E into the Kuju folder then copied over that to the Sherman Hill coupler folders. That fixes it.
It doesn't have to be Dick's couplers, it can be any Type-E Folder that works, like the new ones in Soldier Summit.

Re: Train splitting (dropping cars).

Unread postPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2017 3:01 pm
by trev123
I have had it happen on both UK and US routes using bog standard stock so nothing to do with couplers. :D

Re: Train splitting (dropping cars).

Unread postPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2017 3:49 pm
by ssbobz
Heading down from Cajon Pass towards SB with a helper pushing and without custom assets for me, I think it happened when I was new to the sim and really rough with brakes and throttle.

Re: Train splitting (dropping cars).

Unread postPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2017 5:29 pm
by jalsina
Ericmopar wrote:It's the Sherman Hill Type-E couplers. I installed Dick Cowan's Type-E into the Kuju folder then copied over that to the Sherman Hill coupler folders. That fixes it.
It doesn't have to be Dick's couplers, it can be any Type-E Folder that works, like the new ones in Soldier Summit.


I would like to try that. Do you think this can end with the tilting in the SH double stacks?
It is clear that any type E should work, but where do I get the Dick Cowan's couplers?

Re: Train splitting (dropping cars).

Unread postPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2017 9:35 pm
by Ericmopar
Here's a link to Dicks couplers.
It's the replacement Buckeye Couplers link in the left of the page.
http://www.dickyjim.com/

I've only ever had trains break apart on Sherman Hill and coupler replacement always fixes it.
I've only ever had the Cajon Pass/kuju container cars tip. Therefor, are you people sure it's Sherman Hill cars that are tipping, or are these 3rd party scenarios that may be using old Kuju stock?

Re: Train splitting (dropping cars).

Unread postPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 3:14 am
by _o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha
And the stupidest thing of all is the train not going into emergency after a break up. Talk about realism ...

I suspect it is just some physics error, with Railworks "forgetting" to keep the cars coupled when there is too much going on at once in the game engine. The uncoupled cars and engines gently drift to a stop and probably don't trip the track circuit, so any AI following them might simply slam into them.

One of the most essential security features of railroad operations is broken in Railworks also, and we can only hope this will be corrected in TSW.

I've never seen it happen or reported on Euro or GB routes, so perhaps it is the longer trains on most US routes.