TS 2016: SH ES44AC ditch light switch fix

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

With the updated Sherman Hill ES44AC come switchable ditch lights. However, the switch in the cab isn't animated, though there is a node in the Cabview shape file for it.
I don't know if any more updates/fixes will come from DTG for TS2016, so here is temporary solution.

Making that switch move requires adding this small .ban animation file to your install and editing the engine.bin file to reference that animation.

I have created a small .rwp package to install (and remove) with Utilities.exe that contains the animation and the changed engine.bin.

Then clear the .pak files by going into Railworks' main screen -> Settings -> Tools -> Clear Cache.

If you leave the main ShermanHillAssets.ap tightly packed, my files will take precedence over the default ones.
When executing a full game verification they might be wiped, so keep that .rwp somewhere safe.

[OpenRailer90]

Thanks for creating this; this can come in handy for Fan Railer's Sherman Hill loco physics mod.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Thanks for creating this; this can come in handy for Fan Railer's Sherman Hill loco physics mod.

Exactly, it is best to incorporate all mods in one comprehensive package. You can use that .ban file. In the engine.bin there is also a number lights switch defined, but I cannot find it in the cab.
There is an animation for it, and it is also present in the Cab shape file (there are 4 switches, SW_01, SW_002, SW_003 and SW_004, I assume the number_light_switch fits on baseSW_004?)

One hack I recommend is setting the <DefaultValue> and <MinimumValue> of the DynamicBrake <ControlName> to -0.20. That way, you have a nice range, with the setup position at handle and HUD zero and full control from 1% to 100%. With reduced sensitivity, like 0.25 analog, you can modulate the dynamics very well. It would have been nice had the dynamic brake handle also been scripted with a notch and buzzer, much like the simulated escutcheon plate of the automatic brake handle.

It is a great pity the SD70M and SD40-2 didn't get the same advanced braking, and I really would like to have all engines with advanced braking by means of a universal script that can be adapted to the input mapper and control values at hand.

[OpenRailer90]

The fact that the SD70M, SD40-2, and SW10 lack the advanced brakes is a HUGE let down. Hopefully DTG will listen to the customers and implement them; so are those locomotives virtually unchanged from TS2013?

[buzz456]

This stuff brakes etc. are updated in the NS Coal Line Route. Strange.

[OpenRailer90]

For some reason this does not update the No Driver variant. The ND version can be used in switching.

[buzz456]

For some reason this does not update the No Driver variant. The ND version can be used in switching.

Why would anyone want to do that?

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

For some reason this does not update the No Driver variant. The ND version can be used in switching.

Why would anyone want to do that?

I thought so too at first, but later realized that while switching you sometimes need to change cabs. You'll then occupy the ND loco's cab and perhaps want to switch the ditch lights on.
AFAIK, there is no key or key combination defined for the ditch light switch in the input mapper. I'll look into that, because I've added clicks and clunks to the ES44's cab. H and Shift-H cycle through the headlight positions, so would Ctrl+H as a toggle for the ditch lights do?

Do all the players that have updated to TS2016 only have the .ap pack in RSC\Sherman Hill? In that case it is easy to add changed files to their installs, as the default still resides in the .ap file and the eternal files take precedence.

Edited: "J" is the ditch lights key, "K" is for the step lights, "L" is for the cab light.

[jalsina]

This stuff brakes etc. are updated in the NS Coal Line Route. Strange.

The brakes have not been updated in the Norfolk Coal District Dash 9 (PennCoal). But there are changes in the engine bin in the ES44AC.

[mountainrail2012]

Thank you for fixing something RSC chose to ignore. Ken

[OldProf]

Attention! Caution! Look out, there, bub! This is a highjacking!!

I've noticed that when I resume some scenarios -- mostly on American routes, the player loco's ditch lights are on, which they had not been originally. No, I'm not looking for a band-aid that has to be reapplied after every files verification, just wondering what might cause this so I can appear moderately intelligent when I report this to DTG/RSC.

Thanks

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Attention! Caution! Look out, there, bub! This is a highjacking!!

I've noticed that when I resume some scenarios -- mostly on American routes, the player loco's ditch lights are on, which they had not been originally. No, I'm not looking for a band-aid that has to be reapplied after every files verification, just wondering what might cause this so I can appear moderately intelligent when I report this to DTG/RSC.

Thanks

It is the scripts, OldProf. When resuming a scenario, they often aren't properly re-initialised.
The game doesn't remember your switch positions.