F7 Repaints: TS2012 Updates Out Soon!

[Kali]

I will patch something together with dynamic smoke, I've got enough versions of that generic script around ( actually the SD40 one I posted will work once I poke at it ).

Whether the brake timings are right depends on the pressure ranges you set up. ( given the battering equipment gets there isn't really a "right" figure :) ). Be careful with the charge rate ( compressor power? ) - the straight air brakes totally hammer the reservoir in a ridiculous fashion, so I gave up on trying to run you out of air. With 26psi range that release rate is about 30s - that's about mid-range for european single pipe trains, probably ok for short US freight consists.

[GreatNortherner]

They are ready for upload!!! Yay!

Many thanks must go to Kali, as I think is quite obvious when you read the previous posts! This engine wouldn't wouldn't be the same without all your work to make it run more realistically.

I've also begun work on a few more repaints: BN, BN passenger (the one with the white stripe on the sides), Milwaukee Road, GN simplified, GN Big Sky Blue.

Also: if anybody has more repaints of the F7 that you would like to update to TS2012 specs and use our modified scripts and simulation blueprints for, please feel free to do so as soon as they have arrived in the file library, or I'd also be happy to update your repaints for you. Just drop me a line.

Thanks!
Michael

[TDHenderson]

Michael,

If you have the time and desire, how about a repaint of this beauty?

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=363252

Regards,
Trevor

[GreatNortherner]

Hi,

More, many more F units are coming up! Cesar Pach of DigitalTrainModel.com just gave me permission to package a TS2012 update for his Rail Simulator F7 and my eleven repaints of it. These are wonderful models, built in great detail and accuracy, and TS2012 makes them look even better.

Thank you, Cesar! Coming up soon, featuring the updates that were also put onto the default repaints:
Baltimore and Ohio! (BandO, SansGrey, Sunburst, Blue)
Burlington Northern!
Great Northern! (Empire Builder, Simplified, Big Sky Blue)
Northern Pacific! (Pine Tree and Simplified Freight Scheme)
Spokane, Portland & Seattle! (late paint scheme)





Cheers!
Michael

[Griphos]

Woot!!

[Samwolf]

Great! I was hoping that Cesar would allow you to update his F7's.

[buzz456]

I might be doing something wrong but it seems to me when trying to run in yard doing switching duty that it's near impossible to move around at more than two or three miles per hour because you can't get any braking action for so long. Watching operations like this for forty years or so I know these guys have some fairly effective braking because they don't crawl around that slow until they get fairly close to coupling and seem to be able to slow in that last twenty feet or so with little effort. I have pretty much developed it with the old braking but this new settings don't seem to allow this. Am I missing something?

Buzz

[Chacal]

Same here. The F7 is pretty much unuseable for me now.
The application rate seems way too slow. If this is true to prototype, I can't believe there weren't several crashes and derails every week.
Unless there's something I don't understand, it is almost impossible to brake in any application less than emergency.
And then you have to wait an eternity for recharging, but I expect that and it seems like prototype.

I tried one of the R&WA scenarios on the MC&SA route, where you have to stop the F7 on the bridge for a photo op.
I came to a full stop a few feet short, then released the brakes and let the train roll forward on the 3% downgrade.
On the bridge, at 6 mph I applied the last notch before emergency, and the train didn't even slow down.

I'll just revert back to default for now, or maybe edit the application rate.
Thanks for trying, but all things considered, if I install a repaint I expect just a repaint. Not new physics.
Is it possible to make that two separate updates?

[Griphos]

I'd like just a repaint version without altered physics if that is possible.

[GreatNortherner]

Hi,

Thanks for the heads-up! As stated in the readmes, this is very much a work in progress effort -- but "no brakes at all" clearly wasn't what we were aiming for. At the moment I can't say for sure what may be wrong here, but what I can say is that I will upload the DTM repaints with two optional physics kits for default or modified braking. I'll also go through the files again, maybe there's a typo or decimal shift somewhere, and I'll run some more ORTS/MSTS comparisons with similar train weight / speed / grade situations.

Something appears to be a bit off with the loco brakes too, though I have yet to figure out what exactly.

However, on a more general note about the new brakes. Their much slower application means that you will need to plan ahead much more. The final braking power isn't that much lower than on the default engines. It just takes a LOT longer to get there. The cars all have their own brake for settings anyway. Also please keep in mind that almost all of the default rolling stock (except the flatcars and open and covered hoppers) are always fully loaded (10 tank cars = just a bit under 1,000 tons!).

Also make sure that you operate the brake handle correctly, the F7 repaints all come with non self lapping brakes. In the sim these work pretty much like the ones on a US steam engine. A brake application will only happen when you move the lever to the APPLY position. The higher the apply %, the faster the brakes will apply. The brake force will steadily increase as long as the lever is in any apply position until the pipe will be all empty. To maintain a brake force and stop the pipe pressue falling you must lap the brakes -- move the lever back to the LAP position.

Cheers,
Michael

[GreatNortherner]

OK,

Just ran a quick first test, couldn't resist.

The scenario: 2x F7 with brake mods -- 13 default coal hoppers (loaded) -- level track -- 30 mph speed -- fully charged reservoirs

At 80% apply it takes 30s to reach a brake cylinder pressure of 25 psi
With 25 psi lapped it then takes another 3 minutes for the train to come to a full stop.

At 80% apply it takes 60s to reach a brake cylinder pressure of 50 psi
With 50 psi lapped it then takes another 1 minute for the train to come to a full stop.

I'll run more tests soon to get more numbers.

Cheers,
Michael

[buzz456]

It's not stopping the thing while running down the tracks, it's the handling in the yards that is the big problem.
Buzz

[Chacal]

Isthat prototypical? I have no idea.

[Kali]

Tried using the straight air in the yard? I generally use that for shunting/switching. Those should reach full pressure inside a couple of seconds at worst.

Question for actual drivers; do you even use the train brake switching? I'd imagine it would take forever to keep charging brakes if you did, and I don't see that watching switching vids.

[Chacal]

My train was quite light - 4 coaches, an empty flatcar an a caboose.
Nowhere near a full coal train.
But thanks guys, I'll go practice again with the 24RL.
It it's close to prototype, then I'll just have to get used to it.