Long hood forward and dual control stands

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

I have the high nose SD40-2 and several Geeps with high short hoods.

How do I alter them to run long hood forwards, i.e. change default orientation, default cab view, driver position, etc.

Also, which engines had dual control stands in prototype? I assume they were mostly used in local/suburban passenger service with stub end terminals like Hoboken opposite NYC.

[buzz456]

I believe that Brit Kit GN pack has the jeep configured to run long hood forward. Somebody did a N&W or NS SD40 if memory serves also. If you can't find these let me know and I'll do a little more research. I know they are on my computer somewhere.
Buzz

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Thanks, Buzz.

I am looking for specific information on how to make the high hood units I have run long hood forwards.
Please point me to those files, perhaps I can learn from them.

There is no orientation/default direction variable in the engine blueprint, is there?

[steve_the_slim]

The NS SD40 and its N&W and SOU repaints are (incorrectly) configured to run short hood forward. Since that's a payware RSC model I'm not sure if it's possible to change that. However, there's a GP38 that's configured to run long hood forward that you can find here: http://s1.zetaboards.com/DigiRails_Foru ... 303/1/#new (you have to register on the site to be able to actually access the thread, unfortunately).

[Chacal]

I am looking for specific information on how to make the high hood units I have run long hood forwards.
Please point me to those files, perhaps I can learn from them.

There is no orientation/default direction variable in the engine blueprint, is there?

This is not set in blueprints.

This is normally set when you do the model in the 3D design application. In the screenshot below, my engine is aligned with the Y axis, and the nose has a higher Y value than the tail, so the nose is pointing forwards. Also, moving the control stand to the other side of the cab requires that you edit the shape file for the cab.

You don't have the source files for DLC engines, so you would need to manually edit the .geopcdx file (the shape file), changing both the model and the collision box. No idea how to do that.

blender_01.jpg

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Thanks, Chacal, I figured this out myself in the meantime. I re-seated the engineer on the NS hi-hood SD40-2, so at least it looks like a long hood forwards unit.
Wonder if that unit will ever get updated to TS12 standards.

So it is up to the original designer to get us a dual control passenger Geep. I suppose these were not very common.

[Chacal]

They were not.
Here in Canada, CN used to order its locos (old Geeps and Alcos) long hood forward, but not with dual control stands.

I have no idea if dual controls are possible in RW.

[Csxgp38-2]

They were not.
Here in Canada, CN used to order its locos (old Geeps and Alcos) long hood forward, but not with dual control stands.

I have no idea if dual controls are possible in RW.

The new Class 70 has controls on left and right sides of the cab, so controls on the front and back are surely possible.

[steve_the_slim]

I'd assume if it were to be done it would be set up like a dual-cab locomotive. You'd switch between the control stands the same way you'd switch between cabs in, say, the Class 37.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Yes, Steve, that should be the way to do it. Assuming the dual control stands are symmetrical, it won't even be that difficult.

Many European Diesel road switchers and most electric cab units have a small secondary control stand at the other side of their cabs near a window that can be opened. This is to allow one man crew switching which involves backwards running. With the current intermittent dead man's pedals or handles, the engineer can walk from side to side, look out from a window, etc, while never out of reach of throttle, brakes or horn.