Metro-North Railroad Kawasaki M8 EMU Modification Packs Released

[FanRailer]

This has to be the quickest turn-around I've had for any mod I've done. When these do come online at the file library, remember to create backup files in case something goes sour in the future. Enjoy =) Sound mod video first, followed by Physics mod video:

This is the Metro-North Kawasaki M8 Leslie RS2M & Door Sound Upgrade Pack.

In order to utilize this freeware sound upgrade, you must have purchased the Metro-North Kawasaki M8 EMU Add-On available at Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/258647/

This is a freeware pack; in no way is it to be used for commercial purposes. You are free, however to further modify /use the sounds found in this pack for personal use if you so choose.

THIS IS NOT A PHYSICS UPGRADE PACK. The M8 Physics pack will be released separately from this pack.

The purpose of this pack is to replace the default Javelin horn and door sounds with authentic Metro-North Leslie RS2M air horn and door sounds.


IMPORTANT; Install Instructions; REMEMBER TO ALWAYS CREATE BACKUP FILES TO REVERT TO INCASE THE INSTALLATION DOES NOT WORK AS PLANNED!

1. Open the "M8Pack01Assets.ap" pack file with .7z
2. Proceed to open folders until the .7z directory reads "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\RailWorks\Assets\RSC\M8Pack01\M8Pack01Assets.ap\Audio\RailVehicles\Electric\M8\Exterior\".
3. Then open the "Railworks_MNR_Kawasaki_M8_Leslie_RS2M_&_Door_Sound_Mod.rar" file.
4. Highlight allfiles in the .rar file and drag them into the .ap file directory.
5. Click "OK" when it asks you to Confirm File Copy.
6. The installation should be complete. Run TS2014 to confirm.

Thank you for downloading and installing.
Enjoy =)



This is the Metro-North Kawasaki M8 Physics Upgrade Pack.

In order to utilize this freeware physics upgrade, you must have purchased the Metro-North Kawasaki M8 EMU Add-On available at Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/258647/

This is a freeware pack; in no way is it to be used for commercial purposes. You are free, however to further modify the physics enhancements found in this pack for personal use if you so choose.

THIS IS NOT A SOUND UPGRADE PACK. The Leslie RS2M + door sound pack will be released separately from this pack.

The purpose of this pack is to improve accuracy of the tractive and braking effort curves, reflect the TE limit of 15,000 lbf in the on-screen TE monitor, and tweak car weights slightly.

Parameter Change Log:
1. Modified Tractive Effort and Dynamic Brake curves based on 800 kW power rating per car and 15,000 lbf (66.7233 kN) starting effort; TE and Braking Curves Identical
2. Maximum sustainable speed limited to 100 mph via changes to TE curve file.
3. Ampere parameters adjusted so that cab TE monitor display is limited to 15,000 lbf for TE and braking effort.
4. Weights modified to match those in manual; A car = 65.7 metric tons, B car = 65.2 metric tons


IMPORTANT; Install Instructions; REMEMBER TO ALWAYS CREATE BACKUP FILES TO REVERT TO INCASE THE INSTALLATION DOES NOT WORK AS PLANNED!

1. Open the "M8Pack01Assets.ap" pack file with .7z
2. Proceed to open folders until the .7z directory reads "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\RailWorks\Assets\RSC\M8Pack01\M8Pack01Assets.ap\RailVehicles\Electric\M8MTA\".
3. Then open the "Railworks_MNR_Kawasaki_M8_Physics_Mod.rar" file.
4. Highlight both folders in the .rar file and drag them into the .ap file directory.
5. Click "OK" when it asks you to Confirm File Copy.
6. The installation should be complete. Run TS2014 to confirm.

Thank you for downloading and installing.
Enjoy =)

[Bermúdez]

Hello FanRailer.
Your installation procedure seems to be wrong.
The modifications should never be introduced into the *.ap file. You have to place them in the same directory as the *.ap file on a equivalent tree structure of folders. The simulator has always priority in read the files which are located outside the *.ap file.
Consequently, it is not necessary to perform any backup. To return to the original state just delete the folders and files that are outside the *.ap file.

Anyway, thanks for your fixes and modifications.

PS: The sound of opening / closing doors I think it has an excessively high volume.

[FanRailer]

Hello FanRailer.
Your installation procedure seems to be wrong.
The modifications should never be introduced into the *.ap file. You have to place them in the same directory as the *.ap file on a equivalent tree structure of folders. The simulator has always priority in read the files which are located outside the *.ap file.
Consequently, it is not necessary to perform any backup. To return to the original state just delete the folders and files that are outside the *.ap file.

Anyway, thanks for your fixes and modifications.

PS: The sound of opening / closing doors I think it has an excessively high volume.

Interesting. I'll have to test this out myself, as I do remember modifying items before and when going to beta test, realize I forgot to place the files in the AP pack and had to exit the sim to correct that issue. Either way, the install procedure I provide is not necessarily wrong; only more lengthy than necessary.

The door sounds were already turned down, but it seems that that was still not enough lol.

[FanRailer]

Online at the library:

http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/d ... ccessories

http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/d ... =25:sounds

[FanRailer]

This is the Metro-North Kawasaki M8 Physics Upgrade Pack, 2015 Edition.
In order to utilize this freeware physics upgrade, you must have purchased the Metro-North Kawasaki M8 EMU Add-On available at Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/258647/
This is a freeware pack; in no way is it to be used for commercial purposes. You are free, however to further modify the physics enhancements found in this pack for personal use if you so choose.
THIS IS NOT A SOUND UPGRADE PACK. The Leslie RS2M + door sound pack will be released separately from this pack.
The purpose of this pack is to improve accuracy of the tractive and braking effort curves, reflect the TE limit of 15,000 lbf in the on-screen TE monitor, and tweak car weights slightly.
Parameter Change Log:
1. Modified Tractive Effort and Dynamic Brake curves based on 800 kW power rating per car and 15,000 lbf (66.7233 kN) starting effort and 22,500 lfb (100.85 kN) braking effort.
2. Maximum sustainable speed limited to 100 mph via changes to TE curve file.
3. Ampere parameters adjusted so that cab TE monitor display is limited to 15,000 lbf for TE and 22,500 lbf braking effort.
4. Weights modified to match those in manual; A car = 65.7 metric tons, B car = 65.2 metric tons
5. Updated brake pressure specs to prevent stuck brakes after extended operation; also enable actuation of dynamic brakes @ 35% of brake handle position instead of 50%.

IMPORTANT; Install Instructions
1. Proceed to open folders until your directory reads "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\RailWorks\Assets\RSC\M8Pack01\".
3. Then open the "Railworks_MNR_Kawasaki_M8_Physics_Mod.rar" file.
4. Highlight all folders in the .rar file and drag them into the file directory from step 1.
5. Click "OK" when if asks you to Confirm File Copy.
6. The installation should be complete. Run TS2015 to confirm.
Thank you for downloading and installing.
Enjoy =)

Download link: http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/d ... ccessories

I should be updating the RS2M horn pack soon.

[FHRob]

First, thanks for your fixes and modifications.

Does the latest physics modification include a fix for the throttle position? It's still very hard to "zero" the throttle.

If you know where I can find a fix for this - or you can post the fix - would be appreciated.

I look forward to your sound modification.

Rob

[FanRailer]

First, thanks for your fixes and modifications.

Does the latest physics modification include a fix for the throttle position? It's still very hard to "zero" the throttle.

If you know where I can find a fix for this - or you can post the fix - would be appreciated.

I look forward to your sound modification.

Rob

I do not know of any mod for the throttle position to make it snap to 0, but I know it is possible; it's just not in my realm of coding expertise yet.

[crocs4022]

Just wanted to drop a line to you FanRailer and say thank you for all the mods that you have come out with to enhance the experience of the game! They definitely make it more enjoyable! Also looking forward to the horn upgrade as well. Couple thoughts/questions I had that I wanted to pass along. Do you plan on transferring the RS2M sounds to the Shoreliner cab car at all? That would be the correct horn for it. Wasn't sure how difficult that would be.

Also, one thing that's been nagging at me since the release of the P32 is that the sounds are based on the P42 units. Having had many, many opportunities to ride in the cab of Metro North's P32 before my engineer friend retired years back, the sounds themselves are fantastic, but the P32 uses an inverter for the HEP supply which means that with the HEP on, the idle sits around 620 rpm compared to the "speed locked" 900 rpm of the P40/42's. I found this on Wikipedia which explains it better (and was confirmed by another MN engineer I know):

All Genesis engines can provide head-end power (HEP) to the train drawn from an alternator or inverter powered by the main engine at a maximum rating of 800 kilowatts (1,100 hp), making each unit capable of providing HEP for up to 16 Superliner cars. The P40DC and P42DC power plants can supply 60-hertz head-end power either from the HEP alternator with the engine speed-locked to 900 rpm (normal mode) or from the traction alternator with the engine speed-locked to 720 rpm (standby mode). In the latter case, traction power is unavailable. The P32AC-DM powerplant does not have to be locked at a certain rpm because it utilizes an HEP inverter, which allows the prime mover to run at 1047 rpm when providing both traction power and HEP, and to idle at 620 rpm (or notch three) while still providing HEP for lighting and air-conditioning when not providing traction power.

I guess i'm curious as to if there is a way to modify the P32 to perform like this? If not, it's not a big issue. Just wanted to throw it out there and see what became of it. I honestly wish that all the sound recordings that I did weren't all on low quality micro-cassettes. Digital was way to expensive back then. Sorry for the thread hijack Didn't want to start a whole new thread.

[FanRailer]

Just wanted to drop a line to you FanRailer and say thank you for all the mods that you have come out with to enhance the experience of the game! They definitely make it more enjoyable! Also looking forward to the horn upgrade as well. Couple thoughts/questions I had that I wanted to pass along. Do you plan on transferring the RS2M sounds to the Shoreliner cab car at all? That would be the correct horn for it. Wasn't sure how difficult that would be.

Also, one thing that's been nagging at me since the release of the P32 is that the sounds are based on the P42 units. Having had many, many opportunities to ride in the cab of Metro North's P32 before my engineer friend retired years back, the sounds themselves are fantastic, but the P32 uses an inverter for the HEP supply which means that with the HEP on, the idle sits around 620 rpm compared to the "speed locked" 900 rpm of the P40/42's. I found this on Wikipedia which explains it better (and was confirmed by another MN engineer I know):

All Genesis engines can provide head-end power (HEP) to the train drawn from an alternator or inverter powered by the main engine at a maximum rating of 800 kilowatts (1,100 hp), making each unit capable of providing HEP for up to 16 Superliner cars. The P40DC and P42DC power plants can supply 60-hertz head-end power either from the HEP alternator with the engine speed-locked to 900 rpm (normal mode) or from the traction alternator with the engine speed-locked to 720 rpm (standby mode). In the latter case, traction power is unavailable. The P32AC-DM powerplant does not have to be locked at a certain rpm because it utilizes an HEP inverter, which allows the prime mover to run at 1047 rpm when providing both traction power and HEP, and to idle at 620 rpm (or notch three) while still providing HEP for lighting and air-conditioning when not providing traction power.

I guess i'm curious as to if there is a way to modify the P32 to perform like this? If not, it's not a big issue. Just wanted to throw it out there and see what became of it. I honestly wish that all the sound recordings that I did weren't all on low quality micro-cassettes. Digital was way to expensive back then. Sorry for the thread hijack Didn't want to start a whole new thread.

Thanks man =) I appreciate the encouragement. Modding for this game just keeps getting harder due to the frequency of bugs in the updated version of TS2015 (48.9a). I never know when a mod I do is going to "break" (render unusable) the rolling stock I'm modding. That aside, if you watch my Shoreliner videos on YouTube, you'll notice I've already replaced the horn on my version of the cab car. I just haven't released the sounds as part of a sound mod pack yet. But I hope to perfect the RS2M sounds soon, at which time, I'm going to release the Shoreliner horn pack along with the updated M8 horn pack.

About the P32AC-DM using P42DC sounds, yea, I know of that issue. The thing is this: the person who created the sounds that were sent to DTG for use in the P32AC-DM also created the sounds and coding necessary to run the FDL engine through its full RPM range (idle speed to 1047 rpm). However, I venture to guess that DTG picked the HEP P42DC soundset (where rpm is locked to 900) instead for whatever reason. So yes, it is possible to mod the P32AC-DM to have proper prime mover sounds, but I'm not the person in the position to be doing that.

[FanRailer]

I went back into the M8 Physics Mod Pack and adjusted the tractive effort curve down so that starting acceleration is accurate to the operating specs, which specify a rate of 2.0 mph/s from zero speed to 35 mph.
The pack in the library should be updated to reflect this latest improvement by the end of this weekend. Stay tuned =)

[FanRailer]

The Leslie RS2M Horn and Door Sound pack for the Metro-North Railroad Kawasaki M8 EMU has been updated as of 11/23/14. Keep reading for more information:

This is the Metro-North Kawasaki M8 Leslie RS2M & Door Sound Upgrade Pack, upgraded and updated to TS2015 standards.

In order to utilize this freeware sound upgrade, you must have purchased the Metro-North Kawasaki M8 EMU Add-On available at Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/258647/

This is a freeware pack; in no way is it to be used for commercial purposes. You are free, however to further modify /use the sounds found in this pack for personal use if you so choose.

THIS IS NOT A PHYSICS UPGRADE PACK. The M8 Physics pack will be released separately from this pack.

The purpose of this pack is to replace the default Javelin horn and door sounds with authentic Metro-North Leslie RS2M air horn and door sounds.


11/23/14 update log:
1. Tweaked exterior horn sound to get rid of overlap between the horn_start and horn_loop files.
2. Added interior horn sound.
3. Changed door sounds from stereo to mono in order to address volume issues.
4. Updated installation steps to new standard.


IMPORTANT; Install Instructions:
1. Open the following directory: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\RailWorks\Assets\RSC\M8Pack01"
2. Then open the "Railworks_MNCR_Kawasaki_M8_Leslie_RS2M_&_Door_Sound_Mod_Pack_Update.rar" file.
4. Drag the "Audio" file folder into the directory from step 1.
5. Overwrite if asked
6. The installation should be complete. Run TS2015 to confirm.

Thank you for downloading and installing.
Enjoy =)

The pack should be online in the file library soon. I will update with the new link when it's available. Stay tuned

[FanRailer]

In light of the new M8 patch that was released by DTG a few hours prior to this post, I have yet again updated the M8 physics mod pack to make compatible with the patch, which does update the simulation.out file that sort of fixes dynamic braking behavior in relation to the combined power/brake controller position. Still not sure when the fill will go live here at RWA, but if you don't want to wait, you should know where to go.

[FanRailer]

I have yet again updated the M8 physics mod pack to ensure compatibility with the patch that was released by DTG for the M8 on December 2, 2014. The patch address several issues, but fails to correct the physics values, horn, door, and traction sounds. One important issue that WAS addressed was the dynamic brake behavior in relation to the master controller position. Dynamics will now apply as soon as a minimum reduction application is made. This mod pack has been updated to accommodate that fix.

This is the Metro-North Kawasaki M8 Physics Upgrade Pack, 2015 Edition (12/2/14 M8 Patch Compatible).

In order to utilize this freeware physics upgrade, you must have purchased the Metro-North Kawasaki M8 EMU Add-On available at Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/258647/

This is a freeware pack; in no way is it to be used for commercial purposes. You are free, however to further modify the physics enhancements found in this pack for personal use if you so choose.

THIS IS NOT A SOUND UPGRADE PACK. The Leslie RS2M + door sound pack will be released separately from this pack.

The purpose of this pack is to improve accuracy of the tractive and braking effort curves, reflect the TE limit in the on-screen TE monitor, and tweak car weights slightly.

Parameter Change Log:
1. Modified Tractive Effort and Dynamic Brake curves based on 806 kW power rating per car and 11,582.7306 lbf (51.52255 kN) starting effort and 16,216.4234 lfb (72.134 kN) braking effort.
1a. Starting acceleration is now calibrated to the specified 2.0 mph/s from 0 mph to 35 mph.
1b. Maximum braking rate is now 3.0 mph/s attainable from ~25 mph to 0 mph.
2. Maximum sustainable speed limited to 100 mph via changes to TE curve file.
3. Ampere parameters adjusted so that cab TE monitor display accurate to the actual tractive effort being applied to the rail.
4. Weights modified to match those in manual; A car = 65.7 metric tons, B car = 65.22 metric tons
5. Updated brake pressure specs to be compatible with the M8 patch that was released on 12/2/14.

IMPORTANT; Install Instructions

1. Proceed to open folders until your directory reads "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\RailWorks\Assets\RSC\M8Pack01\".
3. Then open the "Railworks_MNR_Kawasaki_M8_Physics_Mod.rar" file.
4. Highlight all folders in the .rar file and drag them into the file directory from step 1.
5. Click "OK" when if asks you to Confirm File Copy.
6. The installation should be complete. Run TS2015 to confirm.

Thank you for downloading and installing.
Enjoy =)

Link to come soon.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

The most recent File Library page doesn't have a download button. Did you forget the file by accident?
http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/download-library/sounds-enhancements?view=document&id=1522:kawasaki-m8-leslie-rs2m-door-sound-upgrade&catid=25:sounds

[buzz456]

More likely it is something Bob omitted by accident.