Released Racetrack comments and issues

[ricksan]

LOTS of bugs with the air gauges...coupler slack setting...the cab car is powered for some reason...lack of dynamic brakes.

--Thanks for the opinions.

--Yeah,the real-world cab car remotely controls the F40PH, except for the brakes of course. However, in TS, which isn't the real world, the cab car is "powered" because that's the way you have to set it up to make it work.

--Metra F40PHs use blended braking, so there's no dynamic brake control -- neither in the real loco nor in the model. And no, TS doesn't support blended braking.

For those to whom it matters: Adjust as you see fit and please be sure to share the results of your expertise with us.

For everyone else: Enjoy!

[OldProf]

... the fact that the cab car is powered for some reason (go outside and look at the cab car when you take power; it will literally start dragging / pushing the train behind it)...

From the manual:

Be aware that the Bi-Level Cab Coach is blueprinted as an engine, whereas the Trailer Coach (see below) is blueprinted as
a wagon. Find these items, respectively, in the Engines & Tenders and the Rolling Stock dropdown menus of the scenario
editor.

'Nuf said?

[OldProf]

I've just been looking at the manual (Steam Window Shopping). Ordinarily, I'd avoid this route because on the surface it looks strictly passenger, but the package includes several switching scenarios and even a quick look at the very welcome track schematics indicates that there's a lot of freight running and switching potential here. As I often do, I'll probably wait for a sale, but this will go on my wish list.

Nice work!

[FanRailer]

LOTS of bugs with the air gauges...coupler slack setting...the cab car is powered for some reason...lack of dynamic brakes.

--Thanks for the opinions.

--Yeah,the real-world cab car remotely controls the F40PH, except for the brakes of course. However, in TS, which isn't the real world, the cab car is "powered" because that's the way you have to set it up to make it work.

--Metra F40PHs use blended braking, so there's no dynamic brake control -- neither in the real loco nor in the model. And no, TS doesn't support blended braking.

For those to whom it matters: Adjust as you see fit and please be sure to share the results of your expertise with us.

For everyone else: Enjoy!

The cab car actually doesn't need to be "powered" per se. Just look at all of the other cab cars that have been released so far (Surfliner, Metrolink, Coaster, etc.). You can still have the cab control the locomotive and be a trailer (not provide tractive effort to the consist). The key line of code here is to leave the trucks unpowered. I've already modded this on my copy and it works fine.

Also, there is totally a way to code in blended brake. The M8s have it, as do the P32AC-DM (although it is not perfect on either); the AEM-7 also has blend brake. You can either tie the dynamic brake directly to the automatic brake handle (AEM-7), or have the dynamic brake be tied to the reduction in the brake pipe pressure (M8, P32AC-DM). It's been done before, so it should be applicable here as well. However, I cannot mod this into the content since the "blending" is a function of the .out file, which is not common knowledge to us lay people lol. Someone else here may know what to do though.

[barnez]

Also, there is totally a way to code in blended brake. The M8s have it, as do the P32AC-DM (although it is not perfect on either); the AEM-7 also has blend brake. You can either tie the dynamic brake directly to the automatic brake handle (AEM-7), or have the dynamic brake be tied to the reduction in the brake pipe pressure (M8, P32AC-DM). It's been done before, so it should be applicable here as well. However, I cannot mod this into the content since the "blending" is a function of the .out file, which is not common knowledge to us lay people lol. Someone else here may know what to do though.

This is what Rick meant by blended braking not being supported: all of the units you list utilize a dynamic power handle. This is the only way (currently) that TS supports any type of blended braking; and is completely unprototypical to the modeled units. The F40PH & most equipment utilizing blended braking does so through software via the brake handle. The throttle is a tradtional 8-position style. TS implemented their dynamic handle such that the user has control separately over dynamic & standard braking. True blended braking applies the brakes only and uses software to increase/ decrease the level of dynamic braking based on a combination of speed/ braking position.

While it is probably possible to script this function into TS, our decision was to omit the dynamic lever as being inappropriate to the route. We felt that the braking performance of the passenger equipment as simulated is in-line with real world performance. Finally, it would have been quite an undertaking to rewrite TS's braking script, and there was no time allotted to attempt such a task.

-barnez

[sandpaper90]

The route is great. As someone who grew up along this route and know it by heart, your re-creation is really good. It stirs up memories for sure! Just did a quick drive and a career mission and its great. Money well spent! Now to spend some time in the editor making some 90's era BN scenarios

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Also, there is totally a way to code in blended brake. The M8s have it, as do the P32AC-DM (although it is not perfect on either); the AEM-7 also has blend brake. You can either tie the dynamic brake directly to the automatic brake handle (AEM-7), or have the dynamic brake be tied to the reduction in the brake pipe pressure (M8, P32AC-DM). It's been done before, so it should be applicable here as well. However, I cannot mod this into the content since the "blending" is a function of the .out file, which is not common knowledge to us lay people lol. Someone else here may know what to do though.

This is what Rick meant by blended braking not being supported: all of the units you list utilize a dynamic power handle. This is the only way (currently) that TS supports any type of blended braking; and is completely unprototypical to the modeled units. The F40PH & most equipment utilizing blended braking does so through software via the brake handle. The throttle is a tradtional 8-position style. TS implemented their dynamic handle such that the user has control separately over dynamic & standard braking. True blended braking applies the brakes only and uses software to increase/ decrease the level of dynamic braking based on a combination of speed/ braking position.

While it is probably possible to script this function into TS, our decision was to omit the dynamic lever as being inappropriate to the route. We felt that the braking performance of the passenger equipment as simulated is in-line with real world performance. Finally, it would have been quite an undertaking to rewrite TS's braking script, and there was no time allotted to attempt such a task.

-barnez

I have found the braking of passenger consists to be quite powerful.

Here is some technical information on the real cars:
http://www.nipponsharyousa.com/products/pages/zusametra-pc1994.htm
http://www.nipponsharyousa.com/products/pages/zusametra-pc2002.htm
and roster:
http://www.chicagorailfan.com/rosmetra.html

According to this info, the cars are 26C thread braked only, I was expecting some form of EP braking using a combination of disc,thread and magnetic track brakes as common in high performance passenger cars. However, it all seems very conventional.

Some discussion on the Trains forum:
http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/742/t/221215.aspx

Professional assessment of Metra service:
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/commuter-regional/metra-customer-focused-in-chicagoland.html

All in all, a very welcome addition to our route collections. Plus loads of useful urban assets to play with in other routes.

The few bugs and quirks hopefully get sorted in an update later.

[dr1980]

After my first few runs i am very happy with this route, great job guys!

[barnez]

I have found the braking of passenger consists to be quite powerful.

Here is some technical information on the real cars:
http://www.nipponsharyousa.com/products/pages/zusametra-pc1994.htm
http://www.nipponsharyousa.com/products/pages/zusametra-pc2002.htm
and roster:
http://www.chicagorailfan.com/rosmetra.html

According to this info, the cars are 26C thread braked only, I was expecting some form of EP braking using a combination of disc,thread and magnetic track brakes as common in high performance passenger cars. However, it all seems very conventional.

Some discussion on the Trains forum:
http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/742/t/221215.aspx

Professional assessment of Metra service:
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/commuter-regional/metra-customer-focused-in-chicagoland.html

All in all, a very welcome addition to our route collections. Plus loads of useful urban assets to play with in other routes.

The few bugs and quirks hopefully get sorted in an update later.

The braking is indeed quite powerful. Coaches go no more than 7 days between brake shoe changes and are often changed more frequently.



-barnez

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

I have found the braking of passenger consists to be quite powerful.

Here is some technical information on the real cars:
http://www.nipponsharyousa.com/products/pages/zusametra-pc1994.htm
http://www.nipponsharyousa.com/products/pages/zusametra-pc2002.htm
and roster:
http://www.chicagorailfan.com/rosmetra.html

According to this info, the cars are 26C thread braked only, I was expecting some form of EP braking using a combination of disc,thread and magnetic track brakes as common in high performance passenger cars. However, it all seems very conventional.

Some discussion on the Trains forum:
http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/742/t/221215.aspx

Professional assessment of Metra service:
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/commuter-regional/metra-customer-focused-in-chicagoland.html

All in all, a very welcome addition to our route collections. Plus loads of useful urban assets to play with in other routes.

The few bugs and quirks hopefully get sorted in an update later.

The braking is indeed quite powerful. Coaches go no more than 7 days between brake shoe changes and are often changed more frequently.



-barnez

Powerful, frequently used thread brakes generate lots of iron particle dust. This, in wet weather, stains both rolling stock and its surroundings.
Oxalic acid is needed to rinse and clean the cars. Any motor vehicle parked near the tracks acquires a nasty brown stain in just a few rainy days. Come winter, when the washing racks are shut down, do the Metra trains get real dirty? Our trains overhere do, to the point you cannot look out from the Windows anymore. Despite them being disc braked.

[OpenRailer90]

It's possible the errors were related to the steam subs and the unknown steam apps here: https://steamdb.info/app/258648/subs/

ricksan: I think blended braking exists in most EMU trains. Your post about that braking is irrelevant.

[barnez]

ricksan: I think blended braking exists in most EMU trains. Your post about that braking is irrelevant.

The M8, Aem7 & every other item that in real life has blended-braking to my knowledge is simulated in TS with a combined power throttle.

As I said above - this is completely unprototypical for Metra's operations and setup.

The errors during initial distribution yesterday were completely as a result of an error from Steam and have been since corrected.

-barnez

[mjlevy1118]

The route is a joy to run. I've been having the time of my life simulating Metra's operations. I'll post some screenshots later. So far the bugs I've encountered are the AI Metra trains facing the wrong way in the westbound Quick Drive scenario, and the rolling stock's jumpy physics, but those are both negligible and easily fixable on my end. I think this route sets a great standard for North American passenger rail.

[barnez]

The route is a joy to run. I've been having the time of my life simulating Metra's operations. I'll post some screenshots later.

Thanks! Good to hear! Glad you are enjoying it!

So far the bugs I've encountered are the AI Metra trains facing the wrong way in the westbound Quick Drive scenario, and the rolling stock's jumpy physics, but those are both negligible and easily fixable on my end. I think this route sets a great standard for North American passenger rail.

that shouldn't be! What destination do you have set & approx where is the offending AI? He obviously needs some remedial training!

(There are actually 4 QD scenarios, 2 each WB/ EB)



-barnez

[FanRailer]

ricksan: I think blended braking exists in most EMU trains. Your post about that braking is irrelevant.

The M8, Aem7 & every other item that in real life has blended-braking to my knowledge is simulated in TS with a combined power throttle.

As I said above - this is completely unprototypical for Metra's operations and setup.

The errors during initial distribution yesterday were completely as a result of an error from Steam and have been since corrected.

-barnez

None of the units I mentioned in TS (aside from the M8) have a combined power throttle handle. On the AEM-7, dynamic brake is tied directly to the automatic brake handle via a 1/2 ratio; so if the auto-brake handle is at 60%, 30% dynamic brake is commanded. On the P32AC-DM, where the throttle does not have dynamic brake positions, dynamic brake is actuated based on the amount of air reduction in the brake pipe; the higher the reduction in brake pipe pressure, the stronger the dynamic brake. Once again, all braking (dynamic & air) on the units I specifically mentioned are controlled by the automatic brake handle only; there is no separate dynamic brake handle.

On the M8, there is a combined throttle/brake joystick, but in the braking position, the joystick commands both air and dynamic, with the level of dynamic being controlled by the reduction in the brake pipe pressure.

But I do understand your choice of not scripting it in in such a way. I am more concerned about the brake gauges being all wonky as mentioned before this post and in the post immediately after this one lol. In addition, since this is passenger equipment, I'm under the impression that the brake pipe normal pressure should be 110 psi and not 90 psi. I know JohnS has the expertise to fix it though.