The Cardinal-Reskins and Scenario

[Marleyman]

Here is a video of how it all looks so far; http://youtu.be/8Oamr_FSPoU

[PapaXpress]

The C&O, since I you didn't show me what the NP looked like in RL.

BTW, did you know about this?
http://railworksamerica.com/FileLibrary ... Pass_Train

[Marleyman]

Ah ok, here is the NP Then;

N P Lounge.JPG

and no I did't set the other passenger set there. Wonder if the slipping paint was resolved in that re-skin. I will take a look.

And it is from this blog post that I have taken the inspiration to add the two Private Cars to The Cardinal.

http://railfunny.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05 ... mtrak.html

[Marleyman]

Running The Train from Philadelphia to New York.

Just mapping the route now, and if I let the controller do it, it will not be correct and I have my 'drive on the left, UK head on' so I need advice. The Train will be stopping at Philadelphia-Trenton-Newark-NYC Penn. So should I be adding way points to keep the train on the Right Hand Side of the Track in general and in the left hand side (inside track) of the track if it is double track running? Thus leaving that outer track for my AEM-7's and Freight.

At the moment the dispatcher has it on the Left Side of the Track on a four track running but on the right track (inside track), although he does change his mind at times because of the Platforms I have chosen for the stops.

Thanks.

[Merlin75]

When I set up the Pennsylvanian based on the real timetable I kept to the inner track and kept the outer tracks for freight and local stopper services. The Pennsylvanian was New York - Newark - Trenton - Philadelphia. I found that the dispatcher will sometimes make you run alittle way on the outer tracks just afher a station despite being points to let you back onto inner track but unless you place down a marker there seems to be little you can do about this it's just one of those RW things.

[Marleyman]

Merlin75; yes, I see that in this scenario, which is also using the actual timetable for The Cardinal. I plan on two scenarios for The Cardinal, one going each way, that gives me a Day and a Night scenario which I think will be nice. Then I hope to use the GP9 in a scenario of its own, perhaps The Cardinal can put in an appearance just in passing on that one.

I will add way points for inner track running but still not sure if it is Left or Right side on four track running. I suspect it is right side.

[Merlin75]

They run on the right hand side from the videos i've seen. so from the left of the four lines it'll be line three.

[Marleyman]

Rolling Stock;
Looking for helpful information on the stock I plan to use in the scenarios.

Here is my list;
The NEC Route of course
RSC GP9 add on
RSC Amtrak Acela Express Add-On
RSC BNSF Dash 9 Pack
G-Trax Genesis GE P42DC
G-TraX Lightweight Passenger Car (for the two Private Coaches)
and perhps
SD70 Volume 2 Add-On for the High Nose Norfolk Southern if it would be on this line moving freight
RSC SW1500 Switcher Add-On for variety and again if it would be seen here.

Suggestions, additions changes welcome.

edit; Added the Acela... Can't see the daytime scenario looking good without it.

Thanks.

[Merlin75]

Looking at wiki it is Conrail that run this section of the NEC as a joint switching company for both NS and CSX. I have seen videos showing NS and CSX stock running over the lines so it seems you have a choice of three companys that you could use.

[Marleyman]

The building of the Scenario requires quite a bit of micro-management for the Player train and some of the AI Trains as the Dispatcher likes to thread trains on some odd routes. I have included a screen shot here of the train route and principal timings I want, as per the Actual Amtrak Timetable for The Cardinal.

This is my Planner in Office;

tt.JPG

This is the TS2012 Timetable View. Notice I have grouped all the Way-points together, that makes it easier to move up and down the timetable when adding things like pop up notes.

tt ts.JPG

Now I need to run the Schedule and note the times that I pass the way-points. Then I can plan the AI trains in-between the portals, marked in Blue on my planner. That way I can get AI train off the scenario quickly and also keep their movement to a minimum for the AI to track. Hopefully keeping framerates down.

I am concerned about that 23 min time from Newark to NYC, seems a long time for what looks a short distance...

[MattW]

I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but the Cardinal will typically use an AEM-7 north of Washington and almost always use an AEM-7 into New York Penn Station. While diesels, or dual mode engines with their diesels running aren't outright banned in the tunnels to Penn Station, they are avoided whenever possible because there are ventilation issues in the tunnels and station.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Yes, past Secaucus it is down to 60 going into the Hudson Tunnel. Engineers let their trains probably coast all the way down, not exceeding 60, and let the gathered momentum pull the train up the exit ramp and out of the tunnel

Penn Station's track work is intricate and complex. If RSC have gotten it right with their NEC, that is. 15 Mph out of the tunnel then probably down to a walking pace entering the underground area before creeping to a stop along the platform

It still isn't possible to add the AEM7 in front of the P42 by having it waiting at your designated motive power change stop, gently couple up to it and then jump into the Toaster's cab to continue the trip?

[Marleyman]

I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but the Cardinal will typically use an AEM-7 north of Washington and almost always use an AEM-7 into New York Penn Station. While diesels, or dual mode engines with their diesels running aren't outright banned in the tunnels to Penn Station, they are avoided whenever possible because there are ventilation issues in the tunnels and station.

Thanks for that, I never knew that. Perhaps I will complete the scenario build with the Genesis and then clone it, swap it out with an AEM-7 pair and let the player decide which they want to drive. :)

[Marleyman]

It still isn't possible to add the AEM7 in front of the P42 by having it waiting at your designated motive power change stop, gently couple up to it and then jump into the Toaster's cab to continue the trip?

If there is a siding I could have the AEM-7 sat in then it can be done but would it be done in the real world? I have a double header on this Train and that would make it a triple head monster :)

[Jchillin]

I haven't seen a Genesis on the NE Corridor in quite some time, let alone at NY Penn Station. Having one coupled to an AEM-7 wouldn't be prototypical.

So far as freight, CSX is the major player in the NY/NJ area, in particular in Port Newark.