Somerset & Dorset. Problems with Activties

[eholly]

Hi Cody

I've just run it through again - checking several times using Saved Positions, just how much 3205 needs in terms of cut off and regulator - to move smoothly away from recoupling in the platform. On each occasion, with brakes fully off registering 25 inches hg on the gauge, she moved smoothly away from a standing start at 15% c/o with 10% regulator - without sand.

I don't know whether any of Ged's suggestions apply, but I can't find any reason why this happened to you!

Sorry mate, I remain baffled!

Eric

[michaelhendle]

On some Western Region/ GWR steam loco's you have to press the J key to get the small injector to work, that will then release the brakes as soon as you start moving press it again, other wise you will have difficulty stopping.

[CWill]

On some Western Region/ GWR steam loco's you have to press the J key to get the small injector to work, that will then release the brakes as soon as you start moving press it again, other wise you will have difficulty stopping.

The Collet used doesn't have "proper GWR brakes," so the ejector doesn't effect brake release really.

But anyway, The ejector was opened, all handbrakes were off, all other brakes were released, and I'm stumped.

For the technical folks I am using MSTSBin 1.7.1022 and TSection build 41.

I am running a DVD version of the route, but as a normal MSTS route, and not as a miniroute. Don't ask why.

[slipperman12]

Hi Cody,
Sorry about the brake info; I'd forgotten that loco didn't use the small injector for the brakes!
Have just gone back to when I ran this activity - June 2011 - and started from a save, taken as the Glastonbury wagons had just been coupled. Went back to collect the milk tankers and brake van, and resumed the journey with no problem! in fact, the loco started when the regulator was at 4% (reverser at 75%). As a matter of habit, I had applied the handbrake on the first milk tanker before uncoupling them, so had to release it before starting again; this is why I included it as one of my suggestions.

My S & D is on the Mini-Route setup, as supplied, with MSTSBin 1.7.0929 and tsection.dat v38

Cheers,
Ged

[eholly]

Hi Cody

I reckon the answer lies in your reply above. You are running this activity under Tsection 41, when it was designed to run under Tsection 38 - as I said in my earlier post.

Why not try running it under Tsection 38? You've nothing to lose. Ged and myself have both run it again under the conditions it was designed for - and both of us find no problems!

Give it a go and let us know the result.

Eric

[slipperman12]

Hi Eric & Cody,
I don't know how the tsection.dat file can have an effect on the running of a loco, but it's worth a try!
The file which MIGHT have an effect is the MSTSBin, but the version issued with the S&D route (1.7.0929) is later than the normal 'stable' 1.7 version; it can be downloaded via the MSTS Quick Picks button.

Cheers,
Ged

[CWill]

Hi Cody

I reckon the answer lies in your reply above. You are running this activity under Tsection 41, when it was designed to run under Tsection 38 - as I said in my earlier post.

Why not try running it under Tsection 38? You've nothing to lose. Ged and myself have both run it again under the conditions it was designed for - and both of us find no problems!

Give it a go and let us know the result.

Eric

Okay folks, I tried Tsection38 and the same thing happened. But I noticed it's something to do with the middle wagon (an exLMS12T van from pack4). It seems to not be releasing the brakes in the act, because I tested it in a dummy consist and it worked fine. I'm going to restart the act soon and see if the problem persists.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[eholly]

Hi Cody

Good man for trying the alternative Tsection - sorry it didn't work out for you. As to your worry about the brakes on the ex-LMS 12T Van, I've just run through it again and the brakes are most certainly off throughout the train after the pick-up and recouple.

Because it is working fine for me, I feel I cannot contribute any more ideas - apart from asking, do you really believe that sticking brakes on this one van could overcome the tractive effort that the Collett is exerting? I reckon the van would be dragged along the rail screaming!

Onto another matter. Cody, we are really looking forward to your 9F Activity being uploaded. How is it going, it seems weeks ago that you mentioned it on these Forums. You said, "It runs from Westerleigh all the way to Brum and it's in no wise easy to get all the Reverse Points right in one take! Have you resolved the problem?

Cheers Cody, keep up your fabulous work on Activities, which we all love running.

Eric

[slipperman12]

Hi Eric & Cody,

do you really believe that sticking brakes on this one van could overcome the tractive effort that the Collett is exerting?

The answer is a definate NO! I've just tried it, and although I had to up the regulator to 45%, had no trouble moving the three wagons. In fact, I put the hand brakes on of all three wagons, and the Collett didn't flinch
So, it's still a puzzle why you, Cody, have trouble moving the train

Cheers.
Ged

[ianmacmillan]

Check that none of the wagons are handbrake only or airbraked.
Or that there is not an extra close bracket ) closing the .wag file before it reaches the brake section and causing the wagon to default to airbraked.

When you uncouple a fitted wagon with the train brake applied, and later re-couple the wagons ahead of it must have a continuous brake supply from the loco to release the brake.

Before you uncouple a wagon you should always release the brake from the loco and apply the handbrake.

[slipperman12]

Hi Ian,
Thanks for your comments - very enlightening
However, all the wagons in the activity are fitted and Eric and I have had no problems. The activity and stock are as supplied with the S&D CD.
It could be that Cody has amended the wag file of the wagon/s in question and fallen foul of the rogue bracket syndrone

Cheers,
Ged

[CWill]

Hi Ian,
Thanks for your comments - very enlightening
However, all the wagons in the activity are fitted and Eric and I have had no problems. The activity and stock are as supplied with the S&D CD.
It could be that Cody has amended the wag file of the wagon/s in question and fallen foul of the rogue bracket syndrone

Cheers,
Ged

I have tried it with the .wag file as it came by default on the DVD. I made a backup and edited the brake statement to match a fellow exLMS 12T van from pack1, and got the same result. It may just be an activity bug that seems to crop up (for me) from time to time (first time in long time though in may case!). So for now just ease yourselves until I give an update of my progress.

In regards to the 9F act, I am having problems getting a Black 5 to overtake the train at Cheltenham Goods. My tester (Pilots) says he gets an "ignored red light" when he tries to trip the RP. I moved the RPs back from the signal in case it was just a TS41 thing, but it didn't help. Perhaps I placed the RP too close together messing up the "trip" action. (??)

Any comments to this effect may go on the "Problems with Bristol - Birmingham Activities" or my now-popular and lengthy "Need Suggestions for BTB" topic, to keep this one with the S&D.

[eholly]

Hi Cody

I've just run Martin Popes new activity "UKTS_27601_Class_2251_Mixed_Roster" and came across a similar problem to the one you described! I always pin down at least one wagon brake, usually the Brakevan, when leaving a train standing on the main line while I shunt wagons in the yard.

In this activity, Martin has devised various shunts around a coal train moving slowly up the Cambrian Coast from Barmouth. At Harlech, I pinned down two wagon brakes as I shunted four coal wagons. At the next stop, Penrhyndeudraeth, I did the same. Upon recoupling and moving off, I found the Class 2251 incapable of climbing the bank toward Porthmadoc - even on full cut-off and regulator with sand!!

So I re-ran the whole thing from scratch without pinning down and the Collett coped admirably with all loads on all gradients.

I fear that the wagon brakes did not come off fully - I don't understand why and they showed themselves as off?

Perhaps this helps you.

Eric

[CWill]

Hi Eric,

That's the same problem I encountered. I just wish I knew what caused it! I wonder if it's only with those Collets...

Anyway, still plowing through that 9F act.