Player in a multi-loco consist

slipperman12 · Post by **slipperman12** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 3:50 pm

Hi,
Here's one for all the MSTS Wizards out there

Using a multi-loco consist is it possible to start an activity with the Player in a loco other than the lead unit?
I have tried putting an AI loco at the head, but MSTS chooses that, one then complains there's no cabview!

I fully realise that if the activity starts with the player train stationary, then it's a simple matter, using the Bin patch, to move to another loco, but that's not what I want to do. I would like to start an activity with the Player train at speed, with the Player in the rear loco's cab.

I have read through Rich Garber's activity creation manual and searched the Forums here and at trainsim.com without success. Nobody seems to have asked the question before .... maybe it's because it's just not possible!

Cheers,
Ged

Nvincer · Post by **Nvincer** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 4:53 pm

I wouldn't have thought it is possible, unless you convert the lead locos .eng files to .wag files making them totally undriveable. Then MSTS will place you in what it sees as the 'first loco'.

stephenrwells · Post by **stephenrwells** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 5:07 pm

Hi Ged,

Some locos have a DIT version, using one of them saves converting files and should work. The concept is definitely possible with an undriveable loco as the lead - just like driving a steam loco tender first. I've certainly never succeeded in doing what you are attempting.

Regards,

Stephen

slipperman12 · Post by **slipperman12** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 5:41 pm

Hi,
Thanks, Ben and Stephen, for your responses

I don't want to say too much, but for what I'm hoping to achieve, a DIT loco wouldn't do!

Cheers,
Ged

steamnut44 · Post by **steamnut44** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 4:25 pm

I tried this quite a while ago, when I was building the SCP and what you are trying to achieve won't work. Starting an activity with a double head loco, (or a tail end banker loco) will always put you in the lead cab. As long as you remain stationary, you can change cabs and drive the player train from the second loco's cab and if you wanted to, revert to driving from the leading loco cab, once you stop at a station or at a red signal for instance.
Starting a similar activity with the locos on the move, it is impossible to change cabs, whilst the consist is in motion, as you will always be placed in the leading cab.
The only way to achieve this, is to have an AI (undrivable loco) as the lead engine in the consist and drivable loco as the second. This will put you in the drivable player loco at the start of the activity, from either a standing start or a start on the move. I'm talking about steam loco's here, I have never tried it with Diesels or a Steam/Diesel pair.

What I have done in the past, is use a banking loco on the rear of the player train when starting on a gradient and released the banker whilst on the move, by uncoupling it. This will block the line behind you, but you can still carry on to your destination
It seems that whatever the situation, you can only swap cabs when stationary.

dforrest · Post by **dforrest** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 5:18 pm

Ged, if "multi" is "two", could you start the consist in reversion making the second loco that active loco, and then change to the first?

slipperman12 · Post by **slipperman12** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 7:13 pm

Hi Gentlemen,
Thanks, Geoff and David, for your replies/suggestions

I suspected that my proposed scenario might be impossible in MSTS, but I'll take all suggestions and ideas on-board and continue testing for now

Cheers,
Ged

Atomic Systems