German Railroads and BR 120

[AndiS]

The same old rocket-like acceleration if used as AI. Can't they really learn from others or at least ask some help from RSC? As much as I understand they are RSC-s official partners so it's should not be so hard. The best example of good physics (as good as possible in RW) is Class 380 EMU released by Totalize Media. I suggest to run a little test - place Class 380 and German BR-120 with 4 coaches side by side on parallel tracks as AI and watch how do they accelerate. If You add 8 coaches to the German train acceleration remains almost the same.

I would be very interested in ways to modify the AI acceleration. Do you have any idea?

As far as the comparison is concerned, do both models have the same power? I have no idea about the 380, but it could well be that it has two motor units, each with half the power, to make it work in RW when you drive it. And the AI just looks at one motor unit and thus uses half the acceleration. Just one of many possibilities.

My understanding is that the "AI" does some approximation of the correct acceleration, but I am not sure based on what. And then, they miscalculate by some factor. In my experiments, train length was an influence factor, and the factor by which the acceleration was overdone was between 3 and 4, not exactly constant, but quite so. However, that was for KRS, I have not got around experimenting more with RW, and actually, bug fixing by experimentation is not on my highest priority.

[smarty2]

I asked the same question when it was RS days and the reply was to reduce the percentage in the flyout, trouble is the Ai remain at the slower speed so not really effective is it.

[Klaabu]

I would be very interested in ways to modify the AI acceleration. Do you have any idea?

My answer is - no. Secrets of train simulation physics is dark area for me but tests are giving quite interesting results and conclusion is something can still be done to make acceleration and braking more realistic. I made 4 tests using parallel eletrified tracks with identical properties. Both locos were running as AI.
1. Default German BR-101 versus German Rauilroads BR-120.
120 accelerates faster and has shorter braking distance. Both braking distances are still realistic and acceptable.
2. Default German BR-101 versus Class 380 (by Totalize Media) leading unit.
Class 380 acceleration is absolutely realistic but braking distance seems too short.
3. Default German BR-101 versus british Class 86 which one came with WCML.
Class 86 acceleration slower but still not realistic. Braking distance bit too short.
4. 1. Default German BR-101 versus Default HST Class 43 leading unit.
Class 43 is a good example of realistic acceleration and braking.
Conclusion: something can be done to make acceleration more realistic but there seems to be gap in the knowlidge base. RailWorks WiKi do not help much.
Another problem is LOD-s. German BR-101 LODs need adjustments. Those are too agressive.

[USRailFan]

I'd say most of the default stock (and much of the older payware add-ons, such as the Class 66 and Class 08) need LOD adjustments...

[gnash]

I'd say most of the default stock (and much of the older payware add-ons, such as the Class 66 and Class 08) need LOD adjustments...

Good point .. it's rather disappointing to see gaps in some consists where the shadow volume disappears on some stock entirely and remains visible for others

[Toldrabald]

Interesting to see so much interest in german content here is
Over at Rail-Sim.de we have about the same opinion about the price tag, some think it's reasonable because of the quality of the content, some say it's too expensive. I bought the class 143 DLC also made by German Railroads mainly for the additional wagons, but the 14.99€ for the repaints of the core model (although it's a bit different with updated physics and corrected brakes) and I think 6 scenarios is a bit much. Now 30€ for a complete new set is about twice the price of all the other addons (the most expensive single locos are 101 DMU with 16.99€ and Big Boy 15.99€, most are on 13.99€) is also way too much for me. Weird thing: they also release a boxed version for the same price, I'd think a download item could be at least 2-3€ cheaper than a boxed version.

regarding the beer thing: in the supermarket you get a 0,5l bottle of quality beer for about 0.80€, a cheap one for 0.40€ - or a box of twenty for 10-13€ (+deposit). In a "Kneipe" (pub) you pay depending on brand and city between 1.50€ for 0.3l or 3-4€ for 0.5l (excluding the Free State of Bavaria, this is not Germany! )

best regards
Toldrabald

[mjoliver1]

Well I agree with radu1972 the GR package is great with plenty of action in the activities.
The Eurofima coaches are very welcome and I look forward to seeing repaints of them in due course. I don't recall how many countries use the coaches, but there will be plenty.

If I have a gripe it is that I would have liked to have had a 120 in the short lived TEE livery, with some appropriately liveried coaches.

Otherwise it is well worth the outlay - definitely cheaper than the blank DCC sound chips that I purchased the other day. Anyone know where I can find downloadable DCC sounds for OBB railcars?

The TEE version (and others) is available here for Euro 5.95 and as a package with matching coaches, Euro 9.95. Much better pricing for all the German Railroads stuff. However, the silly billies could have done better by excluding MwSt for non-German purchasers and saving them another 19%!

http://www.virtual-railroads.de/shop/ca ... =cid%3D%26

Mike

[transadelaide]

The TEE version (and others) is available here for Euro 5.95 and as a package with matching coaches, Euro 9.95. Much better pricing for all the German Railroads stuff. However, the silly billies could have done better by excluding MwSt for non-German purchasers and saving them another 19%!

http://www.virtual-railroads.de/shop/ca ... =cid%3D%26

Mike

I purchased a couple of vR addons and found (as an Aussie and therefore a non-EU customer) that the VAT component rightfully gets removed once you get to the checkout page, I would not have made the purchases if it insisted on charging me for a tax that would not be collected. It would be nice if they made more people aware of this by showing both the net price and the VAT-inclusive price on the store page. In this respect things have improved since the days of German Railroads when people in non-EU countries were charged the VAT-inclusive price.

Just Trains and RS.com - please take notice and stop overcharging people outside Europe! :bad-words:

[Kromaatikse]

RSC sell everything through Steam, which charges in local currency in most cases.

[transadelaide]

RSC sell everything through Steam, which charges in local currency in most cases.

Yes, but they set the prices for the addons on Steam. Most of them are set to be roughly equal (based on currency rates at the time) so that the post-tax price for Pound and Euro customers is equal to the untaxed price for everybody else (who uses US Dollars) which means that everybody else pays the 19% extra just as pure profit.