Atomic Systems

Hm, that's probably fixable just by playing with blueprint variables; but I'm not even going to start suggesting anything as I have no idea what I'm talking about with NA systems.

Quick query re sounds - I read a post on TS.com which seemed to imply the external warning bell is sounding continually? Surely this isn't so? I can understand per US train movement regs you would be using the bell a fair bit in yards, but you don't want it sounding if you're hauling a train on the main line.

Perhaps someone can confirm?

bigvern wrote:Quick query re sounds - I read a post on TS.com which seemed to imply the external warning bell is sounding continually? Surely this isn't so? I can understand per US train movement regs you would be using the bell a fair bit in yards, but you don't want it sounding if you're hauling a train on the main line.

Perhaps someone can confirm?

The bell isn’t sounding continually on the models unless you want it to.

In the real world here in the states we are required to use the bell on the initial movement whether in the yard or on the main as well as for grade crossings (which on most locomotives it comes on with the horn) and as a warning to trackside men and equipment among other reasons.

Having played with this a bit, the problem with the straight air brake isn't the interface, it's the blueprint timings being off; anyone have SW1500 brake timing/pressures? I borrowed the TEM2's straight airbrake settings ( not as strange an idea as you'd think ) and it's considerably more useful. The train brake needs some fiddling too, the brake lever affects pipe pressure fine but you hit max cyl pressure at 50%. Don't think that's a hard fix either, although I'm more used to setting up distributors than triple valves.

The sounds appear ok if the original has a decently functioning silencer - so probably ok if the cab windows are shut& insulated; I got reasonably near a couple ( in this overall series at least, might not be the exact model ) last time I was in the US & they sounded more like old tanks :p

I did also notice the MaxPowerAtRail figure appears to have been typo'd - this doesn't appear to be used at all for player simulation unless it's the simple model, but maybe for AI? - I've forgotten the exact number but I think the original figure was in the order of 2700bhp. The actual MaxPower figure which is what the simulation uses for when you're driving is set to nominally correct 1500 - which doesn't count transmission loss - so don't go flying off the handle. If you want to tweak that, set it to about 1200 to allow for losses.