Atomic Systems

Hi there guys,

I'm new to this forum and also to Train Simulator 2012. I have a couple of questions. The first one, is after a few days of playing the simulator, I am continuing to have problems with stopping for a station. I either slow down too early and therefore waste time by being late at the station, or I slow down too late, and sometimes overshoot by about 100 meters. I do occasionally 'nail it' though, thankfully! However, I was just wondering whether anyone on here has any help or guidance to help me along a bit. I did have a look in the FAQ section, and couldn't see anything specific to answer this question, however, I'm sure someone has, somewhere down the line, so apologies for a repeat if this is the case.

Another question I have is - are there any downloads that are worth getting? Preferably free unless the download is exceptionally good and worth paying the money for.

Thanks in advance,

Jon

Hi, welcome!

Generally driving a train is "less haste, more speed"... so brake gently and early, use the mid-range of the brakes so you have extra brake-force available if you're going to overshoot and you can let off a bit if you're stopping too soon. Practice is most of it, though.

As a general rule of thumb with most developers default braking setups I use the 1 mile mark to start my braking process with typical fast (70-80mph) passenger service. With modded brake setups floating around out there to be more prototypical I start earlier, 1.5-2 mile mark if I'm coming in at a good clip. Also, it doesn't hurt what so ever to do a brake test after your first departure. Get up to about 30-40 mph and apply some brake for a few seconds to get a feel for how they handle at a normal application.

All in all though it comes down to knowing the route and knowing your train.. The default Class 37's can stop on a dime from 70mph and a 1/2 mile out..

Thanks guys. I think I am slowly getting the hang of it. Damn it's an addictive game! Can either of you, or anyone else who reads this let me which file(s) I need to download for the 'Dorset Coast Route' add-on on the 'UKTrainSim' website? I also am not 100% I.T literate and could do with a some information how I install this ZIP file to the sim...

Hey Jon.

One thing to remember is most drivers will be acustomed to the route they are driving and know when a stop is coming and when to brake, it takes a little time to get good. There is the weight of your train to take into account as well. Also its not like drivers in the real world get it right 100% of the time with over shoots occuring and even the ocasional terminus buffer ploughed through

What downloads to get is a huge question and everyone will have differeing views on what you call exceptionally good. Also kind of depends what era's your into. I'd heartilly recomend at least a months subscription for a premium account here at UKtrainSim at just £3. The UKTS Freeware packs have a ton of content used by scenario and route creators all in ready made packages. After that there is so much free content in there and some of it better than payware. Payware is another matter and depends what your into. Find something you like and ask about or search the forum for related topics to get an idea before you buy.

Anyway, hope it helps a little and welcome to UKTS forum...

steve

Thanks also. I assumed that was probably the case! Practice is making things better!

As for the add-ons etc. I'm always very weary as to whether or not add-on scenery's etc are worth the 10-20 pound mark up that they usually have. I was especially interested in the South West Train download and the Dorset Coast Route scenery add-on too as I live in Bournemouth and I'm very familiar with that route. I have downloaded the SWT pack, and the latest Dorset scenery add-on, however, I'm struggling to install either. Also, I don't think I have downloaded the correct pack for the Dorset one as I think it's just a patch... Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, why do my posts have to be checked by admin before they are uploaded? It's taking ages for my replies to appear!

Stopping in time and at the right point is one of the trickiest but most rewarding parts of the simulator. It's one of the great features of the sim, no 2 trains/locos are alike and each have their own braking characteristics. Usually if you are travelling high speed, 80mph plus, then about a mile out is the place to start applying half brake. I find that on most locos if you are doing 40-50mph when you get first visual on the station then you can usually make the stop no problem. Any faster on first vis and you are in danger of overshooting. Some units like the 156 have such punchy brakes that you don't even have to start slowing from line speed until you see the platform!! Stopping the train right is the train simulation equivalent of landing in flight simulator, the hardest but most rewarding part!

Morning Jon

Had the same problem myself for a while but as mentioned, you get used to each route as you play through them. I start to reduce speed at one mile to the approach and aim to be doing 25 mph as I reach the start of the platform, then its a gradual slow down to the point you wish to stop. Practice makes perfect as they say.

I would say that most if not all have overshot the platform on more then one occasion!

Mark.

Thanks again all. I am slowly getting to grips with it now! Beginning to 'perfect' my approaches now. Got to know signals quite well too. With regards to the Flight Sim comment, I know what you mean! I was so into that simulator for many years. It took me a while to get the landings down to a tee but now, I can pretty much land without looking or thinking!

Thanks again for all the feedback guys. It's much appreciated. Any help with regards to the installing process and the correct file to download RE the Dorset Coast Route pack would be VERY much appreciated also!

Jon

P.S. This waiting for approval before posting is annoying!!!!

I'm confused... are you playing Train Simulator 2012 (Railworks), or Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS)?

Paul

Yeah I was just about to say, I think you may be downloading MSTS add ons...

You should do a brake test when you first get into the cab, just to check that you've actually got some.
Edinburgh - Glasgow with a 170, from 100 mph. shut off power 1 mile from station, enter station at 25 - 28 mph, step 2 braking and stop cab at 3 car marker, "perfick"
Or if you've got a six car set, stop at the 6 car marker, ( obviously, )

Chris.

// that's RW, but very similar with a 47/7 PP set with MSTS. ( with the loco just off the end of the platform, which in most cases on the route, are just the right length for 6 cars. )

I'm playing Train Simulator 2012 guys. I thought I was trying to download an applicable expansion pack, but I may have been mistaken. Is there an expansion pack for South West Trains on the Weymouth - Waterloo line?

Thanks for all the tips and help, it's been gratefully received! I'm getting much better as the hours pass

Not the Weymouth-Waterloo line but there is a Portsmouth Direct Line expansion pack:

Portsmouth direct is a good route IMHO, but the "Desiro" is a bit sluggish and in need of a bit of TLC, ( maybe it'll get the 2012 upgrade? )
The 455/9 however is, ( again IMHO ) a good machine, although it's a separate add on but well worth getting. ( it's got the 2012 extras )

Chris.