RSC to release Stevens Pass route

[ttjph]

Why are American routes so blummin' slow anyway? I noticed it on Canadian trains too when I was over there earlier this year. Is it simply because of the weight being transported?

When I travelled on trains in Australia (including an XPT from Sydney to Brisbane, and the Ghan from Alice down to Adelaide) I decided it was probably because it's simply impractical to maintain the track alignment to the standard required, in such vast and empty country.

The entire XPT run reminded me of the London Underground - about 40 mph and constantly lurching from side to side. Getting on a unit out of London towards Ely was quite a shock after that!

[ttjph]

More info here.

Wow, that's a pretty thorough manual. Other route creators take note!

[nschichan]

Hi,

With respect to the 79 Mph limit, more precisely, this is since the Naperville disaster that it was decided that trains would not be allowed to run at a speed higher than 80 Mph (non inclusive) unless some kind of cab signaling is provided.

(more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naperville_train_disaster)

Regards,

[Juanillo99]

The speed restrictions in USA are based on a number of factors including curvature, signaling, track condition, the physical condition of a train, and the presence of grade crossings.

Here's more information about the tracks speed limits in the USA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_speed ... ted_States

[windberg]

The Stevens Pass is a stunning mountain pass route! The best you can buy. I can only applaud the builders. The route has 3 different regions, offers a lot of freight and shunting possibilities and is built with heart, soul and love for details. I have only one wish, please, please extend the route to Seattle that we can pilot the Empire Builder to its final destination King Street and have a little suburban traffic from Seattle to Everett.

[equiglobal]

Agree completely Windberg - having travelled the route, it really is sad that the final section to King St is missing - Hopefully some creative soul will make it

[GavNormandale]

Hi, has anyone managed to complete the 'Special Delivery Part 2' scenario for the 'Stevens Pass' Route, 3 times I have tried and 3 times I have had problems at exactly the same point, which is related to the subject of this thread.

All 3 times I have been going fine only to reverse into yard 1 to collect the wagons:

First time I creep up to the wagons and brake as I get close, I am almost stopped as I touch the wagons but they don't couple, I move forward and back again only to find they wont join;

Second and third times I hit a little harder, first at 1.6 mph, second at 1.0 mph, both times the wagons on both trains shoot up into the air and I get a game over due to consist collision

Hi, I posted this in another thread without response, hoping posting here may get a little feedback,

cheers,

Gav

[newbouy]

Hi, has anyone managed to complete the 'Special Delivery Part 2' scenario for the 'Stevens Pass' Route, 3 times I have tried and 3 times I have had problems at exactly the same point, which is related to the subject of this thread.

All 3 times I have been going fine only to reverse into yard 1 to collect the wagons:

First time I creep up to the wagons and brake as I get close, I am almost stopped as I touch the wagons but they don't couple, I move forward and back again only to find they wont join;

Second and third times I hit a little harder, first at 1.6 mph, second at 1.0 mph, both times the wagons on both trains shoot up into the air and I get a game over due to consist collision

Hi, I posted this in another thread without response, hoping posting here may get a little feedback,

cheers,

Gav

Sorry i didnt reply in your previous post i was busy. You could try switching to manual coupling in the options and then try either coupling up from the HUD or F3 menu and if they dont work try it from the outside view ( key 8 ) and hover your mouse over the coupler until it turns into an uncoupling icon and then left click.

thanks Newbouy

[GavNormandale]

Thanks Newbouy but the US wagons all have auto coupling on and cant be switched off. I have just completed this scenario now, I ran again but stopped before the troublesome couple and saved the scenario before coupling up, and to my amazement, the couple worked straight away. I continued with the instructions, decoupled and began to run around the train, only in the happiness of passing this troublesome instruction I forgot to press tab for the yard exit signal and scenario failed!

I ran from my save point, first time same, derail but worked with the second attempt, so scenario is completed now thanks.

Thinking it will have to be my strategy from now on when coupling, stop loco, 1 metre or so short and save. Have had issues with saving in the past but this one worked so will have to use it more,

cheers,

Gav

[Trev123]

Just tried that scenario just now and coupled up to the wagons at first attempt at 2mph. Like you I forgot to press the tab key for the signal and the scenario ended.

[Trev123]

After picking up the wagons at Mukilteo Yd 2 you have to back the train to the terminal via Mt Baker Terminal Entrance. You drive forward from Mukiteo Yd 2 press the tab key to get signal clearance until you come to the points that allow you to back to Mt Baker Terminal entrance. Change the points and press the tab key to get signal clearance which you do and start backing but as you approach the red signal the game ends saying you haven't got clearance. Done this twice with the same result.

[ttjph]

If you're reversing you may need to press Ctrl+Tab ("ask permission to pass red signal behind"). The definition of "in front" / "behind" doesn't seem to swap with direction of travel for this function.

[Trev123]

Shall give that a go although I backed pass a red signal before with the tab key and got clearance and passed it ok.

[ckmemphis]

Having downloaded this route with the sale, I must say it is very evident that this route was made with great care. It looks more like a real life route than any of the other US mountain pass routes. Even when moving through the tight bends in single line working, you can easily get the feel of mountainous regions by the placement of vegetation alongside the line. I must say it's an awesome route, but I personally do not enjoy the route as much as I do Marias Pass. And there's only one reason for that. And that is the refinement of the trackwork on the route. Don't get me wrong, it's laid out well, but the easements between straight track and full curved track is a bit on the short side, making the transition rather quick and bumpy. That also implies that the route would possible have been started before Marias Pass was, or that the easements/superelevation was added after most the trackwork was laid. It's just more flowing and natural on Marias Pass, and that is why I haven't really enjoyed my drives on this route of late. I do know that something like superelevation is a touchy subject for existing layouts, but after getting so used to it with the latest routes out, it's a shame to experience that level of easements in a premium route like Stevans Pass...

I'm yet to drive the full length of the route, but every time I do drive the route, I get reminded why I don't drive the route when I go around the first curve...

[Trev123]

If you're reversing you may need to press Ctrl+Tab ("ask permission to pass red signal behind"). The definition of "in front" / "behind" doesn't seem to swap with direction of travel for this function.

Having done a save before I backed and got the red signal error I loaded the scenario from the save and started to reverse and I noticed that the signal was yellow. Strange. I managed to finish the scenario and was 10 minutes late and scored something like -27000 points.