WCML Over Shap From Keith Ross

[1S811985]

....

Thanks for the info and for taking the time. This bit of work just gets more impressive with every post.

I've long believed that this sim was capable of much more in the way of realism than was actually being delivered and it's nice to see an RSC release pushing the envelope in that regard.

If there's one small, dark cloud it would be this: If the trackside assets and all the coding required for this method of neutral section simulation are to be incorporated into an RSC DLC release then wouldn't that make them their property and thus limit the possibility of their wider release? Or, to put it another way, I hope you haven't signed away the rights to your work...

1S81

[749006]

....... If you still have power on then the ABB (Air Blast Breaker) on the roof will trip but you will have to wait until the Tapchanger runs back to Notch 0 before getting power again.

Not sure if you meant that the breaker will only open if you enter the Neutral Section with power on, but it could be read that way and it's not true. The breaker will open on passing over the first set of magnets irrespective of whether the loco is taking power or not.
Andy L

I did know that the ABB or even VCB will trip on passing the first magnet irrespective of where the power handle is having driven Real Emus - 304,305,309,323.
I apologise for not making it clearer.

In real life, if you came to a halt with the breaker tripped and could not coast forward out of trouble, you would need to examine the pantograph to see which side of the insulated section it had landed, and proceed accordingly. As modelled, the insulated section does not functionally exist (boo...) and you can thus simply use PanUp/Reset to reset the breaker and regain power. You'll need to do so again after passing the second magnet).

In my 26 years as a member of Traincrew, Guard & Driver, I have stopped once in a neutral section. The driver released the brakes and the train rolled backwards out of the Neutral Section and he then ran in to the section with power on, the ABB on the Class 85 tripping in the process, and as the loco only had about 6 or 7 notches it had run down by the time the ABB reset coming out.

Peter

[smarty2]

Well, irrespective of the technical banter this is another step forward in realism, January will soon be here and since my boss gave me a nice little proddy bonus.........!

[ttjph]

Indeed it has. That was one of the earlier changes to go in, as it was rather noticeable on my best computer.

Yet more good work!

Is this [non-FPS dependent run-down speed] fairly straightforward to hack on the existing 86s, or is it a major scripting effort?

[Kromaatikse]

It's fairly straightforward compared to everything else, but it is a significant change to the script, best done if you know something about scripting - it would be a good exercise for practice, if you are trying to learn. From memory:

1) Change the argument of Update() to "interval" - certainly *not* "time" since that is a reserved keyword in Lua.

2) Use the interval argument to increment a "gTime" global variable, keeping track of game time. This also needs to be initialised to zero.

3) Declare a "gLastNotchTime" global variable initialised to -1.

4) Locate every place where the notch value is changed, either up or down, whether in response to driver input or by some automatic process. There are quite a few of these, including in the dynamic brakes. Make notes.

5) Add "gLastNotchTime = gTime" just after each change to a notch value.

6) Add "and (gTime > gLastNotchTime + 1.0)" to the innermost conditional gating each notch value change. Delete any pre-existing timeout logic while you're at it.

7) Make sure it works.

8) Delete variables associated with old, broken timeout logic.

9) Make sure it *still* works.

[rosschris10]

what does the above mean that this wont be lagging in certain parts like other routes????

[Kromaatikse]

It has no effect on the framerate. It just prevents the framerate from affecting the behaviour of the loco.

[ChrisSargeant]

Like many others, I'm really looking forward to the release of this route and pleased to see the implementation of the prototypical neutral sections in the AC electrification system. One thing that has been touched upon but not emphasised, when approaching the neutral section - after running down to zero amps, the tap changer (power) controller should be moved to the off position for transitting the break in the power supply. (Interestingly, there is a Class 87 in cab video on youtube showing this procedure and you can hear a brief 'psst'/click noise as the zero position is reached and the driver then moves the tap changer from run down to the adjacent off position.

I would appreciate a guide on how to stop the tap changer running up and down so fast - again, as others have said, in real life it takes about 30 seconds from tap 38 back down to zero.

p.s. I first learnt how to negotiate a neutral section on the then excellent Traindriver 2 (and later version 3), for my trusty Commodore Amiga!

[Kromaatikse]

I would appreciate a guide on how to stop the tap changer running up and down so fast - again, as others have said, in real life it takes about 30 seconds from tap 38 back down to zero.

Well, the easy way is just to drive the 87 that will come with WCML-Shap.

The harder but available-sooner way is to follow the scripting instructions I posted above.

Perhaps sometime I'll get a chance to overhaul the 86 the same way. The hard scripting is done, but there are a lot of detail changes to the blueprints as well.

[smarty2]

Well whatever you do Krom, its appreciated.

[749006]

I might just stick with the 86, 87 & 90 as they don't use this new 'feature'

Peter

[220389]

I might just stick with the 86, 87 & 90 as they don't use this new 'feature'

Peter

I imagine there will be a way to turn it off. Same for many features on the Class 90, 220/1 etc for DSD and failures.

Chris

[AndyUK]

I might just stick with the 86, 87 & 90 as they don't use this new 'feature'

I assume you're referring to the implementation of the prototypical handling of the neutral sections by this version of the 87. Each to his own, but out of interest what do you see as the downside to having it implemented?

Andy L

[749006]

I might just stick with the 86, 87 & 90 as they don't use this new 'feature'

I assume you're referring to the implementation of the prototypical handling of the neutral sections by this version of the 87. Each to his own, but out of interest what do you see as the downside to having it implemented?

Andy L

I did not see a 'Downside' just I will have to remember if the traction/route I'm driving is fitted or not.
Drive the new 87 and remember to shut off for Neutral Sections on this route but not others.

Peter

[Kromaatikse]

Or you could drive as if the neutral sections were active, regardless of whether they really are or not. It's good practice.

Incidentally, both the 47 and 87 have a surprise feature - which I'm not going to talk about in detail until release. You'll most likely notice it while driving, though.

They also both have a *hidden* surprise feature, which will probably come as a complete surprise to anyone who encounters it - and not everyone will. It is, however, entirely realistic.