AP magic for the 319/325

[phat2003uk]

Well, there is a first class sticker added to create a DTCO, though of course the interior is unchanged.

[AndyB1972]

Another example of the AP Effect - a piece of rolling stock that was way down my list of priorities, transformed into a 'must have' item by yet another superb sound pack. Superb work!

[push2play]

Another example of the AP Effect - a piece of rolling stock that was way down my list of priorities, transformed into a 'must have' item by yet another superb sound pack. Superb work!

Indeed, I was going to give it a miss until at least the summer sale. Bought it seconds after hearing the preview sounds.

[dp123]

If you own the 319 - BUY THIS. BUY THIS NOW.

It's more than a soundpack, it completely transforms the way the train operates. It's like a totally different product - a much, much better one.

[Klaabu]

Great soundset. AP soundpacks are getting better and better, now even with new added features in functionality. But to use them 100% we need to make changes in route audio blueprints.
1. Network sounds for London-Brighton (or for other routes in use) route need editing. I have removed almost all track sounds (Bridge, Tunnel, Standard) because AP soundsets have rolling sounds and there's no need for pointless and duplicating Kuju tracksounds anymore. Only track sound I left is the 'Tingle sound' (with edited fading volume curve). All others are useless, confusing and should be removed.
2. Reverb sounds need replacement. The best edited reverb-effects are available from rail-sim.de: http://rail-sim.de/railsimnew/index.php ... Itemid=207
Just replace approapriate Reverb_Tunnel, Reverb_Wide and Reverb_Tight files and feel the difference. Especially in tunnels.
3. AP soundpacks are well recorded and edited but they still need final touches. Always. To get perfect balance soundsets need constant in-game testing. It's time consuming process. Of cause AP don't have so much time to waste they have new challanges waiting. So why not to help. There are some sounds which seem out of balance. Not much but they need editing and balancing. For example AWS bell sound in cab is always bit too loud. External running sounds are too loud. RailJoint sounds need editing. In reality speed dictates rail joint sound volume. In case of higher speed You sometimes even don't hear the joint sound in cab (especially in modern trainsets). So - the higher speed the lower volume. Also I don't like the volume fading curve AP is using. It's way too 'basic'. Sound fading should be calculated with taking in count air resistance coefficient - the longer distance the bigger coefficient and more agressive fading. Different for common and horn sounds. On longer distance AP sound fading is unrealistic however on close distance it's not so evident. I have found better fading volume curve and tested it on many train models. I have finalised (for my personal use) soundsets for 321, 90-DVT, 150 and reworked soundsets for many other trainsets - 395, 365, 91-DVT, WCML OverShap 87 - Mk3, 66, 02 and some others. Problem is for some models I edited original soundfiles in sound editors so I can't upload the result without permission. For AP 321, 90-DVT and 150 sounset I tried to make changes only in blueprints without editing wave files. If somebody with well trained ears wants to help me with testing then leave me a personal message and I can send You patch with all edited proxyxml files. I have music producers backround so sounds have been at least half of my life. And as been longtime railfan (my grandfather and uncle were traindrivers) I have had pretty enough in-cab train driving experience.

[TheJRB]

Another wonderful addition from AP. Had to get the 319 after seeing this and I'm very much glad I have done.

Regarding the AP appended versions in the editor, I understand these improve AI performance, but should they also be used if creating scenarios?

Thanks.

[Anthony061]

Just a head's up. The pack also includes neutral section functionality when running on WCML-Over Shap.
Note:-THERE'S NO NEED TO REINSTALL THE PACK TO GET THIS FEATURE. It was a last minute addition that didn't make the features list or manual. I'd download the updated manual for more details.
Anthony

[swtcn91]

Just a head's up. The pack also includes neutral section functionality when running on WCML-Over Shap.
Note:-THERE'S NO NEED TO REINSTALL THE PACK TO GET THIS FEATURE. It was a last minute addition that didn't make the features list or manual. I'd download the updated manual for more details.
Anthony

This should pave way for more third party rolling stock and routes utilising the Over Shap APC magnets. A much welcome feature given that we could do with more realism for electric trains.

[JasVick]

Just a question on the scripting side, as Nick has used script segments to perform this unique add-on, how easy would it be to add into say the 377, which already has basic dual power capabilities? The script is still LUA based for it and I wondered weather or not it could be just a case of requiring the necessary script segments to give for example neutral section control and DOO modes on the 377? It would also be useful if DOO could be now imported into the southern variant of the 455 for the LB route for example. Guess it would also need a couple of keyboard mapper alterations and possibly a .bin file edit to match the controls but would it not be possible?

Is there anyway the neutral section facility could be modified to work with DC routes (eg - if the magnets were buried beneath and out of view under the track) could this create a rail gap effect on DC mode?

Keep up the good work AP and team.

[749006]

Is there anyway the neutral section facility could be modified to work with DC routes (eg - if the magnets were buried beneath and out of view under the track) could this create a rail gap effect on DC mode?

I think this idea is a bit pointless. When an AC unit runs thru a Neutral Section the power has to be off and the ABB or VCB will trip and reset.
But when a DC unit finds a gap in the third rail the unit just loses power briefly until a shoe makes contact with the third rail and the set continues on it's journey.
And the time from losing power to regaining it is a few seconds.

Also units would have to be fitted with something to respond to a neutral section which does not exist on the real railway.

[JasVick]

Exactly why I said "Modified"! It's an idea of a similar principal which would add the function of rail gaps, as I'd stated - obviously neutral sections don't exist in DC mode but the principal is still along the same line. You have a gap which cuts power. The main difference is that DC doesn't require the power throttle to be re-applied.

[caseyjones07]

Great pack from Armstrong

Hi guys iam not able to close the doors on the 319 stock after releasing the doors.

Eg i get the station work complete hightlight then when i close the train doors they keep releasing again

cheers

mick

[JasVick]

Out of curiosity, how are you "closing" the doors? Are you using the "R" button, or are you in guard mode and pressing the "T" button? Sounds silly but the obvious isn't always.... It could also be your "T" key is a bit sticky and repeating itself?

[749006]

Exactly why I said "Modified"! It's an idea of a similar principal which would add the function of rail gaps, as I'd stated - obviously neutral sections don't exist in DC mode but the principal is still along the same line. You have a gap which cuts power. The main difference is that DC doesn't require the power throttle to be re-applied.

With an AC train like a 11 car pendolino you only have one point of contact and at a neutral section the set would lose power but with a 5 car 442 there are 4 pickup shoes on each side picking up power and with a gap of about 20 feet between conductor rails they are difficult to gap on plain line.

I don't see in what form it could be on the third rail system.

[JasVick]

They still do get gapped on third rail, it doesn't happen all the time but it can still do, hense the provision of gap jumper cables at various locations across the network. The idea that I am trying to get across is that with DC, you will always get locations where there are power gaps which cause power drops while the unit/loco finds more supply, its often associated at the time with varying amounts of arching depending on the power settings and prevailing weather conditions. Happens more so at slower speed, particularly over more complex junctions and also where power supplies change over, as with neutral sections.

DC still runs in sections too, which can be isolated through the ECO during possessions and incidents which itself in turn will create a gap. Depending on the setup, you will only usually ever find 2 points of contact in use at one time as the other side would shoes would not be in contact.