Atomic Systems

Is this going to be what it was pre closure at it's peak including the Yard at Machynlleth and up to Aberllefeni ?
What it is now which a couple of Miles to Panperthog?
Or what it hopes to be in the future which will be significantly different to what it was?

Out now! And only £9.99!

http://store.steampowered.com/app/376959

What a fantastic little route this is. Although short, the little loco and low speed restrictions makes it feel much longer, as do the gradients (Up to 1:35 on the main line, and 1:18 in the yard). The loco is the real star though. Very advanced, with simulated steam chests, notched reverser, adjustable headlamp positions etc. Limited rolling stock (as per the prototype), but the gravity train is certainly different. Only thing missing is anywhere to top up water and coal, but it would take a good 4 or 5 return runs before you'd run too low.

Hopefully the assets will lead to lots of narrow gauge routes being made.

If I wanted to use the loco on any of the other narrow gauge routes what developer is it under when you press the blue square in scenario creator.

A really enjoyable route

bigstewart wrote:If I wanted to use the loco on any of the other narrow gauge routes what developer is it under when you press the blue square in scenario creator.

A really enjoyable route

The Provider/Product boxes to tick in scenario editing follow the path to the assets, so if it installs to SHG\Corris (for example--I don't have it so can't have a look) they'd be the boxes to tick.

EDIT: Just found a reference to the right path in another thread; you need to tick the

SHG\NarrowGaugePack01

Provider\Product boxes to use the loco's in scenarios for other routes.

I must admit, I'm very disappointed with the guidance/manual/tutorial (or lack of) for the Corris loco.

No tutorial, and the manual says nothing about driving the loco, just two screenshots of the cab with the controls labeled - not how to use them!

I am finding it very difficult to drive. The brake is extremely harsh and sensitive (and temperamental?), it seems to lose steam even when coasting downhill, and no guidance anywhere on what I should be doing. This is VERY different to the other UK narrow gauge locos around. It may be "advanced" but that's no use without guidance - or a pointer to where to get guidance. And these days, most developers providing "advanced" controls also offer an option to select "simplified" controls just to enjoy it more. If there is one here I haven't found it, and no mention in the manual.

So I have resorted to running the Talyllyn locos, and Richard Maxted's Kerr Stuart on this route, just to enjoy it.

The route itself is nice, good scenery, nice atmosphere (and I'm sure some of the scenery assets will find a place elsewhere!). But the transitions are ridiculously harsh (basically non-existent!) and I am surprised more effort wasn't made to smooth these even a little (surely they're not like that on the real thing, which I haven't seen personally?).

Overall, disappointed. Especially after such wonderful routes as Steve Pontin's Talyllyn, and Richard Maxted's freeware Leek & Manifold (UKTS 32403) (and looking forward to the upcoming Ffestiniog)

Sorry to be negative - I try not to be, and would never decry the fantastic efforts of all developers, payware or freeware, to enrich our TS experience . . but this one just leaves me a bit frustrated and "undersold"

Chris

It sounds strange but in reality the loco crews at Corris only use the straight locomotive air brake to control the train on the descent as it is easier to use since it is self lapping. The automatic air brake is somewhat tricky to use but then it is in reality, if you do want to use it you only need to put it into apply for a second before returning the handle to lap to get a reasonable application (brake pipe pressure will reduce to about 65psi). It is probably easiest to use to the mouse to apply the automatic brake as it allow finer control of the handle. It must also be remembered that the automatic air brake is fitted with triple valves so even a slight increase in brake pipe pressure will lead to a total release of the brake. Additionally with the air brake it must be remembered that 70psi is the running pressure, and 50psi is the maximum application pressure for the first application so dropping the pressure below this is pointless and just wastes air.

Steaming wise she will actually steam very freely but the blower must be open for it to steam with the regulator shut, she will also start a little cold and not at the ideal fire mass. The fire mass should be brought up to 132lb (the ideal), to warm the engine up sit with the blower wide open for a short while, or alternatively give it a good thrash (the pressure will fall but it will soon recover). Once she is warm you can shut the blower nearly full at it will still steam with the regulator shut. If you are using automatic fireman (which I'd advise against since its dead easy to fire this engine), the automatic fireman doesn't appear to open the blower enough so you have to resort to working the engine hard to warm it up (you will definitely get a pressure drop until it is warms but once it is she will steam fine).

regards

Edward

Thanks Edward, that's very helpful. Hadn't tried the loco brake as that wasn't really intuitive, and almost feels "unsafe" for public use if going downhill with 20/30 humans on board! But if that's what happens in real life . . .

I feel a little guidance in the manual (or even a Tutorial scenario) would go a long way.

Thank you GPtec

chrisonline wrote:
I feel a little guidance in the manual (or even a Tutorial scenario) would go a long way.

I did think about a tutorial scenario for the pack but unfortunately I know very little about Steam loco's and how they work

And I forgot to write that bit of the manual due to coursework commitments

Edward