Rolling Starts feature?

[tubemad]

Hello all,

Just wondering, has anyone cracked how to perform rolling starts yet? I can't see how yet, I've ticked the 'Rolling Start' box in the scenario edit right hand fly-out box, but I start at 0 with no movement. I can't even see where you set the speed, I assume you can or perhaps it reads whatever the linespeed is and is supposed to set you to that?


James.

[TjoeTjoe]

I think this article should give you some hints on this subject:
http://www.engine-driver.com/article/sh ... ario-tools

In short:
set the tick box as you already noticed.
Play the scenario to the point where you want to have your train a certain speed, and save it with CTRL+F2
Done and try

[tubemad]

Ahh I see so you need a bit of a run up to begin with, so you couldn't start just before Norwood Junction say as the run up track is rather limited. Should be useful on other scenario's though and at least the cab on advance trains should be ready too. Thanks for the useful reply, much appreciated

[phat2003uk]

It would seem that the Ctrl+F2 is simply to set at which speed you wish to start. You will then start at that speed from where the player train is placed originally, not when you pressed Ctrl+F2.

[karma99]

It makes sense, that way the scenario can store not only your speed but I expect your initial regulator, reverser and brake settings when you press Ctrl-F2.
Otherwise if you just typed in 60mph it would need to either start with everything at zero, which would mean you'd be rapidly trying to get the controls right to retain speed, or even scarier, leaving the scenario AI to try and calculate the required settings to retain the set speed. I'm not sure I trust it that much This method is far safer!

This would mean that you want to attain the required speed on track that is close to the same gradient as the starting point.

[Mr395008]

I'm a bit confused, I'm currently creating a scenario with rolling start.

I've got up to 61mph, I've pressed CTRL+F2 and clicked the save rolling start yes button. When I open the scenario again to test it, it doesn't load with the rolling start. Am I missing something? Is there something else I need to press?

*updated*

Ignore me, I've found the rolling start button!

[tubemad]

Ah right I see now, will give that a try when I need it soon, thanks again guys

Also on the subject of the new tools, is it me or does the 'start empty' tool only work for certain trains, RSC's own ones only perhaps?
I tried it on the RSC 377 and it works, but I've just added it to the Thompson 455 and it has passengers in. Trying it with a random DT Mk1 coach also loads with passengers, but trying another RSC product like the 166 works, don't know how this works?

[karma99]

The passenger system must work on a naming convention of some kind. Either a child object of the coach with a specific name or a node within the coach model with a specific name, so that the game engine knows to hide it when the empty flag is checked.
As nobody had any prior knowledge of this (or even knows now!) and RSC/DTG have never published any naming guideline documentation, it's only going to be chance that anyone other than DTG have used the required set up to make it work.

[gopher]

Not tried the feature yet, but I have always set passengers as a child named "passengers". This works when a loco couples to empty stock, the stock stays unloaded until you load passengers. Also when you uncouple a coach the passengers in that vehicle disappear. I'll give it a try in the morning.

Gordon

[qrdriver]

You'll forgive me if I don't see the realism of the rolling starts feature, I'm a train driver and I've never taken over a moving train in mid section. It would be better if routes started and finished at locations that were actual crew change points on the real route instead of in the middle of a field somewhere.

[davep]

To qrdriver.

Rolling starts are unrealistic, yes, but I think the idea is that one can start driving from
the edge of the route map (IYSWIM), imagining one has driven in from elsewhere.
All that's needed now is the facilty to drive TO the edge of the route map.

[tubemad]

I see, maybe future models from third party vendors might be able to adapt to the no passengers option, not too worried either case getting used to passengers being stuck on ECS trains from previous Train Sims, and I don't notice it that much.

qrdriver - Yes I see your point, some of us like it and some don't, just one of those things but at least it's not mandatory for those who don't. Remember EB from MSTS days, they used to do starts on the move but in the manual it would say 'you change drivers on the move...' really?

However I wouldn't mind using it on the ECMLS for instance, whereby your driving an Edinburgh to Kings Cross which most East Coast services are Right Away York to King's Cross, therefore you wouldn't have a driver change at Peterborough, but you could start by bowling through Peterborough at 125 as if you've already driven it from York, and you won't be starting from 0 at a green and then have to build up speed.

[gswindale]

Whilst agreeing that it isn't a 100% realistic approach; it does allow more flexibility for scenario creators - especially on routes where branch line (or main line) spurs have been included.

For instance; if the Cross City line from Redditch to Lichfield was being developed I would expect to see all of Barnt Green station. I would then think, why not create a cross-country scenario along that stretch of track? For realism I would want to start at speed as the service doesn't stop there.

It opens up a whole new world for scenario creators and actually allows more realism to the actual scenarios.

[tubemad]

Whilst agreeing that it isn't a 100% realistic approach; it does allow more flexibility for scenario creators - especially on routes where branch line (or main line) spurs have been included.

For instance; if the Cross City line from Redditch to Lichfield was being developed I would expect to see all of Barnt Green station. I would then think, why not create a cross-country scenario along that stretch of track? For realism I would want to start at speed as the service doesn't stop there.

It opens up a whole new world for scenario creators and actually allows more realism to the actual scenarios.

Exactly, and I'm sure you know yourself that this was very useful when MSTS BIN came out, and was used on quite a few activities, and since before TS2015 I was surprised this wasn't featured in earlier versions

[msmith4000]

Should be handy for scenario chaining!