DTG Gatwick Express Class 73

[Timex]

I’m using Havner’s excellent joystick overlay program with my Saitek throttle quadrant with the 73 electric, diesel and the 489/GLV.
Luckily the 73 diesel and electric variants can be detected for the throttle notches, the GLV is much easier to detect.
On the electric version, I got rid of OFF and WF and it seems to work a treat, still I can use A and D on the keyboard to put the position in off for when setting the reverser.

On another note- I’ve just completed the Return Diversion scenario and got held at signal VC 544 near Victoria, I could hear dogs barking! I had a look around (I use TrackIR) and saw Battersea Power station, knowing the area I knew Battersea Dog’s home was on the corner to my right! A nice little ambient sound Easter Egg

[73cheavyhaul]

For me the sound of the blowers is too noisy in cab and I don't understand why they should be quieter on the outside.
When I used to be a Guard on AC Electrics - not the same as a 73 but - the roar of the blowers was a lot louder on the outside then in the cab and the Class 73 should be the same.

It would be nicer if the Electric handle operated the correct way.

Peter

Hi Peter, I worked 73's, 86's 87s & 90s (and passed around on 91s) in my day (was on charters I got around a helluva lot) Im also old enough to remember 81's to 85's on the WCML (family lived in Wigan us in Croydon) and also an AC loco anorak.......... I can assure you mate, that 73's sound & behave completely different from AC locos - The motor blowers on ED's are right behind the bulkheads and are far more noticeable in the inside compared to the outside......... Daft as that seems, it is true.

Not quite sure what you mean by your comment about the Electric Handle? My only beef with that is the totally unrealistic dropping the handle on going into WF (I have several mates who would have ended up in deep doodoo over that quirk thats for sure - ME included!!!)

Bex

[749006]

For me the sound of the blowers is too noisy in cab and I don't understand why they should be quieter on the outside.
When I used to be a Guard on AC Electrics - not the same as a 73 but - the roar of the blowers was a lot louder on the outside then in the cab and the Class 73 should be the same.

It would be nicer if the Electric handle operated the correct way.

Peter

Hi Peter, I worked 73's, 86's 87s & 90s (and passed around on 91s) in my day (was on charters I got around a helluva lot) Im also old enough to remember 81's to 85's on the WCML (family lived in Wigan us in Croydon) and also an AC loco anorak.......... I can assure you mate, that 73's sound & behave completely different from AC locos - The motor blowers on ED's are right behind the bulkheads and are far more noticeable in the inside compared to the outside......... Daft as that seems, it is true.

Not quite sure what you mean by your comment about the Electric Handle? My only beef with that is the totally unrealistic dropping the handle on going into WF (I have several mates who would have ended up in deep doodoo over that quirk thats for sure - ME included!!!)

Bex

Hi Bex,

I stand corrected on the blower noise being louder on the inside.
In the game if you are using the Keyboard the A is increase Power and the D is Decrease power but with the 73 see a Yellow signal and hit D by instinct and apply more power.
The FL9 has dual power controls but the throttle works normally in either mode - just a shame the 73 does not do the same.

Peter

[73cheavyhaul]

Hi Bex,

I stand corrected on the blower noise being louder on the inside.
In the game if you are using the Keyboard the A is increase Power and the D is Decrease power but with the 73 see a Yellow signal and hit D by instinct and apply more power.
The FL9 has dual power controls but the throttle works normally in either mode - just a shame the 73 does not do the same.

Peter

Hi ya mate......... Yes keyboard, gotcha - it is a pig and I understand where youre coming from there!!!

The ED has 2 handles unlike the FL9 which only has one (Im a serious F series nut too LoL) Also, the FL9 only has 2 power types, Diesel or Electric, where as the 73 actually has THREE.......

1. Electric - Top Controller
2. Aux Power ( Westcode Diesel) - Top Controller
3. Diesel - Bottom Controller (run on control air & 27 way Blue Star system)

Does that help mate?

Bex

[smarty2]

Off topic sort of, but noticed this vid of the refurbed 73 used for the first time on the Caledonian sleeper and the first time in ten years since the sleeper stopped at Oban, better view of the top'n'tailed 73's later on in the vid, a question, have they been outfitted with the same engines as the bodysnatchers?

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[tnleeuw01]

Off topic sort of, but noticed this vid of the refurbed 73 used for the first time on the Caledonian sleeper and the first time in ten years since the sleeper stopped at Oban, better view of the top'n'tailed 73's later on in the vid, a question, have they been outfitted with the same engines as the bodysnatchers?

This video is hosted by YouTube, a site which is outside of the editorial control of UKTrainSim and as such Parental Control is strongly advised.
To view the video, click on the PLAY button.
If you click anywhere else on this video, you will be taken to a YouTube page, where you may find yourself subjected to content that you feel is offensive.
If you feel THIS video is inappropriate, please report it to a moderator immediately for prompt action.

Nice, nice view of the West Highland Line, but most of the video is taken from the carriages, hanging out of the window. Forward until around 12m50s to get a shot of the engine as a whole.

--Tim

[smarty2]

Interesting article: http://www.railmagazine.com/trains/curr ... st-century Seems they are half HST MTU units and like the Zombies have got Brush involvement.

[gptech]

The various tweaks we've been working on are now in the UKTS library;

UKTS Community produced class 73 enhancements. [770437 bytes] - Class 73 Tweaks.zip File ID: 35320 Date: 05 Mar 2016 - 727 Downloads

[73cheavyhaul]

The various tweaks we've been working on are now in the UKTS library

Thanks Gary

Bex

[chrisonline]

Well done, thanks Gary - and Steve

[749006]

Thanks Gary and Steve for this fix for some of the problems.
You have persuaded me to purchase the AP 20 Sound Pack

There is a strange sound which plays whilst the loco is running - nothing to do with this patch I would point out.
In \Assets\DTG\Class73Pack01\Audio\RailVehicles\Electro-Diesel\Class73\Exterior\Sounds\Running there is DTGClass73Running.dav
It appears to consists of the Diesel Engine ticking over and the sound of the loco passing thru some curves causing some flange squeal - this sound plays continuously when the loco is moving.

I think I might have to change that file so it does not sound.

Now to start looking at the instructions on how to get the Class 73 recognise the Class 20 Bogie Sounds.

Peter

[gptech]

As we're in a mutual back patting mood, I'd like to thank those thanking Steve and myself for doing so; but mainly to thank them, and everybody else involved with getting these tweaks sorted for their help, for testing, for raising the various issues to start with, for helping my hair to achieve the same shade of grey throughout---there are more than 50, believe me!--and for helping to prove that whilst we're generally a bunch of nit-picking awkward old so and so's, we can do most things when (if) we work together.

[J0hnG]

A big THANK YOU from me too

[749006]

Now I've not got a load of distracting noises I'm enjoying this loco even more.
Thanks again for the patches - just need DTG to get rid of the Emergency Brake nonsense.

Off to run Mr Fletcher's IC Reskin.

Peter