Problems with making trains move

[davep]

I've downloaded the class 66 loco and when run on it's own (i.e. light engine) all is fine, but when I build a consist to go with it (in this case MEA's), I can just about move with 1 empty. I tried it with 5 loaded wagons and couldn't move an inch. Can anyone throw any pointers please?

[martinhodgson]

You will need to go into the .eng file and change the brake and/or coupling type. It is a compatibility issue, but I can't remember what to do.

[Kevo00]

Yep it sounds like it is most likely a brake problem. Open the folders of the class 66 and the MEA at at the same time and inside the 66 one you will find a filename ending .eng - which you can open with wordpad, similarly in the MEA folder there will be a file ending .wag, which you can also open with wordpad. Open both of those up and look down them for a section that looks something like this:

BrakeEquipmentType( "Handbrake, vacuum_brake" )
BrakeSystemType( "Vacuum_single_pipe" )

This tells you what sorts of brakes the loco or wagon is fitted with. In order for a loco to be able to pull a wagon (or set thereof) they must have a brake system in common (it doesn't matter what this is). All you need to do is change the section inside the quotes in either the loco or the wagon (i.e. "Vaccum_single_pipe") so that it matches with the one of the systems used by the other viehicle. You should then be able to pull the MEAs! Incompatible couplers can be fixed in a similar way, although the consist editor won't allow you to actually make a consist with incompatible couplings.

[davep]

yup. That was it Kevin. Wagons were shown to be double pipe whereas loco was single pipe. Changed the wagons and all ok. Many thanks.

Dave.

[Kevo00]

No problem mate!