Coupling Mk 3 coaches and class 47 loco.

[moranb]

Posted this on the official forum , but no reply received.

Any advice from those who are good at manipulating bin files would be appreciated:

'Is there a way to change the coupler definition of the Mk3 coaches so that they can be coupled to the class 47 loco? Oddly, I found that if I use the KRS Consist Editor programme (available at http://www.train-sim.com) to make a consist comprising Mk3 coaches and a class 47, the consist saves and can be used in the game. Unfortunately, once the loco is uncoupled from the coaches, it will not re-couple. But the fact that the game accepts the consist suggests to me that it may not be too complicated to change the coupler type.

For the Dublin-Cork route I am building, I reskinned three of the Mk 3s to the Irish Rail Mk3 intercity livery and a Class47 as it might have looked in IR livery (in the absence of any Irish loco stock) but had not realized until it was too late that they would not couple up in the normal way. Of course, I could also reskin a HST to look like 'Daffy' the new IR DTO but would still need to have a loco at the other end.'

BFM

[Sly401]

Yep you can edit the couplers in the bin File using Mikes Tools

However it is prolly not the coupling positions that are wrong, more likely the length of the loco in the bin file

This is very confusingly placed in the blueprint as Pivot "X" dimension.......... Its nothing to do with bogies and they've called it axis X when in 3D programs it would be the Z axis..

If it won't couple I suggest turning the loco around as a simple attempt (it may be set differently each end )
or
If you feel brave
Open the Bin File with Mike's Tools, Quite near the top you will see a section that starts with Mass
Edit the Pivot "X" fields (shorten, suggest 0.3 metres ) for the front and rear pivots

For all intents and purposes the collision length seems to just set when you hear the buffer clang, which may need resetting to the total of the Pivot X offsets

All at your own risk of course but it can be done quite easily

Good Luck

Sly

[moranb]

Thanks for this suggestion. I was hoping that there was a way of changing the coupler definition for the Mk 3 coaches rather than for the locomotive in the hope that this would be easier and would also mean that the coaches could be coupled to locos other than the class 47. Would your suggestion of relocating the pivot point apply also to the coaches? Anyway, I will see tonight what I can do with the loco.

I don't yet have the Class 08 shunter - will the Mark 3s couple on to the shunter or (question to Derek) to the Class 66 to be released soon?

BFM

[Sly401]

Yep absolutely it could well be the Mk3 that is at fault, same editing procedure

just a thought........ you do have the incompatible coupling option enabled in the front end Gui ?

Sly

[47522]

Try sticking a MK1 or MK2 between the loco and the MK3's.... Mk3's don't have draw-gear so when they need to be coupled to a loco they have to have a barrier vehicle or converter between them.

I seem to recall being able to simulate this in RS

HTH

[Sly401]

Ah in that case its nothing more than allow all coupling types...

Sly

[RSAdam]

Hiya,

The Mk3 HST trailers have Buckeye couplers while a Class 47 has a Screw coupling. So, as you cant hook a screw coupling over a buckeye coupling, the two will not connect together. Now conveniently, the Mk1 coaches have Drop down buckeye couplers.

Thus as suggested, you can use a Mk1 Brake as a barrier wagon. Couple one end to the 47 using the Screw Link and hook, and then other to the Mk3 Buckeye coupler. Sorted

Sorry we didnt respond on the official forums, it is rare that I miss athread over there.

[moranb]

Thanks to all who replied for this information. Problem is solved and now I just have to reskin a Mk.1 in Irish livery though I am still wondering why the consist without the Mk1 will save and work in the game with the Consist Editor programme.

BFM

[RSAdam]

Hiya,

In the options menu, you probably have Coupling Override set so that anything can couple to anything else.

[bigvern]

There are numerous situations where locos couple direct to Mark 3 coaches (though these are generally the Mark 3a variant which were modifed for loco haulage). WCML (pre and post push-pull) is one, use on overnight sleeper trains is another.

Good to hear there is a workround with the coupler over-ride until a modified version can be made available.

[RSAdam]

Hiya,

Is this modified version something suggested that RSDL should produce? Maybe clarification should be sort on the Mk3's used for loco hauled duties as so far Ive only been aware of real Mk3 HST Trailers having always had fixed Buckeye couplers. I dont think we would be keen on producing ficitonal vehicles. I could imagine the uproar.

The options to allow any coupling type to couple together has always been present in Rail Simulator if you wish to override the prorotypical behaviour of these devices.

[moranb]

Even after six months using the game, I am still learning. I did not know that there is a coupling overide option until now.

All Irish Rail Mk. 3s (which with the exception of plug doors are identical to the UK versions) are loco hauled. They are now being superceded by Spanish designed Mk. 4s on the main Dublin-Cork line but are still in regular though diminishing use on other lines. I realize that Irish Rail is a niche area for trainsimulators so I am not expecting RSDL to provide stock specifically for Ireland. For the time being, I'll manage with reskins. Perhaps eventually someone such as Making Tracks who produced one of the finest add ons for MSTS with their Dublin-Belfast Enterprise route will fill the gap.

BFM

[ewsjo]

HST mk3s have fixed buckeyes and no buffers.
Loco hauled mk3a and 3bs have drophead buckeyes and retractable buffers, like mk1s and 2s. Also, some (including all sleepers) have integral tail lights. If RSDL were to produce an accurate loco hauled mk3, it should have drop head buckeyes, buffers, TDM sockets and end handrails. The integral lights fitted to some seem to be be rarely used, so if they were a texture, they could easily be added or removed depending on if they're fitted or not. Also, some have three shell style vents in place of the big square one on the roof
FGW mk3 TSO 12100
http://ukrailrollingstock.fotopic.net/p35909112.html (no lights)
ONE FO 11091
http://ukrailrollingstock.fotopic.net/p38116799.html

HTH

cheers

jo