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I'm using MSTS for a human factors (psychology) research project and as a new user, I could do with some pointers! Any advice regarding the following questions would be most appreciated.
* Does anyone know how to elicit more sophisticated performance measures from the software? I need to know how well the driver (of an electric loco, passenger route) is performing so additional metrics such as brake use would be really useful.
* I'm trying to get the most realistic set-up. I heard that a subwoofer can be used to add realism (to give a greater feeling of speed), has anyone tried this? * Is it possible to use more than one monitor/screen in order to get a simultaneous display of the side view for a wraparound effect? * What are the best additional hardware options - has anyone used the RailDriver controller or the eDimensional 3D glasses??
* Is there any way of finding out the best place to stop at platforms to minimise passenger loading times - apart from trial and error?
* I want my study to be as close as possible to a current UK passenger route. Can anyone recommend an electric loco, route and activity that I can download?
* Finally, is anyone (near Leeds, UK) interested in participating in my study? Experienced MSTS users or 'real' qualified drivers would be especially welcome (expenses paid).Please accept my apologies if I've posted this in the wrong section. Thanks for reading. Kind regards Richard
>* Does anyone know how to elicit more sophisticated >performance measures from the software? I need to know how >well the driver (of an electric loco, passenger route) is >performing so additional metrics such as brake use would be >really useful. At the end of an activity, MSTS will show you when you bothered the passengers, or freight durability limits were exceeded, but that's about the best you'll get.>* I'm trying to get the most realistic set-up. I heard that >a subwoofer can be used to add realism (to give a greater >feeling of speed), has anyone tried this? Many people use subwoofers. Some even mount them to their chairs so they can feel the vibrations. The RailDriver control units have a built in sub, so the controls vibrate.>* Is it possible to use more than one monitor/screen in >order to get a simultaneous display of the side view for a >wraparound effect? No.>* What are the best additional hardware options - has anyone >used the RailDriver controller or the eDimensional 3D >glasses?? I have a RailDriver and love it. I would never run MSTS without it.>* Is there any way of finding out the best place to stop at >platforms to minimise passenger loading times - apart from >trial and error? Yes. If you look at the next station display, you want to stop your train as close to zero (distance to next stop) as possible. Zero will give you the shortest load times.>* I want my study to be as close as possible to a current UK >passenger route. Can anyone recommend an electric loco, >route and activity that I can download? I'm not too hip on UK passenger stuff. Sorry. >* Finally, is anyone (near Leeds, UK) interested in >participating in my study? Experienced MSTS users or 'real' >qualified drivers would be especially welcome (expenses >paid). Again, I'm not help here as I'm in the U.S. But I believe there are some simmers in your neck of the woods. -Jeff
Hi Richard, Out of the box, the performance of the equipment will not be very authentic, more game like than train like. Your stopping distances will be way too short, and the locomotive will not experience wheelslip or realistic pull (tractive effort) or power at the rail. Without modification, the fast passenger service will not likely attain realistic speeds as the stock friction line is very inadequate. I would suggest you look at the V4.5 and V4.6 physics updates to get some idea of how the program needs to be modified, and at least use Joe Realmuto's FCalc program to modify the physics. For the first braking section, values like the following should be close on passenger equipment (I have better understanding of freight performance than passenger equipment, and even then mostly North American designed freight equipment): EmergencyBrakeResMaxPressure( 110 ) TripleValveRatio( 2.5 ) EmergencyResVolumeMultiplier ( 1.461 ) MaxReleaseRate( 0.55 ) MaxApplicationRate( 1.16 ) MaxAuxilaryChargingRate( 0.28 ) EmergencyResCapacity( 2.064 ) EmergencyResChargingRate( 0.24 ) BrakeCylinderPressureForMaxBrakeBrakeForce( 68 ) Hope this is helpful, Bob Boudoin
Thanks PlainsmanI've got the physics updates but can't find Joe Realmuto's FCalc program. Could you let me know where I can download it from?Many thanks Richard
Hi Richard, The file name is fcalc_10.zip and you can find it by using the file search function in the library (a different slot than the regular search function). Most welcome, Bob
Richard, We have made special drivers to get certain data from MSTS. We wrote a special version to do fatigue studies for the US department of transportation. Please contact us directly to discuss any special custom interface you may need. Also check out our current activity at RailDriver.com and in the TrainMaster forum below. Michael