Notice to all visitors and members of the Train-Sim.Com message forums: If you plan on using a signature banner in your posts, we would like to remind you that there is a maximum size for banners. That maximum is 450 pixels wide by 120 pixels high, and not to exceed 25k. Your compliance is appreciated. FORUM RULES Problems? There are two common reasons for problems with logging in and posting messages. The first is that you are running a firewall that prevents your messages from being sent to the server. The other is that you have cookies disabled; the DCForum software requires cookies to work properly.
I recently put together a 72 car eastbound grain train on Marias 3 using 5 SD40-2 locomotives on the head end. I have no problem making it to Shelby by adding 2 SD40-2's at Essex and cutting off at Summit.I decided to use the same 72 car grain train but instead of SD40-2's I would use 5 of the CPR M630's on the head end. I cannot make it to Essex, as a matter of fact, I stall just outside of the second tunnel east of Belton East.My question is - What can be modified in the .eng files to give a locomotive more pulling ability? An MLW M630 should be able to pull more than an EMD SD40-2, but not in MSTS.Any help will be appreciated.Fred Cheney
Hi Fred!Welcome to the wild and wacky world of .eng files!! This drove me nuts when I first started dabbling with MSTS. Couldn't believe how much variation there was between the various models available.You pretty much have to edit/tailor your engine roster to reflect known tonnage ratings on the given line.You CAN get a huge head start by going to a standardized .eng file system and staying mainly with the base line of one engine performance statatician's work. I try to use Bob Boudoin's .eng files whenever possible. This gives me a commonality among the .eng files, and any fine-tuning for my particular route is made simpler.So, either the SD40 pulls too good, or the M's pull too little. If you can get some info on the line in question as to gradient and tonnage ratings on the prototype, you can decide which is closer and go from there.Andre Ming
Page the plainsman, he is the best with eng file and probaply has a corrected one for that engine.Kevin Arceneaux It is time for Amtrak to become a fallen flag!
the MLW M630's were not very reliable and even worse during the last days of the MLW's on CP Rail. Especially on that sort of run, I'd stick with the SD40-2 if I were you
Hey do you love me like a beautiful thing yeah Get into the god All american Dream Demon Speeding: Rob Zombie The vision comes and goes but tonight I saw very clearly Transylvania Transmissions Pt.1 Rob Zombie
The part of .eng files to be modified is this - . . MaxPower ( 2237kW#3000hp ) MaxForce ( 365.2kN ) MaxContinuousForce ( 365.2kN ). .MaxPower parameter remains the same at 3000HP, or 2237kW. MaxForce parameter is to be changed to the MTE or STE value of an M630; if MTE or STE value is not given, then value can be calculated by - total locomotive weight multiplied by adhesion (%) divided by 100 or, W x % / 100. MaxContinuousForce parameter is to be changed to the CTE of an M630. This value is a function of the design of the traction motor and cannot be readily or easily calculated.If the MaxForce and MaxContinuousForce parameters are less than that of an SD40-2, then M630 locomotives will more likely stall.Sorry, I don't have the MTE/STE and CTE values for M630 (yet).Hope this helps.
I found that the MLW values were: MaxForce (429.9 kN #98,000lbf ) MaxContinuousForce (222.41kN #91,750lbf )I made the Continuous Force the same as the Max Force and all is well. I can now make it up that grade at 15 mph.Thanks for pointing me in the right direction to make changes so that this locomotive will at least do what an SD40-2 does.I have maintained Alcos in my career and if there are given the proper maintenance based on what Alcos need to have done, they will perform as well as an EMD. I know that is not what the EMD lovers really want to hear.Thanks again.Fred Cheney
All the great sound and smoke makes up for alot. Railroaders were not so easily impressed by that though.Are there any good links to sites that have STE and CTE data listed for various locomotive types? I've not had much luck finding that stuff. M.R.
Try, http://www.railfanusa.com/info/stats.htmland, https://www.getransportation.com/general/LocoAnalyzer/model_specifications.asp?btab=2There will be discrepancies (unfortunately; due to typo's or inaccurate and unreliable sources) between values shown at different sites. This makes choosing the "correct" values difficult.One thing I have frequently observed is that the MTE (Maximum Tractive Effort) or STE (Starting Tractive Effort) values do NOT equal the locomotive weight multiplied by adhesion (%/100) ! Since MTE/STE MUST (see below for explanation) equal locomotive weight x adhesion, any other value immediately suggests there are errors in the quoted values.MTE/STE is a function of friction between the traction wheels and rail. Adhesion is a parameter which defines how much of the locomotive weight is available to provide maximum Tractive Effort for the friction conditions existing between wheels and rail. Why "maximum"? Because application of extra tractive effort by the traction motors on the wheels will overcome the friction between wheels and rail. The wheels will then "slip" with consequent loss of effective or available tractive effort.So, the MTE/STE defines the maximum amount of tractive effort that can be applied by traction motors without wheel slip occurring.Make sense?There are also .eng files available from Train-Sim file library by various people who have updated the respective .eng files for various locomotives which has (supposedly) correct values for MaxPower (horsepower), MaxForce (MTE/STE), and Max ContinuousForce (CTE). Since references to specific sources such as manuals or publications are usually not made by these people, this information may or may not be correct. Therefore you will have to take this information at "face value".Before using any locomotive information, I perfer to verify the values from different sources (if available).Lecture over.
