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While my comments are still based on limited experience with the new F_Calc, so far I am very impressed with the results. My tests have been mostly with smaller steam locos and older equipment. Adding the high initial resistance adds greatly to the impression that the loco is having to struggle to get things moving. It requires higher cutoff and throttle settings and I expect that, as I test with heavier trains, driver slipping will increase -- something I had tried to build in before. A longer term consequence of the new settings may be that locos I had set up to handle known tonnage ratings may have to be modified somewhat to handle those tonnages. Just when you might have thought that TrainSim's capabilities had been fully exploited, something new comes along. Nice work Joe.
Thanks for the compliments, Bill, and it seems we're still learning new things about the sim even after 3 years. For example, I read on the route design forum about a new way to make signals visible in the sim for almost a mile instead of a few blocks. That one was bugging me for who knows how long. Bit by bit we're working through the mysteries of the sim. I've even taken another look at the infamous uncoupling bug, but sadly have nothing new to report.The higher starting resistance should add greatly to the sim's realism. It's almost as if you can feel locomotive strain as the drivers bite to get the load moving. I remember a rule of thumb from the steam era, at least on relatively flat terrain, was that you could pull any load you could start. Not so with modern roller bearing cars. You may be able to start a 500-car train equipped with low-torque roller bearings with one locomotive, but you would stall on the slightest grade, and would by lucky to pull it faster than 10 mph even on the level.
Hey Bill, It was good to see you in Chama. I wanted to catch you for dinner with Brian before you and him left. Unfortunately even in such a small town I couldn't get a hold of you. Turned in my application. Soni told me to apply for fireman so I did. He put in a good word I think. Had a great time with Earl. We followed the old grade all the way out to DGO. Better get some photos of Gato tank before it collapses. Kim wants an interview this September...Mark Yates told me the only way I could be a fireman is if the schedule is changed to two trains a day again. Then they most likely will need another fireman. Otherwise I either won't get the job, or I will be put in the shop, which is fine by me because I will still be able to hostle the engines around at the end of the day. If they put me in with the night crew. Kevin Bush,
I will have my hand on the throttle of a K-36 very soon Mon Freunds!
Kevin, I enjoyed visiting with you. Don't know how we missed for dinner in a place with so few options (we tended to eat at Patty's -- great green chili) unless it was due to the hours you were working. Being there in some capacity is better not not being there at all. If you are there, you can keep an eye out for what is going on and try to be first in line. And anything you can learn about steam locos while working in the shop will ultimately be useful. I'll probably be back next year; don't know whether Richard will be or not. Don't know where else I can get my annual required exposure to steam.