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Is it possible to cut helpers off of the rear of a train in an activity?The reason I ask is, with MLT's Sandpatch route open for preorders now, I'm starting to think up some CSX activities for it, but more than half of the trains that go across the Patch get helpers (east & west bound) but cut them off at Sandpatch Tunnel. Wouldn't be realistic with the helpers riding down the other side of the mountain with the train Chris Denbow - Baltimore, Md. CPL - http://cpl.railfan.net/
Chris, Personally, I don't see why not. I'm not into the activity portion of my route yet and won't be for a while. What I can tell you is that I've played some activities on other routes that either made helpers optional or required. Marias Pass has one where you can pick up a help at Essex, take it over the pass, and then drop if off at Red Eagle. What was interesting about that activity was that picking up the helper in not required and it doesn't appear on your work order. Basically, if you thought your two dash 9's were enough to get your 60 car auto train over the summit great. If you wanted to, you could keep the helper all the way to your destination. The activity didn't care. Another activity is on PO&N5 where you've something like 80-100 car coal consist which will never make it up this pretty hefty hill without help. Same thing, I don't think it was part of the work order, but you had pop ups telling you where pick them and where to drop them off. Practically sent those helpers through the engine shed they were parked in when backing up because of all the slack action that was taking place. Any how, I'd say either put it in the work order, put it pop ups, or put it in the briefing at the beginning of the activity.Hope this helps, Matt
I beleive Matt was referring to my PO&N Unitcoaltrain activity. What I did was to try out the activity with various amount of engines so that when you pick up your helpers, your would just make it up the grade (doing only 8mph in some places!)...If your going to do aciivities using helpers, I think that some opposing AI traffic consisting of just sets of helpler engines passing you on the major grades would lend an air of authenticity to your activities.Longhairedwizard
