But officer, my rear end was only doing ...

[Shaa]

Just a heads up - We are looking to do a small update to the Canadian product very shortly and i'll make sure a fix to this coupler problem goes in there.

Matt.
Dovetail Games.

Thanks! The couplers made managing long trains a pain on a route I've waited a long time for.

[Ericmopar]

Just a heads up - We are looking to do a small update to the Canadian product very shortly and i'll make sure a fix to this coupler problem goes in there.

Matt.
Dovetail Games.

Matt, that coupler fix is also extremely useful for the Type-E folders in the older routes like Cajon Pass and Castle Rock.
It also fixes the stretchy couplers in the DTM SD 45s, both the "Type-E" and "Couplings" folders.

[OldProf]

Okay, okay, I've got it now. I'll start a new thread in which I ask about coupler problems and I'll get replies offering suggestions for driving an engine.

[buzz456]

Okay, okay, I've got it now. I'll start a new thread in which I ask about coupler problems and I'll get replies offering suggestions for driving an engine.

I think you just about have the formula figured out..

[HankySpanky]

lol

[Ericmopar]

The reason we're being persistent about the couplers, is because DLC that suffers from coupler elasticity, will never be able to be driven correctly with long consists.
There is no driving technique that will suffice when the "Slinky Effect" is ruling the stock.
And it does cause major derailments and other problems from stock colliding with each other, when a person has a DPU on the end for example.

[OldProf]

The reason we're being persistent about the couplers, is because DLC that suffers from coupler elasticity, will never be able to be driven correctly with long consists.
There is no driving technique that will suffice when the "Slinky Effect" is ruling the stock.
And it does cause major derailments and other problems from stock colliding with each other, when a person has a DPU on the end for example.

Fine and dandy, but why not start your own thread to whine about your pet peeves rather than sidetrack mine?

[buzz456]

Tom is right. If you guys want to carry on the endless complaining about couplers of which the britkits solves at least for me please start a new thread please.

[BoostedFridge]

Okay, let me try this again. I am seeking driving suggestions, not file modifications. I'd like to hear from folks who have gotten through this scenario successfully and can tell me how to do so.

I agree, the 'stretchy' couplers made this the most challenging career scenario I've driven to date. As far as a 'technique' to keep the end of train speed in check, I had to go incredibly gentle when increasing throttle, and often had to drag the train brakes slightly after making any throttle increase. This seemed especially ridiculous when the whole train is on an extended 2.2% uphill grade! Hope that helps.

[OldProf]

Okay, let me try this again. I am seeking driving suggestions, not file modifications. I'd like to hear from folks who have gotten through this scenario successfully and can tell me how to do so.

I agree, the 'stretchy' couplers made this the most challenging career scenario I've driven to date. As far as a 'technique' to keep the end of train speed in check, I had to go incredibly gentle when increasing throttle, and often had to drag the train brakes slightly after making any throttle increase. This seemed especially ridiculous when the whole train is on an extended 2.2% uphill grade! Hope that helps.

Well, stretch my knuckles! an actual reply to my actual question: actually! Thanks, BoostedFridge, I'll give that a try. Just out of curiosity, how do you control acceleration and braking? I'm used to using the F4 HUD for throttle and the mouse for brakes; since diesel throttles have steps, the HUD serves as well as anything, but I tend to be ham-handed when mousing the brakes. I've tried keyboard braking, which is a bit more controllable, but getting to, let's say, 8% rather than 10% is nearly impossible for me.

[Chacal]

You already had actual answers to your question:
Fix the couplers so you don't NEED a way to drive around the problem.

It IS about the nail.

[BoostedFridge]

Hey Tom, sorry for the slow reply. At least for the Canadian Mountain passes DLC I've eschewed realism, and am running the full HUD too. It is especially critical with the new braking system not to 'overbrake' and have to release and wait for the system to catch up. I aim the first person view a bit lower so that I can see the actual brake pressures on the screen on the loco's dashboard, but can still watch the end of train gradient on the HUD, and the target brake reduction on the HUD. You definitely don't get as much time to relax and look out the windows this way!

I find its much easier to use the keyboard controls for the train brakes too. Just lightly tap the ' and ; keys for accurate brake reductions.

The scenarios when you don't have a loco midtrain, or on the rear are much tougher because of the incredible delay when using dynamic brakes for the rear end speed to slow down to the front end speed! Good luck!