Sticky couplers in Boston & Albany route using the new PC Retro pack

[Shawmut]

I've been trying to complete the Penn Central WS-1 scenario, and find that if I save the scenario that after uncoupling part of the consist the couplers immediately re-couple the consist. This then triggers a fine of -500 points and the air turns a bit purple. I could, of course, just turn off the points system in the Settings menu, but I'd like to be able to finish the scenario properly, that is, according to the way the author intended.

Is there any workaround for this problem? I don't think it's scenario specific; I think it's at a deeper level. Any friendly pointers gratefully accepted. And so far, sticky couplers excepted, I'm really enjoying this pack.

Cheers,
Dave

[ElphabaWS]

Quite often with TSC, especially when switching on grades, etc., it is necessary to first set the retainers [hand brakes] on the uncoupled cars, then release the air brakes, apply a bit of throttle, and begin to pull from the cut before uncoupling. That approach wlll solve the issue.

[Shawmut]

Quite often with TSC, especially when switching on grades, etc., it is necessary to first set the retainers [hand brakes] on the uncoupled cars, then release the air brakes, apply a bit of throttle, and begin to pull from the cut before uncoupling. That approach wlll solve the issue.

Hi Gary,

Before I read your comment (of which, thanks) I figured out a different method. The first thing one has to do in that scenario is to uncouple a cut from the main consist; the uncoupling has to occur between a PC boxcar and a tank car. By basically remaining in the brakeman's view (I always uncouple manually for maximum realism) and then running the two GP-9's remotely, so to speak, I could observe what happened.

The cars uncoupled properly, but when I released the brakes and put the locos in notch 1, the boxcar was actually pulled back(!) as if by magnetism and it recoupled to the tank car. I also noticed that the tank car seemed to be elevated by just a centimeter or two. So I assumed that RW thought that consist had been broken and needed to be re-assembled ... perhaps on scenario opening the consist had been stretched. So I restarted and immediately put the GP-9's in reverse and moved back a few feet, closing up the slack.

When I did that I got out of the cab and walked back to the tank car and boxcar, uncoupled same, and this time the now-shortened consist of three log cars and the two geeps pulled away normally and the tank car did not look like it had been apprenticing to a magic act.

As a final note to those who haven't played this scenario, that grade just before Springfield station will test your skills with Mike Renee's brakes. If you try to keep up to track speed approaching the lower 25 mph limit from the current 50 mph limit you will sail past that speed change and ruin your perfect score. Don't be afraid to use 10-15 lbs of pressure on the brakes before you put them in the lap position and also don't be afraid to drop your speed down to 15-20 mph. Then gradually move back up to track speed through the station area after the rear end or your consist is entirely on a flat 0.0% gradient.

Dave