by OldProf » Fri Apr 28, 2017 10:23 am
After several failed attempts, I managed to complete this scenario yesterday, discovering a couple of "oddities" along the way:
1) Changing cabs after coupling to the "formation"*: the instructions become downright ridiculous here. After following the steps to set up the engine you've been driving for MU work, you're told to walk to what had been your trailing engine and sit in the engineer's seat. So far, so good, but pretty soon you're instructed to change some switches that only an orangutan could reach from the sitting position. Of course this can be carried out through the miracle of simulation, but it's pretty ridiculous.
2) Once the cab settings are nearly complete, it's time to pressurize the brakes. Following the scenario's instructions, I could not get this to happen, and the brakes are ready the scenario cannot proceed. So I quit the scenario, closed TSW, and opened the Manual. The scenario's instructions for brake pressurization are in the wrong order and cannot be completed once you've carried out the first one! Rather than ruin your enjoyment with a spoiler, I'll just recommend reading the MU Setup section of the Manual before attempting this scenario.
3) Near the scenario's end, you're approaching Cumberland Yard and an instruction appears informing you that some switches have to be set in order to reach your stopping point. The only problem is that the instruction does not identify that stopping point, nor will it show up on the 2D map until the switches are set correctly: a real Catch-22. This is so ridiculous (and annoying after a couple of hours of driving) that I will provide a hint here: change switches so as to provide a turquoise (greenish-blue) path leading toward and through the yard ladders. This will include one of those places where seeing the direction of the points is very difficult. Once you think you've done this, proceed ahead slowly, switching between 2D and 3D displays until you reach your long arrival siding, so that you can stop and reverse if necessary. Keep in mind that Cumberland in the late evening, with its numerous tracks and lights, idle rolling stock, and, if you arrive when I did, one long train awaiting departure, decimates fps rates.
Ultimately, this scenario is worth the time it takes, especially for the realistic atmospheric effects as you descend toward Cumberland through steadily darkening evening light.
*We really need to take up a collection to buy a guide to U.S. railway vocabulary for the TSW team.
Last edited by
OldProf on Sun Apr 30, 2017 10:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
Tom Pallen (Old Prof)
{Win 10 Home 64-bit; Intel Core i7 6700 @ 3.40GHz; 16.0GB Single-Channel @ 1063 MHz (15-15-15-364); 2047MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960}
I appreciate the help.
