EMD SD-9 Locomotive Add-On

[TheOldDessauer]

The EMD SD-9 is something that we need more of for Train Simulator, a classic first-generation North American diesel.

This SD-9 comes in the classic Rio Grande livery; is is a little dirty and rusty which gives the impression of a hard-working locomotive.
The locomotive has independent headlights for the front and rear of the locomotive, each with a bright and dim setting. Numberboards illuminate. Class lights illuminate and can be set to white (extra/unscheduled), green (multiple sections), and red (end of train/last section). Step lights work and illuminate the pilots on the front and back of the locomotive. Engine exhaust is voluminous and looks good. Cab controls are present and functional. Windshield wipers function. Window and doors do not open. Fan blades on top of the locomotive are animated. Edit: 7/21/2015-This locomotive does not have snow effects on the walkways and steps; this is odd as these effects are present on the SD40T-2 and GP-9.

Sound effects are varied and overall quite good. The engine sounds close enough to a 567 engine block. There are sounds for brake application/bail-off, sanders, bell, and horn. In the cab when you move levers on the control stand there is a satisfying click or thump as the levers move into place. The engine lacks a sound effect for the dynamic brakes (a high pitched whining sound), which I find to be bothersome. Additionally, the dynamic brakes do not register any amperage on the HUD. These issues could be patched quite easily as other locomotive DLC have these effects.

The locomotive does come with one piece of rolling stock: a mill gondola. Unfortunately, like with the other rolling stock, all of the air hoses for the trainline brake system are missing. This needs to be addressed with a patch.

As for performance, the locomotive does seem like it can lug tonnage, but the included scenarios I have played haven’t put it to the test. I tried to create a performance benchmark for the SD-9 on Soldier Summit. I used 4 SD-9's to take 50 DRGW 100 ton coal hoppers and a caboose From Helper up the East Slope to Summit. Grades ranged from 0.0% to 2.3%. On the 0% grades I could slowly accelerate to 40 mph and on the 2.3% grades I dropped to 20 mph. I didn't have to use sand except when starting the train in Helper. Weather conditions were dry/overcast. I don't know how this compares to the DRGW GP-9's with a similar consist, but I thought it might help....

The locomotive comes with three career scenarios as well as having more available in the Steam Workshop. The locomotive is Quick-Drive capable. And of course, the locomotive has advanced scripting for simulating realistic air-brake physics. These can be disabled if so desired.

Finally, I would like to see more North American liveries for this Locomotive in the Steam Marketplace. Great Northern, Burlington Northern, BNSF, Union Pacific, Southern Pacific (two liveries), Pennsylvania RR, Penn Central RR, Conrail, and Norfolk Southern all owned the SD7/SD9 either as original purchases or acquired through mergers. We have official route DLC for these railroads and so I am hopeful that we will see skins for these railways offered soon.

Pros:
Highly detailed
Advanced scripting for realistic air brake operation
Classic 1st Generation EMD locomotive
Comes with one piece of rolling stock (mill gondola)

Cons:
Lacks sound effect for Dynamic Brake fan and Amperage loading for dynamic brake
Doors and windows do not open
Lack of dynamic snow effects
No train-line air hoses for rolling stock

Overall, I think this DLC is a good value. We need more first-generation North American diesels and this offering is a step in the right direction. Other than the above-noted problems, I would recommend this DLC to my friends. I give it a 3.75/5. If the issues with the dynamic brake sounds, amperage, and snow effects are patched, I'll give it a 4/5.

[GreatNortherner]

Thank you for another detailed and informative review!

The grade performance sounds okay to me: Al Krug's HP-Ton-Pull tool yields a max. speed of a 50*100t-car train with four SD9's of close to 10 mph, but that would be on a steady grade and not coasting in from a higher speed. Also it is possible that the hoppers weigh a bit under 100t in the game. If you would like to run more tests, that calculator tool is available here: http://www.alkrug.vcn.com/home.html

Cheers
Michael

Edit: Removed "bang" smiley, terribly sorry TheOldDessauer!

[TheOldDessauer]

**!!bang!!**

I haven't forgotten about your excellent SD-7, I am merely focusing my reviews on Steam Marketplace DLC.

[GreatNortherner]

Oh no!!! TheOldDessauer: I am so sorry about this! My original plan was to insert the "Thank you" smiley into my post above... this one: but I seem to have missed it and clicked the "bank head against wall" instead, which is right above it. Oh Gosh, this is so bad!

I really meant what I wrote and I do find your reviews very helpful!

I apologize for this mistake.

Michael

[TheOldDessauer]

No worries...all is well.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Does it have snow effects, like the GP9 and SD40-2T?

[buzz456]

I know it's got snow chunks because I saw it in the bin file but haven't tried it in a Winter environment yet.

[TheOldDessauer]

I just tried it in the snow; no snow effects on the walkways or from the trucks. The snow melts nicely on the windshields, however.