Donner Pass Route: Anomalies and Faults

[Roadmaster259]

In truth, I have no real issues to take with the construction of the route, itself.

However, I am deeply disappointed with the career scenarios that came with the route so many years ago. After countless efforts, I have never been able to complete any of the career scenarios involving the EMD GP9 within the allotted time. I hug the speed limits within 0.9 MPH but it is impossible to complete the scenarios and come out with any points. The best I can achieve is Green Check Marks.

The scenarios for the EMD SD40T-2 (scenarios 3a and 3b) are the same. No chance in the world of getting any points at all. 3b doesn't even register as completed! And since it won't register even a green check mark, I cannot obtain the achievement of completing all six scenarios that came with the route. The only scenario for the SD40T-2 that actually works is number 4, "Cold Play CS."

Collecting achievements is one of the things that appeal to me about career scenarios. Much to my chagrin, there is no way to obtain the Gold Star and the achievements related to the above scenarios. Given my extreme enthusiasm for the career scenarios, I feel ripped off when one or more of them don't work properly. I've spent 3600 hours and many hundreds of dollars on this simulation since it came out. I would expect no less than what the route claims to offer.

There are other routes and scenarios, or DLC scenario packs, that I have purchased with anomalies and faults which I will address in other posts. My hope is that someone at DTG (or the appropriate author) will repair these scenarios so we all can get our monies worth out of the route add-on we paid for.

After all, these add-ons aren't cheap!!! ...even if they are on sale.

[buzz456]

If you are just going to complain why don't you complain to someone who might do something about it. Complaining here doesn't do anything except fill up space.

[Roadmaster259]

If you are just going to complain why don't you complain to someone who might do something about it. Complaining here doesn't do anything except fill up space.

With all due respect, I was not complaining just for the sake of taking up space. There is nothing wrong with the route. I was just pondering aloud why something would be released with faulty scenarios.

[buzz456]

Well wonder to someone who might do something. Doing it here is just acting like we are your therapist...............and we aren't.

[EngineerJohn]

You shouldn't be buying a route just for career scenarios. The scoring logic is a bit pointless anyway being able to brag that you can stare at the speedometer longer than anyone else and hold just under the overspeed threshold.

Donner pass although not my personal favorite, is a descent route although of course, many of the older DLC's are showing their age compared to the newer ones. None of them are perfect and don't expect any of them to be perfect either.

[mindenjohn]

Each to their own but I change all career only scenarios into standard so that I can do things at my pace (and getting slower.....). Not into point scoring , did it for long enough to earn a living, not now.

[Cardinal51]

However, I am deeply disappointed with the career scenarios that came with the route so many years ago. After countless efforts, I have never been able to complete any of the career scenarios involving the EMD GP9 within the allotted time. I hug the speed limits within 0.9 MPH but it is impossible to complete the scenarios and come out with

Same here, no idea why this has not been fixed. Or has it ?

Also noticed the following yesterday . . . . .

20200627222203_1.jpg

20200627220545_1.jpg

The first one is ok but the second one is not. Does this mean I am missing some files (bought Donner Pass on Steam the legit way) or is this just something that happens every now and then ?

[mindenjohn]

It happens, often. Highway bridges also disappear.

[Terry]

It's pretty rare that I like practically any scenarios that come with a route, Steam or otherwise. I learned to write scenarios a long time ago, and if I don't like what was provided with a route I can just do my own scenarios.

I am NOT AT ALL a fan of career scenarios and I avoid them if I can. Given a choice between a career scenario and the equivalent standard one, I'll run the standard one every time.

[mindenjohn]

I use TS or RW works to convert all career scenarios to standard, then go into TS20xx Editor and remove from the scenario timetable all “clocks” in the player timetable. That gives me more standard scenarios for little work.

[Cardinal51]

Sounds like a good solution for me. I like keeping a schedule where to go next but I do not like driving the train like it is a formula one race.

Could you describe in a bit more detail what changes one has to make and what editor to use ? Or perhaps point me towards a thread with more information ?

[dtrainBNSF1]

The old career scenarios from like 2012-2013 are broke as heck with their timings. Career scenarios didn't become the mainstay of TS20XX until I want to say around maybe 2014, then after 2015 they started releasing nothing but career scenarios. I miss the days when most of the scenarios that came with a route were standard scenarios

I don't play very many of them as the main metric they measure you by is by time, making each scenario more of a time trial. The way that G-Trax handled the career scenarios on the original Bessemer & Lake Erie route is how I think it should have always been done: start you off with 1000 points and see how many you can keep by the end of the scenario. It drives home the point that on the railroad it isn't always about speed, but it's more about how well you can drive and keep track of your work order and how safely you can get the job done. Use your timetabled scenarios where they make sense, like on a passenger scenario or running time-sensitive freight like perishables and intermodal.

[crosstie]

We're way off the original post and forum purpose here, but, since we're here, let me say a
word in defense of career scenarios. Speaking for myself, I enjoy the challenges of driving responsibly
and being on time. Haven't timetables always been an important part of railroading? I don't sweat it, I rarely
get a 1,000 points, but I like to try my best. To me, that's the main point of the game. Taking 90 minutes to complete a 60 minute freight or passenger run
seems unrealistic to me, even unfair, I won't say cheating.
To get back to the subject at hand, I've completed most of the career scenarios for Donner Pass without
major problems. Some are difficult, but that is indicated in the listing. In the entire game, there are bound to
be some broken or impossible tasks, so, let them go. Move on. As always, buy or don't buy. Complaining here
plus a quarter might get you a cup of coffee.

[mindenjohn]

Cardinal51 check your PM

[Cardinal51]

Thanks John