Union Pacific FEF-3 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotive, by Smokebox

[mrennie]

I dont know if I am having a "boy look" and not a real one, but I cant find this mod! I have even resorted to using teh search function, but I can only find the Connie

Got to be doing something wrong, but no idea what.

The mod's been released (with one further tweak) through Steam, so the one I uploaded here became redundant and I asked Bob to delete it to avoid confusion.

[Ericmopar]

So far I like the new update.
I love sitting in the G-Trax Dome car with the smoke over my head.

[mrennie]

So far I like the new update.
I love sitting in the G-Trax Dome car with the smoke over my head.

[ozinoz]

[/quote]

The mod's been released (with one further tweak) through Steam, so the one I uploaded here became redundant and I asked Bob to delete it to avoid confusion.

[/quote]

Cheers. I don't usually log into Steam unless I need to.

[Drakoz]

Problem with lockup when cylinder cocks are open.

Has anyone seen this issue? I searched far and wide first before posting and found nothing.

If the cylinder cocks are open, when just starting to move the engine (throttle at small opening, cocks open, reverser all the way forward), the FEF-3 momentarily locks up. It is a partial lockup - meaning steam from the cocks, stack smoke, lever/valve movement, most sounds, etc. work normally, but other stuff stops working momentarily. The bell stops clanging, the whistle rope stops swaying back and forth, and I believe there is a delay in the steam chest delivering steam to the cylinders (or something that causes a delay). The engine is harder than it should be to get moving at this point. If I go to a larger throttle setting, then the lockups are still present, but the delay is shorter, even to the point that you might not notice them if you didn't know they were there. The lockups eventually disappear or only happen for a half second every now and then at greater throttle opening.

The lockups occur between the chuff and the back pressure needle jumping, and again, only when the cylinder cocks are open. So the delay I describe where the locomotive is harder to get moving is because there is an excessively long time before the steam seems to take action on the cylinders between the chuff and the back pressure needle moving. When in a locked up state, if I close the cylinder cocks valve, the lockup immediately goes away and the back pressure needle jumps, I can see the engine is reacting normally to the seam pressure, the whistle handle sways, and the bell clangs. Open the cocks again, and it will do the lockup immediately at the next chuff.

I believe there is something in the scripting that is causing a long delay between the chuff and the needle jump. Like the script is waiting for something in a loop and excluding some actions.

If this is not just me, but actually a bug, then it is very possible many would miss it because most actions on the engine seem to work fine (sounds are all normal except the bell, smoke and steam still hiss and billow from the stack, cocks, and pop off valve, engine does not hesitate in it's motion, etc.), you wouldn't know it was an issue if you didn't have the bell clanging, or watch the whistle rope. Then once you see those signs, you begin to realize that what seems like the engine having a lot of difficulty starting to move is in fact this lockup - as if it is preventing the steam from expanding for a moment into the cylinders.

Has anyone seen this? Hopefully I am just missing something, but I have tried many things and investigated this a great deal. I can post a video if needed.

BTW, mrennie, THANK YOU for making this engine and all your other efforts. I am a very happy customer.

[mrennie]

Problem with lockup when cylinder cocks are open.

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I'll fire up the 844 now and see if I can find out what's up.

EDIT: It does happen to me too - immediately after an exhaust chuff, the bell stops ringing for a short time. I'll investigate the script

EDIT2: I found the mistake! I'd changed the name of a constant used in the script function that deals with condensation in the cylinders, but was still using the old name in one line of code! Whenever it came to execute that line (which it was doing on every "Update" for about half the duration of a piston stroke), it crashed the function and the rest of the Update actions for that simulation cycle were aborted (including ringing the bell and swinging the whistle chain). I checked the script for the AT&N Consolidation and it contains the same mistake! I'll try to get these scripts patched on Steam asap, but with everyone away for Easter, and considering the high workload they have in QA at the moment, I doubt it'll be done quickly. In the meantime, if you'd like to get a personal copy of the updated scripts, send me a PM and I'll reply with an attachment (.out files packaged in an easy-to-install RWP file).

[Drakoz]

I spent the last day (Saturday - you may not see this message for a day or two due to needing moderator approval) trying out the Consolidation finally. There was one case where it did the same thing - became unresponsive when the cylinder cocks were open, right after the chuff, and stayed that way for a while. When I closed the cocks, it would respond again.

But unlike the FEF-3 where it happens all the time, with the Consolidation, it has only happened during one session. I restarted the session and all was fine and it hasn't happened since. So this is just FYI. I wouldn't call it a confirmed report yet. But, if both engines are doing it, is it perhaps that something changed with TS2018, or a recent update? I never ran these engines with a previous version, so I can't comment.

I have also noticed that it seems to happen due to the steam plume coming out of the cocks. I mean, if there isn't a steam plume, or a very small one, it seems to be less of a problem, or not happen at all. So maybe it is related to the script that creates the steam coming out of the cocks?

Thanks!

[Drakoz]

Mike, I tried the patch. The hesitation when the cylinder cocks are open is now gone for the FEF-3, and I assume the Consolidation. I only experienced hesitation once on the Consolidation before the patch, but I assume you fixed it there as well. Thanks!

It really makes the FEF-3 much easier to run. I was pulling my hair trying to figure out what I was doing wrong on slow starts, or starts on hills when I had the cylinder cocks open before I realized the issue exited. Way better now.

[OpenRailer90]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcZ6WTOdKxw http://www.mediafire.com/file/kn08sppic ... ck.7z/file FanRailer FEF-3 mod pack out

[ZekTheKid]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcZ6WTOdKxw http://www.mediafire.com/file/kn08sppic ... ck.7z/file FanRailer FEF-3 mod pack out

Make a new thread dude. The last post was over a year ago.

*Or a decade ago, but my point still stands.

[ozinoz]

Over on the Farcebook, (which I haven't been able to access for over a week on the pc, but the phone is no problems ), Mike has teased / previewed the up-coming mod to his beautiful FEF's, utilising new processes etc developed for the Big Boy. Features a whole range of new tweaks and improvements, including AI engineer and the ability to be able to properly double head the FEF's and an FEF and a 4000. Sorry no pics

In testing and off the DTG soon and then will auto update via Steam when released.





https://youtu.be/MXkRFiqugOk

Mike has posted a video of some of the tweaks etc Just stunning. The view of it curving out of the yard onto the main is

Untitled.jpg

Edit for tube link and

[TheR62Fan]

Lovely how Mike goes back and improves on his original creations, updating them to his ultimate standard, something that's rare to be seen.

[ozinoz]

I haven't been able to get into any Farcebook pages, public or otherwise for weeks, unless signed up; something I refuse to do.

Has there been any info from Mike about the FEF update. I am looking forward to being able to double head the FEF's on some Fruit Express traffic eastbound from Ogden

[trev123]

Why do you refuse to sign up to FB?

[Fireexplorer249]

I haven't been able to get into any Farcebook pages, public or otherwise for weeks, unless signed up; something I refuse to do.

Has there been any info from Mike about the FEF update. I am looking forward to being able to double head the FEF's on some Fruit Express traffic eastbound from Ogden

No there has not been any news about the update from what I've seen.