Yes was in the weekday timetable. Odd how you want held unless it was a odd glitch my end? I will retry the service later on and see if it happens again
On Manchester Airport Commuter there is a nice rail tour pairing in the Class 87. Run in summer for a nice sunset run: 1Z91 at 1905 Crewe to Manchester Piccadilly Spoiler You start at Wilmslow of course but it makes you wonder how cool this would have been from Crewe. Around 4 miles from Piccadilly there are some caution signals to deal with You then have 20 minutes to walk round Piccadilly and explore the station if you haven't had a chance to do this yet. Then change to the other loco for... 5Z91 at 1944 Piccadilly to Crewe Spoiler This is an ECS service to presumably return the set to LSL at Crewe. You are routed on a slower line through Stockport so you have a big slow down to 20 to manage. Then between Stockport and Alderley Edge you need to remember where the neutral section is as they do work on the Class 87. I've not had them work on any of the modern EMUs on the route. You are then held at a red just outside Alderley Edge before you are able to stop to finish for a driver change
ICE1657 Wiesbaden Hbf to Dresden Hbf, 19:18 ex Frankfurt Hbf One of the few ICE-T services I was yet to drive on Frankfurt Fulda but a fun one! Ran this in early September so I had a little bit of daylight leaving Frankfurt but was well into darkness beyond Hanau. Spoiler Things start off normal enough to Hanau where you are held at the signal before the station, this is where you meet the ICE 1 you’ll be following all the way. Bit of LZB action once you get back up to speed, and then the fun of repeatedly catching up to the ICE 1 (which of course is running at non-GNT speeds) through the curves all the way towards Fulda. That’s nothing too unique on this route, but is really good fun, especially if played in the dark and HUD-less. However, once you approach Fulda you are chucked onto the fast / main line and actually overtake or run in parallel with that train you’d been following since Hanau, as it catches up to a freight train on its way in to the station. A really nice ending to see the damn thing and race it to the platform!
As a prequel, when you own the Frankfurt Sbahn, you can also drive this ICE1657 too from Wiesbaden to Frankfurt. Quite a fantastic run full of PZB action
I loved piecing together those two runs and watching afternoon turn to sunset as I made my way to Frankfurt and Fulda. Thanks! The first service was about 15-20 minutes late and, on the expert timetable, I had to fly over to an IC service and close the doors to release a red just outside Frankfurt. Needless to say, I was too late to continue the run via route hop to FFA. I presume the upcoming SKW gameplay pack will have this run continue from Fulda.
I did it on normal timetable and worked flawlessly for me, arrived just a minute late due to leerzug S8 passing me over at Stadion. Note that this train continues also on Nahverkehr Dresden in Expert 101 timetable as non-numbered "ICE Frankfurt Flughafen - Dresden" at 22:59.
Not strictly a signalling challenge but thought I would throw this in here. After watching (JT) Tom’s preview of the Class 86 pack where he demonstrates running with one traction motor isolated, you can also do this with the Class 87. So take any Class 87 run, before you set up the cab go back into the engine compartment, find and open the traction motor switch cupboard and knock one of them out. The performance effect is quite startling and you will have to drive much more attentively. With less power on hand you will also get more sustained thrash as you keep power on longer. Enjoy, though not sure I would try with two TM’s knocked out.
For those who like simulating shift patterns: WCML Shap: Spawn at Preston 14.15. 0S85 North Union Yard to Preston @ 1419 (loco is actually at the loco sidings at the station) Couple up to 1S85 and take it to Carlisle (interesting stopping pattern - Lancaster, Oxenholme and Carlisle) Wait 10 mins and then take 1S71 back to Preston. If you want to make it more interesting, 0S85 starts at North Union Yard at 1329. Nothing particularly interesting or special about any of these, apart from being able to simulate a shift pattern (imagine you started at 1.30pm (12.43pm if doing 0S85 at 1329) and finished at 17.32). Although for some reason, despite 1S85 being formed of Mark 2 carriages, you are allowed to reach line speed of 110mph, while the coaches have a top speed of 100mph.
Frankfurt S-Bahn RE2 (4263) Koblenz Hbf to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 16:08 with the BR425 A really nice run with an enjoyable EMU; I am on PC with the full timetable and have all the German layers. Spoiler: Just Run It! You catch up to an S9 and then wait for crossing traffic from RE3 29526 which is behind a westbound S9. A little wrong line running rounds out your approach to Frankfurt where you head straight at an ICE waiting for you to clear. RE3 29526 is also caught up in this tangle and is a very good run as well. However, I had to remove a train at Wiesbaden at the end to complete it so I didn't post it in this thread.
I've tried 1H12,& 2T08 on WCML & 1 xSEHS (5J12), and found no AI yellow dsignals/adverse issue Anything special to run 'Service Mode' on PC ? Is this the published services a.k.a timetable for something special ? Are these adver issues Console only ? (- I'm aware of gen8/gen9, but this does not apply any special settings in engine.ini ? - the display card is RTX5090
It could be that the adverse effects depend on layers installed (if not, you may get a free path). Also, make sure you run on schedule, as the adverse effects may not occur if you are running late or early.
5J12 tails 5J14 (which tails 1J14). If you're running to time, you should be stop start a lot as there's no opportunity to overtake.
Coming back on this, I thought I share my experience. Firstly thanks for the recommendation, it was a very interesting run - but for me very different to what you have said. There was no freight when I startet at Fulda, the signal actually cleared while setting up the loco. Thus, the first part of the run was normal. Do you have to wait and delay your departure? Shortly after Wächtersbach, I encountered a yellow signal and was even brought to a complete halt at the following signal (which really demanded the utmost from the brakes from 160 km/h to 0 km/h obeying PZB brake curves, especially as the red signal is very tricky placed around a bend). Form there on it was signal to signal all the way to Frankfurt, even along the three-track part between Gelnhausen and Wolfang! I could see on the map that at least one freight, one FLX, two regionals and two ICEs where ahead of me. The dispatcher acted quite erratic, putting a local regional ahead of me at Wolfgang, which even delayed me further. I arrived at FFM 1h 40min after my departure from Fulda, which is given the ECS character a magnificent delay. And finally, at the end of the second LZB zone at Wolfgang when the signal cleared, LZB first denied resuming speed (showing „0“, shouting „Störung“). I had to press PZB Frei to allow LZB to continue, speed raised to 60 km/h. That was actually a situation I had never encountered before. I was still in LZB but already in the „LZB Ende“ phase, which was a bit too much for my limited skills on German safety skills… All in all, a very interesting but also very stressful run! P.S. and what a missed opportunity that this run isn’t the successor for RE50 (4454) (leaves FFM at 17:48, a nice run - more on that later!) which terminates at Fulda around 19:25, but goes to the siding instead of forming this ECS
I tried the run again with the 114. A freight passed me on the left at the start and then cleared through a portal - DGS 69111 Portal Out. From there, I saw several trains ahead of me similar to the convoy you were behind, but I didn't encounter any adverse signals until Wolfgang which brought me to a halt just outside Hanau. From there it was a clear run until I had a red for a platform wait outside Frankfurt. The total run was 1h 6min. I can't reproduce the original run that I experienced. It has been a while, but I recall leavingon time and encountering a freight on the right as I pulled out of Fulda that got priority over me. That wasn't there this time. Your run sounds truly excellent! In the 114 on the regular timetable, I had a good run, but not quite what you experienced. With so many layers on FFA, 3 different timetables, and patches periodically coming out, I guess it is no surprise that reproducing runs can be a challenge. Thanks for the post!
I tried it yesterday with current date and it was a lot of fun for me too. I had the priority freight in Fulda. Pity that I ran twice into fake magnet that stopped me (invisible vorsignal in Fulda and one hot Vr 1 down the line), otherwise it would be great PZB learning ride, I was following something all the way to Hanau, but with big skips, so it was not a chore. These forced stops always made a large buffer between me and (probably freight) ahead that I subsequently caught up by running 160 km/h, after relatively long and random times, so full brakes downhill from line speed. You can also stay in freeroam and take the consist to yard afterwards. Current date makes the timing just right with dusk.
Midland Mainline 5Q57, EPX Class 37 + 375 from Leicester to Derby. A few approach controlled junctions and a couple of adverse signals in here, but if you fail to achieve brake release tactically wait a couple of minutes at Leicester you'll be rewarded with a lovely bit of side by side running with an HST as you both slow on the approach to Loughborough Also, lots of opportunities to thrash the tractor, and who doesn't want that?
A nice run on Frankfurt S-Bahn with the 642: RE3 (29530) Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Saarbrücken Hbf at 18:23 First of all, driving the 642 is much more pleasant with BPH mod found here: BR 642 - Mini EP - Train Sim Community which is compatible with the Lukie Mookie mod found here: DB Class 642 V2.5(FIX!!) - Train Sim Community It is a limited stop regional service and the trouble begins . . . Spoiler: Spoiler just outside Fr. Stadion where you wait on an incoming S8 and then an outgoing S9 which you then catch up to approaching stops at the airport and Rüsselheim. Those with better German signal expertise may correct me, but I think an approaching signal just outside Frankfurt Stadion shows an incorrect aspect.
This one comes courtesy of the British Accent channel with the full run with all layers here: Service is 2H49 at 15.12 on Manchester Airport Commuter in the Class 323. I have all the layers apart from TfW. On my run you are held at a red just outside Wilmslow that delays you by 5 minutes, which is a struggle to make up for the rest of the run (ended up 3 minutes late to Piccadilly). There's a fun piece of dispatching later on where a Pendolino overtakes you but because you have to cross tracks to get on the right path to Platform 3 at Piccadilly the Pendolino gets held at a red to allow you to cross over and overtake again.
Not bad, but I think it's similar run for all trains routed via Alte Niederräder Brücke, the dispatcher at the Stadion crossing is pretty much a disaster that always holds long distance trains for one S-Bahn crossing your route in next ten minutes. I got normal "60 km/h, expect stop on reduced braking distance" when entering Stadion.
There are a few services I wanted to add in here: Boston Sprinter MBTA Stoughton #904 07:48 Stoughton to Boston Rotem CTC-5 MBTA Your held at Canton Junction for passing MBTA Providence to Boston service. After waiting you follow this service with lots of ATC and ACSES action, you will be late! You then race alongside another MBTA service from Boston Backbay to Boston South. Fife Circle Train 2G06 10:02 Glenrothes with Thornton to Edinburgh Waverley, class 170. Play this service in July and you will get a rare sighting of Flying Scotsman at Cowdenbeath station. After this you are then held at Edinburgh Haymarket for an incoming Glasgow to Edinburgh service. Afterwords you follow the service into Edinburgh Waverley with lots of SPAD potential. Scotrail Express Sprinter Express Timetable Train 1R06, 17:59 Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh Waverley, class 380/1. You are held outside Glasgow Queen Street for a incoming service from Alloa with lots of potential for delay. After passing Polmont you follow a Dunblane to Edinburgh service. Lots of SPAD potential between Linlithgow and Edinburgh Haymarket. There is also amazing AI throughout this journey including sightings of the class 801 and class 390!
Now, my first story about impressive ride. Koln-Aachen new timetable. Train- ICE1 ICE 657, depart from Aachen at 19:57. Journey begins as usual, first 5-6 km. In summer you'll see beautiful last traces of sundown. And then you see yellow and red at Stolberg, with very short distance between yellow and red! And then- continuous yellows and 1000Hz lights between Eschweiler and Duren. Your ride will be smooth, without accelerations and brakes if you choose speed about 100 km/h, not more. At Duren station- waiting in front of red signal, 3-4 minutes. After Duren- smooth speedy ride with some LZB "teasing", but nothing serious... until stop at red signal just 5 km before Koln station. In map mode I see that all five segments of track between me and Koln station are occupied, and all five trains stopped at reds. After 12 minutes of waiting five stopped trains turns in 11 (eleven!) trains, motionless jammed in front of Koln station entry, plus one train behind me. I decide to remove one train (closest to station and stopped without any visible reason), and traffic jam begins to dissolve. It takes more than 10 minutes to drive final 5 kilometers, yellow-red, yellow-red... And finally I arrived to Koln at 21:19 instead of 20:45. What was that? Timetable bug? Accident simulation? Or just evening close to real evening on Deutsche Bahn?
Just tried this one. Can confirm it runs as described and I don't even have every layer! I had to nuke two trains to get through. It's a definite 'tea and biscuits' for the AI dispatcher . I suspect one or two AI services have been pathed or spawned to a conflicting platform which is then gumming it all up on arrival to Koln.
Not a service but the 'Coming Home ' scenario for the 86 is excellent if you want to practice following something on yellows.
1M00 Bromsgrove-Birmingham, XC 170/5. Starts off greens throughout, but unless you use the afterburners up Lickey, you'll fall behind a stopper. Plenty of SPAD traps, particularly on a couple of harsh falling grades. Arrived eight late.
Great run and agree on the SPAD traps especially with the weaker brakes on the 170. I suspect there's a few XC services like that in this pack (definitely all the ones that are XX:22) as in reality they don't stop at Bromsgrove so they'll be coming through the station at 90-100mph and therefore not lose as much time going up the incline to avoid getting behind WMR stoppers. Clever choice by Tyler to enhance gameplay but you can see why XC couldn't justify stopping at Bromsgrove once that section was electrified for the cross city.
MAC: 1D37 Manchester Airport to Llandudno, passed an intermodal on the styal line and then ran parallel with a 323 coming into the Manchester Piccadilly as soon as I rejoined the mainline.
Edinburgh-Glasgow Sprinter Express timetable. Train- Class 385 1R14, departs from Glasgow at 06:59 Until Falkirk High- smooth ride at maximum allowed speeds, with beautiful dawning in September-October. Near Linlithgow- yellows and red, close to Linlithgow station. Be careful- this route is full of signals hidden in the curves! (also- the same tricky traps are typical for Southeastern High Speed Line) Being stopped at red near Linlithgow, you can see train ahead not in the map mode, but with your own eyes, from the cockpit- it's Class 158, slowly departing from Linlithgow station. And then- continuous yellows between Linlithgow and Haymarket. Interesting lesson about speed decisions- at 75 mph you will stuck into red near Edinburgh Park, but if you choose stable 70 mph- you will have smooth ride without braking, and arrive at Haymarket exactly on time. At short section between Edinburgh Park and Haymarket- dense traffic! Several 170, 158 and HST.
I am really enjoying taking the 170's up and down Lickey Incline on the new BCC timetable! They are very enjoyable and relatively short runs making the route and stopping pattern pretty straightforward to learn. I can now run HUDless with no game prompts and that really immerses me. Just about every run has a little wrinkle. Two of my favorite wrinkles: 1M82 Hereford to Birmingham New Street at 20:53 with the 107/5 WMT Spoiler: Dispatcher Error You get put in the hole just outside King's Norton to let a 323 go by and then follow it into Birmingham. 1V27 Birmingham New Street to Hereford at 19:18 with the 170/5 WMT Spoiler You catch up to a 323 service as you approach the University Stop and get by it at King's Norton. After that, you pass a freight in the hole.
0A26 @ Carnforth, for best experience spawn at Carnforth at 0800 & walk to the sidings, you will find a lone 87 waiting to be shunted to Carnforth P2 I think, although this is selectable in the timetable I think it adds to it to start at the station, once in the platform wait as the next part is only available if you stay with the loco, next head light engine to Lancaster up goods where you wait for a while for a 47 to detach from its train and pass you, then take the 87 & couple up & head to Preston, nice little run with an intermodal occupying a loop on the way, I did this in a light storm, was fun.
Thanks for these. If you want more like 1M82 then 1L98 in the XC 170/6 (Bristol to Stansted Airport at 07:44) runs in a very similar way. For something a bit different but with similar challenge there is also 5H76 which is an ECS run in the XC 170/6 that you drive from Lichfield City to Birmingham New Street (service is Nottingham to Tyseley Depot at 22:07) where about 90% of the run can be done under yellows and reds.
Good find! I wonder why this sort of run isn't listed, as it's, I think, the only light engine move for the 86 or 87 on the mainline. Perhaps an Easter Egg... Maybe there are more...! Anyway, it was short but sweet. Acceleration light engine on the 87 is phenomenal, so watch out you don't speed. Careful with those taps On my 2nd attempt from Lancaster goods' loop (SPAD!!!), the light loco heading off the Preston was a 40. Nice
NJ 491 Hamburg-Alt to Wien HBF @ 00:13 on KWG with the Expert 101 at 23:30 This run is already on the list, but is even better with the expert 101. Put a little snow on the ground and enjoy the challenge of maintaining speed while avoiding driver slip. You are restricted to 160 because of the car carriers behind the coaches. Spoiler You catch up to some freight congestion at Fulda and then follow a convoy of freights after that. Slowly, they peel off or go in the hole for you to clear your way. Following the LZB curves and then regaining speed is quite a challenge. One tip which I learned the hard way: for hill starts with the expert 101 you need to turn off AFB!
KT 50001 Hamburg Billwerder - München Riem @ 23:21 on KWG is a double headed 140km/h express freight with the Expert 101 that turns out to not be so express ... Spoiler A freight blocks your track at Fulda. After that, it is an LZB and dark signal fest! Interesting train handling with all the grades and speed changes. Running your own braking and acceleration curves is recommended. Eventually, you clear the freights in front for a smooth last few km into Würzberg.
ECML - 1N81 London Kings Cross to York in the Class 801/2 at 09:57 - ran in June Spoiler This is an all stop service with occasional cautionary signals including red signal with a potential TPWS trap outside Grantham. You then get a nice pass on the opposite tracks by the Flying Scotsman if you run it in June on the way to Retford. You then need to be ready for a potential red outside Doncaster where there is plenty of freight AI around at this time
Sorry typo there, it should be 1N81. Not sure if it's in the cargo line one, as I only have the military pack. I will correct my original post.
I'm surprised this service from Nahverkehr Dresden has not been added. DB BR 442 Talent 2 RE 18 Cottbus- Dresden Hbf 06:27. Amazing AI throughout. Chase yellows and reds in to Coswig and race a freight train into Dresden Hbf with another freight train and S Bahn traffic passing alongside you.
This was a fully all-green A-B run for me with nothing interesting happening, aside of regular opposite traffic. I have all layers and were everywhere on time.
Very strange as I've done this journey twice and had a very busy run. There was a freight train waiting for me and at Priestewitz and then I was chasing yellows and had to wait on a red light at Coswig. After that there were freight trains and some S Bahn trains between Dresden Neustadt and Dresden Hbf. I took this photo on the run to show how busy it was
