Route Nec: New York - Stamford Feedback Thread

Whats is with the 15 min wait at grand central before the job finishes.

 

M8 has the same bug as M7A - "overspeed" status can stuck on speedometer forever.

Overall, the route's performance isn't great. The frame rate fluctuates constantly between 50 to 60, sometimes rising above 60, and sometimes dropping to almost 40. And this doesn't depend on a traffic. It can be 60 fps with a few trains on the screen, just as it can be 40 fps without any other trains.

I know this is the wrong topic, but please do something about the M7A's sounds - she's incredibly loud.

 

Because of this issue, I just decided to request a refund. It happened to me now in two runs that this bug caused me to have to come to a complete stop every time I got an ATC reduction. What happened was that the M8 got stuck in overspeed status, but it allowed me to coninue. The next time I got an ATC drop below my current speed, I applied the brakes such that the brake rate light was illuminated and acknowledged the alarm. Once I had reduced the speed below the target, I tried to release the brakes, but they wouldn't. The only way I could find to continue was to come to a complete stop, apply the emergency brakes, recharge them and then I could take power again. However, at this point, the overspeed indicator was still lit, so the entire thing repeated itself again at the next ATC drop. I didn't try resetting the physics. Maybe that works.

 

Does anyone else have weird braking issues with the M8? I will brake to slow down to a certain speed (lets say from 70 to 60) and then it will continue to brake all the way to 0, even when I release the breaks completely. It is not a penalty for overspeeding, because signals were all green. It seems to be a bit random too, sometimes I can reduce my speed just fine and at other times when I brake, it will automatically brake until the train is stopped.

 

This is known. It’s an ATC feature that applies a penalty if you return the master controller to coast if you hadn’t first achieved the brake rate and acknowledge after an ATC speed reduction.
The feature works 80% of the time I find, but it sometimes causes penalties when you drive in bad weather or the ATC speed quickly rises back up to a higher speed.

For now, be sure to always achieve the brake rate and acknowledge an ATC reduction before you move the master controller back to coast.

 

PC player here!

The route's scenery and ambiance are incredibly well-done! I wasn't super excited for this route because I feel the line from Stamford to New Haven is a lot more interesting, but the build quality of the route has far exceeded my expectations. Well done to the route detailing team!

Really enjoy the sounds too, especially the automated announcements on the M8. It adds immensely to the sense of immersion.

The M8 is mostly a lot of fun to drive. It's well modeled and looks and sounds great...but the ATC and braking issues are very aggravating.

As others have reported, there are lots of issues with the speed limit randomly, and with absolutely no warning, dropping from 45 to 15, 70 to 30, etc. It's possible that this is not a bug but is how it works IRL, but all the same it is unpredictable and jarring.

However with how the master controller responds, it's really difficult to:

1. respond in time while also pressing the acknowledge button, and while also
2. not throwing the controller into emergency, which it is really easy to do when you're trying to slam the controller into max application.

This results in the train frequently slamming itself to a stop, or the engineer inadvertently slamming the train to a stop because the master controller is somehow both too insensitive (going into braking) and too sensitive (going from max brake into emergency).

What's especially confusing is that a few times, I have responded in time, put the brakes into max pressure and acknowledged the alarm.... and yet I still got all my air dumped from under me, forcing mysterious emergency stops.

There are also some Raildriver integration issues with the M8. The reverser seems confused by Raildriver input. The alarm acknowledge button on the Raildriver appears to be completely nonfunctional. The headlight switch on raildriver will turn the headlights on, but the front markers stay on too if I use the Raildriver switch.

Unfortunately it's really diminishing my enjoyment of the route. I'm hoping for a patch or a fix to make this somewhat more manageable.

 

Also, ACSES (track speed) currently enforces an unrecoverable penalty if you cross the ACSES penalty curve. It should be recoverable if you acknowledge but is unrecoverable in game. This is also known.
For now, anticipate upcoming speed limits and if you get an ACSES alarm, immediately move the master controller into the braking range so you don’t cross the penalty curve.

 

I agree here as I had bugged this myself.

here I have to push back a bit since the current buildings that were there are better than anything else that could have been added

 

thank you for your feedback. The team work very hard on the route. We will continue to get all the feedback, suggestions and where we can improve. Again thank you

 

Thats really annoying me now they need to sort that out.

 

I hear you, it annoys me too. We have reported the issue.

 

I missing why does the m8 just keep locking brakes on for no reason no alarms. I brake to slow down to speed limit and brakes just lock on until I come to a standstill. Wtf

 

Hi!

I'm playing on PC (Steam). I'm really enjoying this route, but there's one issue that's bothering me more than others.

M8, once you've completed a journey (for example, Stamford-GCT), when you change cab and start the train, it feels like there's "resistance". Even with the brakes released, the train struggles to accelerate. When you shift into "Coast" mode, you can clearly see the train slowing down without having applied the brakes.

I don't know what's causing this problem, but I hope it's fixed soon.

Otherwise, it's a great route. I love driving in New York!

(Sorry for my English, I don't speak it very well.)

 

Schedule padding, I know that MNRR has heavy padded Schedule if you dont run at MAS you wouldn't be late nor wait too long

 

I understand the ATC aspect, my problem occurs independently from any ATC warning. For example, all green and I decreasye speed from 70 MPH to 60 MPH (speed limit up ahead). I reach 60 way before the limit changes, release the brakes yet the brakes still apply until the train comes to a complete stop. No warning buzzer or lights flashed at all, it seems to happen only during random brakings.

 

ACSES curve probably.

 

Hi! I have a question regarding ATC behaviour. In Drawbridge Drama scenario I've noticed that the speed limit frequently toggles between 45 and 30, making it very hard to drive without getting "penalized" by emergency stops.

However, once the train is behind schedule, the limit stays at 45 and no longer drops to 30. Is this how the real-world ATC is supposed to work, or could this be a bug in the scenario? I want to make sure I'm not missing a specific driving technique. Thanks!

 

I have the exact problem.

 

ATC is the signals so what is most likely happening is you are following a train in front of you. As you get closer to it, your ATC speeds decrease. If the train in front gets farther away from you, your ATC speeds will increase.

 

Is the overspeed indicator on the right screen red when this occurred, even as you were below the upcoming speed limit?

 

There have been several incidents here in NYC of mostly kids stealing and operating trains. More specific MTA NYC subway trains. LIRR and Metro North have not had that issue however

 

I have a video below, it just happened twice while finishing a run. The first braking issue happens at 0:50 (I was below the speed limit and just braked a bit to test it) I attempt to get it to happen again at 1:57 to no avail, but the second one happens a little later at 2:35. I never passed over 45MPH (limit was 45) and braked a bit and the issue happened again.

 

Here’s the temporary solution if you face this again: once you come to a complete stop, force yourself to go 3mph over the ATC limit, then move the master controller to 60% braking or more and acknowledge until you’re below the ATC limit. That should extinguish the permanent overspeed on the right screen and solve the issue.

 

Honestly, including the SD40-2 with the route and not making it have in-cab signalling is just a joke. Could you imagine if they released a German route with a train that doesn't have PZB?

 

The ATC limit changing from MAS to 45 to 30 to 15 is prototypical behavior, and also simulated correctly. Most of the frustrations that are being aired here stem from unfamiliarity with the territory / how the onboard safety systems enforce the signal restrictions. You need to have the master controller at ~60% brake to achieve the brake assurance rate (suppression). Generally, if you find yourself coming up on a yellow signal, your MC should be in coast to allow you to get it to 60% brake within the allotted time once the ATC alarm starts sounding.

Easy learning tip:
Run with the signal HUD open. If you see greens ahead of you, you will be fine at MAS. As soon as you see a yellow signal pop up on the HUD following a green signal, EXPECT an ATC downgrade from MAS to 45 as soon as you pass that first yellow signal. You should slow down at a relatively gentle rate and aim to pass that yellow signal at 45 so you do not have to initiate a suppression brake application to satisfy the ATC system when it registers the signal downgrade. Any subsequent yellow signals may be further downgrades, so operate accordingly as you approach them. The only time you will definitely know the following yellow is a downgrade is if you know you are coming up to a positive stop signal, in which case each yellow signal after the first will be a step down the ATC ladder (45 > 30 > 15 > stop).

 

I'll give it a shot, thanks!

 

Acela too, i bet every train with atc/acses has it

 

I hope the modders will manage to reintroduce the brake button and the option to disable the safety systems during gameplay.
(As for the brake button, I realise that could be more complicated for a modder without SimuGraph).

 

they couldn't do that because it would violate DTG licensing agreement with MTA

 

This is indeed how it works IRL. The actual engineers are used to this, and this is why trains run more slowly during rush hour (more trains on the line, more restrictive signal aspects).

 

Extreme schedule padding. It was the same way with the Harlem Line if you remember that DLC. Metro-North pads their schedules to the extent where you can operate about 2/3rds track speed and still be on time. So if you are going straight to full power out of every station stop and accelerating to track speed, expect to be early into every stop and sit for a bit. If you don't like sitting, do as the real life guys do and only run with a max of 50% throttle or so.

 

I see what you mean.
But DTG isn’t responsible for what modders do.
They lost the Caltrain licences, and a modder restored them.
There’s already a mod featuring the M9 and M7 for the security systems.

That said, I’m not sure how this works legally, given that it’s unofficial content.
(The TSW Creator Club offers branded player liveries from companies that have never granted their licence)
In any case, only PC players will be able to benefit from this if it happens.

 

I didn't know that

 

It’s a core bug, yes. But the m8 specifically has an extra safety feature (which when working in normal conditions, is accurate to the real thing). Unfortunately, it is clashing with this long standing bug.

 

The ADU and features have been even more stripped down than the Updated M7 and M9 was. You can no longer do an ASCES or ATC departure test. The screen that shows the current status of each car (maintenance) is disabled. You can no longer turn off the HVAC like you could on the M7 and M9. The radio is now a dead display with no interactivity so you can even contact signaler. The M8 is even more dumbed down in comparison and at a premium price its a bit sad. I love the route scenery and all but i cant pretend like this is the best Rolling stock dovetail has put out.

 

You’ve said everything I didn’t like about the M8

 

I found this too, then I put the brake into Emergency and it sorted it.

 

This is all likely due to the increased scrutiny that the MTA has been placing on content being released for the game. All of those shiny bells and whistles are technically not essential to the train's operation in-game, and so likely in an effort to not make the MTA mad, those features were not coded into the M8. Honestly, aside from the known ATC bug, which isn't even that bad IMO considering these trains randomly throw you into penalty IRL anyway, I've found the M8 to be pretty enjoyable to run.

 

Just have to say, who ever provided the sounds did an amazing job recording them

 

Yeah, I like M8 sounds too(not satisfied with the the joints sounds though). That horn fading sound is amazing!

 

I may have provided some of the source material, but it really was the audio guys at Rivet who made everything come to life. Am VERY impressed with how realistic they were able to make the motor inverters sound. At the end of the day, I'm glad they didn't follow my original lazy suggestion to just copy and paste the M9 sounds. The M8 is IMO a step up.

 

my issue is the addition cost for less functionality. Yes they're not critical functions to operate the train but applying this logic we might as well have thomas the tank engine controls.

 

Great route! I've done 10 M8 services so far, and I love how the scenery, sounds, and timetable are done, although in every service thus far I'll be going along at limited speed, or whatever speed is under the cab signal requirement, and I'll just put the master controller in coast, and somehow, by pure random chance, I'll get an unrecoverable penalty to 0. No alerter, no cab signal/ACSES downgrade, no nothing. It doesn't even say it's a penalty; it'll just randomly stop me. Possibly the most annoyed I've been with any train.

I've played LIRR Commuter/Morristown/BP a ton, so I'm pretty familiar with the operation of the 9 aspect system, but it really takes the fun out of the route here when it happens 3-4 times every service!

 

The unrecoverable penalty going into coast is going to get patched in the future

 

love how he was talking went outside got to the part OHLE missing then quickly changed camera and didnt mention anything

 

Maybe because he knows it’s normal since it’s the mianus crossing https://youtube.com/shorts/61phDWMwnKY?si=JxAzPG2Xz3tmmAJq

 

No, it's not. It's Pelham Bay Bridge.
There are many places on this route where the OHLE is either have gaps, or where the pantograph does not reach the wire.
Overall OHLE on this route reminds me the release version of Sunnyside on NYT. It's just broken.