Class 166 Improvements For Immension And Realism

Discussion in 'Suggestions' started by Gabe_1.0, Feb 16, 2020.

  1. Gabe_1.0

    Gabe_1.0 Well-Known Member

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    Hi Devs, your 166 is quite spectacular but some things could be better. After spending time in TSW for a year or so I made a small list of improvements.

    1. DRIVER CABIN: Operable windows on the cabin doors (which will affect temperature and noise levels)

    2. Realistic operation of the Throttle leaver (you notice there is a red button on it, in reality you must press and hold in order to move it up and down otherwise it will not move)

    *there is actually an issue with this a bug that has been with this unit for many years now. If you use your keyboard to move the leaver the red button on dose not in any way visually function correctly, i.e you see it being pushed in. If you use your mouse to move the leaver you can visually see it being pushed in. So there is a fault more-like here*

    The best feature for this is "press and hold" two buttons on the keyboard, using the same principle as the Jinty steam locomotive from TS2020, this is an advanced feature.

    3.Visible air cushion movement. As it turns out air cushions replaced traditional springs but when you look at them on the external view the is not much activity there when the train is on the move.
    4.Functional Display for the front. TSW has gained enough age and experience now to implement functional displays on various units.
    5.Radio Operator Check and Radio chatter ( switch on the radio and do a simple radio check and then leave it running to hear the chatter in continuation
     
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2020
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  2. Olaf the Snowman

    Olaf the Snowman Well-Known Member

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    Hi, some good suggestions.

    Point 2: That’s not actually correct and the button is not needed to move the controller at all. It is a hill start button so it still maintains a step 1 brake application while you can move the controller to a power position. This is so that you don’t roll while the brakes are releasing if there is a gradient. So you hold the button, move to notch 3 (for example), allow a couple of seconds for the engines to fire up and then release the hill start button. The hill start button is not needed to move the controller. Not that you are able to notice much in TSW but the ‘gate’ (so you can’t accidentally take power) in order to move from ‘off’ to a power position is you have to shift the controller to the left. I’ll add a picture and notice how there the controller would have to shift slightly to the left in order to access the power positions. This is the same for Class 377s but the hill start button is slightly different because the brakes will automatically release when the power circuit is made. Whereas on a 166, you would have to release the button to release the brakes.


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  3. steadfast

    steadfast Member

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    There is no radio chatter on UK trains. The radio is a telephone style handset for contacting the signalman. When they contact you, it rings and the handset has to be lifted to have a conversation
     
  4. Olaf the Snowman

    Olaf the Snowman Well-Known Member

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    I think if and when they make the GSMR radio functional, it will be so that you are able to register your headcode and that’s it. If they want to be adventurous possibly in a few years because this certainly isn’t a priority, they could do the following:

    1. General Broadcast: Just a general message from the signaller to all trains in area. For example, to remind drivers of a speed restriction ahead. Or to let drivers know that they are aware of a fault so you don’t need to stop and report it. E.g. indication out on theatre box.

    2. Railway Emergency call: Conversation between signaller and another driver (AI) about an emergency so if you receive this message, you need to stop immediately. E.g. trespassers, fire, problem with OHLE, etc...

    So the above two are kind of the best you’re going to get with regard to ‘radio chatter’ in the UK. You are then able to press ‘ST’ button on the GSMR to acknowledge that you’ve either understood the message or that you have come to a stop for number 1 and 2 respectively.

    3. Able to press the ‘SG’ button when stood at a red signal to let the signaller that you’re waiting. Then either you will get a ‘Wait’ message or ‘Contact signaller’ message on the GSMR. The former can be used when you request to pass signal at danger and get the ‘no available route’ and the latter can be used when you currently get the “proceed at restricted speed” because by contacting the signaller, he/she will then give you authority to pass signal at danger.

    For example:

    Current: Stop at red signal; press button on Xbox controller which says ‘request to pass signal at danger; ‘proceed at restricted speed’ appears on screen

    Future potential: Stop at red signal; press ‘SG’ button in GSMR; message appears on GSMR saying ‘ Contact Signaller’; you then press Xbox controller button which says ‘request to pass signal at danger; ‘proceed at restricted speed’ appears on screen. Otherwise if you had ‘Wait’ appear on GSMR radio, you obviously wouldn’t ask to pass signal at danger.

    As I say, this isn’t something I expect TSW to implement right now as there are far bigger priorities and functionalities of greater importance. But something possibly to think about in a few years.
     
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