Am I driving it correctly? It seems to require constant pull on the throttle, unlike other trains. So if you want to take an outside view or screenshots, you have to let it coast. Took a while to get it moving from start.... Fantastic train, though.
You need to read the manual, download it from the AP site. AP stuff is top notch but manuals have to be read. BTW the throttle is notched and not graduated you have to notch up & down ! to 7
hi, thanks for the reply. I did read through it, but it reads like the throttle should stay in position. It doesn’t say anything about needing to hold it.
You don't need to hold it. While you get used to it use the F4 HUD and use key A to notch up and D to notch down.
Did you get it from AP or thru Steam? Apart from not overloading the unit the driving technique is not much different to a Sprinter. Just did a Quick Drive and started in notch 3 and after reaching 10 mph I went to notch 7 - just watch the amps In reverse I just moved the power handle to Off without pausing in any notch. The OP started by saying if he let go of the power handle it went back to off
I bought it through AP. I’ve tried starting it a couple of dozen times and only once got the notch 1 to stay. For some reason, pressing the A key doesn’t work: the only way I can move the throttle is with the control. Also, moving the brake lever ‘manually’, I can’t seem to get it into the EP position - only pressing backspace does that. And the only way to get it out of EP is with ; - but after that the handle can be turned ‘manually’. Is there an issue with the reverser, or a conflict between the HUD and modelled cab controls? I need to long press W to get the reverser handle in the cab to move to Forward, but the HUD symbol remains in the middle. As mentioned earlier, I had difficulty getting the train to move, and by experimentation I’ve learned that there seems to be a conflict between how the cab reverser lever is set and what the HUD icon shows: As I said, if I long press W to get the cab reverser handle into forward position, the HUD one remains in EO and the train won’t move. If I put the HUD knob into forward too, so it is consistent with the cab lever, the train still doesn’t move. I have found that the only way to get the train to move is to bring the cab reverser handle back to EO, and instead move the HUD knob only to forward. I presume there’s some sort of bug (not the one on the window!), unless I’ve done something wrong along the way, which is entirely possible as a TS user of less than a week! This happens in all routes I’ve tried, so isn’t dependent on that. Also on two separate computers. Anyone else had such issues with driving the 205? It’s an amazing pack from AP, but it’s a bit tiresome having to hold the left mouse button down on the throttle to keep it on! Any solutions gratefully appreciated!
Have your controls in Settings changed to Simple? You should not be driving using the F4 HUD as it and the controls don't always agree as you have found out Try the F3 HUD and the Keyboard & the mouse
My controls were still set to expert. I tried the F3 minimal HUD as you suggested, and it now works perfectly. Thank you! I didn’t realise you are not supposed to use the full HUD on this, it wasn’t mentioned anywhere. Is that the case with all AP trains? The only remaining glitches are that the A key still doesn’t work, or the V for the wipers, but that’s not an issue, as I prefer to use the ‘manual controls’ anyway. Thanks for your help, and all the others: I’m now a very happy Thumper driver! Now I’ll be spending the rest of the night tootling around London waiting for my first summer fly.....
It does not mention it but most AP stock works better by just using the Keyboard In the Class 205 Manual, and others from AP, there is a page of Keyboard Shortcuts. Still not sure why the A Key does not work
The F4 HUD is ridiculous, looks childish, and takes up far too much screen real estate. On routes I know, I don't use a HUD at all. Use the keys and the F3 HUD.
Yes, once you are used to using the manual controls, you never want to go back to the HUD. It’s much more engaging to learn how the loco works, and pay attention to all the real dials and outside speed limits, etc. One thing that might confuse the beginner like me is that the Off position for the reverser is at the back, right behind the forward position, so you have to be careful not to move it too far. But there’s one control on the F4 HUD I can’t seem to find a shortcut key for: the ‘alternative view’, which I just need to move from the driver’s seat to in front of the number box to set it up. Is there a none HUD way of changing view like this? A keyboard shortcut? I wondered why I was getting non AWS alerts, but see from a YouTube video it’s when you change CSR.
