Are there any mods to sub our the M7 on LIRR with the M7A, a la the Class 700 on BML? The M7A fits and functions much better than the existing LIRR M7 - the PIS works on the M7A and shows the next stop, and it works exceptionally well on Raildriver, as opposed to the M7 that seems to have been never optimized. If anyone is working on such a mod, I would be the first on line to pick it up and run it through its paces. However, if the recent speculation that an expanded LIRR turns out to be one of the headliners on 8/22, I'd imagine the route and its trains will be improved, rendering such a mod irrelevant. That said, if someone is indeed working on such a mod, I'd be more than happy to assist in its creation.
M7A is a Metro North Train. M7 is LIRR's... They aren't even compatible with each other's infrastructure. M7 on LIRR are connected to the supply via a pickup brush that drags above the 3rd rail ( similar to Electrostars ) M7A on the other hand have their pickup brushes collect the current from below the 3rd rail. Sure, you can use the scenario planner & play the way you like but it would be an incredible fireworks show; should it ever happen IRL
Will not work because they have different third rail shoe setup Top Contact 750v DC Third Rail Yellow M7 LIRR (like British trains 375/9 700 & 395 DC Mode 377 & 313/2) while M7A Metro-North Blue Paint 750v DC Third Rail Bottom Contact. What is needed here to solve the issue is a train that has both type of Third Rail shoes that meant LIRR/Metro-North M9A and Metro-North M8 these have the equipment to run on both types of third shoes. Remember to actually raise them to run on Long Island Railroad for M9A and M8 but lower them for Metro-North. Otherwise the firework effect happens
Understood re issue of overrunning / under running third rail - would this IRL condition present an issue with the in-game mechanics?
Why not set up an Off The Rails run in Scenario Planner and check for yourself. I suspect there will not be any issue in the sim, just like running the UK 25kv AC Class 700 on DB 16kv infrastructure.
As other said the only way to play with the M7a is with the scenario and off raill. For example with TSW God mod you can spawn an Ice 1 engine at Barstow but it won't move. Off rail is less realistic than normal.
There weren’t any issues, at least in off the rails. This is how I know that the PIS recognizes the next stop and is an overall better experience than the vanilla M7.
