With the addition of train faults and random events, it feels right to mention EOTs and Defect Detectors. There has to be an update to implement them with the new core features coming. On most routes, there already exists the equipment on tracks and EOTs are already on AI controlled trains. What I would like to see implemented is as following: The ability to manually add EOTs to the end of trains Functional defect detectors that’ll play audio of faults such as; dragging equipment, hot boxes, and sliding wheels, etc. Ex of these messages would be: “CSX Equipment Defect Detector milepost six six point two. NO DEFECTS, NO DEFECTS. Total axel count TWO NINER ZERO Train length FOUR TWO NINER ZERO End of transmission”. Broken knuckles. Locomotives are modeled with extra knuckle couplers on plows. Flat spots on wheels. Everyone loves the thumping sound as a worn out car flies by you on the tracks. The games default sound lacks the thumps, clacks, and squealing of actual trains. Manual crossing activation. This would be as simple as a button on the cab radio. In real life, there’s a series of keys needed to be pressed to activate crossings while inside the electric loop. Crossings not activating after stopping at a station is already an issue that this feature would fix. With the addition of these features, it would be necessary to add gameplay elements to them. Depending on the warning you get, you could have to set a car on a siding or inspect cars for air hoses not attached. Or even having a hopper spill grain onto the tracks. Features that add a sense of urgency would be a nice addition. To get a warning saying to stop your train immediately because of a fault adds a level of realism a lot of folks want.
As much as I like these ideas, the chances of them happening are very slim. Since US freight is pretty much dead now.
I would love to have this in the game! This could also add radio chatter that you could hear from the dispatcher, other trains, mechanical department, and other stuff like the defect detectors you mentioned.
I think more varied train faults in general would be good - but I'd also like to see more infrastructure faults. I've made a thread on this before (https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/disruption-mode.79518/) but things like:
