PC Clinchfield Session Mcclure Shifter Part 1 -- Help, Please

As the McClure Shifter Part 1 (F7 version) session begins, the F7 you're driving hasn't been set up yet and is sitting on a 1.2% downgrade. Of course, it's speed is increasing rapidly and the brakes do not work yet. What's an engineer to do???

Furthermore, does it make sense that any engine would be left sitting on a 1.2% grade without any brakes being set?

I'd appreciate constructive advice, especially from someone who has gotten this engine stopped so that it can be set up properly.

 

In the F7, you should have loco brake control at all times, so just slam on the ] key
The SD40 is more problematical, because at start you have no functioning brake controls. Until it's fixed:

• Immediately turn on the cab light (with the L key; you don't have time to grope for the switch)
• Set the MU2 valve (you can't find it in the dark, hence the cab light)
• Pull the loco brake to full application

That should stop the train, especially if you do so it before it's gained much speed. Then you can set up normally.

 

Good evening. I reported this for the xbox. Have received a reply from dtg which should help (have cut and pasted it below). I haven't had a chance to try it yet, hope it helps.

1. Immediately move the Independent Brake to Full Service
2. Set the MU2A Valve to Lead or Dead (This will hold the train)
3. Move the Automatic brake to the Emergency position.
4. Set the Cut-Off Valve to Freight
5. Move the Automatic Brake to Release
6. Set the following controls to the On position:
   • Engine Run
   • Generator Field
   • Control & Fuel Pump
7. Insert the Reverser
8. Move the Reverser to Forward
9. Move the Selector Level to 1
10. Apply 1 notch of throttle
11. Move the Independent Brake to the Bail Off position.

 

I disagree. This will force a PCS reset the moment you cut the valve in.

In this service, the loco brake will hold you, provided you don't dilly-dally and allow the train really to get moving. (And, again, you can't see either valve to operate it without the light on).

 

Having just tried it, I agree. Doing it that way does trip the PCS. Getting the loco Brake on and the mu2 valve to Lead or Dead works.

 

What DTG suggested to Dave Badger is pretty much what I did on my third attempt to start this session and, as Dave notes, it did "trip the PCS" -- whatever that is. On my fourth attempt, I finally got it right -- as Dave notes in his second message. Phew!

These Clinchfield activities are certainly the most challenging and therefore the most rewarding once solved that DTG has ever provided. And what's more, there are more of them than I've ever seen included in a TSW2 DLC. Thanks, developers!!!!!

 

I second this. To be honest, there are much worse gradients on this route. This one isn't too bad. If you act fairly quickly before your train has a chance to roll, you'll be okay. In SD40 it takes like 3 seconds to get the brakes on, in F7 its even quicker.

 

A couple of other reasons not to use the train brake here:

• You want the train stretched out before starting anyway: 50-some cars means 50-odd couplers and that's a lot of slack to take up.
• It takes a long time for the train brakes to fully release all the way to the back, which means more waiting around before you can get moving. In fact, what will happen if you set the train brake and leave the loco brake off, or release them at the same time, is that the train will bunch up against the still-braked rear cars.

 

Well, you are not really supposed to use Train Brake on hilled starts period. Say your train brake is applied, you need to apply max independent brake, release train brake, and your train should still remain in place (although it will stretch out). At which point, you apply throttle to max 800amps, and release the independent. Tried and true method that I always use and it has not failed me.

 

^This.

 

Don't do that. Full position will be more than enough. Otherwise you start the PCS dance. As others have said, make your first job putting on the cab lights. It IS a bit silly have a loco with no brakes, left on a 1.2% (why is it even still there when you get in the cab?) but it keeps us on our toes, so I don't mind one bit. We're all in this for the challenge. Right?

 

Has this changed? You're starting double light engines only, so the Indy will hold you without problems. Don't see a challenge with this scenario.

And how do you play this service with the F7? For me it only appears when selecting the SD40.

 

This is still an issue. The scenario starts you in the dark in the cab of the SD40 with nothing set so you immediately start rolling backwards. You have to set the two brake valves before you can apply the loco brake at which point you are already rolling backwards.

The scenario needs updating so the cab is already set up and the relevant switches engaged and brakes applied.

 

Bump - I just returned to McClure 3 on Clinchfield and the scenario has not been touched by DTG. The cab is dark and as soon as you gain control the loco starts moving, almost impossible to recover.

 

It's a pain in the ass, a function I believe of its being a "service" not a "scenario" and so the loco starts in default state. It's doable, but a bit flustered: launch the service, immediately hit the L key for lights, yank the indy brake and set the MU2A. If you move fast, the train is still slow enough the brake will catch it. Alternative: pop the emergencies; you'll have a loooong time to set up while the brakes recharge!

Of course, with God Mode you can just change the time to daytime.

 

I got it done about the third or fourth attempt, all in the sequencing and don’t use the train brake when running light as it kicks out the PCS. Unlike Run 8, it seems unrecoverable in TSW. Once hooked up to the first set of hoppers you can use the train brake but it seemed ineffectual. Also trying to reverse and couple two subsequent sets of hoppers in near pitch black very difficult, meant backing up at 2MPH and waiting for the thump.

I mean on PC we can just turn daylight on with God mode and the environment mod but not an option for console players.

So sadly I can see why Clinchfield gets a somewhat unjustified bad rap, as not many casual players are going to want it that hardcore. Next leg has you setting off in the dark with the rake of assembled hoppers, once the brakes release..!