Cajon Pass, Service L-sddhes3-05a Does Not Have Enough Power

Service L-SDDHES3-05a, scheduled at 14:50 has a total train weight of 2000 tons and two SD-40-2 locomotives. I had to stop at a signal, but afterwards I could only reach a speed of 12 mph. At the 2.2% grade it started dropping back. I decided not to continue this. This clearly underpowered.

If you fix this, fix the description as well: if says the train goes to Victorville.

I play using the journey and not completing this blocks other journey chapters. So it is a game breaking issue.

 

The service has a third SD40-2 in the middle of the consist. Use banking comm.

 

My advice would be to switch on Banking Comm for every trip as part of the setup, it ensures any DP gets activated and does no harm if no DP is present.

 

Thank you. I treid again, and now speed increased till 17-18 Mph. Not great but acceptable.

 

Yes, that's an acceptable speed on the 2.2% second track grade, the average being 15-20 mph.

 

I’ve completed this one fine

 

Traction isn't allocated to get the consist over the hill fast, just to get it over. 17-18 is fine.

 

One thing with North American freight trains is you are not expected to run the speed limit up hill with the power in your consist.

 

Lol i really wish they had mentioned mid-train DPU being a thing now. I was having the same trouble and i always check the rear for helpers but didn't even consider mid-train

 

I think they mentioned in a launch or preview stream if I recollect

 

Yeah this is 2 trains combined and you need the banking comms on theres a loco in the middle of your consist. I made the same error originally and IMO it should be made clearer that youve got a loco in the middle as I checked the rear of the train and saw no loco so didnt bother with banking comms first time around.

That said if you follow the signals and manage your speed so you dont hit a red on the climb it is much faster in the long run.

 

I've found it a good idea to check the status of Banking Comm after all coupling/uncoupling operations, since is sometimes changes from on to off.

 

Activate the locomotive in the middle of the formation it's banking comm. When Necessary put it to Lead that way if you start speeding up downhill use the middle locomotive brakes in addition to the lead front loco brakes. On PC use Control - and Control + to move from the Front to the mid locomotive. This is my method on Sand Patch grade with SD40 Clinchfield coupled to AC4400CW