I'm running 6M07 Lackenby-Deepcar in Tees Valley, TSW2, with a pair of 20s on just over 1400t of loaded steel wagons. I've just noticed the dynamic 'clag' on the lead loco (not bad!), but on close inspection the second loco is producing idle exhaust rather than none, and two different calculations (about 7-8 mph up a 1% climb, and taking 9 sec per mph to accelerate around 20 mph) suggest that my train has around 1000 hp, not 2000. Are there any known issues around multiple working with the 20? Have I missed a setup step somewhere? I mean, it's good for thrash, but it's not right...
Unlike the US stuff where you need to hit banking comm on the radio (apart from Clinchfield where it doesn’t work), UK traction which is designed to work in multiple requires no special steps, that I’m aware of. Just wondered if you can see the ammeter through the cab window on the second loco, if it’s showing a positive reading?
Ive checked this on my version (steam) and on service 6M12 Redcar - Hatfield, both class 20's with the same exhaust and I peered through the tail locomotive and the amp gauge was moving in line with my throttle changes. On this service on steam at least it appears to be working as intended. What platform are you on and do you have a service number?
I'm on Steam/PC, and this was 6M07. Didn't try peering at the ammeter - should they work in 'inactive' cabs / desks?
An old bug going back to Sand Patch is that sometimes trailing diesels incorrectly play the "idle" sound at all power settings. They're giving you traction, they just don't sound like it.
I dont know if in real life the displays should work but across every loco in TSW Ive checked they do show amps/revs etc. Just checked 6M07 and getting exhaust clag on both locos and the Amp meters moving as expected.
Thanks all. I'll have to try it again at some point. I did change locos for a shunting move so it's possible I didn't shut down the rear cab properly, or something. The acceleration / speed vs gradient calcs definitely suggested I was closer to 1000 hp than 2000, so I don't think it was just a clag or sound bug.
I've replayed the start of this scenario, checking the ammeter in the rear cab after each change of ends, and this time both locos are definitely taking power. I climbed the 1% over the bridge at 10 mph and 65% throttle, which matches well with a rough balancing speed of 19 mph (for 80% of the full 2000 hp). So I clearly did something to upset the rear loco last time!
Does anyone know why the the second class 20 at the rear of the train won’t mimic the controls of the lead engine?
In real life the ammeter should reflect what the engine is doing, at least up to and including Class 56s, I can't comment on higher numbers as either never worked them or not had them in multiple. I was going to link to one of my videos of a pair of 56s in multi as seen from the cab of the train loco but when I watched it back you don't get a good look at the instruments doing anything (as the camera is outside mostly for the thrash).
In MU double headed traction the control jumper is directly connected + the engine control pipe. This works perfect in Tsw. If your second cl20 is on the rear of the entire train, it wont work for mu operation. No connection.
The Class 20, like all BR Modernization Era diesels, was never equipped for DPU operation. They work fine as a pair hooked together- were designed that way - but radio remote control was never installed.
