Well done to whoever did the pacer guard mode a very clever way of implementing it by using drivers local door open to strike and engage the door close button on the passenger doors awesome way of getting existing panel to work
The panel in the pacer has worked since Blackpool released in 2023. I've used it as a way of getting off the train at the end of a service. I was around 142s and 143s quite a bit and even got to watch the drivers and guards doing walk around checks and start ups. I may have even used the door controls a few times myself (unofficially).
My first attempt at Guard mode hasn't gone well on BPO. I've chosen a no stop run from Blackpool North to Preston and had no tickets to check and there's only so many times you can press the announcement button before you wind up the passengers Although it seems to be running fairly smoothly for me at the moment as a few others said the frame rate tanked and touch wood I haven't been thrown out yet!
I tried an Ormskirk - B South service. First leg I had about 2/3 full of pax travelling free i.e. no ticket checks. None off or on 1st stop. 2nd stop 4 on, only because I waited beyond the game time for them to arrive/get on. I tried the buttons in the order the game said i.e. buzzing the driver before closing the local door. Nicely, I got 2 back from the driver, but the train didn't go anywhere. Gave up. I think Guard Mode needs a lot of work on some routes. JT can make excellent routes & trains, but it seems guard mode isn't in their skill set. That's ok; we can't be good at everything, and it's a new addition to the game.
Couple of questions about guard mode for the 142. How do you keep the local door open when closing the doors and is it possible to start a service from foot, or does it have to be through the menu?
In reality, the guard would press the door close button whilst pressing the local open button at the same time (I have seen guard operations on a heritage railway with 142s and 143s). I think you can start a guard service on foot. Just spawn into timetable on foot at a station and then take over a service when it arrives.
