Class 158 - Simulation Bits & Bobs

Since I did the Simugraph setup for the Class 158 and some of the simulation scripting I thought it might be of interest to you all with a brief description of what has been implemented.

NOTE: If you find any bugs on MML, the HST or even the Class 158, I would suggest that these be reported to DTG either in the appropriate bug thread or directly as a bug report. Feel free to ask any questions related to the Class 158 here and I'll try to answer them.

****Features that are included at launch.****
1. Realistic engine performance and hydraulic transmission behaviour.
The Class 158 has been simulated based on a Cummins NTA-855-R1 (350 HP) engine with a Voith T211 rz hydrokinetic transmission. The power at rail and tractive effort was tuned based on real world curves and data, so the train should perform quite closely to the real DMU.

The hydraulic transmission has two modes: "Torque" and "Fluid". In "Torque", traction is transmitted via a torque converter. The torque converter provides high torque when starting but at higher speeds the efficiency is only around 80% so the train will automatically change to "Fluid" which uses a fluid coupling to transmit traction.

The transition between "Torque" and "Fluid" or vice versa is quite complex and depends on speed and throttle setting. In notch 1-5 the transition from "Torque" to "Fluid" occurs at 47 mph and from "Fluid" to "Torque" at 42 mph. In notch 6-7 the transition instead occurs at 57 mph and 54 mph respectively. In idle the train will transition from "Fluid" to "Torque" when decelerating below 53 mph.

When starting out, the torque converter will be emptied of fluid and only begins filling with power applied. The more fluid is in the torque converter the more torque is available, but at the same time the resistance on the engine increases. This is why you can hear the engine rev and "overshoot" while going from idle to notch 3 for example. The engine will quickly rise in RPM as there is little resistance when the torque converter is empty. When the torque converter begins filling the resistance increases and the RPM drops to the stable speed.

Having access to a mechanic that works with diesel hydraulic trains was extremely helpful here.

2. Realistic brake performance.
The class 158 uses a 3 step Westcode brake controller. I was fortunate enough to have input from drivers on the exact class, so this made me able to tune how fast the brake cylinders fill and empty when the brakes are applied or released, and also to get the right brake pressures for each step. The Class 158 also has load proportional braking, so depending on how many passengers are on the train the brake pressures will vary for each step, to achieve a consistent deceleration. The deceleration rates for each step are based on real world data and when going from step 2 or higher back to step 1 the brake force will be around 50% higher, similar to the real train.

3. Power limiter.
Above 93 mph the traction power is shut off and only allowed again when the speed decreases below 87 mph.

4. Realistic Wheelslip/slide protection system.
With the WSP MCB closed (which it is by default) and speed above 5 km/h the WSP is enabled. If the powered axles are rotating 10% above the ground speed ("true" speed) of the train, the engine automatically goes back to idle. Similarly, if while braking any axle starts rotating 10% slower than the ground speed then the corresponding brake cylinder will hold it's pressure and if the slide continues it will automatically vent air, reducing the brake force on that axle.

When the WSP is activated this will be signalled by the Transmission Fault lights illuminating. If the local car is experiencing slip/slide then the Unit light illuminates and if any car in the train is experiencing slip/slide then the Train light illuminates. This means that if the lead car loses grip both lights illuminate.

5. Smart sand function.
With the WSP activated a 10 second timer starts and the green sand button illuminates. With this light illuminated the driver can manually apply sanding by pressing the button. With the brake controller in step 2 or higher, sand is automatically applied.

6. Realistic air usage from the horn, wipers and sander.
All three of these systems requires air to operate. This air is taken from the main reservoir. Especially when using the horn you should be able to see the main reservoir needle wiggle. Since the Class 158 is not very efficient in using these systems, you can actually drain the main reservoir using any of these systems, and especially when all 3 are used together.

7. Traction interlock.
There are several conditions for the traction to be locked. Some of these will be familiar to you from previous rolling stock, like opening the doors, having the reverser not in forward or reverse and of course emergency brake applied. Some others are specific to the Class 158. In brake step 2 or higher, the traction is always locked.

However, with any brake applied, if the power is applied for more than 10 seconds while the train is standing still traction is automatically locked.

****Features that are not currently in the game but will be released in an upcoming patch.****
Note: I do not know when the next patch will be uploaded.

8. Brake continuity.
This feature was already implemented during development but had to be disabled when fixing another issue.

Older trains that use brake pipes will automatically apply emergency brake if the train becomes separated. Since the Class 158 does not have a brake pipe, this important fail safety has to be handled electronically. This is done with the brake continuity wire (a fourth wire in addition to the 3 brake wires that control which brake is applied on all cars). With the brake continuity wire energized the brakes work like normal, but if it is de-energized the emergency brake is automatically applied.

Several systems in the train are effected by brake continuity breaking. Many of these systems are simulated in the Class 158.

(a) Train Control, Brake Control and AWS/TPWS fuses
If any of these breakers are tripped, brake continuity is lost and the emergency brake is automatically applied. Note that the AWS/TPWS breaker is closed by default and it is not necessary to open this breaker to isolate AWS and TPWS. That is handled by the TPWS Isolation switch above the non-driver desk.

(b) Compressor speedup
Compressor speedup is a function that revs up the engine to the RPM corresponding to notch 4. The compressor is always enabled when the engine is on and the compressor speed is linked to the engine RPM. Switching on compressor speedup will therefore increase the compressor performance (which makes charging the main reservoir quicker). It only works when the reverser is in neutral but in any reverser position it will automatically break brake continuity leading to an emergency brake application.

(c) Reverser position
If the reverser is in Off, brake continuity is immediately lost. Additionally, if the speed is above 3 mph (circa 5 km/h) and the reverser is moved to Neutral, brake continuity is also lost.

(d) Main reservoir governor
If the main reservoir pressure decreases below 4.5 bar, brake continuity is lost and will not re-establish until the main reservoir pressure increases past 5.5 bar.

(e) Door interlock, DSD/Vigilance penalty or TPWS brake demand.
If the doors are open, or the driver fails to acknowledge Vigilance (or fails to depress the DSD pedal) or TPWS or AWS commands a penalty brake application, then brake continuity is broken.

If brake continuity is at any time lost, then it will not re-establish until both the conditions are satisfied and the speed is below 3 mph. So be careful what you touch in the cab

9. Emergency Bypass Switch.
This switch (located to the side of the TPWS/AWS isolation switch) will make brake continuity in the local car a closed circuit preventing brake emergency brake applications. You can still brake the train using the brake step controller but it will only work in the local car and separation of the train will not apply emergency brakes. This is why when this switch is in isolation, a guard always has to travel in the rear cab.

10. Transmission fault lights illuminate when the direction is changed.
This is a neat feature IRL. If the reverser is moved from reverse to forward or vice versa (but not to neutral or Off), both transmission fault lights will illuminate for a brief moment.

11. Fault lamp test.
Pressing this button illuminates both transmission fault lights and the engine stop light.

12. TPWS Brake Demand timeout (only simulated with AWS/TPWS enabled)
This function is afaik simulated on some of the "latest" UK DLC (like the 323 and 465).
If TPWS brake demand is triggered (by failing to acknowledge the AWS alarm horn or exceeding the speed of a TPWS OSS grid) then there is a 60 second timeout before the emergency brakes can be released. To release the emergency brakes after TPWS brake demand has triggered you need to both acknowledge the warning and wait 60 seconds. TPWS brake demand being triggered can be identified by the "Brake Demand" light being illuminated above the drivers desk.

12.2 New: The brake demand light will now flash when brake demand is triggered but the alarm hasn't been acknowledged. As soon as brake demand is acknowledged the light goes steady. To my knowledge this is the first time this has been implemented in TSW. It's a nice indicator to tell you if you need to acknowledge the TPWS/AWS penalty brake application.

13. Random brake performance and random adhesion.
Each different vehicle has a slightly different brake performance. The variation is around 10% up or down from the average, so it is a subtle effect but it will be noticeable when braking from high speeds.

The adhesion is also randomly varying (about 15% up or down), even for the same weather condition. This means that you can't always expect the exact same adhesion just because the weather is the same. This random variation is not time based or vehicle based but rather it changes along the route.

14. Door release light has been fixed.
Unfortunately I don't remember who mentioned it in the main thread but thank you! I actually went back in the editor and was able to fix this issue quite easily (love when that happens lol). So in the next patch the blue door release light should only be illuminated when the doors are released and the cab is active.

15. More indicator light and cab activation logic.
If the cab is not active (reverser in Off) then the indicator lights will not illuminate. Furthermore, the uncouple and couple lights not only require the cab to be active but also the reverser has to be in neutral (as per the real train).

16. Vigilance self test.
Vigilance will now correctly run through a self test (alarm beep sounds) when the cab is activated. This requires acknowledgement.

17. Implemented DSD pedal movement and sound.
The pedal will depress when you are seated and when resetting vigilance the pedal is raised. Sound cues are included.

18. Sander button doesn't light up. Ever.
*Cries*. But the EMT Class 158 doesn't have an illuminated sand button so realism prevails.

19. Slightly tweaked engine sound.
The release state of the engine had sounds that were tuned to different Simugraph physics (basically the engine stable RPM in each notch was slightly different).

This change is quite subtle and might not be noticeable but the "biggest" change is that the engine will find a higher pitch sound in notch 3 (and some other notches might be lower or higher in pitch). I can't really tell if the transitions are smoother but comparing the new sounds to the real recordings (the sound files used basically has every conceivable notch sequence) it is definitely more accurate (in many cases pretty much indistinguishable). But very subtle stuff if you're not listening to real recordings and comparing.

20. Retuned air brake sound cues.
This one is more noticeable. Basically the brakes will hiss more in line with the brake applications and releases. The old (current) sound scripting is misaligned so you can hear several hisses in a row when going from one step the the next.

21. Reworked guard panel door logic.
Currently the local door button will not open the local door, nor does it stay open when the "close door" button is pressed. I have changed this for the upcoming patch so the guard panel should work realistically. Basically if a guard panel is unlocked and the local door switch is in the "open" position, this door will stay open even if the other doors are closed. Note that if you run around through the train and open doors locally you will need to close them (locally) again to be able to release the brakes. Either by switching the local door button to "close" or locking the guard panel.

EDIT: Corrected logic based on feedback from this thread. To open the local door the local door switch has to be in open and then you have to use the passenger door open button.

Bonus: Skyhook has fixed the Buzzer - Close Door button mix-up.

22. Implemented two new circuit breakers with correct logic.
Local Control: When this fuse is opened the local engine is stopped. Since this is a local shutdown the Engine Stop light won't illuminate. To restart the engine the fuse needs to be closed and then the engine can be started manually. NOTE: Engine can only be started with the reverser in Neutral.

Alternator Excitation: This fuse is required to provide internal (except for emergency lighting) and external lighting and to charge the battery from the engine. Starting the engine with the Train Lights turned on will trip this fuse requiring a reset to regain lighting.

23. Door interlock is required for guard panel buzzer.
To use the buzzer on the guard panels all doors have to be closed and locked. The buzzers inside each cab are still useable even without door interlock.

24. Tweaked the WSP MCB logic and speedometer reference.
According to the data I have the speedometer takes it's reference from axle 2. This means that you don't see spikes in the speed during slip but you see quite a bit of "droop" during wheel slide. Previously the speedometer reference was an average of all axles which made the speed both spike and droop but to a lessened degree due to the averaging. With this change if you start sliding the speedometer can drop a lot, and it will wobble more as well.

Also, the speedometer drops to zero when the WSP MCB is opened (no speedometer reference).

25. HUGE CHANGE: Guard simulation.
This is a feature that has been implemented by Daisy. Many will probably already know of Daisy from her work as a subject matter expert and beta tester for the Birmingham Cross City route. As a real life guard and now also a "trainee editor user" she has created something truly amazing for the Class 158. This feature was originally prototyped for the Class 323 but with the upcoming patch she offered to implement this for Skyhook.

Here is a description Daisy made of the new feature:

"You can still interact with the guards panels on your own train manually, but when using the Hotkeys or Door menu, a series of functions get called when the player (OR AI services) call for a door side to be released, those functions are as follows: -

RELEASE:
Guard Operating panel opens
Door Key switch enabled
Local Door Switch set Open
Train doors released
Door Key Switch disabled
Local Door Switch set Closed
Guard Operating panel closes

CLOSE:
Guard Operating panel opens
Door Key switch enabled
Local Door Switch set Open
Train doors close pressed
Local Door Switch set Closed
Buzzer sounds 2 times
Door key switch disabled
Delay of 20-30seconds before Guard control panel closes (to simulate the guard being stood at the GOP until the train has left the platform)

The door used by the guard is varied."

26. Fixed wiper animations/behaviour.
In the release build the wipers have the settings: Intermittent and Fast. In real life it should be Slow and Fast. I changed this so now the wipers will behave correctly.

27. Implemented Alternator/Engine load simulation.
Without Alternator Excitation the alternator doesn't provide any power (no voltage and thus no current) to the lighting systems and it can't charge the battery. When this fuse is set to the isolation setting the load on the engine reduces which causes the RPM to slightly increase. Conversely, if the Alternator Excitation fuse is set to normal the load increases on the engine causing a small (but noticeable) drop in RPM. This is now simulated.

28. Correct coupling procedure/behaviour implemented.
The BSI coupler that the Class 158 uses is automatic, but to establish a connection for the jumper cables inside the coupler the "Couple" button has to be pressed with the reverser in "Neutral". In real life, the train is first coupled and a pull-away test is made (reverser in "Reverse" and then power is applied to check that the coupler is connected and locked). After this test the "Couple" button is pressed and held for 5 seconds. This last step is crucial because without it the brakes can't be released on the other train set, and traction signals aren't transmitted.

This has all now been implemented in the game. I also added a "Driver Assist" prompt and message to inform players using this notification system that they have to press the "Couple" button.

 

:'(

 

I presume that was really easy to model as the train would always be busy until the first stop then a wholesale evacuation would leave it empty for the remainder of the service. Every time. Sorry, couldn’t resist. It’s funny because it’s true

In all seriousness, as I’ve made very clear I have zero intention of buying this but based on what I’ve seen in the videos the 158 is the standout element of the DLC. You’ve demonstrated right there that some care, thought and attention to detail has gone in to it.

Isn’t it funny how that works out? You might even go as far as saying the two things might just be connected. What a bonkers concept.

 

Thanks for all the details.

Having driven some DMUs (fitted with a VOITH T211 RZ too), I have to say that I find the Class 158 to have quite a realistic handling. Even the wheelslip/wheelslide is close to reality whereas some trains in TSW give me the feeling to be "glued" to the tracks no matter the weather.

I also noticed that the deadman's pedal and the AWS reset keys aren't bound to the same key like they were in the livestream, that's great !

Good job

Having some random performance variations between different vehicles of is something is good news, it's going to be more realistic and this will make the driving experience more interesting.

I only have one question/suggestion : when throttling from idle and the torque converter is filling, the sound of the engine revving seems to be a little "brutal" as if the transistion between two sound files was abrupt. Is this intended ?

 

There's no smoke coming from the exhaust pipes.

 

If you are on PC, try the exhaust overhaul mod. I don't have this DLC but worked amazing on every diesel train before this release.

https://www.trainsimcommunity.com/m...i3438-exhaust-overhaul-for-tsw3-updated-12423

 

Appreciate that but I am on console and these things shouldn't be missed.

 

I know this was tongue in cheek but just a point of correction. I'm running a service right now between Nottingham and Leicester. When starting out the train was filled to the brim as you suspected, but I'm already at East Midlands Parkway and the train still weighs around 83.6 tonnes which means it is carrying around 4.6 tonnes of passengers or 60 passengers. This is a midday service so that seems quite reasonable (?). At least it does not suffer from the infamous "start 100% full and then vent the passengers like a one-armed bandit after a jackpot"

 

Ok some updates:

12.2 New: The brake demand light will now flash when brake demand is triggered but the alarm hasn't been acknowledged. As soon as brake demand is acknowledged the light goes steady. To my knowledge this is the first time this has been implemented in TSW. It's a nice indicator to tell you if you need to acknowledge the TPWS/AWS penalty brake application.

14. Door release light has been fixed.
Unfortunately I don't remember who mentioned it in the main thread but thank you! I actually went back in the editor and was able to fix this issue quite easily (love when that happens lol). So in the next patch the blue door release light should only be illuminated when the doors are released and the cab is active.

15. More indicator light and cab activation logic.
If the cab is not active (reverser in Off) then the indicator lights will not illuminate. Furthermore, the uncouple and couple buttons not only require the cab to be active to function, but also the reverser has to be in neutral (as per the real train).

16. Vigilance self test.
Vigilance will now correctly run through a self test (alarm beep sounds) when the cab is activated. This requires acknowledgement.

 

60 passengers. How many can you see on board?

 

Good question! I'll check the next time I'm running a MML service and report back.

 

I agree that revving up sounds a bit odd - is this a bug?

 

Subway#2400
What throttle sequence? Idle to N1? Idle to N3? Idle to N7?

 

Great to see the level of effort put into making this unit realistic from an operational point of view, and the focus on identifying any glitches and addressing them. Well done William, and please keep up the good work.

 

I've noticed it from inside the cab, idle - N3 (or N4). It sounds a little sudden, or "brutal" as Subway#2400 says

 

Yes, idle to N3 for example. Here is a graph that illustrates this "issue" :



N°1 is the current perceived engine RPM when listening to the sound

N°2 is what should be heard

The Class 166 rev up sounds are more progressive, I think it's a good point of comparison I guess the issue on the Class 158 is more related to the sounds than to the Simugraph configuration, as the same "brutal" increase is heard when activating the compressor speed-up switch.

 

Ok time for some A/B testing Subway#2400 and ctoo#2563

I have made a poll with 5 different questions here: Poll link
In the following google drive you can find 11 recordings named A_something or B_something etc. The "A/B" corresponds to your answer and the "something" (like "Idle-N3") is the question. I also made a bonus "C" option for Idle-N3 which has a slightly different sound/behaviour. Note that the A/B letters are random (i.e. A in one question may be of a different sound option than A in another) to the reduce placebo effect

Drive link

I'd love to get your input (and anyone else reading)

 

nice to see the vigilant self test there. don’t think i remember seeing that in any other train yet so that’s great

 

Do we have to choose the one we find the most accurate to what would be the real train ?

 

Yep

 

I'd say B-idle-n3. Unsure how this sounds in the cab though

 

Perhaps this can be used as reference?

https://youtube.com/shorts/5J9Eb8wSM_I?feature=share

 

Done

 

Update:

17. Implemented DSD pedal movement and sound.
The pedal will depress when you are seated and when resetting vigilance the pedal is raised. Sound cues are included.

18. Sander button doesn't light up. Ever.
*Cries*. But the EMT Class 158 doesn't have an illuminated sand button so realism prevails.

19. Slightly tweaked engine sound.
The release state of the engine had sounds that were tuned to different Simugraph physics (basically the engine stable RPM in each notch was slightly different).

This change is quite subtle and might not be noticeable but the "biggest" change is that the engine will find a higher pitch sound in notch 3 (and some other notches might be lower or higher in pitch). I can't really tell if the transitions are smoother but comparing the new sounds to the real recordings (the sound files used basically has every conceivable notch sequence) it is definitely more accurate (in many cases pretty much indistinguishable). But very subtle stuff if you're not listening to real recordings and comparing.

20. Retuned air brake sound cues.
This one is more noticeable. Basically the brakes will hiss more in line with the brake applications and releases. The old (current) sound scripting is misaligned so you can hear several hisses in a row when going from one step the the next.

21. Reworked guard panel door logic.
Currently the local door button will not open the local door, nor does it stay open when the "close door" button is pressed. I have changed this for the upcoming patch so the guard panel should work realistically. Basically if a guard panel is unlocked and the local door switch is in the "open" position, this door will stay open even if the other doors are closed. Note that if you run around through the train and open doors locally you will need to close them (locally) again to be able to release the brakes. Either by switching the local door button to "close" or locking the guard panel.

Bonus: Skyhook has fixed the Buzzer - Close Door button mix-up.

 

It doesn't do this in reality. The switch is moved to the open position and then the passenger door button opposite the panel is used to open the local door.

 

Great work!

I did notice that the local door control seems to have 3 states. It should not. It's either open or closed.

 

Yes this. The local door switch shouldn't actually open the door in the 158. It's unlike other Sprinters.

You'd place the local door switch to open. Then press the publicly accessible door open button to open your door.

When safe to do so, release all doors using the guards panel twin door open buttons.

Upon departure. Close *all other* doors using guards panel. Step back into train, place local door rocker switch to close. Local door closes, door interlock obtained..Buzz buzz.

 

Speaking of the doors, is there a way to implement an automatic guard's buzzer ? That's something missing in TSW. Or maybe make it ring everytime you close the passenger doors ?

 

Thanks RobSkip and bescot ! I have fixed this now to how it is IRL.

 

Is it possible to isolate the TPWS on the 158 without isolating the AWS (as it is on the 323). I can't see it, but may be missing it.

Thanks.

 

Yes. Move the "Temporary Isolation" rocker switch to "Isolate" above the desk on the non-drivers side. Explained in more detail here.

 

Perfect, thanks William - I hadn’t discovered that!

 

Any plans for there to actually be some clag from the exhausts

 

cwf.green Just want to comment that I do highly appreciate your commitment, enthusiasm, technical knowledge and love for detail you put into your work. We definitely need more of your kind.

Kudos!

 

I appreciate the kind words

 

Update:

22. Implemented two new circuit breakers with correct logic.
Local Control: When this fuse is opened the local engine is stopped. Since this is a local shutdown the Engine Stop light won't illuminate. To restart the engine the fuse needs to be closed and then the engine can be started manually. NOTE: Engine can only be started with the reverser in Neutral.

Alternator Excitation: This fuse is required to provide internal (except for emergency lighting) and external lighting and to charge the battery from the engine. Starting the engine with the Train Lights turned on will trip this fuse requiring a reset to regain lighting.

23. Door interlock is required for guard panel buzzer.
To use the buzzer on the guard panels all doors have to be closed and locked. The buzzers inside each cab are still useable even without door interlock.

24. Tweaked the WSP MCB logic and speedometer reference.
According to the data I have the speedometer takes it's reference from axle 2. This means that you don't see spikes in the speed during slip but you see quite a bit of "droop" during wheel slide. Previously the speedometer reference was an average of all axles which made the speed both spike and droop but to a lessened degree due to the averaging. With this change if you start sliding the speedometer can drop a lot, and it will wobble more as well.

Also, the speedometer drops to zero when the WSP MCB is opened (no speedometer reference).

At this point the Class 158 is basically a study sim. Nearly all MCBs are implemented and simulated (of course, if you don't touch anything you don't get into trouble).

I'm considering making a guide that describes all the features, either in a document or in a video (or both). Not sure yet.

 

Hah, we need to put you to work on the 150

Really glad to see the 158 getting the attention it deserves.

 

Thank you this attention to detail and for taking time to implement all this

 

25. HUGE CHANGE: Guard simulation.
This is a feature that has been implemented by Daisy. Many will probably already know of Daisy from her work as a subject matter expert and beta tester for the Birmingham Cross City route. As a real life guard and now also a "trainee editor user" she has created something truly amazing for the Class 158. This feature was originally prototyped for the Class 323 but with the upcoming patch she offered to implement this for Skyhook.

Here is a description Daisy made of the new feature:

"You can still interact with the guards panels on your own train manually, but when using the Hotkeys or Door menu, a series of functions get called when the player (OR AI services) call for a door side to be released, those functions are as follows: -

RELEASE:
Guard Operating panel opens
Door Key switch enabled
Local Door Switch set Open
Train doors released
Door Key Switch disabled
Local Door Switch set Closed
Guard Operating panel closes

CLOSE:
Guard Operating panel opens
Door Key switch enabled
Local Door Switch set Open
Train doors close pressed
Local Door Switch set Closed
Buzzer sounds 2 times
Door key switch disabled
Delay of 20-30seconds before Guard control panel closes (to simulate the guard being stood at the GOP until the train has left the platform)

The door used by the guard is varied"

Basically, the guard will open their local door and make sure it is safe to open the remaining passenger doors, then close the passenger doors and lastly their local door before using the guard buzzer to signal that all doors have been closed. I can't wait for people to try this feature

 

Sounds fantastic! Keep the amazing work up, for once we have a passionate member of a dev who wants proper realism over corporate profits!

 

Finally a proper guard functionality That's perfect. I'm eager to try it

 

I love now having the guard buzzer in the unit. Real sense of ‘waiting to be sent away’ One of many lovely additional features about this unit that I did not expect. ( there have been many lovely surprises with this one )

 

Before I had the view that MML wasn’t worth the £30 just for the 158.

Now however…

 

Assuming you have the other elements of the ‘bundle’, you can get it for under £25. That, and wanting to make that comparison video, is what swayed me in the end.

 

That is quite simply amazing. Really hope to see this back ported where applicable and possble.

 

Well this has just prompted me to buy the route again.
Can put up with the little oddities, but as I've said before as a Regional Railways Controller at Swindon from 1990 (escaping off the dreaded "relief") through 1994 becoming Duty Control Manager for what then turned into South Wales and West/Wales & West/Wales and Borders including a move to Cardiff in 1997 before jumping ship back to Swindon and NR in 2006, these things were my bread and butter. Add to that commuting from Bridgend into Cardiff (house prices in Cardiff were cripplingly expensive) quite often ended up on a 158.

Pause for breath...

So yes, has to be done!

 

Just want to make it clear (in case there was any confusion): everything listed after point 8 is currently not in the public version of the game. But since it has been uploaded to the beta build I'm allowed to list it (DTG are wary of making promises, but if something is on the beta build it is on it's way to the public version).

 

I dont think the mod will increase anything coming from the 158. The issue is likely in the 158 itself. Should be able to mod it, should it not change with skyhooks patch.

 

I like this information. It should be in a DLC manual. There is so much to tell about the content that is kept secret more or less but definitely would increase the fun to play.

 

Great work Will, we need you to do your magic on the Rivet 150/2!