You might find interesting how the headlights of a TRAXX 186 look like in a pitch black tunnel Note that the light from the high beam (the light placed under the driver window or on top of the roof on some locomotives) is exclusively used for range, it light can be seen projected in front of the locomotive further away on the ground as bright spot of light. It is quite distinct from the more dimmed normal lights that also lit up the tunnel around the locomotive. Also the full video from where the picture was taken from bellow Note: can anyone find some cab photos from UK trains during night from more modern trains? I know that at least some have modern led lights and might have better headlights that actually light up the track.
I appreciate it's not at night but here's a timelapse cab ride of HS1. Note how much of the tunnels aren't being lit up. Now this is from a HST, perhaps a poor example but the only cab ride I can find at night. Notice how most of the ambient light coming from the trains' headlights and the signals are actually just reflections from the rails - they're not lighting up the scenery. This exemplifies the issue nicely for me - in the game, rails are not reflective (or at least not nearly as reflective as they should be) in terms of bouncing off light sources.
Thanks for the post. Indeed everything is pitch black on the HS1 , is there a chance the 395 did not have its headlight set to night running and that's why there is no light from them? Regarding the old HST 125 videos (i guess Valenta) i suspected that it lacks proper headlights however newer HST MTU had also some headlight improvements including even LED if im not mistaken, so i was hoping does produce more light on the ground
London Underground Check the long V shape beams of light in front of the train (sadly i don't know what stock is this) Full video: PS hopefully when DTG decides to tackle the headlight problem this post might also provide some interesting material
This is a 1995 stock on the Northern Line. Here's a Bakerloo video However the lights look like they're not nearly as bright in this video:
Thanks for the info. On the cab video posted by you on the Bakerloo there is also the same V shape light visible on the walls and converging on the track. They are not as powerful as other trains but it clearly shows that the underground stock also have decent headlights mainly for seeing the speed limits and other signs on the side of the track as these are also highly reflective Second video is filmed from the station where there is plenty of light so the light coming from the trains are not visible since they only become apparent in pitch black tunnels.
Already mentioned here. Markings along the railway line must have a reflective layer. I often do not see the mark in the dark because it does not reflect the light of the locomotive's headlights.
Probably because in the game (this goes for TS1 as well), these are not very reflective, also light (in games in general) is treat as a simple cone, which is not how real light works (well it largely is until you start adding reflective things). Not sure if UE4 is capable of this, but I think we need proper ray tracing to see reflections from signs.
Correct TS also lacks reflective signs, however the headlights where strong enough to offset this. You can see reflective road signs and elements in Euro truck simulator for example but I don't know why unreal engine is limited in recreating this type of surface. Could the effect of reflective material be faked in TSW by creating surfaces that also emit a kind of weak light when a headlight is pointing at them ? Basically a source of dim light that triggers when the headlights are pointing to them a certain distance ?
Personally, I wouldn't mind the dimmer headlights on the locomotive. The problem is, I don't see signs along the railroad tracks at night when I'm driving in the dark.
That is either screen spaced reflection or a form of specular reflection i think. That could also work if applied to the reflective signs on the side of the rail to make the visibility of these signs higher even if headlights are not that powerful.
No, that would't work. The viewing angle would be wrong to get that effect. Signs need some sort of canalized emissive reaction but that also does not work well yet as i know. They would light up like christmas trees when there is a tiny light anyhere near by, even the moon would light them up massively.
Oh i understand now why reflective signs are difficult to create now. Off topic,your detailed information regarding the inner workings of Unreal is fantastic, and i want to tank you for the fact that you take the time and reply to a multitude of posts on this forum, its a pleasure to read you threads.
Here's another couple on the tube. The first is from 1992 in the A stock, which it appears has absolutely dreadful headlights, even in the single track tunnels north of Baker Street: This second one is from their replacement - the much more modern S stock which have much better lights:
