It's something I have noticed recently since using the 101 more on TVL post update but I think it's actually been an issue that has existed since the release of NTP & TVL. You drop into the start of a service with barely seconds to spare before you need to 'unlock the doors' (That's an issue for another time ) to have that complete to just depart on time. This leaves a bit of an issue setting up the rear cab with destination & tail lights. It's often just do-able on the 2 car unit but setting up the 3 car usually leaves you departing late. Even in the case of the 2 car, you still usually have to set the front cab up as you roll out of the station. Any chance of starting the services with an extra minute or so of free time before departure? In a perfect world you would be able to choose between a fully set up unit ready to depart & maybe 1, 2 or 3 minutes pre departure but anything would be a welcome improvement to the experience of an otherwizse leisurely roll along to Saltburn.
The other option is you set up the front cab and leave the rear one til your first stop. Given the doors on the 101 take a second or less to close you've got at least six seconds more to run back that in the 150
If you mean scenarios, yes the setup time is short to nothing. But a little delay is fun sometimes and you can get gold with no problems. Agree totally, here devs could just make the starting time 2-3mins earlier. 24h Timetable mode: Im surprised this comes up so much because there is plenty of options to have much of set up time. Just spawn by foot 5 mins prior to the service start. For the 101 to middlesbrough there is plenty of time. The services to saltburn you can take over at the rear cab and go to the front cab when passengers are boarding. There are some short take overs on tvl, when for example a cl 20 arrives and its crew change. But on a crew change 1 min is enough to check brakes, turn off exhausters and set lights. Having a bit of delay is not something bad, the services can have an entire different outcome.
