Maintaining Speed Whilst Keeping The Slack Stretched Or Bunched On Metrolink Trains

NOTE: I USED THE ANTELOPE VALLEY LINE ROLLING STOCK.

I've noticed, at least with the Metrolink rolling stock with an F125 powering the train (have yet to run the MP36PH-3C), that after coasting to not exceed the speed limit, when I give the train Notch 1 again to maintain speed, the locomotive seems to pull hard on the couplers (pulling) or push hard on the couplers (pushing), according to the camera force feedback set at 100%, which I'll bet would make a rough ride for both passengers and crew. I have resorted to briefly applying the brakes (in addition to bailing off the locomotive brakes when pulling since it is possible from the locomotive but not the cab car) and releasing them when the speed is low enough.

I am going to guess that the above is not prototypical and in order to maintain a speed, they do just let it coast and then apply power when the speed is low enough and rinse and repeat if necessary. If they do let it coast then apply power, I wonder how they manage to smoothly handle the train then in real life (as I have ridden Metrolink in real life), unless the camera force feedback and/or slack action physics is/are unrealistic.

 

You might get some good advice on this in the discord. Otherwise amtraknick1993 seems to have a wealth of knowledge on US trains. (Hope it’s ok that I’m pinging/recommending you)

Tbh good questions like these usually get buried on this forum by feedback threads, speculation threads, suggestions, etc because there honestly doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of people in the forum who have train operating expertise.

Would love to see more discussion about actual train operation.

There’s a short but good thread on Amtrak/Metrolink operation if you want to read through it: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/th...hniques-for-emd-f125-and-rotem-cab-car.80361/

 

I suppose the real train drivers are too busy driving real trains.

Sad, really. It's always interesting to get some insight.

 

Ha! That is a good point… lol

 

I’m sorry I’m replying to this message so late. But if I had to guess, it has to do with the camera force feedback and the slack action physics being off a little bit. It’s no secret that the F125s are more powerful than the MP36s but even in notch 1, they don’t just take off like a rocket. Notch 1 should be good for maintaining speed on level terrain without it feeling like it wants to rip out the coupler. I feel like this is nothing more than just how the force feedback and physics simulation are. Everything is pretty close to real life but not exact.

 

Perhaps this may be the case. I have now run the MP36PH-3C and from the cab car, going from Idle to N1 gives quite the jolt in the cab, at least at lower speeds where the locomotives obviously draw more amps. Guess I may never truly know unless I ran this very equipment in real life.

 

I would again just attribute this to limitations with the simulation. Idle to N1 gives very little amps. In a lot of cases depending on train length and track conditions, it’s not even enough to get the train moving. Usually use N2 or N3 for more amps. The jolt in the cab could happen under certain circumstances I suppose but not usually. Just one of those limitations of it being a sim. It’s pretty close to IRL but not exact. There’s just certain real world things that no sim can replicate.