Route Nec: New York - Trenton - Feedback Thread

so, as a kind of preparation for new NEC route in TSW6, I did a run with ALP46 from NY to Trenton... mostly ok, but I ran into sth similar to issue on Boston Worcester - aka getting penalty brake when approaching final stop, aka red signal... I was going like 15 mph, with more than enough distance to stop comfortably, but still I got penalty brake... should I slow down to like 10 or even 5 mph?

or should I just be like screw it and stop right when the aspect shows in the cab? or any good advice?

I mean, not that it's the end of the world, since it occurs at the very end, but still - I would like to stop as close to the marker as possible without getting possibly buggy penalty

 

I was able to get to a red light in Worcester on a BOW. Speed no more than 5 mph if there are 100 yards left before the red light. But I'm not sure if this is correct and will work on NEC

 

oh haha that one I can also get almost spot on to the marker, super slow, and still get my PCS open... didnt remember getting a penalty on this one tho... will try another run at sub 10 mph and one around 5 mph and see if that helps

when I have time and energy might do some runs on all ATC/ACSES routes (except LIRR, that one just works) if I get penalties at the end, trying different approach speeds towards the red (PZB and AWS are mostly pretty benevolent when it comes to finishing runs, but ATC/ACSES combo tends to be super strict/bugged at STOP)

 

will try some runs and if I find anything consistently and worth sharing, I will post it here

 

so, I did a run with ALP-46... as I was approaching the platform, I slowed down to 15 mph, eventually 5 mph as I was getting to within like 150 yd till STOP/RED, and within like 40 - 50 yd, even though I was going 5 mph (which is a speed you can stop in no time pretty much), I got penalty... ah well, at least I could get to within like 10 yd to the marker

I dont get why ATC/ACSES is so strict

anyway, will now do a run with Acela and maybe also ACS-64 and see how that goes

 

so, just did an Acela run, and this one was way worse - besides getting approach and such signals WAAAAY earlier than I should have, at the very end, despite going super slow, similar to the previous one, I got penalty like ehm:

at like 100 - 150 yd... and I kept acknowledging stuff etc

so either the issue is with the safety systems, which I kinda dont know (kinda doubt) since I think cactusjuice did some of it on a lot of US passenger routes... or the issue is the stop markers being way too close to the red/stop signals, so you get penalized even when going slow



alright, now I am curious and will do an ACS-64 run right away

 

so, last one, this time with ACS-64... this was, if I was to judge by the ending, the best of the three... I would almost get exactly to the stop marker if I had more time (penalty countdown)... my conclusion after these runs is that sth is definitely wrong with US passenger routes (I have encountered similar problems, tho made a lot better following patches) - either the stop/red logic is flawed, or it is correct, but the stop marker is put into the range where ATC/ACSES reacts by giving you penalty

obviously I dont see into the internals/technical things or workings of safety systems, but sth must be wrong - I have literally thousands of hours in TSW by now and I know what I can and cannot do when approaching red signals, especially at end points or true termini... on UK and GER/AUT/NED routes, if I approach the end point slow enough and then brake accordingly, there is no penalty - hell, on GER routes you can get almost within touching distance of a buffer and not get a penalty... so sth must be wrong here, just not sure what exactly

 

On the contrary, I didn't script any part of the safety systems or the signals for New York - Trenton.

 

my bad ... tho as I said, I have encountered this issue also on Boston Worcester, although after several patches it isnt as severe as at launch - I can get very close to stop marker, but even so, I get PCS open (and I have tried going 10 or even 5 mph)... havent tried much of Boston Providence, tho I remember having a run with HSP46 in the new timetable there and getting penalty/PCS open at the end

will try some runs on that route to see if ATC/ACSES does this at the end point

 

boom just completed an Acela run on Boston Providence, the new timetable... and finally, FINALLY (Rock voice) it ended up right - I approached the stop marker super slow... granted, the red signal was a bit further than on NY Trenton and Boston Worcester, but still... I was allowed to get exactly on the marker, plus minus a couple feet... without penalty




so, I know that on NY Trenton and Boston Worcester the stop markers are closer to the end of the platform, usually, and it is there that red signal is, and towards the end you also get STOP on your display unit, followed by visible countdown or just penalty after a couple secs... now, I am wondering if the issue is that the stop marker should be a bit further, or the safety systems set up so they allow you to get very close to the signal if you are going SLOW

anyone with more runs on these US passenger routes equipped with ATC/ACSES, like, what are your experiences at the end of runs? (atm I am running an HSP46 service to Worcester to see if things changed in the meantime)

 

my run to Worcester - I was approaching the stop marker at almost 5 mph... then applied brakes, almost exactly on the marker... still got PCS open ... I know this is technically other route, but still concerns the ATC/ACSES functionality

 

Yes, with ATC/ACSES there is a problem. During yesterday's run, the emergency brake also worked very close to the marker at a speed of 5 mph

 

Can't really complain at £2.40 but so far very unremarkable route. The US equivalent of Euston to Milton Keynes much too short for a high speed run. Bland scenery apart from the bridges leaving NY. Only recommended on extreme discount.

 

If you ask me they could have made this route so much better. By sorting out the buggy safety systems, the scenery just looks so bland and dull and maybe easy to on so many depot moves man some are long and tedious.

 

I like the timetable on this route , but a real shame they don’t go back and fix the signalling. They have someone ( cactusjuice) who could do it , they should use him .

 

I've tried few runs with Acela and did not have problems with signalling. But what is bothering me is a train clipping with so many thing at New York Penn station. NYP was fixed in LIRR commuter, I don't know why it was not fixed in NYT route.

 

How long has it been since AI started runs with spotlights on the rear cab?
I don't think there was a bug like that before. But now all the AI ALP-46s are with a glowing tail.

 

Do you mean the reflection of the bright lights from the multilevels?

 

No, the spotlights are on on the rear cab and illuminate tracks behind the train in cabcar forward formation.

 

Oh that’s new then. I have to see it and when I get back from vacation will take a look

 

I don't remember which service I performed. It was very early in the morning NJT from Trenton.

 

It's an old bug present even in TSW4. It happens when either AI service goes out through the portal loco leading, and then comes back for a new service cab leading, or if it finishes a loco service at Penn and starts a new service from the cab. In theory it's supposed to turn off the lights and turn on the markers, but the bug causes the lights to stay on even though the light switch is in fact turned off.
If you want to replicate just chain some services, and you'll encounter this.

 

Is it even possible to keep on ti.e when using the safety systems. And is just me or are safety systems so bad on this route.

 

The signaling is just horrible. There are spots where you are dropped to 20 mph for no reason. No traffic, no speed limit, just a yellow between two greens for no reason. Frustrating rout to drive.

 

got that with Acela, of all trains lol... got held so much in certain sections that even the 150 section didnt have me from like 3-4 mins of delay

 

The Acela is where it feels THE WORST! 150 to 20 in two signal lights. Lol

 

I mean, from some of the US transit youtubers I follow, it does seem to be not that far removed from the actual Acela experience.

 

maybe one day we will get the famed Avelia Liberty... Amtrak must be out of their minds happy that they finally can put em to use lol

 

Can you even operate the computer screen on the ALP 46 if so how i cant even change the contrast. Thanks

 

There are honestly so many non-conforming signals on the trenton route that on equipment where I can, I just run with the PTC enabled, but the ATC turned off and govern my train speed based on the physical signal aspects I am getting. That way, I can still have ACSES braking curves, but don't get the random cab drops to approach limited when the actual signal is displaying a clear.

 

Yeah it's beyond annoying.

 

Please, please, please can we have an update of this route to include the NYC skyline persistent scenery tile from Morristown Line? I stood at Secaucus Junction Track 2 and nothing is visible, could literally be anywhere. But stood at the same spot on Morristown the difference is night and day. Looks great! Please add it to New York - Trenton. It would make this route so much more immersive.

 

https://www.trainsimcommunity.com/m...track-rule-mod-new-york-trenton-25-k-v-12-k-v

 

Platform lights not illuminating properly at Elizabeth station I believe.

 

An Acela somehow got onto this track that has no type of electrification?

 

Those Acelas at County are meant to represent the Turboliners that are stored there IRL. A nice touch, but admittedly confusing if you didn't know.

 

Could have been towed in.

 

by an evil shunter

 

Off topic but I really hope the SW1000 returns with New York - Stamford. It’s a really good opportunity for it to return with Sunnyside Yard since the section of the NEC we're getting goes right past the yard. If they’re aiming to have this route be really busy, adding the SW1000 would be amazing.

 

I am not that much into shunting... tho if they ever introduced Wien Kledering Zvbf, along with hump yard physics mechanics and stuff, I would love to do that like these shunting beasts, OBB 2070 and 1063:

 

On top of this would like to see amended TT with the Morristown layered in for Arrow on the NEC along with AI along the small section to/from Hoboken and ground level Secaucus plus a single arrow car as ai for the Princeton Branch..... Its called immersion and with all the DLCs that can mesh they should on day 1 release (or at least after a couple of patches)!

 

Are there any plans to eventually include the NJT ALP45-DP and NJT Arrow III into the NYT route? I think with the small upcoming patch for NYT that features route hopping and localisation, it would be great to include these other NJT local add-ons as they can be frequently spotted on this portion of the NEC in real life.

 

The #1 priority for NYT should be fixing the cab signals. A remaster with correct signaling and new layers for the DP and Arrow (including Raritan services at Newark and dual-mode Bay Head thru trains) would be the jackpot.

 

I was hoping the update would bring improvements, but it is disappointing that the issue remains unfixed and the bug persists.

 

Over the last few updates has the signalling got ant better . Last time played this route about year ago I played with safety systems on and it was not good.

 

Have not noticed any changes in the interim.

Saw an NJT AI train with doors opening on the wrong side. Still no freight layer active.

Disappointing progress after three or four years.

 

Still no fix for the LIRR remastered to sub in for the original route for ai layering at NY Penn, waste of money that was getting the newer version then...

 

The abandoned freight for this route (at least on PC) after several years is criminal. This route would be tons of fun with freight hauler as well. Hopefully it sees some love in the coming year or two.

 

Let's' start with properly working signaling. Freight can wait.

 

Really I can't see any reason that freight hauler can't be on NYT right now, because it already doesn't have any freight layers. Although the signals don't work (and will probably never be fixed), this isn't a major concern for freight hauler purposes.