Heya. Just uploaded a pack that patches the default NSCD scenarios, which have impossible timings. They can now be completed (changed from timed checkpoints to 1000 points at start and driving error deductions) and should trigger their achievements.
The last time I played The Monumental Pt 2, my train spontaneously split about 30 minutes into the scenario and I got a "operation error - invalid consist" and it cost me 500 points! I recall someone said it had something to do with coupler forces being overloaded. Is that still an issue?
You need my coupler fix. Years ago some people complained about coupler slack and DTG removed it, with baaaad consequences. It needs to be there. https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/the-big-buckeye-coupler-fixes-thread.50579/
I have installed your fix and the AP shows in the route folder, however when I run the career scenarios included in the fix I do not see any change, it still shows as a timed scenario with 0 points showing and the one loco fouling the switch in Running the Manor is still there.
That means you have the original scenarios extracted from the MainContent.ap. In that case, they will override my patch. Use NameMyRoute.exe and delete them from the Scenarios folder, so the correct scenarios are loaded from the .ap files. I can only make patches for non-manipulated installations.
I loaded these scenarios and the coupler fix mods you recommended Spikee1975 and it all works well! I completed Monumental Pt 2 with no trains split and arrived at West Brownsville with 1000 points!
Glad it works for you. I wanted to do this a long time ago, but never got around the "Failed to load -scenario.bin-" error when modding Career scenarios. Just found out how to trick the system yesterday Will do a pack for Donner Pass too, switching from timed checkpoints that turn freight (where safety is top priority) runs into races, to the 1000 points at start type.
Hey Spikee1975 - I tried Monumental Pt 1, but keep stalling with wheelslip trying to get up the hill from Bailey Mine. Have you achieved it?
Use the sander and notch up gently, always wait for the amps to stabilize. It's a slow climb around 12mph... and a massive (and underpowered) train. You have to permanently use the sander (use F4 hud button) from Notch 6 on. This train should at least have three leading locos imho, the HP/ton ratio is not sufficient. I've made a clone of this one adding another loco up front, and could climb without sand at 15 mph.
Sand works - I suppose the idea with this scenario was to specifically tell the - realistic - story that NS would use an underpowered train, otherwise sufficient for the entire roundtrip. Although the timings suggest it wasn't that underpowered when designed. It was (is?) an actual policy at NS to use the least amount of power - I've read about trains having 8 locos at the front but only running two in notch 8 barely making it up the hill, because the instruction was to not waste fuel and wear with bringing a third online. Never mind the wear from using the engine and traction at capacity. Why, oh why did so many rebuilds last but a couple years at NS. I would bet they are a stress test environment for builders. With the occasional string lining at Horseshoe Curve - 3 locos struggling at 10mph, because that's the most efficient use of equipment - Amps drop with speed after all. And yes, as modern trains get some level of automatic traction control, it gets more and more realistic to see 50 cars with just a single ES44.
I've just come across this thread, thank you for doing this mod; unachievable timings are one of my biggest pet peeves with career scenarios. Did you ever upload the Donner Pass mod at all as well, please?
Spikee may have missed it, so FYI from me You can earn every Donner Pass achievement from its scenarios as is. Then there are fixed versions on the workshop. Of course if you want those points, you may need Spikee's. They aren't uploaded on the site in his signature. Generally, perfectionist obsession aside (of which I'm guilty) I suggest to let it go, as... (1) There is only so much replay value in each. Even if going for Coast to Coast, I'd rather run the free roams. (2) You can get the same points playing other scenarios - even more time efficiently, meaning less than these 2-3 hours.
Thank you for the reply. It's less about the points or achievements, more that some of the scenarios are quite enjoyable (Getting Involved for example) and it's just a bit of a downer to find yourself falling further and further behind the supposed schedule despite driving at full power. Not a major issue, I have more than enough other routes and scenarios to drive!
Cheers folks, been away over Easter. Just making the Donner Pass Career fix pack, which is basically cloning the scenarios, make changes to the timetable, reinject the edited scenario.bins into the old folders, adjust the MD5 string and career scorings in the original ScenarioProperties.xml and packing it into an ap.
Late to the party, but this is awesome. Have downloaded and will give the improved scenarios a go at some point!
Spikee1975 Many thanks for your fix! All scenarios are now working properly and finished with 1000 points. I was also wondering if you have a fix for Riesa-Dresden and Leipzig-Riesa scenarios "Regional Express at Sunrise" and "Talent 2 07:48 Wurzen - Halle-Nietleben" Both scenarios have unachievable timetables making it impossible to get full score.
Thanks Spikee Sometimes I wonder why I play those Career scenarios... Gotta love DTG Must be something in the scenario file structure that won't recognize the points at the end. But i'm not tech savvy so idk hahaha
I think I fixed these…then my 2022 hard drive busted. I can check. I did run a fix for Donner as well with a timetable stop (late penalty only, leniency for railtour purposes) at Truckee in the three hour one, posted that run (no video yet) and got my gold medal. Will grab the NSCD ones for backup. Is the car problem the same type of car that breaks on the Sherman intro? I can try the coupler strengthening from that route there, perhaps. The Buckeye E couplers.
