So the recent update deleted everything and had to start all over. Not sure why this happened but not a big deal. On the time table train Q249 - Autorack- Baltimore to Connellsville, the train is long and severely under powered with no option for a DPU, call for a helper set or option to split the train to get it up the hill. Backing the train up in Cumberland yard stopping about 50 yards or so before passing the last red signal to give a better head start to gaining speed before hitting the grade makes no difference. Also having 2 SD40-2's on the head or a AC4400 and SD40-2 mix makes no difference, no matter how well you manipulate the sand and throttle together, as both sets will still stall on the grade about 2 miles from the Mance checkpoint where the grade is at 1.8%. Most of the trip up to that point is a agonizing 10mph steady at 1.5-1.6% grade. At 1.8%, it's over with. The train stalls and no matter what you do, getting it moving again isn't gonna happen. For some reason the autoracks are crazy slow to get the BP back up to 90psi. While waiting to die of old age while the pressure comes back up, I keep the locomotives in notch 3 to help hold them. Notch 4 just causes constant wheel slip and full sand doesn't help. Eventually once the BP comes up to pressure and the brakes release the train begins to drag you back down the hill with a red signal behind the train only about 660 yards away. Dumping the EOT air and full emergency brake application after sliding backwards still takes time to get the train to come to a stop. This process will just continue to repeat until you have passed the red signal and the scenario ends. Full application of the service brakes and even full application of the independent won't stop the roll back. You have to be in full emergency to stop train movement. Any idea how to overcome this issue? Is it a bug or is the train really that underpowered? I figure a single GP38 as a DPU would provide just enough additional tractive effort to make the climb without stalling. Probably needa little more than than if the train did stall to help from a dead stop. I haven't moved on to any of the other time tables (because I don't like skipping and leaving things unfinished) so I am not sure if any of the other time table scenarios have similar issues. Now on a bit of a side rant. The hump yard is completely useless. I discovered you can kick cars but it's so sensitive and difficult to do that it's not worth trying because most times the train ends up derailed because the last car(s) you kick instantly stop instead of rolling freely without the hand brakes applied. With only 3 kinds of general commodity cars available that aren't run in unit trains (autoracks, bath gons and well cars), it's pointless. It would be nice to see a few additional cars added to whats already available like the thrall 53' gondola, 60' flat or hooded coil cars to add variety. The recent update really sucks. It took pretty much all of the random cars out of Cumberland yard and replaced them with built trains that you can't even move in free roam without starting a scenario. "Free roam" isn't even listed anymore with the update. It's now "explore on foot". Explore on foot seems pointless as you only have a single locomotive set in Cumberland yard that is free to use and hardly any free cars or a single locomotive and 3 BT goes. Roaming anywhere on the map outside of Cumberland yard is pointless because you are restricted inside of two fence lines and on foot. Cumberland yard doesn't really make any sense either because you can't leave from its boundaries. At least make it to where in free roam you can contact a dispatcher to gain permission to move anywhere on the map with a multiple choice menu for a particular area that you're in. Prior to this recent update, it's been fairly fun but the runs seem too repetitive with no change in pace. Let's say like higher priority trains over taking a lower priority or single track point to point due to random MOW shut downs. What's the purpose of the PTT if it doesn't do anything? No control over EOT controls other than emergency air dump switch. Train length button activates but does nothing. Attendant button functions but also does nothing. EOT psi display numbers are now really dim and red flasher no longer visible from a distance. Wheels start distorting around 10mph or so. I keep hearing questions about multi player online. This would be a big upgrade and possibly a game changer but if this is about as good as its gonna get then I won't have any interest in purchasing any of the expansion packs. Really could have just offered the Sand Patch without the European routes as I personally have zero interest in European trains.
