Will it work if you sit on the seat first then start up the loco to get it running, or you will have to start it up then sit in the seat?
Good question. I've been wondering this too since the recent stream. Good to see a fellow Kiwi here by the way..
Or work like this only on free roaming scenario/timetable? (where the sit on the seat its just a sort of main input "i want to keep the control of this train").
After watching the stream and seeing Matt cold start the loco, he was clicking and switching without any hints (obviously he does this multiple times daily so it’s etched in his brain) but for gamers that dip in and out it’s tough remembering. It would also be handy on West Somerset using the Class 08 as you need to switch the brakes, something I only found out after asking the forum. Might be a good idea to add a prompt/hint function that can be enabled/disabled in the options?
Judging by what they said on the stream you have to sit into the cab first to "enable" the proper physics of the loco so it's handled like a player controlled one by the game, and then you can apply the necessary buttons / handles / whatnot in order to cold start it. The reason why it didn't work for Matt first is that he just walked there and tried to turn it on, while the game still considered it to be an AI train.
It was funny watching Matt try to get a train started and, before that, try to get the brakes to release on a train. This same hilarious experience by players might make some of them ditch the game within a hour of trying it, or after weeks of trying to get to grips with it. It might be time to think about a foolproof simple mode to keep those people engaged. A global control scheme like the model railway controls in Trainz. Simple functions like single presses of a key or controller button to start the train, set all necessary lights etc, then simple faster/slower controls for driving. It wouldn’t be for likes of most of us on the forum but it might add usability for the casual gamer or less technically minded train fan. It might even add accessibility for some disabled players if such a scheme is introduced. They can experience the game and learn about trains and, in sticking with it, make a little extra money for DTG by buying loads of DLC instead of ditching the game due to the difficult simulation aspects.
