Whenever the SD70ACe becomes a lead unit, the DPU (whether it's an ES44C4 or another SD70ACe) only respond to power & dynamic brake input only. This didn't occur if an ES44C4 becomes a lead unit, the DPU mirror every input including the auto brake & independent brake input. It is becomes a big problem when operating a heavy train downhill, where you should combine the use of dynamic brake and the auto brake. Whenever we apply more Brake Pipe reduction, the dynamics on the DPU cut itself out and you lose big amount of stopping/slowing force from the dynamics. Of course it didn't happen on a ES44C4 because if we apply more BP reduction, and actuating/bail off the independent brake, the dynamics on all units keep making effort/force. Is it possible to port the DPU behaviour from the ES44C4 which in my opinion come pretty useful and handy to the SD70ACe? Here's a video shots from a scenario "Manifest Madness", with 2+0+1 engines formation (2 SD70ACe upfront + 1 SD70ACe at the bottom of the train). The DPU didn't generate any dynamic braking force as i apply around 8 pound of reduction. A shot taken in the lead unit: A shot taken from the DPU cab: Notice that the Tractive Effort indicator shows 0 (not generating any dyn brake force) although the control lever mirror my input of notch 5-6 dynamic brake. And notice that the Brake Cylinder (BC) value indicator shows 12 that indicating the independent brake on the DP applied because i make a BP reduction. This make the dynamic brake to cut out to prevent the wheel from locking.
This should be DTG freight priority to refurbish all US freight locos into es44c4 braking/dpu standard (at least). Then the way to substitutions and randomizing the routes is open, everybody happy and DTG is in glory + plus full car livery and Im in freight heaven
This still seems to be an issue. I was fooling around with the SD70Ace on Cajon Pass recently and noticed the same thing. When you have an ACe leading, the throttle works fine on the rear units but the dynamics do not work. This applies to when the pushers are ES44C4 or another SD70Ace. If you have an ES44C4 leading, dynamics and throttle work fine on the rear units. Interesting this seems to effect only the REAR units. Not the ones attached to the lead at front of train OR the mid train ones if they are present. Then oddly enough if I try the BNSF ACe on Antelope Valley the dynamics seem to work on pushers.
