WCML North runs fine with the Class 47, but the scenarios using the Class 86 have a problem. When I apply the power, the engine barely moves. The throttle only has settings for 3%, 67% and 100%. I purchased the Class 86 Loco add on from Steam - but no luck. Also, there is no logo for the Class 86 Inter City Executive.
The class 8x locos don't use a linear throttle, instead using a "tap" method of power application. The basics of it are:- To start the loco move the power handle into the "centre", ie 60% on the standard display You then "tap" the a key to add a little bit of power. Keep "tapping" the a key and more and more power will be added. To see how much power is being applied look at the front console (where the speedo and brake gauges are) and look to the right. There are two meters which are coloured green, yellow red from bottom to top. These show the traction motor power. To the right of this are two black dials, don't remember what the left hand one does but the right hand shows the ACTUAL power being applied So, you're moving, you keep tapping a and you find those coloured bars slipping into the yellow or even the red. This means you're OVERpowered and likely to burn out the motors or wheelslip When you reach approx 35-40 mph you can shift the tap lever to "wind up" or 100%. This will effectively auto-tap the lever and you will notice the applied power meter rising on it's own accord You can also "tap-down", which means tapping d when at 60%, and this will reduce the actual power applied. Using this method you can really accurately balance the power to maintain speed, only increasing or decreasing to account for gradient. Remember, to slow the loco down you not only have to apply the brakes, but also cut the actual power by tapping down. On one loco in the series there is a wind-down (constant tap down application) which from memory is at 20% but I've only seen this once, and can't remember which one it is BE CAREFUL! If you accidentally hold the d key by mistake you can shift to 2% or 0%. 2% shuts all power off but doesn't terminate the engine. It doesn't wind down either. If you accidentally hit 0% you will terminate the engine and the ONLY way to restart is to get the applied power to 0%. To do this drop the pantograph (P key), shut off the engine key (Z key), go back to tap and repeatedly spam the d key until the applied power hits 0% Then raise the pantograph, restart the engine and tap back up to whatever power you need. I hope this helps. Once I'd gotten used to this method of control, I really started to enjoy driving this unit! Do also be aware that the scenario "Polmadie Hop" seems to be broken, with an unavoidable AI crash...
Once you’ve mastered it, and it doesn’t take long, it’s a really interesting loco to drive. The Armstrong Powerhouse sound pack for the 86/87 is well worth the money as well.
I'm looking been around for an InterCity 86 without success, but there is an 87 IC here. https://store.steampowered.com/app/222586/Train_Simulator_BR_Class_87_Loco_AddOn/
There are some reskins for the 86/2 on UKTS - the loco that comes with WCML-N is an 86/4 http://www.uktrainsim.com/filelib-info.php?form_fileid=34508
Great explanation. I think the 86 is one of those where you have to wait for the resistances needle to fall back to zero, before you can restart with the tap changing handle.
If you move the handle to OFF then you can't apply power again until the resistors hit zero, yup Other than that you're usually ok
Usually you are ok with a light tap on A or D, I think one variant (the AP?) suggests holding U+A/D, but if you are quick, it’ll tap with A or D instead of going into run up or run down.
One of the versions doesn't have a run down, or if it does it's at 2% on the HUD, ie so close you can easily put it into OFF and then you have to allow the power to run down before you can start again powering up
The main thing with a restart - is to ensure that the 'tap indicator' is at zero - BEFORE you do any fault resetting. It can take a while for this to happen.
