Windows 11 PC, new to using both TSW2 and Sand Patch Grade and locomotives Bought the New Journeys Expansion add-on I'm trying to learn how to operate this newly added SD40 CSX-s locomotive and to make it move forward lol Can someone point me in the right direction on where I can find the TSW2 tutorial training on how to operate this new locomotive?
The first task of the new journey is the tutorial. Or go to explore > training. You can turn 'auto load journey' off in options, so you can choose the one for SD40.
The recently released SD40 is the same as the SD40 included with the original Sandpatch route -- only the livery (paint job) has changed, so you can learn its basic operation by running the old SD40 tutorial. Of course, like all DTG tutorials, it doesn't cover everything you need to know, including some vital information like letting the brakes fully discharge before trying to move a long, heavy train, especially on an uphill grade. I've been running TSW since it first appeared, but hadn't learned this necessary piece of information until today, when I read about it in another thread in this forum. --->Well, okay, I was wrong --- see later posts.
afraid not. While there are similarities, the original SPG loco is an SD40-2, whereas the new loco is an SD40 from Clinchfield. The operation is quite different (such as the throttle also being the dynamic brake control with a selector switch in the SD40 rather that the separate handles in the SD40-2)… While there are similarities it’s not simply a repaint of the SPG SD40-2. i don’t have the expansion so I don’t know if it comes with a tutorial for the new SD40, but if it doesn’t I’d try a scenario as they tend to walk you through a few basics
If a tutorial for it hasn't been included with the expansion pack, it's available in the Clinchfield route add-on instead. I don't have the expansion pack, so I can't tell if any scenario using it there gives you instructions how to operate it. If there however aren't any instructions included in the expansion pack, here's a video showing the SD40 tutorial (on Clinchfield):
Although there is no tutorial for this engine in the expansion packet, the scenarios for this "stripey" livery include some start-up instructions, including, in the "Stars and Stripes" [because you're driving the "stripey" livery at night -- who says DTG lacks a sense of humor?], an instruction to "Wait for the brakes to release." I didn't time this waiting period, but it took quite a while. Earlier in the set-up process, an instruction tells the driver a bit (but not enough) about the "Selector Lever" -- what's missing is information about using this lever to control the Dynamic Brake. I'm hoping that someone who knows how to do this will let me know how to manage this brake system. Thanks! Why can't DTG do itself and all of us a favor by returning to supplying user's manuals?
From driving one the crr to get dynamic brakes, throttle to zero, selector switch back to off then to b, once your selector switch is in b the throttle controls the dynamic brake. To apply power again, throttle off, selector switch back to your power number and your throttle controls the power.
This is for TSW2 New Journeys Expansion Pack - Sand Patch Grade CSX I've been testing out operations of the SD40 in that Pack I went to Explore - Scenarios - Earning your Stripes (using SD40 CSX-s Locomotive) After testing for keyboard controls for the Selector Lever on the SD40, I found the following: the comma key , is for adjusting Selector Lever decrease toggle ( B - Off - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ) the period key . is for adjusting Selector Lever increase toggle ( B - Off - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ) What I am learning so far- These comma and period keyboard keys are also called dynamic brake decrease and increase on SD40-2 locomotives Dynamic brakes use electrical resistance against the loco turning axles to slow it down, but not used to stop the train. Independent brakes use air pressure on the locomotive only for yard switching or holding cars when stopped Independent brakes can be toggle controlled by keyboard keys [ for decreasing and ] for increasing Corrections or additions on operating the Sand Patch SD40 CSX-s locomotive is welcome I've still yet to learn about the air pressure cut-off valve function and that red handle automatic brake function.
Reads like a recipe for letting your engine roar downhill breaking through the speed limit while you adjust some controls, but I may just give it a try anyway. btom's method strikes me as more feasible in action, so I'll try it, too.
With this caveat: wait until your amps have fallen to 0 before switching to brakes! Bad Things can happen otherwise (although in-game the worst you'll get is a stalled engine).
You should have your d-brakes in setup before you ever crest the rise. There's no crime in losing speed here; with freight in particular speed limits are limits not targets.
I can understand GitarMan's post you guys are commenting on, (ie the Selector Level put to (Off) and then to (B), probably because on the Clinchfield Route the changes in grade is more numerous and the speed is slower and you'd probably want to set that SD40 Selector Level to (B) and leave it there.
Must admit I’m scratching my head how you get the dynamic brakes to work on these. The normal key commands for dynamics operate the selector switch, so is it one of those positions and the normal throttle or something else. I’ve been descending to Hyndman relying on the indie to control speed, which goes against all principles of how to operate an American freight train.
once the selector is in b (the opposite direction than your numbers) the throttle controls the dynamic (a on the keyboard to increase, d to decrease)
I found that the Selector Lever on the SD40 is the dynamic brake increase/decrease toggle, and the PC keyboard keys for the Selector Lever is the comma key ( , ) for decrease toggle ( B - Off - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ) and the period key ( . ) for increase toggle ( B - Off - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ) Try Hyndman route again with Selector Lever on ( B ) and throttle on ( 7 or 8 ), see if that combo works ok
Yes, I'll bring it up again -- the solution to this and all similar operational questions lies in two simple words: Users' Manual. Meaning, of course, a well-written, thorough manual covering all operational controls, signals, safety systems, etc. For you newer users, I'll explain that DTG used to provide adequate (not complete or even thorough, but, yes, adequate manuals with all routes, engines of a type not covered in a previous route manual, and even supplementary DLC, such as the BR Heavy Freight Pack. Rudolf Heijink has created a series of excellent guides for which we should all be grateful, but his generous contributions do not replace or excuse DTG's failure to provide even basic written guides. Shame on them!
Quick note: - operator manual indicates throttle at zero and a pause of 10 seconds before engaging dynamic brake
The ten seconds is to provide enough time for the current to fall to zero. You don't want to reverse polarity on that circuit while it's live!
I found going the other way it takes much longer to come out of dynamics before being able to engage power again. I zeroed the throttle in dynamics, brought the selector back to off, waited 10 seconds and put it into 4 (wish someone would explain what difference 1, 2, 3 or 4 makes, presumably some sort of manual field change) applied power and nothing happened. In fact there was still a ~100 amp reading on the HUD from the dynamics. I had to back off the throttle, selector to Off, re-engage "B", brief application of dynamics, zero throotle. Wait 15 seconds, selector to off, wait a further 15 seconds selector to 4 and could regain power. This could be quite critical on a sawtooth gradient profile where you are constantly switching between power and dynamics to keep momentum and the train stretched.
Actually there is no difference between 1-4 (tutorial instructions notwithstanding). The SD40 was an auto-transition only engine with no manual mode. The selector is there in case one is in an MU controlling older manual-transition engines.
