Cut out/MU

[Jarl of the Cwmbric]

I know this comes up a lot, but I'm not convinced it's working properly (or I'm doing something wrong). I've got x3 GP9s set up in multiple as helpers at Nantahala. They work fine on their own, with the two slugs running fine with the lead loco. However, when I attach them to the back of a train and set the lead loco to cutout, nothing happens.

It'd be really great to get a passage in the help screen explaining these two functions and how they're supposed to work.

[DorniNerd]

I might be misunderstanding what you are trying to do... But engines/MU will not work if engines are not hooked directly together.

[Jarl of the Cwmbric]

Can you not have two sets of MU locos at either end of the train?

[DorniNerd]

Originally posted by Jarl of the Cwmbric:

Can you not have two sets of MU locos at either end of the train?

No, sadly not.


The way to do it is to setup to sets of MU trains, then set each set of engines "leaders" to AI mode... Just don't forget to turn them off when you are done needing their help!

[TheLostPenguin]

I think the way to get distributed power to work (which is what it sounds like you're trying to do) is to set the 'lead' loco of your additional group to AI Road mode with the rest of the additional locos MU'ed to the AI lead, and tell the AI to drive when you want the additional power.
Not exactly ideal as it's just going to go wide open throttle trying to shove the whole consist itself all the time, but will get you extra power at least. Just think of it as throwing the wide eyed and very wet behind the ears apprentice in the drivers seat, and all he can figure out how to do is throw the throttle wide open on command :)

lol ninja'd by Dorninerd whilst typing!

[kildar501]

Have to remember that, in the time period this line is set in, a lot of the MU consists were run by multiple crews using whistles for communications when the power was steam. Diesels made it a bit easier but the DPU was still not something that was done a lot. Back in these days, it wasn't uncommon to see 5 or 6 Geeps hooked up at the front end of a train as they didn't understand the train force physics like we do now.

[Jarl of the Cwmbric]

Originally posted by kildar501:

Have to remember that, in the time period this line is set in, a lot of the MU consists were run by multiple crews using whistles for communications when the power was steam. Diesels made it a bit easier but the DPU was still not something that was done a lot. Back in these days, it wasn't uncommon to see 5 or 6 Geeps hooked up at the front end of a train as they didn't understand the train force physics like we do now.

Not sure about that last one. In the UK we call a loco added to the back of the back of the train a banker and the practice has been in use for as long as there have been railways here. Granted, distributed power (i.e. a loco in the middle of the train) is not something you see in the UK much (or at all, to my knowledge).

[kildar501]

Originally posted by Jarl of the Cwmbric:

Originally posted by kildar501:

Have to remember that, in the time period this line is set in, a lot of the MU consists were run by multiple crews using whistles for communications when the power was steam. Diesels made it a bit easier but the DPU was still not something that was done a lot. Back in these days, it wasn't uncommon to see 5 or 6 Geeps hooked up at the front end of a train as they didn't understand the train force physics like we do now.

Not sure about that last one. In the UK we call a loco added to the back of the back of the train a banker and the practice has been in use for as long as there have been railways here. Granted, distributed power (i.e. a loco in the middle of the train) is not something you see in the UK much (or at all, to my knowledge).

Lots of instances where you'd have a steam helper on the rear of a train and the communications was all by whistle. DPU (Distributed Power Units) is more where you've got a locomotive or two in the middle of the train as well as the end. Didn't really kick in until radio tech was good enough to operate multiple units in multiple locations on the train. MU on diesels is through the cables linking each locomotive together which is why it is used for the locomotives at the front. But the physics of trains breaking apart and derailing wasn't really studied until much later on. That's why you'd see those big lashups of diesels at the front of a train just pulling for glory! Sight and a sound to behold to be sure but a pain in the caboose when the train breaks in half at one point or another. Today, you'll see the common 2 on the head end and 1 on the rear end diesel consists because we know how the train physics work a lot better.

[Amazingdeath]

Originally posted by DorniNerd:

I might be misunderstanding what you are trying to do... But engines/MU will not work if engines are not hooked directly together.

I have noticed a bug with MU locomotives. It seems that when using them in yard mode, when they approach a parked car, sometimes they will glitch out and immediately freeze where they are. I've also had a similar issues with MU locomotives in AI road as they pass clear signals, they will sometimes freak out and go from 30mph to 0 in 0 seconds.

I assume one of the locomotives incorrectly is detecting the signal ad it changes or the approaching parked cars and freaks out and passes it to the main locomotive, who then stops the train due to the perceived threat. Every time it happens though the trains will start moving again.

[Knsgf]

That's because you are not setting MU correctly. The lead loco should have AI yard mode enabled and MU/brake cutout unchecked. Other engines should be kept in manual mode with MU/brake cutout checked. If you keep MU-d locos in AI road mode, then it's no wonder that they stop abruptly in front of an obstacle - that's how road mode is supposed to work.

[railroadloads]

Originally posted by Knsgf:

That's because you are not setting MU correctly. The lead loco should have AI yard mode enabled and MU/brake cutout unchecked. Other engines should be kept in manual mode with MU/brake cutout checked. If you keep MU-d locos in AI road mode, then it's no wonder that they stop abruptly in front of an obstacle - that's how road mode is supposed to work.

Well, that solved my issue. Thanks!