Suggestion: Wheelslip penalty is obsolete

[electronx]

Hello,

I have been watching some cab rides (and commuting of course), and I noticed that wheelspin (acceleration) and wheelslip (braking) is completely normal, as long as it's controlled. In some cases, it cannot even be controlled (some trains can only stop with rail brakes). Strong AC electrics (Siemens / Traxx) have it all the time. Some steam drivers tend to force a bit of spin when starting, not sure why (show off / clean wheels / help force water out of cylinders during a slow start).

I simply think that the penalty should not exist, unless maybe it lasts 5 seconds minimum. Except when it's scripted / caused by (scripted) emergency brakes. Better just not have it at all.

Am I wrong here?

ps.: Yes, I can take notes while purposefully testing the various slip thresholds (braking, accelarating) at every possible part of a scenario, then replay for perfection. It's just plain unrealistic. I can also just join the "career sucks by design" club.

[OldAlaskaGuy]

Never a good idea to wheel slip. You will get your wrist slapped for this and a warning.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSbJv9u-Rs4l7Cb28VJnXBkbce3y4ebE9az4IQy4aukT8lwqBPX

[electronx]

Those look funny indeed :)

[JohnnyR]

Originally posted by electronx:

Some steam drivers tend to force a bit of spin when starting, not sure why (show off / clean wheels / help force water out of cylinders during a slow start).

I think you have a little to learn about steam locomotive driving.

Any slippage is driver error.

[JJTimothy]

Any driver can be caught out by a greasy rail- Waterloo was notorious for slippy starts in steam days. I've seen loco's running light at Locomotion (Shildon) lose grip and spin up somehow- a combination of tight curves and leaky old rolling stock perhaps.

Not that I'm a great one for collecting points anyway but I'd go along with the suggestion of penalising wheelslip only after a few seconds so there's no black mark for it as long as you bring it under control adroitly.

[Jackson]

Originally posted by electronx:

Hello,

I have been watching some cab rides (and commuting of course), and I noticed that wheelspin (acceleration) and wheelslip (braking) is completely normal, as long as it's controlled. In some cases, it cannot even be controlled (some trains can only stop with rail brakes). Strong AC electrics (Siemens / Traxx) have it all the time. Some steam drivers tend to force a bit of spin when starting, not sure why (show off / clean wheels / help force water out of cylinders during a slow start).

I simply think that the penalty should not exist, unless maybe it lasts 5 seconds minimum. Except when it's scripted / caused by (scripted) emergency brakes. Better just not have it at all.

Am I wrong here?

ps.: Yes, I can take notes while purposefully testing the various slip thresholds (braking, accelarating) at every possible part of a scenario, then replay for perfection. It's just plain unrealistic. I can also just join the "career sucks by design" club.

I would agree that your score shouldn't be destroyed because of wheel slip. I must add, that in the many trains I've seen personally - none ever has wheel slipped tho. I've seen youtube videos so I know it can happen occasionally, but.... I think modern locomotives probably have computers that control that anyway similar to cars/trucks, yes?

[redwinrhn]

sand, use the sander

[snipawulf04]

Originally posted by Jack:

but.... I think modern locomotives probably have computers that control that anyway similar to cars/trucks, yes?

Indeed, modern trains do have wheel slip control, but it isn't always effective. Certain BNSF engines are prone to wild wheel slip in any damp weather (even slight frost or dew).
Generally, where severe railburn occurs (such as the linked photo by rwaday) its older locomotives that don't have the advanced computers. My company has specific rules about using older engines (SD40-2s) MU'd to modern power.
I have been an engineer since 2012, and I have never been contacted about wheel slip.

[Purno]

Some local EMUs here sometimes have wheelslip for a second when leaving a station, especially during autumn and winter. Looks like the drivers are trying to find the point they can accelerate as fast as possible, but just slow enough not to cause wheelslip.

TS scoring system is extreme in its penalties. Wheelslip is just one example. The penalty for going 1 km/h over the speed limit makes little sense as well. I'm glad TSW is more forgiving in that matter.

[JJTimothy]

In Britain a system called SepEx (Seperate Excitation) for freight locomotives, introduced with the Class 58 IIRC, monitors wheelslip and reduces power to individual axles if it catches them spinning up. I believe the US built loco's, perhaps starting with the Class 59, have a system that allows a certain amount of slip on the basis that high power and a little slippage is better than low power with perfect adhesion.

The Class 87s in WCML (Shap) have automatic wheelslip protection backing the power off and sanding- though sanders don't actually use sand these days it's some sort of gel.

Correction: Should read, "...starting with the Class 59".

[Bill Paradise]

Originally posted by rwaday:

Never a good idea to wheel slip. You will get your wrist slapped for this and a warning.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSbJv9u-Rs4l7Cb28VJnXBkbce3y4ebE9az4IQy4aukT8lwqBPX

Portly passengers?