Class 68

[DanBob210]

http://store.steampowered.com/app/376930/?snr=1_5_9__205
This looks pretty good, has anyone bought it, and if so what are your opinions on it?

[dgre1950]

Thx Simonmd.............Made it a lot more clearer, still having probs, (I keep slipping into emergency) hopefully I can overcome that with practise. Its the only bit that is spoiling an otherwise great train.

[simonmd]

In the video I just watched, Matt did that as well and he's probably the most experienced TS player you'll ever see! This seems to be a weakness of DTG lately, it just shouldnt be that easy to slip into the e-brake setting, i'm sure in real life there is at least a notch or something to stop the driver doing it by accident.

[FOUR The Dark Side]

Have actually been waiting for 68 for ages. Alas, the choice of the route and livery turned out to be quite unexpected and that's the only reason I've put on the wishlist instead of buying it straight away. I'd rather wait for the reskins to appear and appropriate scenarios for the newer routes, rather than forlorn E2G. Pity.

[dgre1950]

Its really frustrating, I've tried qd to try and practise and get familiar with the braking system, but it won't let me,,,start braking and theres nothing there, move up to apply,,,,,nothing,,,,keep sliding upwards, to self generating,,it starts to brake, but, wallop!! your too close to e/b and its engaged. I am using the hud.

[JayTwoPointOh]

Originally posted by simonmd:

It looks fine sure and DTG say they actually recorded real sounds so maybe it will sound good too, will make a change for all the recycled xxxx we normally get in the sound department.

Whats a shame though is they could only get the Scotrail licence. In the entire UK, only TWO of these are operated by Scotrail so it's a bit confusing as to why they didnt go for one of the larger operators like DRS or Chiltern Trains. Still, at least you get some Mk2 in scotrail livery too and maybe one of the reskin sites like DPS or SuperAlbs will get us a proper version in the near future.

Licensing was the reason for a lack of Chiltern livery, however this is something that we are working on and hope to have something to announce for you all pretty soon on that front!

- Jay

[dgre1950]

dtg..James,,,got all excited then, thought you were tipping me on how to brake the 'beast'.

[simonmd]

Good news, lets hope so because they do look quite sleek in silver! Seems a bit odd mind, considering it was Chiltern who allowed the sounds to be recorded... I hope this doesnt mean another twelve quid when the deal is done? Please dont let it get like the class 66 where people end up buying the same loco over and over again, at least make it a cheaper marketplace item.

Edit: Although to be fair, we don't really have anywhere we can actually run a Chiltern consist on, Birmingham to Marylebone isnt in the game unfortunately.

[AshHill07]

Originally posted by simonmd:

Whats a shame though is they could only get the Scotrail licence. In the entire UK, only TWO of these are operated by Scotrail so it's a bit confusing as to why they didnt go for one of the larger operators like DRS or Chiltern Trains. Still, at least you get some Mk2 in scotrail livery too and maybe one of the reskin sites like DPS or SuperAlbs will get us a proper version in the near future.

They did, it was originally going to be in DRS livery but they wouldn't let them do it. DRS have been happy in the past to but their brand on content in Train Simulator (Both Just Trains and Thompson Interactive have dealt with them in the past), so I'm guessing its something specific to DTG that DRS don't like.

[simonmd]

Originally posted by dgre1950:

Its really frustrating, I've tried qd to try and practise and get familiar with the braking system, but it won't let me,,,start braking and theres nothing there, move up to apply,,,,,nothing,,,,keep sliding upwards, to self generating,,it starts to brake, but, wallop!! your too close to e/b and its engaged. I am using the hud.

You're misunderstanding how it works, You seem to be still thinking about 'steps' and thinking that if you push it firther, it will brake harder, thats not the case.

Simply put, there are only 4 positions.

Release = Brakes off or reaching the air until fully released.

Hold = The valves are closed, the brakes hold whatever position they are in (including released if thats the case).

Apply = The brake valves are opened and the pressure is increased until either on full or placed back into the 'Hold' [osition.

Emergency = Max brakes, all air dumped immediately, requires a full stop before can be reset.

Therefore in your case, once you start applying the brakes, moving the lever will do nothing to increase the rate that they go on, the only extra step is the E-Brake.

Basically, if youve ever driven a steam loco or old DMU with vacuum brakes, these work exactly the same way except you are increasing pressure to brake, not removing it. The key is to watch the brake needles on the left and / or the brake level indicator in the HUD (the blue bar to the right of the virtual controls).

[jimoates014]

Did my usual quick drive yesterday, 68 + 6 Mk IIs as supplied, runs the route well. Tops out on level track at 99.3 mph, as noted by others, the brake control is a little iffy, too easy to engage emergency.
Today: cruelty time, hang another 18 MkIs behind the original load of 6 making 24 for a train weight of 550 tons, loco achieves 80 mph on level but has a propensity to wheelslip. the climb of Beattock finished slower than a Class 40 with the same load, by Harthope I was down to notch 3 to prevent wheelslip. Class 40 - 18.3 mph, Class 68 - 9.4 mph

[simonmd]

Originally posted by AshHill07:

Originally posted by simonmd:

Whats a shame though is they could only get the Scotrail licence. In the entire UK, only TWO of these are operated by Scotrail so it's a bit confusing as to why they didnt go for one of the larger operators like DRS or Chiltern Trains. Still, at least you get some Mk2 in scotrail livery too and maybe one of the reskin sites like DPS or SuperAlbs will get us a proper version in the near future.

They did, it was originally going to be in DRS livery but they wouldn't let them do it. DRS have been happy in the past to but their brand on content in Train Simulator (Both Just Trains and Thompson Interactive have dealt with them in the past), so I'm guessing its something specific to DTG that DRS don't like.

Really? how odd, their livery is a key feature of the Armstrong Powerhouse Wherry Lines route as all the main class 37 and mk2 coaches are painted in it.

[simonmd]

Originally posted by jimoates014:

Did my usual quick drive yesterday, 68 + 6 Mk IIs as supplied, runs the route well. Tops out on level track at 99.3 mph, as noted by others, the brake control is a little iffy, too easy to engage emergency.
Today: cruelty time, hang another 18 MkIs behind the original load of 6 making 24 for a train weight of 550 tons, loco achieves 80 mph on level but has a propensity to wheelslip. the climb of Beattock finished slower than a Class 40 with the same load, by Harthope I was down to notch 3 to prevent wheelslip. Class 40 - 18.3 mph, Class 68 - 9.4 mph

Ah, the old 'Whistler' is still the Daddy! To be fair, the 40 did have 12 driving wheels compared to 8 here and I think (?) is heavier too so its not surprising it would get better grip.

[AshHill07]

Originally posted by simonmd:

Originally posted by AshHill07:

They did, it was originally going to be in DRS livery but they wouldn't let them do it. DRS have been happy in the past to but their brand on content in Train Simulator (Both Just Trains and Thompson Interactive have dealt with them in the past), so I'm guessing its something specific to DTG that DRS don't like.

Really? how odd, they livery is a key feature of the Armstrong Powerhouse Wherry Lines route as all the main class 37 and mk2 coaches are painted in it.

Just Trains have various Class 20's
Thompson Interactive have a Class 66
Armstrong Powerhouse have a Class 47 now as well, also in branded DRS livery.

Funnily enough I remember at the time these discussions were going on regarding the Class 68, Armstrong Powerhouse were actually at a DRS depot that same weekend recording one of their Class 57's.

[jimoates014]

Further to that Simon, Class 45- 21.4 mph, Class 52- 23.1 mph, all with the same load.

[simonmd]

If it were just AP, i'd suggests they had signed an exclusivity deal but as theyre happy to be on Thompson and JT products as well, I wonder if they have a Train Sim fan who has a beef with DTG on the board? We'll never know i'm sure but this isn't the first time DTG has been snubbed by an operator.