How Does Acela Cruise Control Work?

[NJ Curmudgeon]

Since the TS2015 upgrade, I noticed that the lever at the far left of the console int the Acela powercar is now a cruise control (it was an egine break before). I didn't see anything about how this is used in the manual. Can anyone describe how to use this?

Thanks!

[Nasder]

As of right now, it works just like in the HHP-8, but the speed selector triangle doesn't show, so you have no idea what speed you've set up.

There is a lever to the left of the throttle which allows you change the speed (but you can't see which speed you've picked). And there is a speed cruise button on the left console (or what to call it) which turns it on/off.

Writing out of memory so I might get a few things wrong.

[NJ Curmudgeon]

Thanks Nasder. Since I'm not familiar with the HHP-8 operation either, this is all new to me..The only 'cruise control' I am familiar with is on my car! Still not sure how I would set the Acela one...or if it is even worth messing with if it sounds like you can't tell what speed you're selecting?

[Dodgydruid]

On UK speed control units, the C and Y keys are used to reduce and increase speed respectively, the class 90 is automatically set to its operational max and you can reduce it to 5 miles using the C & Y keys for instance.

On the 390, there is a speed "set" key which locks the throttle speed only to that speed allowing for cruise but won't stop gravitational acceleration, again the key C is used for that, unlike the proper speed controls, the 390 speed set only maintains throttle and not brake whereas the EMU's, 90, 91, 92 will brake to maintain that speed.

Is there no little arrow or marker anywhere on the speed dial, on the 365, its so tiny its almost impossible to see and maybe that is how its being done on the American engines, I don't have them so thought to say how generally the game seems to use what keys etc.

[NJ Curmudgeon]

Thanks Dodgydruid. I tried those keys on the Acela but it didn't do anything.

Like I said, I'm used to the cruise control on my car - I get to the speed I want using the throttle (gas pedal) and then click it "on." I can then remove my foot from the gas and the car maintains that speed on its own. I have a toggle switch that lets me increase or decrease the set speed. So that's my "understanding" of how a cruise control works. So when I see it in the Acela, I am trying to relate it to that "real world" thing.

There is a sliding lever like the throttle lever and a switch off to the left (like Nasder described above). I have played around with it a little, but can't seem to see analogous functions - like the switch being the "set" and the lever being the toggle in my car. As such, I figure I'm just doing it wrong and was hoping someone out here could explain how I should be using these controls.

The manual for the Acela still has the old configuration where the lever now labeled as "cruise control" when I hover the cursor over it is being shown as the dynamic brake lever. Evidently work was done to the Acela model that was "updated" with the 2015 conversion, but the manual was not updated. I am definitely not seeing a triangle on the speedometer - and I zoomed in really close to make sure since it was described as being really small.

Thanks for any other clues!

[coolkirk1701]

Assuming you already figured it out, but in case you havent, you have to set the cruise control lever first, then turn the cruise control knob on the center console, then set the power lever to 100%. You can then move the cruise control lever to the desired speed and use brakes at your leisure. Hope this helps!