DM3 Shifting - How lazy I can be?

[Legata Flavia]

There are 9 gears, which is rather plenty in NonVR.

If I change gears in this fashion:
3-3
2-2
1-1

Would it be possible, or I would be damaging the gearbox?

[2Polev]

I just avoid the DM3. What the DM3 brings to the table isn't worth all the extra work load in my opinion. Just take two DE2s and strap them together, and they will do anything the DM3 can do but better. Or better yet, just save up and get the DH4, and skip the DM3 entirely.

[meredith999]

Originally posted by 2Polev | Pursuer 1-1:

I just avoid the DM3. What the DM3 brings to the table isn't worth all the extra work load in my opinion. Just take two DE2s and strap them together, and they will do anything the DM3 can do but better. Or better yet, just save up and get the DH4, and skip the DM3 entirely.

so the dh4 is better

[Fou Lou]

I haven't noticed any extra wear on the mechanical drivetrain by using a higher gear than possible.

Depending on the weight you're pulling shifting von 2-2 to 3-3 would result in having like no acceleration. 2-2 tops out around 20

1-1 to 2-2 should be possible with higher loads with a bit of patience.

And you have to watch your temp when running high throttle and low rpm.

Of you're shunting use 2-2 or 3-2 and leave it there as long as the loads are light. No need for constant shifting.

[2Polev]

Originally posted by meredith999:

Originally posted by 2Polev | Pursuer 1-1:

I just avoid the DM3. What the DM3 brings to the table isn't worth all the extra work load in my opinion. Just take two DE2s and strap them together, and they will do anything the DM3 can do but better. Or better yet, just save up and get the DH4, and skip the DM3 entirely.

so the dh4 is better

Yes.

Torque-wise it is comparable to two DE2s linked together. I speculate that its probably cheaper to operate than two DE2s using multiple unit operation but I haven't run the numbers for that so I'm unsure.

[GamingToFailure]

if you wanna be lazy, go 5 gears. 1-2 => 2-2 => 3-2 => 2-3 => 3-3.

[meredith999]

Originally posted by 2Polev | Pursuer 1-1:

Originally posted by meredith999:

so the dh4 is better

Yes.

Torque-wise it is comparable to two DE2s linked together. I speculate that its probably cheaper to operate than two DE2s using multiple unit operation but I haven't run the numbers for that so I'm unsure.

ok thanks ill save up for a dh4 i was planning on doing that and also i dont have multiple unit license yet

[Menacing Scarab]

Originally posted by 2Polev | Pursuer 1-1:

I just avoid the DM3. What the DM3 brings to the table isn't worth all the extra work load in my opinion. Just take two DE2s and strap them together, and they will do anything the DM3 can do but better. Or better yet, just save up and get the DH4, and skip the DM3 entirely.

Oh I disagree entirely. 1 DM3 when run correctly can be a beast of a machine and dirt cheap to run in comparison to even 1 DE2. 2 DE2 might be able to match the power (don't know, haven't run multiple DE2 since Simulator) but the cost is going to be rough.

Personally I like the added complexity of running it, but I get it may not be an engine for everyone to run. Much like the steamer isn't for everyone

To the OP: as long as you do the gears 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 while throttling down between each gear shift I don't think it is going to cause any excess damage, but those gear ratios are not going to be close together and you will probably struggle with heavy loads on any grade. When I run the DM3 I often find myself using 2-3 and 3-2 a lot. And also 2-2 and 2-1. I rarely start in 1-1. Usually I start in 2-1 or if heavy 1-2

[lnomsim]

Originally posted by meredith999:

Originally posted by 2Polev | Pursuer 1-1:

I just avoid the DM3. What the DM3 brings to the table isn't worth all the extra work load in my opinion. Just take two DE2s and strap them together, and they will do anything the DM3 can do but better. Or better yet, just save up and get the DH4, and skip the DM3 entirely.

so the dh4 is better

Well, more power, automatic gear shift, less engine exploding, less attention required, I'd say yes.

In non VR, the RPM is on the left side, the gears are on the left in the DM3. So unless you know the route by heart and are 120% sure the switches will bring you where you want, you won't have time to pay attention to the tracks.

I can drive a manual shift car by ear. A manual car has only one shaft though.

Ah, and something I almost forgot, you also need to release the throttle.

So, DH4, apply the throttle and go your merry way.
DM3, learn the combination of the shift, have your eyes on the RPM meter, then adjust the throttle, and then play with the shafts. Then hope you didn't miss a switch or a speed limiter.

DH4, if you overheat your engine, a fan will try to cool it down, leaving you enough time to adjust the throttle.

SM3, if you mess up, the engine will either stall or blow up.

Yeah, I'd say the DH4 is better in every way.

I guess the main advantage of the DM3 is that it would be easier to manage big slopes since you can push the RPM.

On the other hand, the DH4 can pull a bigger load anyway.

[HuskyDynamics]

As far as I'm aware there isn't any damage caused by skipping up when shifting gears (i.e. jumping from 1-1 to 2-2), though I wouldn't recommend it when hauling heavier loads. In fact, you don't even necessarily have to shift down to 1-1 every time; running around yards at 2-2 or even 3-1 works quite well.

However, make sure to avoid skipping gears when downshifting, unless you're slowing down rapidly. Making too much of a jump when shifting down will over-rev the engine, which will definitely cause damage and could even tear up the entire transmission.

Try the DM3 even if you don't stick with it, it's fun!

[2Polev]

Originally posted by Menacing Scarab:

Originally posted by 2Polev | Pursuer 1-1:

I just avoid the DM3. What the DM3 brings to the table isn't worth all the extra work load in my opinion. Just take two DE2s and strap them together, and they will do anything the DM3 can do but better. Or better yet, just save up and get the DH4, and skip the DM3 entirely.

Oh I disagree entirely. 1 DM3 when run correctly can be a beast of a machine and dirt cheap to run in comparison to even 1 DE2. 2 DE2 might be able to match the power (don't know, haven't run multiple DE2 since Simulator) but the cost is going to be rough.

Personally I like the added complexity of running it, but I get it may not be an engine for everyone to run. Much like the steamer isn't for everyone

To the OP: as long as you do the gears 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 while throttling down between each gear shift I don't think it is going to cause any excess damage, but those gear ratios are not going to be close together and you will probably struggle with heavy loads on any grade. When I run the DM3 I often find myself using 2-3 and 3-2 a lot. And also 2-2 and 2-1. I rarely start in 1-1. Usually I start in 2-1 or if heavy 1-2

The DM3 is only rated for 100 more tons of load than the DE2. Plus the fact that you can't pair DM3s together like the DM2, its literally an inferior choice when compared to a pair of DE2s or a single DH4.

[Legata Flavia]

Well, I going to try 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 when accelerating and I will take notice at which speeds I shift up, so at same speeds I will be shifting down later, that should work.

[lnomsim]

Originally posted by Germania:

Well, I going to try 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 when accelerating and I will take notice at which speeds I shift up, so at same speeds I will be shifting down later, that should work.

Not really.
It's not the speed that matters, but the engine RPM.
On a slope going up, you'll need more RPM at lower gear to reach the same speed as if you were going downhill.

[Legata Flavia]

Originally posted by lnomsim:

Originally posted by Germania:

Well, I going to try 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 when accelerating and I will take notice at which speeds I shift up, so at same speeds I will be shifting down later, that should work.

Not really.
It's not the speed that matters, but the engine RPM.
On a slope going up, you'll need more RPM at lower gear to reach the same speed as if you were going downhill.

That true q.q Probably gonna avoid DM3 then, unless shunting p.p

[Menacing Scarab]

Originally posted by 2Polev | Pursuer 1-1:

The DM3 is only rated for 100 more tons of load than the DE2. Plus the fact that you can't pair DM3s together like the DM2, its literally an inferior choice when compared to a pair of DE2s or a single DH4.

For only being rated for 100 more it seems to be far and away more capable than a single DE2. And if you need to have 2 DE2s then you are doubling your expense which was already more than a DM3. Sure you can't MU them and run that way but earlier today I managed a train with 3 different locos none of which were MU'd. I pulled 1710 tons (30 cars) from SM to HB using a DH4, DE2, and DM3 and I had to constantly jump between all 3 during the heavy climbing portions to keep them all running smoothly. Now my original plan for that run was in fact 2 DH4 but SM didn't have any. It only had the DE2 and DM3 while I was already in a DH4.

Again though, you can use whatever you want that makes you happy. But players shouldn't automatically discount the DM3 as an option. It is perfectly usable to play with. I'm sure running 2 DE2s also is perfectly playable albeit at a greater cost for fuel usage.

[Fou Lou]

The DM3 has another little advantage over the DH4 and MU DE2 in the early game. No extra copay and no requirements.

Just beelining to DH4 will net you 22k of copay through itself and the licenses. Dunno what the MU license adds in copay.

And it's quite cheap to run as far as I can tell.

And it has a "dynamic" break. The DE2 hasn't