Suggestion: More gadgets (Label maker, more switches)

[maxine]

Let us label our custom switches and controllers, so that we don't forget which one does what.

The pushbutton controller clicks on and off. I would suggest adding a momentary button controller, that's only on as long as it is pushed.

Another nice thing would be to have a switch that is similar to the headlight switches (without the high beam setting): It has two outputs, where gadgets can be connected (you would need to find a way to implement this neatly), and only of them is on at any given time.

It would also be nice if we could chain the controllers. For example it would make sense to have both an on/off switch and an analog switch controlling the same gadget, so the brightness can be set to a constant value, but we can still switch the gadget on or off, without having to change the brightness all the time.

[BanzaiCharge]

My suggestion: water tank level displays or extra sight glasses for water tank. Would prevent nasty surprises in steamers, especially the S060.

[TheLostPenguin]

Definitely +1 for labelling things, the aesthetic is already there with the controls labels just needs either a text field for switches/controllers that would render in the same style, or a hand held label printer. Although how to stop players printing 54813 labels without imposing a painfully low limit...

Also I'd kinda assumed we could daisy chain controllers and have been planning to do just that, the switch and dimmer in series is just such an obviously useful configuration it's a little disappointing if we can't just wire stuff together to make simple circuits for stuff.

[The Quiet Cab]

Good thread. A visual gadget for reversing trains that have no remote support would be nice. I think there a LOT of gadgets that could be useful.

[maxine]

Originally posted by The Quiet Cab:

Good thread. A visual gadget for reversing trains that have no remote support would be nice. I think there a LOT of gadgets that could be useful.

What do you mean by this? There already is the Distance Tracker which is really useful for that. And they also have a Proximity Sensor planned, for telling you how far away you are from other cars.

[Terat_York]

1) a smaller light for in cab/tight areas
2) a mountable GPS
3) a more modern red light for the back of the train, that could tie into #2 as a caboose alt since a DE6 caboose combo is kinda wrong

[The Quiet Cab]

Originally posted by maxine:

Originally posted by The Quiet Cab:

Good thread. A visual gadget for reversing trains that have no remote support would be nice. I think there a LOT of gadgets that could be useful.

What do you mean by this? There already is the Distance Tracker which is really useful for that. And they also have a Proximity Sensor planned, for telling you how far away you are from other cars.

Oh I actuallly didn't know about that and the plans either. Sounds good. I'll try. :-)

[TheLostPenguin]

Originally posted by Terat_York:

3) a more modern red light for the back of the train, that could tie into #2 as a caboose alt since a DE6 caboose combo is kinda wrong

IIRC some time (probably years at this point...) ago a more modern style end-of-train device that would be visible on the map like the caboose was discussed, I think with an answer of 'maybe in the future' regarding the possibility.

[maxine]

I just had another idea for a new gadget, or a work vehicle, or maybe even both:

A mobile charging station for the BE2, so we can use it in places that don't have the electric charger.

As a gadget:

• Can be installed on either DE2 or DE6
  
• Charges the BE2 (when connected) when the engine is running
  
• Charging speed could depend on engine RPM or be fixed at idle

As a work vehicle:

• It's basically a flat car with a diesel engine connected to a generator
  
• Can be fueled at the diesel service stations
  
• Has a simple control panel to start/stop and monitor the engine, IDK what else
  
• Charges the BE2 (when connected) when the engine is running
  
• Engine RPM (and thus charging speed) should probably be fixed, as is usually the case with gensets

[arzdrummer]

altimeter

[Santiago_de_Var]

Originally posted by maxine:

It would also be nice if we could chain the controllers. For example it would make sense to have both an on/off switch and an analog switch controlling the same gadget, so the brightness can be set to a constant value, but we can still switch the gadget on or off, without having to change the brightness all the time.

This.
Additionaly id like to have proximity sensor, adaptive cruise control, gps, more variety in lights, smaler led panels, bulbs etc.

[Mercury Knuckle]

The ability to wire into the existing systems. It would be nice to wire a red beacon light to the TM Offline light in the BE2 so I can tell why my train isn't moving when doing remote shunting.

[Geoppolis]

Originally posted by arzdrummer:

altimeter

This is an interesting one I hadn't thought of. I like it, and I'd like to suggest something closely related: a barometer.

There's another thread somewhere that someone was talking about mobile weather forecasts (so you don't have to wait until you get to a station to find out a hurricane is approaching.) A barometer would be a deliciously taxing way to let people try to predict when the weather is about to change.

[mote454]

What about an odometer, and a trip odometer that can be reset would be nice. Would love to see how many miles I put on these loco's so far.