various train movements

[CRQ5508]

I'm sorry if this has been posted before. But I'm wondering if the trains will have random movements. Such as axle-bolsters that move up and down on jointed rail. I always seem to watch the trucks on locomotives around here as they pound the railjoints. It'd just be something interesting to watch as you shuffle your locomotives around a yard or something of the sort. Also another idea that might be a bit hard to describe. If you've ever seen a train going over uneven rail, notice how the trucks on the freight cars 'flex' into the joints... Again, it'd just be some more 'eye candy' that'd be cool to see.

[rdamurphy]

I'd be happy if the couplers would just move in and out with the slack, and had the travel it should with cushion draft gear. I know MSTS has slack action, especially with Plainsman's physics, but seeing the gaps and compressions with the couplers is kind of unsightly...

Robert

[TrainMan_112]

MSTS did have slack action, but it was represented poorly. (Not because of Plainsman's physics, just the program in general) I can't stop a train while keeping it stretched out. Power braking to a complete stop should obviously keep the train stretched out, but it doesn't in MSTS. I'm always pulling slack when I start to move. Slack will also not "punt" the locos in MSTS. If the locos are stopped, but the rear end of an 18000 ton potash train is still moving at 3-5MPH, the slack will shove the locos. If that kind of tonnage comes in on you while you're stopped you would probably get thrown out of the seat. No exaggeration.

Hopefully MSTSX has a more realistic representation of slack action.

[rdamurphy]

Well, except for the thrown out of the seat part! I didn't mean that to come across as a criticism of Plainsman's physics, they're what make the game interesting for me. I just hate when the cars stretch - the couplers don't! They should be able to move in and out of the draft gear according to the physics, and only move so far before the car moves whether or not it wants to - or the conducter is out there looking for it on the ROW!

Robert

[Conrail Tweety]

It would be kind of cool to see coffee get splashed in the cab from slack action.