The first official version of the Class 37 locomotive with Mk1 coaches is out! Timetables have been expanded with new express passenger, semifast passenger, and early morning newspapers runs hauled by the Class 37. The loco is also used for some rescue runs if the failed train is lengthy and far away from the depot. Remember to use the filter at the bottom of the service selection menu to find the new runs.
The current version of the Class 37 uses hydraulic torque converter physics because diesel-electric traction is not properly supported yet. Physics, graphics and audio will be improved in future updates as new features are added to the sim.
Driving tips
- Enable the "Show which key to press" tutorial to quickly learn how to operate the locomotive
- Hold down the (B) key to raise the securing pin in order to release the train brake controller from the shutdown position
- Train brake release can be sped up by holding down the release key (E) (a spring automatically returns the controller to the "running" position)
You may also find this video interesting, although the start-up procedure in DRS is greatly simplified:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faxC4Rqb0I8
To ride in the passenger coaches, choose watch mode when starting the simulation and move the camera to the rear end of the train (key [3]). Riding in the coaches is not possible when driving yourself.
This update also includes a number of other fixes and improvements. If you're a route creator, this is a good moment to make backups of any routes you might be working on.
Route editor
- Fixed "reverse already exists" crash when removing nodes from a self-intersecting track
- Fixed two other possible crashes
- Fixed platform buildings, canopies and furniture moving about when changing the track from the low end
- Fixed signals, speed limit signs and other infrastructure not reappearing after making changes
- Added placement of single trees and buildings
- Improved automatic distant signal placement to better take different line speeds into account
Timetable editor
- Fixed possible crash when trying to add new orders
- Fixed possible crash when using peak service pattern generator
- Fixed peak service generation tool to omit seconds from service starting times
Audio
- Adjusted all volume levels to prevent clipping and distortions
- Adjusted interior sound muffling properties to make high frequencies less audible
- Fixed outside sounds being too quiet in cab and other interior views
- Fixed door creaking sound
- Changed audio clips to be loaded on demand, which makes the program start faster (sounds may have a small delay before they play for the first time)
- Optimised CPU and memory consumption (especially when using time acceleration on a jointed track)
Graphics
- Optimised building, tree and railcar rendering
- Added more trees at varying heights to create impression of dense vegetation
- Fixed wheelsets veering off rails in superelevated curves
User interface
- Fixed line filter in run selection menu to prune duplicates
- Fixed possible crash in service screen
- Fixed right-click view popup menu appearing for no reason after rotating camera
- Fixed right-click view popup menu sometimes not opening
- Changed (1) key to always change to the driving cab view (if possible), and (6) to the opposite cab in Classes 37 and 122
- Widened text field caret to make sure it's always visible in all GUI scale settings
AI
- Fixed guard's van AI key presses to not count as computer key presses in run evaluation
- Fixed AI to set correct brake pressure while stopped
- Fixed railcar AI to properly change gears in some rare cases
- Added AI-train self-destruct if it gets stuck for 10 minutes (or longer when waiting for signal to clear)
Other
- Fixed possible crashes when starting simulation or changing terrain quality while the sim is running
- Fixed expected energy consumption to be independent of one's own driving style
- Fixed Class 03 physics bug that made its transmission 2-3x too powerful
- Fixed various service pathfinding problems
- Fixed signaller holding signals at danger for too long under some circumstances
- Raised mineral wagon max speed to 35mph