MSTS Inaccurate?

Try downloading some goodies at http://www.train-sim.com/. Get add-on routes, engines (with improved physics) and others. Also, go here: http://www.mapleleaftracks.com/EN-USA/free.html to get a re-modeled Dash 9 ten times better than the origional. Also try getting the improved Acela at train-sim.com. Default MSTS is crap. The add-ons make it a class A simulation.

Someday maybe somebody will come up with an accurate add-on for the cab signal and Amtrak ACSES systems. The departure test alone should chew up several megs of hard drive space.

MSTS has a lof of limitations, like cab signal system, cab car, graduated/direct release braking etc but you might wanna check out pages like www.3dtrains.com, www.mapleleaftracks.com, and www.facingpoint.com. Those are mostly payware routes but you will be impressed with the highly detailed models, and the Dynamic audio including talking conductors and dispatchers. Also the braking is way better then the default garbage. Makes you wonder if the people at Kuju have ever rode a train before.

It has been speculated in the past (which was in the previous version of these forums) that Microsoft and/or Kuju underestimated that there would be such a high demand for realistic operation, and designed the sim for "gameplay" (supposedly to appeal to a wider audience).

Therefore, many aspects of the sim as it comes "out-of-the-box" are not properly realistic (examples: the Marias Pass route has exaggerated, non-prototypical grades, as well as locomotives and rolling stock with incorrect operational physics).

The suggestions made in the preceding posts are good sources to improve the experience of train simulation.

MSTS definitely has some drawbacks that detract from its authenticity and operation. I find one of the most irritating quirks is that a 360 degree sweep of the external view of the Flying Scotsman will frequently result it it uncoupling from the train. Doing the same maneuver with the Acela will sometimes result in a derailment.

The choice of keys for critical commands was strange and is not at all intuitive. It seems like there could have been much better choices for some of the critical control functions.

The strange braking characteristics would seem difficult to adapt to any future simulation of commuter passenger operation. In commuter service the independent brake is frequently used in combination with the automatic in order to control the slack in the train and avoid injuries to passengers resulting from slack runouts. The keyboard commands would made this rather difficult to do.

I wonder if anybody has tried constructing a plug in miniature control stand to take the place of the computer keyboard when running this program?

You guys running the Sim should check out Raildriver Cab Contorls I have one and it makes life easier in the sim.

www.raildriver.com

Is it true that the train brake will not engage when the locomotive is dynamic braking? It doesn't make sense because I always thought the two were used in conjunction with each other.

If your talking about while using raildriver then it could have to do with your graphics card or system because i have had no problems. Also make sure your drivers are updated at the Raildriver page.

No, it is when I use the keyboard controls. I guess it could have happened because I might have downloaded an add-on that changed the settings.

Trains wrote:Is it true that the train brake will not engage when the locomotive is dynamic braking? It doesn't make sense because I always thought the two were used in conjunction with each other.

The 'independent' won't (or shouldn't) work when the dynamic is working, but the 'train line' brake should.

I agree about the RD. it has its issues. (If you are pushing a button while dimming the lights the button sticks)

I have had issues with many details. All of the activities are moronified too. That annoys me the most.