Empire fans, if you have TrainSim, you have to go check this site out. Heck, just go check it out anyway for the ESE artwork! TrainSim Empire State Express
Ron, Tom, Roger, Watash et al, please go look at the Empire State Express thread under Microsoft Train Simulator. The guys at trainartisan who came up with the ESE need help identifying cab valves, gauges, etc. I have posted a photo and wish list over there and any help would be appreciated!
Jim.... Had this locomotive for a few weeks now. It's beautifully drawn and animated, right down to the whistle. It still uses the LNER 4472 cab graphic interface, but that is being worked on by the author now as we speak! It's the only engine I've used on Trainsim since I downloaded it. She's quite a sight plowing from Baltimore to Philedelphia at 127mph. Now, if someone will just render a Niagara. Stuart B. P.S. I'll have shots of her in action really soon! [ 06 August 2001: Message edited by: SBTX ]</p>
Stuart, good to hear from you again. We are trying to help them out with the cab. I think you will see some fantastic improvements very soon. Darn, I'm going to have to go buy this thing!
Well, here she is.....I got her up to a whopping 137mph (hey, you never know!). But you're right, Jim, one must purchase this game to truly witness the full effect of the awesome power and speed this beauty can obtain. And as for helping him with the cab, I couldn't think of too many better qualified than those on this board! Stuart B. Dallas, TX
I am not a "gamer", but the Empire simulation may change my mind! A few suggestions (and corrections?): 1) The streamlined ESE Hudsons were numbered 5426 and 5429, NOT 5436. 2) It would be great if, at the start of the program, you could select either a Hudson or a Niagara. Perhaps either a streamlined or unstreamlined Hudson also, a choice of three engines (or engine numbers). If the Hudsons were both J-3's, the cab layout would of course be identical, but the look along the boiler would change. (This may not be a difficult change since many digitized images of streamlined and unstreamlined exist.) Both types were used, as well as Niagaras. 3) The acceleration part of the program would have to be modified to change (icrease both acceleration and top speed) if a Niagara is added.
Will the ESE simulation allow you to take water on the fly from track pans (assuming a steam engine)? Will the signal indications be correct? Will the route be correct with the correct stops? What alternatives will be available in addition to, perhaps, choice of motive power? For example, will EMD E7's be a choice (not that I personally care for diesels...)?
Tom, sounds like you are interested, as am I! Though I haven't seen this run yet, I have seen examples of the graphics and: 1. I have a sample panel from the game with a HUD (Heads up display, I guess) and one of the lines on it says "Water Scoop Retracted." That would imply use of track pans. 2. There are signal bridges in the graphics but there are no signals on them! I have mentioned that several times to the programmers. I'm assuming they have regular lineside BNSF type signals but have told them those bridges would look super with semaphores on them. 3. They have another programmer at work recreating the entire Water Level Route. I have to assume that right now it runs on BNSF tracks. 4. They don't have any other choices of motive power. I told them about the two only engines and they are aware of it but have taken poetic license. I told them to use regular Hudsons for add on sections, but they don't have a regular Hudson done (yet). You have to remember that they are young computer programmers and all they know of NYCS history has been learned from people like us. I think they have done a terrific job so far. Purists will pick it apart big time, but, hey the Microsoft Flight Simulator started off with big errors. They have since been corrected. Let's help them out. They have been very receptive to suggestions so far. I'll send you an email address.
I have not "chased" this gaming "thing" too hard, but a cursory look results in the following additional comments:: 1) It looks like electric catenary in the scene. This should be removed. 2) NYC had 3 light "smiley face" signal targets, with 3 targets on each mast for each track (home signal). The different aspects and what they mean can be found in an employees timetable. (I am not a signal expert...) 3) The term "regulator" is a British term. The equivalent American term is "cutoff." This item in the table should be relabeled to "Percent cutoff." The cutoff is the percentage of the piston stroke at which the steam to each cylinder is "cut off", and is equivalent to the transmission on an automobile. Basically, when cutoff is shortened, the use of steam is decreased and the speed increases. Maximum cutoff on Niagaras and Hudsons was at about 82.5% of the stroke when starting up, and was gradually "shortened" by the engineer using the cab reverse wheel, based on speed, trailing load, and grade. On the level with fast and heavy trains, cutoffs shorter than about 30% were not used, as the steam provided to the cylinders was not high enough to maintain the speeds at which NYC ran. Oh, and on Hudsons that had boosters, when the enginner shortened the starting cutoff at all with the reverse wheel after starting at maximum cutoff, the 2 cylinder booster engine on the 2nd axle of the trailing truck would immediately disengage the booster. Hope we are all having fun with this. These above are some of the nuances that make it real....hope this trivia is useful.
Will the user have the ability to clear the cylinders of moisture using the cylinder cocks when starting up?
Tom, the programmers are citing the cylinder cocks as "automatic," and I think they are confusing the relief of freezing or other pressure anamolies, as Watash pointed out. I have never heard of "automatic" cylinder cocks, and maybe they should write some software which shows cylinder end caps blowing off the engine!! I know "regulator" is a British term but I thought they used it ILO "throttle"??? Also didn't realize that the first movement of the reverse control disengaged the booster. Learn something new every day about steam. I often wondered about that, as I have read about (not necessarily NYC) incidents of crew forgetting to shut down the booster and scattering parts all over the tracks. Have you sent the above info to the programmers? I know they are receptive but it will be a while before they get all the "correctness" incorporated.
Tom, soon after posting that last one I received email from Rob Easterday, who is one of the programmers. They have decided to correct the cylinder cocks. He also sent me some confidential preview scenes. Boy, you guys are gonna like this. Can't wait to see their latest stuff. Please send them your facts, Tom. They really do appreciate getting things right.
Yeah, lets give them a break, they must be buried under changes right now. After all, they have to sell this to the masses, and there are probably not many who even remember steam much less would know the difference. My guess is that many who buy this will just want to get in giver the "gas" and GO!!! They really can't make this too realistic or some nut case is going to try to slip in and drive an engine somewhere, and cause some terrible trouble. You don't hear about it on the news, because it is hushed up, but there is plenty of freaks who get on board and play around causing all maner of damage. Some are simply shot if caught, a few are taken to the police, or scared off before they get caught.
I have not sent my comments posted on this Forum along to the simulation programmers. Can someone get a msg to them that they might desire to check this site periodically?
I have alerted them to this site and your comments in particular. I will repeat that message to them.
