Railworks 4: End of the Line

Appearently I started a Career Scenario by accident, which have a scoring system that starts at 0. Might as well give it a shot.


I broke the speed limit and my score is now -12 Also this is timetabled so if I stall out on the hill, I'm screwed.


speeding again, -20


But I gained 200 points for getting to my first way point on time. The next waypoint is Granite.


Signals aren't showing on my 2D map so I'm having to lean out the window to see the signals. Also have a speed restriction coming up.


I have 20 minutes to travel 12.60 miles.


I broke the speed limit again, my score is now 174. But it seems that I'll be arriving early in Granite.


More speeding, score is now 158. 5 miles from Granite


One of the few scenic shots I'll be able to take due to how much attention that is required for driving. Granite is in 2.60 miles. I've also used close to 3,000 gallons of water and 0.7 tons of oil so far.


This is Granite and I'm speeding again. I'm now down to 144 points


This is my waypoint for Granite Main 1. This is also the spot where I derailed on that reefer run. I was due to arrive by 7:29 and I was 7 minutes early, earning me 200 points for a total of 344.

I have 31.2 tons of oil and 21,850 tons of water left. My speed is 50.5 mph

My next waypoint is 7.64 miles up the line at Buford Main 1. I am due there at 7:47 and my current ETA is 7:32


More speeding infractions. Down to 339 points. Also I keep wanting to reach out to my throttle and actually hold it. It just pops out on my screen, as if it's actually there in front of me.


The lag just swung into full gear. Maybe it's because I seem to be passing another train, I hear the sound of a diesel next to me. And speeding just cost me some points, I have 332 now.


Argh! More speeding..... 328 points left. I'm almost at Buford Main 1.


200 more points to me~

The time is now 7:30 and I was due at 7:49. My next waypoint is Dale Jct Main 1, 8.01 miles up the line. I am due there at 7:58 and my current ETA is 7:43

I have 31.0 tons of oil and 20,877 gallons of water left. I am currently slowing to 45 mph.


We just crested Sherman Hill, 4.82 miles from my next waypoint.


Appoarching Dale and the brief uphill climb.


Another 200 points~ Now my score is 728

My next waypoint is my also my last, Laramie's Depot, located 20.87 miles down the line. I am due there at 8:30 and my ETA is 8:13. It is 7:41

I have 30.8 tons of oil and 19,882 gallons of water left.


Lost more points from speeding. I'm currently in the Hermosa tunnels.


I hope I won't lost points for passing this.


phew.


Because it is all downhill from here, maintaining my speed will be challenging.

Epic shot.


Remember what I said about challenging? It's really not, I'm picking up speed, but slowly and I can take my sweet time.


Using Wikipedia, I have figured out what these numbers mean

4-6-6-4 refers to the wheel arragement of the locomotive and -69 is the driver size in inches.

21-21
32 is the size of the cylinders, again in inches

I'm not sure what 405 means, but the weight of the locomotive on the drivers is 404,000 lbs


Finally here at Laramie. Being early nets me 200 more points for 908 points

It is 8:13 and I was due at 8:30

I have 30.4 tons of oil and 19,469 gallons of water left. I don't feel this was my most efficient run.




According to the score report, I got several early bonuses, but for some reason there is a 0.0 being multiplied so all of my bonuses were nullified.

It's going to be one of those scenarios eh? This is another downloaded scenario, this one usulizing the Black 5 and an extremely rusty one at that. What concerns me is not the bad spelling or the rusty condition of the locomotive (which, according to the description, was taken off display, which I find bull crap) but the status of my fuel stores: 3.60 tons of coal and 1,600 gallons of water.


Interesting, this locomotive used to belong to the LMS.

*couples to the carrages*


Okay. It looks like I am pushing for the next 6.85 miles.


I'm guessing that's the broken down locomotive.

Booking it at 48.8 mph. Line speed is 125 mph.


Would you look at that, the carrages have Jenny couplers.


I don't think I'm going to stop in time....

*slams the brakes into full*


Looks like I'll be stopping in time.


Get in quickly please, I have places I need to be.


I'm going to try coasting for 3.5 miles into Reading.


Britain usually has issues with leaves on the tracks. I wonder why..... 2.5 miles to Reading.


COASTED FOR TOO LONG

*slams on the brakes*


This is Reading, the lights in front of me indiciate to me that I won't be going any further.


Yay! Shunting!


Hmm.... with the switches set against me, I can't continue and put these where they need to be.

*studies the track layout*
Hell, I can't even get to where I need to be from this platform! I'll try backing up.


Well these points won't change so I'll go forward.


Still can't get permission, so I'm going to run it.


What do you know, running the light actually got me somewhere, the points changed behind me.


The light changed to green


Just got clearance to pass this red signal.


I still have passengers


This is a really nice yard, I think I know the next route I'm modding. Though it'd be nice if I could get more steam locomotives first.


Ladies and Gentleman, this is your engineer speaking, I'm abandoning you guys. Bye! (:

*uncouples the coaches*


No instruction popup?


I'm going into a dead-end platform.


This is platform 6


In reverse? And what service?


When was the last time you saw a steam locomotive going 76.5 mph in reverse?


How about 88 mph?


*slams on the brakes due to a major speed reduction up ahead*


Who knows what this signal means?


Oh shit that's Maidenhead.

*hits the emregency brakes*


I don't remember that other steam locomotive being there before.


Parked it like a boss.




Or so I thought until I realized that this isn't Maidenhead 5, it's Maidenhead 4. Maidenhead 5 is behind those buildings.


Once again, I thought I was done, but I'm not.

*checks my task list*

Actually, the scenario appears to looped unintentionally.

This was a fun scenario, but quality is lacking.

I missed the first instruction popup, appearently I'm supposed to go back and run around on the other track.


And go back right where I started....


It seems I now need to take my locomotive back around.




.....

I'm just going to restart this.

*notices something on the loading screen*

THERE'S A SALE ON ALL DLC

The SP&S E-1 Class Northern and the NKP S-2 Class Berkshire are both $3.99, that's 80% off!!!!!!!!!!! Western Lines of Scotland is $23.99, 40% off!!!! AT&N Consolidation Class 280-157 is $7.99, 60% off! DONNER PASS IS JUST $19.99, 50% OFF!!!!!!!!!! The Somerset & Dorset Railway is 40% off, and is $10.79! The A1 Tornado, Stanier Jubilee, Thompson B1, Robinson O4, and GWR King are $7.99 each, 60% off!!!!!!! The Woodhead Line is $19.99, 50% off! The combined price of the Settle to Carlisle addons is $34.98!!!!

I have $34.02 so screw this part of the LP, I need to decide what to get! The sale lasts until July 22, giving me 3 chances to earn more money and get more DLC.

After thinking it over for about an hour, I decided what my first purchases would be, The Settle and Carisle add-ons. Normally I would have to pay $69.98 for the route and the add-on that will be shown off later, but I got them for almost half that. These add-ons added quite a few locomotives (including some that exist as more complete and seperate DLC) and a ton of scenarios, including a few I have to unlock.

Without further audo, let's see what the first scenario is like.


I missed not having an intro ride on Cajon Pass and the Isle of Wright.

*tries my horn*

Again I really wish you guys could hear the horns Class 66 has a very interesting sounding horn. Makes me wonder what the British think of our horns.

The cab isn't that detailed, but it get's the job down. Also it appears the locomotive is equipped with cruise control IRL, but isn't replicated here. The locomotive is also said to be unpopular with crews for various reasons.


Those lights were yellow and red.


This area seems to be well electrified, I may try using the only electric locomotive I know I have here.


Or not, also I need to check what my alerter reset key is as my E-Brakes will be applied if I don't respond in time.

*checks*

It's Q

*one second later*



More crossovers.

*a minutes later*


I broke the speed limit and discovered my brakes don't apply until I reach 33% on the HUD.


I was expecting a metric measurement.


I wasn't sure if there are squrriels in Britain, so I'm making sure they're dead.


This is quite beautiful, though I'm not sure why I'm not accelerating beyond 22 mph. A sticker in the cab says I can go 75 mph.

*notices the grade*

1:132




Awww..... The Breaching Axe.....


Now I'm getting depressed.....


What car?


Oh, that car


Are there any stations that didn't get closed?


Got a downgrade coming up. Pity I don't have any dynamic brakes. Going 55 mph.

Also these screenshots are only a few minutes and miles apart. No more than 10 minutes or 5 miles.





Tunnels?


Random fun fact, British trains whistle/honk before entering tunnels.


Second tunnel


And the third tunnel.

This area is quite hilly.... going up and down often, I actually can't use Dynamic brakes very effectively here.




Another closed station. And the area is so pretty too....


No years?




So many closed stations....


Last one eh?


*applies 3.64 BAR to the cylinders for a minute*

Going to approach it at 10 mph.


There we go.

This is truely a beautiful route.


Also I unlocked some more scenarios

Learning The Ropes - Part 2
The Ribble Run Around
Contingency Measures

This is a continuation of the first scenario.


Unstable?


I'm worried the ground will collapse under me.


And we're back on stable ground! That station isn't overgrown like the others.


If you say so.


also that's the broken down train. I am not looking forward to the timetabled scenarios....


I've climbed 3.4% grades, this shouldn't be a problem.




The viaduct. And I haven't seen the station yet.


INTO THE TUNNEL WHILE HONKING MY WEIRD HORN


This is one long tunnel....


Kiloamps? Why does the gauge need to be in Kiloamps? I'm running at full throttle and getting 777 amps according to my HUD.




Really this route is worth the $40 price,


TUNNEL


Another viaduct. Notice how we don't have these in America.



Nice place.


Lovely little commuter train.


You know the drill by now....


Only 1,169 feet?


This signal marks the start of the descent.




And what's the longest? Also there's a big speed reduction ahead.


Already going 42.7 mph.


My alerter just went off.


/information I don't care about


That concludes part 2. Having now completed this scenario, part 3 has been unlocked.

After doing a little research, I discovered a 1 in 100 grade is a 1% grade. I did have a little difficulty on the hill, which tells me that despite this locomotive's larger size, it likely doesn't have the same factor of adhesion as the American freight locomotives I'm used to.

*goes to check that*

	Weight	Power Output
Class 66	142.9 short tons	2,240 kW
SD40-2	184 short tons	2,240 kW
ES44AC	216 short tons	3,280 kW
SD70M	178 short tons	2,980 kW

......................British locomotives are so wimpy

I'm sorry, but I'm leaving most of my respect for British desiel locomotives here.


I would not want to wreck here.


Nice viaduct.


No bridge?


and a speed reduction just came into view on my HUD 1.63 miles away


The alerter just went off again.


30 mph eh? Must be a strong one.


I think I have a green.


that explains the passing sidings.








Interesting station.


Like most of the stations mentioned thus far.


Awww, the trip is almost over.... 2.15 miles from Settle.


You know, compared to the other British horns I've heard, this one is far stronger in tone and sounds a little more American. I like it.


Why can't I drive farther?


I was expecting a larger station....

Clearly I am going to enjoy this route a lot.

I have a timetable.... I hate timetables, they add a lot of pressure.


These are DMUs, diesel multiple units, popular for commuter trains as they can move themselves and be coupled to each other as needed thus are highly efficient compared to conventional locomotive hauled trains.


There's the other service.


I have 2 minutes to go 2 miles.


30 seconds


It's now 20:21 and I'm still a mile from the station *epic nail biting*


I'm arriving a minute late.


Two minutes late.


I'm supposed to leave the station at 20:24, 30 seconds from now.


It is now time to go, but my stop is still in progress.


24 seconds late I've got 6.5 minutes to travel 6.03 miles to my next stop


The train is screeching through this curve at close to the speed limit. 1.5 minutes to go 2 miles.


I'M LATE


2 minutes late...... I was supposed to depart 1 minute ago......


WTF, the doors opened as I was leaving


Thankfully my timetable has ended.


My wipers glitch out on the outside, but work fine inside.


Appoarching the station and seeing that my alerter is quite quiet.


This is that station after the viaduct on my previous run. Like the last set of scenarios, this one is a multipart. Only this time I'm not splitting up the parts.


And we're off, back on a timetable


*is browsing Steam for what to download next*

I would like to get the Western Lines of Scotland and the 3F (a tank engine) if possible. Together the two are $35.98, requiring two days of work, assuming my hours aren't increased on Monday. In any case, it will require 3.2 hours of work. I work about 2.5 right now.


And I'm speeding -___-

*notices that I'm due in 2 minutes and my ETA is a minute after that*

Crap....


Can I stop in time?


Doesn't look like it.............


Just barely stopped in time, a minute late.

You would think that with a long tailpipe on these things the exhaust at idling wouldn't be so dirty.


I'm off the timetable!


Screeching corner of death!


Shit. I'm going 47 mph, way too fast to stop in time..........

And I failed the scenario because of it :fuuu:

*restarts the scenario*


Still didn't make it here on time.


1.5 miles from Settle, let's not screw this up this time.




"Hello driver, unfortunately you have no completed all the tasks required of you"



I hate these timetable missions..... I'm not cut out for short haul passenger tasks....

The next scenario is another timetabled mission. I'm not doing it.

*right away notices the timetable in the corner of my HUD*



I'll give it a try...........


Let the squirrel killing begin. This a double header with ni-

*just stumbled upon some kind of remix for Two-Faced Lovers*

OH MY ARCEUS, THIS IS AWESOME

What was I saying

My windshield wipers so tiny....




Very similar layout to the Deltics.

[img]
Yeah, we're killing off the local wildlife population. We're not accerating that fast... Also I have 12 minutes to go 10.42 miles.



EWS, an envetmentaly responsible corperation. not.


I have a movable visor. Also it's 7:30 in the morning.


Why are 6 Class 66s dead-heading somewhere?


It seems we're not stopping here. Also got 5 minutes left until our stop.


I keep speeding


Approaching our stop, which is the station before the viaduct. The time is 7:40:38 and we are due at 7:42.


Dammit, I didn't respond to the alerter in time....


It is now 7:43. Thankfully I won't depart until 7:45


The time is now 7:44.


Time to go.

My next stop is Garsdale at 8:01 and my current ETA is 7:59


Favorite part of the line for picture taking.


What live wires?


*guns it now that I'm off the viaduct*


INTO TEH TUNNEL


If only the weather wasn't so crappy. And if there wasn't a speed restriction up ahead.

*takes this moment to check my task list again*

Hey, this is an end to end run


Vaccum brakes are so tricky to control.


Another class 37


My star flower is too quiet, meaning I have to see the flash or I'm going to miss the signal.


Another station we're not stopping at. This is clearly not a local.


The station came into view on my HUD


.64 miles away, we're making good time.


Pulling up is really sucking away the time. But I'm still on time.


Next stop is at Appleby at 8:25


Did I mention I have to cover 20.26 miles in 21 minutes?


Certainlly a power difference in these locomotives.


This is the summit and we're about to go down.


I'm using my hand brakes to manage my speed. By setting the two on the locomotives, I can accelerate rather slowly and then apply the brakes on the carriages as needed to slow down.


1.93 miles from the station. The time is 8:22. I'm due at 8:25. I'm supposed to depart at 8:28.


I hope I can stop in time.

*releases the brakes once my speed drops to 10 mph*


This is Appleby, I'm a little behind, but I'll be just fine.



It's now 8:27


It's now 8:28, time to go.


*tries running my locomotive in reverse to slow down*

Suprisingly effective and the closest I'm going to get to Dynamic braking.


Time to transverse the unstable ground.....


I forgot to mention that Carlisle is my next stop. I'm off the timetable and I'm 20.85 miles away.


Corner screeching.



I MISSED THE ALERTER.


5 miles from Carlisle


1.27 miles from the platform. We're about to enter the 20 mph speed limit.


So far all the scenarios seem to lead into each other form the looks of the descriptions. I think my next task is that of a freight train. Then again, I'm not doing any more timetabled scenarios (which means the odds of me getting the only US Passenger route, The Northeast Corridor is extremely low), so it's going to have to be a freight train.


I've got to stop looking through my exhaust.


Did I complete it right?

"Well done driver. Another member of personnel that is signed to drive the WCML North route will take over."

Remember that wagon from the first scenario?


It's time to go get it.


We've just got a Class 66 and crappy weather with us today.


We can now proceed, slowly.


We're going to be tailgating that other service.


Now I have to stop.


Let's go.


Good acceleration, this is 44 m-


SHIT


Crap.......


I'll back up now....


Now that the local is out of the block (I watched it on my 2D map), we can procceed, this time with a green light, meaning I'm allowed to open it up.


We're apporaching the place that car is at.


3 point turns? What madness is this!


So gotta park here for a few moments.


parking.


Um I'm having issues with switching cabs.


forgot to do this....


good for me.


Apparently I didn't ne-


I hit that with my throttle still open. How I didn't wreck it is beyond me.


Passing another signal at danger.

*won't bore you guys with the next signal approval*


Shit, 76 mph


Dammit, I've got to halve my speed in .3 miles


This is the end of the line.

Starting from Garsdale at around 7 am.


Shit.

Enough though this is the modern recreation of the route (if I seriously took this locomotive into real life, it would be just like this, only in summer)


finally, now I can enter this stretch of track.


The next signal is also red, but I'll be ready for it this time.


Well now it's amber.


And now green

*puts on the speed*


Slowing down for this next signal


Not the signal I was looking for....


*isn't going to attempt changing ends*


So this is the service we have to rescue.


I need coffee.


I will try.


Drat, forgot to get permission


Now we can go.


If you say so. The biggest problem I see right now is the fact it's downhill. And there's over 40 miles I have to go


Will you trip my brakes?

*couldn't get a response from the signalman*

Appearently not....

Despite running at full throttle, I'm not at the speed limit yet.


It'd be nice to have a run in something other than a dark enviorment.


Apporaching Appleby. Carlisle is 31 miles away.


30 MPH SPEED RESTRICTION


ALERTER FAIL


Another successful crossing of the mines.


It's now 8:00 AM and we're 24.30 miles from Carlisle. Also I've found another route expasion that has Carlisle on it, but because it doesn't come with any steam locomotives, don't expect that route any time soon.


Which locomotive do you guys like better? The Class 37s in the foreground? Or the Class 66 hualing that coal train up the hill behind me?


There are quite a few signals on the route that don't showup on my HUD.


It's 10 after 8 and we are 14.3 miles from Car-

Dammit the epic screenshot got messed up.


This one was also taken.


How nice, an unmarked crossing.


Finally! I respond to the alerter in time. Note the so called Starflower in the corner, telling me that the signal up ahead is red or yellow. As the nearest signal is unreadable to me, I'll proceed rather slowly until I get to a clearly signal.


Note how the starflower is now gone.


I just accidently opened up the sceario editor.


I've got to start slowing down for Carlisle's 20 mph speed limit.


My framerate has dropped quite a bit, likely due to the electricification of this part of the line. I'm not all that fond of electrification, it's not as flexible as a diesel is. But from a long term economic stand point, electric trains usually trumph diesels because electricity is usually cheaper than diesel. Electrics are also often chosen for high speed trains.


That's all for now!

I've got one more freight scenario left.