Railworks 4: End of the Line

Bet you thought I had new DLC

Probably the first official legit use of that

I picked the title I did because this is set when the Big Boys were just starting to be delivered and also the newest class of Challengers.


Shunting


I wish the bell sounded different.


This is because the game glitched and I slowly backed (literally) into the car.


and where is that?

*checks*

Oh, right over there in the background.



Nice long train I'm putting together.


I'm concerned if I have enough space to move ahead enough to couple these cars to the back of my train because the asshole Big Boy didn't pull far enough forward.


Still not past the switch


and can't pull up much more. I'm going to back up, uncouple what I have then pick the cars.


First I've got to pick up what I've already dropped off.


DAMMIT, I CAN'T COUPLE


I applied too much force trying to push it back.

I'm being chased!!!!


Ah no problem now.


It was worrying that first few seconds, but not now.


Now I'm worried because I missed the AWS.


Very original, but I feel there wasn't enough explaination why it's happening.

*waits for it to load*

Oh cool, they released the prototype to the Deltics. I don't want it.


Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, just what locomotive am I driving?


There's Mallard and Brittan. I either have Dwight D. Eshinhower or Union of South Africa.

I think it's USA.


And we're off.


I don't like night running very much....


How fast can we go!


Dammit, I can't read my gauges.


At least I stopped at the first stop.


All too happy to.


I've got a perfect set up for this next section. Though I may have to change it soon due to coal consumption.


*at the time I didn't notice my boiler pressure was dropping*


Wasn't expecting this.


I love how easy it is to the control the stop of the air brake equipped A4s.


Off we go!


Missed another AWS


Wish I could go further.


I don't need sleep or tea!

*stumbles on my way out of the cab and falls flat on my face on the platform*

On second thought I could use a few minutes of sleep...

Welcome to the Woodhead Route! I also bought two locomotives to come with the route. The first I will show off is the Robinson O4


*dileberately placed this one out of order*


Got a good sounding whist-

WHAT IS THAT


Holy shit, it's a V2. I've heard there was a special pack for them that was pulled, leaving new users like me with just the Green Arrow from the SC Specials Pack

Anyway


The O4 carries 6 tons of coal and 5,000 gallons of water


Not a bad looking backplate and sweet visiablity for a steam locomotive in this view.


No idea where that is.


If you have not already noticed, the Woodhead route is electrified.



That took a very long time to stop....


Oh wow, there are actually cinders in the exhaust,


Dammit.


Not sure if you saw that yet.


So I won't be stopping quickly at any speed above 10 mph, which fits with the nature of the 2-8-0 type, hauling impressive loads at unimpressive speeds.


How's that for close? Also I am sliding down the hill.


This is what it takes to hold the train steady.

*spends a little time on the railworks website*

Odd, it doesn't say the V2 is included with the route.

*enters the editor and goes hunting for the locomotive*


found it

It is part of the O4 add-on, which is really sweet that I got 2 locomotives for the price of 1.


Now let's go along the route with this locomotive and 8 carriages. I should be able to tackle the very hilly route with ease given that the V2s are known for their remarkable feats of haulage during WWII, 20 or more carriages loaded to 700 tons.


After a lot of point setting, we can now depart from London Road Station.


Ardwick


Ashburys


Gorton


Fairfield


This mess is called Guide Bridge


Newton


Godley Junction


Broadbottom


Mottram. This is where the last scenario was.


Viaduct just before Dinting.


Valehouse. Doesn't look like a station though.


Crowden


TUNNELS!!!!


HOW FUCKING LONG IS THIS TUNNEL


This tunnel has signals in it!!!!


*applies the brakes until I sort all the junctions out.


This tells you how steep this place is. Also that's Dunford Bridge back there.


Over grown shunting yard.


A station that doesn't appear on the HUD....

it may be abandoned....


But Penistoe is clearly not. there's water here too so I'll be making a stop since I don't know what I'll need over the rest of the line.


....


I can't take on more passengers....

oh well.


More tunnels.


Not as long though.


Wow, back at Pennistone, the line actually forks. My line leads to Sheffield and the other leads to Wath. The blue section is where I am.


Wortley. I have to save now so this may break the scenario.


*sigh*

30 minutes of loading just for it to wreck before I can even do anything. Probably should've come to a complete stop before saving. Drove 35 miles btw.

I wanna experiment a little bit.


Can the V2 really pull 20 carriages?


Got it moving.


.....oops.


Now I think we are ready.


No slipping yet.


Gotta a good speed.


I deem the test a success on the basis that freight trains are stricted to about these speeds and she's handling her train well. Though loads like this were hard on the locomotive. Now how will the King and A1 fair?


Is she really going faster in reverse? Then again the wheel arrangement means the locomotive shouldn't give a damn.


I don't remember having to hold down ;


What.


How did you get over there.....


Okay, now the King is a slippery fish compared to other locomotives I've driven.


Glitches continue. I've proved the King can at least start the train, but I need to restart the game now due to the HUD having been fucked up.

*Railworks seems to crash on me*

Dewsnap? Where the hell am I?


Oh, I'm on the end of the other line and I need to move 12.09 miles. Okay let's move out with a helper. For a train this short, that says something.


Good thing I caught that...


The last one was green!

That is a semiphore signal at danger if you cannot tell.


Now we can procced.


Another red...


Of course it changes as I stop.


Look at that, a Lower Quadrant Signal


OH HELLO


WHAAAAAAT


They're finally out of this block.


And just barely made it out of the next.


Away we go.


Finally.


Must have finally got their act together.


1 in 40 grade....


At least this tunnel is short.


I don't care, give me another back engine, we'll make it.


ARE YOU MOCKING ME


Finished just in time for school.

Going the whole way.


Great, it's raining now.


ARE YOU EVEN HELPING!?!?!

*isn't hearing any chuffing and the exhaust isn't like mine*


I think the Woodhead Line was axed like the S&D


I think my back engine's crew might be dead....


Looks like my limit on this grade.


Finally out of that tunnel.


...aw come on!

Sounds simple enough.


So I've got to pick up the brake van first.


Got it, now I have to get those empties.


Hey, come back here!


we can run around now


How am I supposed to tackle this.....

*ended up having to back up and then run forward on another track*


Back on the Mainline.


Ever had a new pair of boots?


That's what this locomotive sounds like.

*makes to the yard and has to back in*


Just gotta drop them off now. Also note how this yard is electrified and other wasn't


Almost finished.


I am really impressed with the quality of this locomotive. I not only saved 13 dollars on it, but also got two locomotives instead of one. I didn't think I would like this locomotive much, but now I can see why the men loved this "faithful old kettle"

Where the hell am I?

*missing screenshot?*
Nice view....


Though if you overrun the buffers, that's a long drop.


Gah! Come back here!




22 miles!


We can proceed onto the main line.


This route would be stunning if I could use TSX and higher scenary settings.


It's already pretty stunning.


Note the differing exhaust colors.


No they do not.


Tunnels!


Super Long Tunnel!


Just failed because I didn't stop.


While I try this again, I'll mention that another add-on is out, the Union Pacific Heritage SD70ACes. Besides the paint jobs and flashing ditch lights, there's nothing really special about them.


Unneeded water.

I've already previewed the first few minutes of this scenario.


And this is a massive freight train by British standards. Thus creating lag.


I don't care for the speed liits, I need to make it over a hill.


Screaching at this corner and I've got a turn out coming up.


Fun fact, the steepest grade in the UK is 2.3%


I thought that truck (or lorry as they call them) would never stop. I was on the whistle the whole way.


What happened to my lag? It's almost gone.


Not in need of water.


We're going to be slowing to a crawl real quick.


well now we have to drop off a helper....


I'll miss you....


Won't be long before we drop off the other one.


I fucking hate the AI. Next time I am stopping at the water crane.


Just finished the water stops. Only took on about 300 gallons each....


He wasn't there before.


Haven't run out of gas yet.


Still going.




I didn't like that sound.


Why is my boiler pressure so low!?!


Almost finished.


I think the brake blocks will need to be replaced


Aw.....


It seems I need to disregard my HUD and focus on what's in the cab.


We can continue now.


Slipping.


I have not failed for some reason.


In real life this is when you start to manually vent steam because the boiler is going to explode if it continues to rise.


I'll do it properly this time.


That lever under the regulator of my helper is going crazy


I did it right!


WHAT THE HELL WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PRESSURE

*sigh* This is going to take a long time....


This is what firing up a steam locomotive is like.


Oooo, I'm moving! Also the speed I'm building pressure is slowly increasing.


Got a good clip.

*begins moving*


Got enough steam to work with now.

*lost screenshot*
The popping of my safety valve means I'm good to go.

*another lost screenshot*
Nearly there.


This took a very long time to complete....

First things first, I need to check out the cab.


Windows don't open.


Whistle has odd sound to it. It's kind of like a wail.

*blows it a few more times*

There's actually a several sounds files to it, one short and two long, impressive.


and that's what the headlights look like even though there's 4 already on the buffer beam and another on the smokebox.


Safety Valve pops at 23 psi



I'm not even driving yet.


Reverser goes all the way.


Post Play Note: During my search mentioned later in the LP, the reverser cut off is in fact supposed to be 75%


That right there sets the time period. That's a diesel, Class 8 if I remember correctly.


She's fast!


About as beautiful as it gets.


Interesting.


And that's the electric locomotive that comes with the route, the Class 76 if I remember correctly.


Where's the blurb?


Because diesel and electrics can start a train they cannot haul.

*is playing with the camera and these overhead gantries*


I'm going to try to find out what accident.



Something we all know....

2 B1s were preserved, #61264 and #61306.

The latter is currently painted in Early BR Apple Green Livery and has the name Mayflower, though the name is a post preservation addintion.


So we're not stopping here.


Why can't I take on passengers?


there we go!


While I can't be sure, I believe the accident was this

Wikipedia wrote:On 27 August 1950 the 1:45 am up express passenger train from Holyhead to Euston, the Irish Mail was approaching Penmaenmawr station at 60-70 mph after passing a distant signal set to 'clear'. As the train approached the home signal it was suddenly set to 'danger'. The driver shut off steam and applied the brake but was not able to prevent a collision at 45-50 mph with a light engine which was on the up line. Four passengers and a sleeping car attendant were killed outright and a fifth passenger died in hospital.

Sounds interesting


I noticed it didn't seem to be going very fast.


Where's the delay?


Slipping pretty good  


No delays yet.


Slipping again. I need to release the brakes completely, then apply steam.


I had to brake hard to stop in time due to the fact I wasn't paying attention.


Currently reading about the various rail accidents in the UK under British Railways.




We'll see.


That guy is following an electric little too close


This was our last stop before Manchester.

5 miles to the first stop.


What are you doing?


Sadly none of my scenarios have me drive you....


What is a rust bucket like you doing here?


I'm not happy :I


Just discovered a graphics error. That one window is supposed to have an orange back to it like the others.



*has become that old grumpy guy at Chirstmas*


*now has 15 miles to be grumpy*


Things froze up for a minute there....


Is this really a 75 mph curve? I'm screeching and I'm not even doing the speed limit.


*doesn't care about them anymore*


I've got to slow down now.


*is still grumpy*

No starting blurb? Oh well.


I don't care about speed limits, I'm the express!


*is thinking about TS2014, due to release on the 26^th*

I hope the new game engine won't hurt my framerate.....

Post Play Note: According the blog, the system requirements haven't changed.


I'm pretty sure I saw flashes from that locomotive where it touches the wires.


Not far now.


Interesting, when my injectors are on, steam and water come out from under the cab.


Damn tree spoiled the shot


Into the tunnel of love!


Should I slow down or not....

also I just noticed that this tunnel isn't electricifed.


Anyone else wanna see an A4?


Overshot...


When you absoutely must stop at all costs, apply everything.


Manchestor is upnext.


Do you see a problem here?

First thing first, I've got to make the freeroam.


Scenrio Editor open. See that tab on the right? That's the asset manager. By default, the A4 Pack is switched off.


Switched on and now I can place.

Remember the tab I had open on the otherside, that's the main asset pick thingy.


Select locomotives


Pick [i]Mallard[i] and after it spawns in, attached to my cursor, I can place it where I want it.


Attach the tender

Now the locomotive is facing the wrong way.

I fix this by opening another tab, activating consist select, then selecting the train and clicking the arrows that appear above it.


Adding 10 coaches


Time to go. I hit that arrow on the tab on the bottom.


Interesting how this screenshot turned out....


Forgot something.

Need a dri-

*the program crashes*

....


Now we can go.

Destination: Chaos
ETA: Whenever we get there


Appoarching a crossing. of course no one can hear my whistle....


Now the fun begins.


Nice lean


Nothing like doing over twice the legal speed limit.


Got to set more track stuff




Awww! We wrecked!

43 minutes, 18 seconds, and 36.32 Miles.


And now we ruin the British Rail Network with a locomotive far out of the loading guage. The purpose of this is to see how fast I can go. As none of my American routes are flat, we have to ruin the BR Network.


Rumor has it that the GS-4s are capiable of 110 mph.


Likely took the bridge out


Derailing at Reading


HOLY SHIT, SHE HELD THE RAILS


Ending at Slough having achieved a Top Speed of 92.3 mph.

To end this LP, I have created a scenario, my first non-Free Roam scenario, in which I race against UP 3977 with UP 3985. We start in Cheyenne, but first, a word of thanks to FairportFriedy, whose scenario creation turitiral made this scenario possible.


Wow, he's off to a great start. COME BACK HERE


Gaining.


So not only does my locomotive have no sound, but my scenario created stops, not waypoints.....


BRB.


This is confusing..... Everything looks set up properly.


Sound is still messed up. The entire scenario must be messed up.

*recreates it*
*encounters same problems*
*reboots program and selects a different route*


After quite a bit of tinkering, I have gotten this. Same locomotives, same consist, same load. The only thing that isn't the same is the drivers and the routes over the mountain.


Uh-oh, what could the problem be now?


Damn computers threw the switch.

*decides to reposition the trains*


GOGOGOGOGOGOGO


Aw yeah, accelerating faster!


See ya!


Still rapidly overtaking and I didn't know I had this view.


Aw man, I thought it was going to be better than this.


AND NOW SHE'S OVERTAKING ME AS I TYPE THAT OUT


Now they're eating our dust again. And all because I decided to reduce throttle slightly


Running full throttle again and we're leaving her in the dust. She's barely on the edge of my draw distance.


Yeah, she's gonna have a hard time catching up.


There's several times she can catch up. The first is when I'm refilling the boiler. The second is on the desent from the summit, I have the longer route.


So far away my train is dragging me alone.


Could also catch up while I'm slowing for speed limits.


Been going slower.


Changing sides of the tracks.


What it would look like if you were pacing me.


At the summit.


From back here it's pretty clear just how quickly and drasticially the grade changed


So the AI is now reaching the slopes.


And we're close to being out of the slopes and hitting the super speedway. Really kind of pathetic to be honest.


Interesting, I don't have an e-brake.

*is stopping to allow the AI to catch up*


Now he shows up at the edge of my free roam range.


Going to try and match speed here.


I think they're going 40


Now they put on te steam.

*lost screenshot*
Dammit, signal gatry spoiled the shot.


Well now I have to stop, but we all know that I would win once I really opened the throttle.