Horsepower Issues?

[railfandaniel]

Hello all,

Having almost entirely been using passenger trains for the longest time, I finally started running freight trains in Open Rails. Rather quickly though, I noticed something which seemed out of the ordinary to me.

At first I tried three locomotives with a combined 11300 horsepower, and 107 loaded autoracks behind. Autoracks, even loaded though, are typically rather light. So it surprised me when I maxed out at a consistent 51mph on a flat ground.

I then tried a 90 car roadrailer with a combined 8600 horsepower. Even though roadrailers are very light (even while loaded), I still only maxed out a consistent 52mph on flat ground.

Perhaps this is what is meant to happen, however considering I've seen intermodal trains with 150 cars and three locomotives maintain a solid 50mph with relatively ease on a gradual 0.1% uphill (in real life), this seems rather conflicting to me.

I would appreciate some input on this. I made sure to check that all brakes were completely released in each case, and they were.

Thanks,

Daniel

[baldwin]

Open Rails physics is a bit different to MSTS. First of all, locomotive HP. Most MSTS eng files are set to produce a reduced HP at the rails to model the power losses to different processes within the traction system. Open Rails requires the full HP figure to be in place because it does its own reductions for power losses. Second is the car physics. The rolling and air resistance figures may be wrong, and if too high will severely curtail top speeds. The manual gives some guidance on this, but I suggest that you first of all address the main HP figures.

[railfandaniel]

Open Rails physics is a bit different to MSTS. First of all, locomotive HP. Most MSTS eng files are set to produce a reduced HP at the rails to model the power losses to different processes within the traction system. Open Rails requires the full HP figure to be in place because it does its own reductions for power losses. Second is the car physics. The rolling and air resistance figures may be wrong, and if too high will severely curtail top speeds. The manual gives some guidance on this, but I suggest that you first of all address the main HP figures.

Thanks for the help. That was relatively quickly resolved. There were no horsepower isssues, however all the freight equipment I was using was from 2002-03. Now, using equipment from 2013, I was able to get a 58 car mixed freight to 70mph under 8300 horsepower with ease. I tried using a 107 car (entirely loaded) autorack train with the same horsepower, and was able to get to 60mph before being faced with a rather stiff grade. Much better results, thank you.