LS&I U30's not powering up?

[elfy55]

Hello to all. Here's my dilemma: When I run the U30 loco's in the activities that came with this route(Michigan Iron Ore) they will not draw amps or move down the rail. They will throttle up but the amp gauge goes up a little then jumps right back to zero. All the other loco's work fine in all their respective activities. The U30's will exhibit these same troubles no matter in Explore mode or switching them into another activity with Activity Master. I did the route update and even tried switching to a different cab for the loco's and still the same. BUT - They work perfect in MSTS. I am running the latest update to OR also. BP 90psi, hand brakes are released , independent brake released and have even initialized train brakes. Route Riter run to check for errors and even compared .eng files with other loco's but not quite sure if I see anything. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Allen.

[R. Steele]

No problems here. All the U30's that I checked run fine in OR X3360.
Perhaps you could provide more information, specifically which U30's you are having problems with
Also attach a copy of the OR log.

I tested the DW U30C, they run fine, double checked all the U30C, could not duplicate your problem. Just aksing, are you sure you have completely released the brakes - have you checked the brake HUD?

bandicam 2015-12-09 22-52-09-799.jpg

[geepster775]

Make sure the Maxpower line in the ENG file is listed in KW, not KN. Standard procedure when these older releases don't power up properly

[baldwin]

I suggest to check the MaxPower line in the eng file. A lot of the U series come with kN where it should be kW. It did not matter in MSTS as that auto corrected the error, but OR does not.

[OTTODAD]

I suggest to check the MaxPower line in the eng file. A lot of the U series come with kN where it should be kW. It did not matter in MSTS as that auto corrected the error, but OR does not.

Would it be difficult for the ORTS code to translate the incorrect kN to kW ?

[baldwin]

It is possible to do, but hardly worth the effort to cover a relatively small group of MSTS models.

[elfy55]

Thanks everyone. I will double check the brakes and HUD again. Could have just seen it and it didn't register. Also will check the the .eng file for the specific loco's. I see that I am running OR 3273 and will update that. I just did a quick check and it is only the U30C's for the route and the 3000 numbered loco's that have the trouble. I will also run an OR log to check out. I will do all of your suggestions when I get the time today and report back what I find. Thank you all for the guiding light on this. Regards , Allen

[OTTODAD]

It is possible to do, but hardly worth the effort to cover a relatively small group of MSTS models.

My own commercial Accounting software has been Hallmarked by it users to be PERFECT, covering all sorts of unexpected actions they could be capable of, other programmers seem not to bother with, not even after having been told what they are, Railworks coders being an example of !

[baldwin]

There is a world of difference between commercial software and programming being done by a group of volunteers for zero profit. The MaxPower error is one that should never have been there in the first place and is confined to one small group of engines and their derivatives.

[crstagg]

A check of the OpenRailLog.txt will determine if the MaxPower line is the culprit. Look for a line like this:
Warning: Found a suffix 'kn' which could not be parsed as a Power unit in C:\Users\Charles Stagg\Copy\JES-CRS\Test-Bed\trains\trainset\GP38\GP38.eng:line 299

The data in the MaxPower line can be expressed in kilowatts (kW) or Horsepower (hp) the code has to determine which one was used. That is why the error is stated "a suffix 'kn' which could not be parsed". In simple terms the logic is: Is it kW or hp? kN is neither!


Otto,

Just how many errors/typos should the OR code compensate for? Should it also use Wk or lW or jW or kQ or kE I'm sure that the code allows for Kw, kw, and KW for the correct term "kW" and HP, Hp and hP for "hp". Just as ConBuilder's code does, but where does one stop when making up for user mistakes?

The line is "MaxPower" not "MaxForce" so the data should be expressed as "Power" as in kilowatts not "Force" as in kilonewtons.

[R. Steele]

I remember using SearchReplace to go through all the eng files MaxPower line to check for that error. Found quite a few showing Kn or something like it....also some other typos, a small number. Not enough to justify the time spent by OR developers writing corrective code - easier for the users to change the files...a skill folks should learn, if they do not have it.

[OTTODAD]

Just how many errors/typos should the OR code compensate for? Should it also use Wk or lW or jW or kQ or kE I'm sure that the code allows for Kw, kw, and KW for the correct term "kW" and HP, Hp and hP for "hp". Just as ConBuilder's code does, but where does one stop when making up for user mistakes?

This is one which seems to have come up more than others and most MSTS gamers are not competent enough to fix it !

[woodfyr]

Most "gamers" left the tracks of MSTS long, long ago. Most "Users" of MSTS / OR have been around for the duration (and headaches) since the early days. Remember when "we" were newcomers? For them to mature(as we did) they must be given all the help we can give them(as those who assisted "us"). New blood is the future of this endeavor.

[elfy55]

To All,

Found it thanks to geepsters suggestion! All U30c's MaxPower where in kN instead of kW. Edited all the .eng files and all work great. Thanks to everyone's guiding light. I do use Route Riter as it is THE tool for MSTS related issues. But I liken it to a long journey with many lessons along the way to being able to use it quickly and efficiently. I am not a program in any meaning of the word but this hobby/sim has made me more computer savvy- more than any other. This is a learning curve I enjoy and always learn something to help me on the next issue. They always come up for sure! Thank you all for your knowledge and expertise.
Regards , Allen

[ftldave]

Just how many errors/typos should the OR code compensate for?.

Maybe enough to give Open Rails the MSTS compatibility it needs?