Headlamps for Static & AI Lococmotives

[Don6218]

Hello, as a long time user of OR, I do have a question about the Headlamps that seems to have snuck back into the program.

I am using 1.0.0.3095 now, and I have noticed that some Loose Consist/Static locomotives have lights on and some are off, as well as exhaust smoke. The smoke does not bother me, the headlamps do however. At the same time, some AI trains have headlamps on and some are off. I am using all Drivable Locomotives, no AI versions any more.

Is there something within the "Eng" file that dictates when these headlamps are on? If not in the eng file, where? I have done a search, but have found nothing that pertains to this, that I can see, from the tons of articles that reference Headlamps and Lighting that come up in the search.

Thank you

[OTTODAD]

Head lamps and exhaust of locos should be off unless they are being driven and the former have been switched on.

There are some exceptions, but should not concern coders of Train Simulators !

[baldwin]

Far as I recall, OR follows MSTSBin practice for lights. So whatever happened in MSTS will also happen in OR, or should do.

[slipperman]

Hi Don6218,

I am using 1.0.0.3095 now ...

May I suggest you upgrade to the latest weekly version (X3403) - there have been many changes/improvements over the past 6 months!

Cheers,
Ged

[Don6218]

Usually the Headlamps are on for AI locos, but with OR not requiring AI loco Eng files, I am using all drivable Locos in my consists, whether they are static or operating. It just doesn't look correct when an approaching train has no lights on, especially at night, but some do.

I have noticed that it is mostly the later production SLI Locos that have lights on. Where would I look for the differences in the lighting portion of the Eng file? Will the newer version of OR allow the lights to be on when needed?

[baldwin]

You need to have a look at the MSTSBin lighting codes. These expanded the basic default set of conditions and are what OR follows.

[qballbandit]

"Head lamps and exhaust of locos should be off unless they are being driven and the former have been switched on."

I don't get it - do you mean in OR, or in the real world?

Not sure about your side of the pond, but in the real world over here it is commonplace for engines to be idling (not that you'll see exhaust, necessarily), and low beams on, as well as step/porch/truck lights, etc.

[Vince]

"...................snip.......................... .. Is there something within the "Eng" file that dictates when these headlamps are on? If not in the eng file, where? I have done a search, but .......................snip................."

Here is the heading from the 'How_To_Specify_Lights.doc ' file in the MSTS TechDocs.
The complete file can be found on MSTS Install Disk #1.
Specifying lights on locomotives and wagons

Introduction
To make locomotives and wagons you create for Microsoft Train Simulator, you may use the in-build lighting system to simulate a variety of different kinds of lights, such as headlights, warning lights and ditch lights. Both computer-controlled and player-driveable trains may use lights. These lights may be steady or may flash, may change according to certain parameters (such as whether a penalty brake application has been made) and may even be set to turn on automatically according to the time of day or weather.

Lights are specified as part of a locomotive/wagon’s .eng file (the same file that defines the physical characteristics of the unit, such as its height and weight, and its cab controls). Essentially, a set of conditions is defined and then lights that should light in this case are listed). Like all of the hand-editable files in Train Simulator, the .eng file can be edited in any Unicode text editor.
================================================== ==================================


regards,

[OTTODAD]

Not sure about your side of the pond, but in the real world over here it is commonplace for engines to be idling (not that you'll see exhaust, necessarily), and low beams on, as well as step/porch/truck lights, etc.

Yes, I am aware of that !

But here in the UK it is against the law to leave vehicles unattended with their engines running, their brakes applied and securely locked and am sure that the same applies to diesel locos too, Peter Ragtimer, a real loco driver could comment on !

One way or the other, idling diesel engines are still polluting the air, not doing Global Warming any good and the recent Volkswagen emission checks fiddle has shown that the US is aware of the risk diesel fumes can have to human health !

[OTTODAD]

Here is the heading from the 'How_To_Specify_Lights.doc ' file in the MSTS TechDocs.
The complete file can be found on MSTS Install Disk #1.
Specifying lights on locomotives and wagons

Introduction
To make locomotives and wagons you create for Microsoft Train Simulator, you may use the in-build lighting system to simulate a variety of different kinds of lights, such as headlights, warning lights and ditch lights. Both computer-controlled and player-driveable trains may use lights. These lights may be steady or may flash, may change according to certain parameters (such as whether a penalty brake application has been made) and may even be set to turn on automatically according to the time of day or weather.

Lights are specified as part of a locomotive/wagon’s .eng file (the same file that defines the physical characteristics of the unit, such as its height and weight, and its cab controls). Essentially, a set of conditions is defined and then lights that should light in this case are listed). Like all of the hand-editable files in Train Simulator, the .eng file can be edited in any Unicode text editor.
================================================== ==================================

And there is more on that subject in the MSTSBin manual, it having made some changes to how locos lights work !

[seagoon]

But here in the UK it is against the law to leave vehicles unattended with their engines running, their brakes applied and securely locked and am sure that the same applies to diesel locos too,...

Who says that the engines/locos are unattended when sitting in a yard/siding/passing loop?
Just because the cab is empty (in game) doesn't mean that it is necessarily "unattended".

..... idling diesel engines are still polluting the air, not doing Global Warming any good and the recent Volkswagen emission checks fiddle has shown that the US is aware of the risk diesel fumes can have to human health !....

Give us a break, Otto....this is a game!
Even in the real world, no operator of any railroad is going to issue an instruction that all idling locomotives must be shut down and restarted when ready to proceed.

[baldwin]

Even in the real world, no operator of any railroad is going to issue an instruction that all idling locomotives must be shut down and restarted when ready to proceed.

Here in the UK I have seen notices to that effect in places where the railway is close to housing.

[OTTODAD]

Here in the UK I have seen notices to that effect in places where the railway is close to housing.

But does not apply to locos being stationary while stopping in stations !

By Secured I mean that they have been disabled, have their brakes applied and can not be driven when there is no driver in their cabs !