Track Monitor - the F4 key, problem

[lateagain]

I've just installed the CN Blackfoot route (lucky enough to download before the fix lead to it being temporarily unavailable) and it works fine in MSTS.

So thinking that this was a route that cried out for OR's widescreen, banked track etc. I ran it in that. OK it runs with few problems, the simple "activities" I created (really just paths with different consists, starts, finishes etc.) all worked fine too.

BUT the "issue is that for some reason (I have searched for reports on this...) the track monitor insists on showing Kilometres and KPH speeds??? The loco cab views show MPH, the "Imperial" units IS selected and in MSTS this does not occur.

Is this a glitch? ...or is there a fix that my searches have missed?

[geepster775]

Open the TRK file and change MilepostUnitsKilometers to MilepostUnitsMiles

[mikeebb]

But ... it *is* in Canada, where they *do* use the metric system...

[lateagain]

Open the TRK file and change MilepostUnitsKilometers to MilepostUnitsMiles

Err ....so how come the track monitor in MSTS shows Imperial units and yet in OR it "becomes" Metric? I haven't changed anything? Just pointed OR at my install of the route.

[lateagain]

But ... it *is* in Canada, where they *do* use the metric system...

Yes that's true Mike but all the stock shows speeds in MPH (I have SLI, MLT and BLW stock running in the route) and unless I misread things all that payware is Canadian???? Besides which see my answer to Geepster's post above.

[lateagain]

Open the TRK file and change MilepostUnitsKilometers to MilepostUnitsMiles

Hi Geepster, well what can I say. Thanks and of course you're right. However as I replied before I had access to my Sim machine "How come the Track Monitor displayed Imperial in MSTS"???

The fix you've posted works fine but I'm amazed that no one else has noticed this and that my searches for a remedy drew a blamk until this post.

Guess this should be added to the OR manual or FAQ's ???

Thanks again for the fix but still puzzled why MSTS showed Imperial?

[geepster775]

Ordinarily, there are 2 places you need to change it. In the TRK file, it sets distances to next signal in F4, next station in F10 display. You need to change it in the CVF file also if you want in-cab speedos between MPH and KPH.

Most of us already had our speedos set to Miles, comes that way from the content maker, but this route's TRK came set for Kilometers. So the two were out of sync, one of them needed changing. Could be the Blackfoot author has his CVF files set for metric, so it worked for him, but it mismatched on everyone else's installation.

I'm sure other people did notice it, and they quietly made the changes without all the fanfare.

It is unfortunate that the people who don't have this working knowledge of the dependencies involved are quick to claim its an OR bug or an OR documentation failure when the problem is individual understanding failure.

[geepster775]

But ... it *is* in Canada, where they *do* use the metric system...

But I don't use the metric system on my installation. It really has to be set for the end user, not the geographic oddities of the locale.

On these newer locomotives with computer screens, it is possible to change the display language to fit the locale. So when you see a Ferromex unit leading in the states, the cab display is no longer set for spanish like is would be in Mexico, or when a CN unit comes down from Montreal, you can run it in the lead without having to learn french. However, we don't have the ability to change that on the fly in our cabs, it has to be pre-set in the CVF file. Is there ANY simulator project out there that allows such? Does Run 8 even have Ferromex Gevos yet?

I could change my CVFs on CN and CP power to match the kilometers set in this route, but when I use those CP and CN units on a route set for miles, they will be out of sync. Unlike the real world loco computer screens, I can't change the cab consoles on an individual route basis. So I have to pick one in advance, and make all routes and rolling stock conform to my choice.

[lateagain]

It is unfortunate that the people who don't have this working knowledge of the dependencies involved are quick to claim its an OR bug or an OR documentation failure when the problem is individual understanding failure.

Well I can't agree with that.

Whilst I quite agree that one should RTFM I'd have thought that such a fundamental issue should be in FAQ. Having set my preferences (Metric/Imperial) in the OR settings I don't think it's AT ALL obvious that the track monitor is a separate issue.

As for "all the fanfare" ....the whole point of a forum is to SHARE such knowledge? Thanks to my "Fanfare" there's a chance that anyone else searching the problem will find YOUR solution?

[lateagain]

But I don't use the metric system on my installation. It really has to be set for the end user, not the geographic oddities of the locale.

On these newer locomotives with computer screens, it is possible to change the display language to fit the locale. So when you see a Ferromex unit leading in the states, the cab display is no longer set for spanish like is would be in Mexico, or when a CN unit comes down from Montreal, you can run it in the lead without having to learn french. However, we don't have the ability to change that on the fly in our cabs, it has to be pre-set in the CVF file. Is there ANY simulator project out there that allows such? Does Run 8 even have Ferromex Gevos yet?

I could change my CVFs on CN and CP power to match the kilometers set in this route, but when I use those CP and CN units on a route set for miles, they will be out of sync. Unlike the real world loco computer screens, I can't change the cab consoles on an individual route basis. So I have to pick one in advance, and make all routes and rolling stock conform to my choice.

Here in the UK, Analogue/Dial Car Speedo's have been graduated in both MPH AND KPH on many models. We buy our fuel in Litres, measure distances in Imperial Miles, Speed in MPH and usually convert litres to Imperial Gallons to give fuel consumption figures for different models/speeds in M.P.G.

In view of the number of Canadian hauled Trains in the US I'm guessing? that older Canadian Loco's would either have a newer digital speedo fitted or still have an original MPH one anyway?

I quite agree about setting the Sim up to what you're used to. ....although I guess your Canadain modified stock would still work in Arizona? ...or was that JUST the Highways? http://gawker.com/arizona-is-home-to...hig-1643558996

[ebnertra000]

Now, if I recall right, aren't railway speed limits in Canada in MPH? Mileposts north of the Border are probably better described as kilometerposts, but in the track monitor, all those show is the spacing. As for what the track monitor or your speedo shows your speed as being, that's been covered

[tie]

Now, if I recall right, aren't railway speed limits in Canada in MPH? Mileposts north of the Border are probably better described as kilometerposts, but in the track monitor, all those show is the spacing. As for what the track monitor or your speedo shows your speed as being, that's been covered

Yes, CN and CP are in MPH.

[DirtyRam]

Good day, when I started working for CP in 1974, around the time when metric was brought in to Canada, CN and CP stayed with imperial.
It was for interchangeability between USA and Canada. When I ran into Buffalo the only difference was brake pipe pressure. If I remember correctly there was a 10 lb difference between us and Conrail. We were 90 psi and I think they were 100 psi. When we left Frontier Yard in Buffalo we had to reduce the BP pressure down to 90 psi then do brake test. The railroads in Canada did not change to metric.

Mike

[bennycdn]

I believe Canadian railroads use the imperial system still.

[eric]

Arizona did originally install metric distance signs on I-19 in AZ (one of the shortest interstates) but ADOT has been switching back to miles over the past 10 years because of motorist confusion. Seems that seeing 88 KPH as a speed limit and driving 88 MPH wasn't a good excuse to try using with law enforcement.....

As signs are replaced or construction projects have been done, they're retiring KM and replacing with Miles. That's causing exit numbers to change, which was far more controversial to some business owners who had used exit numbers in their marketing materials.....