BVE4 Class 158

[Turbostar]

Ok, it's probably something simple, but anyway. What file or files do I need to change & re-value in BVE4 Class 158 so I can make it into a 3-car 158 or a 159? Many thanks.

Mart

 

[ChrisCooper]

Well, since adding extra coaches to units makes no real difference to performance, as the extra weight is compensated for by extra power, the BVE 158 can already simulate a 2 car, 3 car, 4 car, 6 car whatever. The thing is the length, which effects how long before you can accelerate from a speed restriction without getting the "exceeded the speed limit" warning (BVE, like real life UK practice, requires the back of the train to be past the start of the higher speed limit before you can accelerate), and also performance when changing gradients (since the length of the train effects how much of the train is still on the other gradient). Neither of these are a big deal for small changes like 2 to 3 cars, but are useful to model when changing from say a 4 car unit to a 8 car or even 12 car unit.
To set the length of the train you need to open the train.dat file, and find the section labled "#Car". This will be layed out like this:

#CAR
49.36
9
0
0
23.19
1

The first number is the weight of the motor coaches, leave that. The second is the number of motor coaches, change that to represent your new formation. The 3rd and 4th represent the weight and number of trailer coaches, in the case of a fully power train like a 2nd generation DMU, that isn't needed. The 5th is the average length of the coaches, again, that doesn't need changing. The 6th shows if the front coach is powered or not.

If you want to make 2 versions of the same train (e.g a 3 car 158 and keep the existing 2 car 158), you can quite easily do this without having to make a totally new copy.
Make a new folder in the 158 directory called for example "3Car" and copy the following files into it: ats.cfg, panel2.cfg, sound.cfg, train.dat ukspt.cfg and ukspt.dll. You then need to edit the sound and pannel config files to make them look in the next higher directory (the main 158 directory), and you do this by adding "..\" infront of each file address, e.g change "run0.wav" to "..\Run0.wav" or "d3d\panel.bmp" to "..\d3d\panel.bmp". When it comes to repeated addresses like for the rain effects, find and replace comes in very handy.
You then need to modify the route file to call the new train, by changing the train to 158/3Car. Also, to get the timetable to work you need to put an extra ..\ infront of it's address.

 

[Turbostar]

Ok mate, thanks for the help & info.

Mart

 

[Turbostar]

Just one other thing... When I incorporate it into a timetable, what figure do I need to alter in the timetable .csv file so it recognises it as a 3-car, i.e. say I use a 2-car timetable, it'll expect me to stop at the 2-car sign, how do I change that so that the timetable understands I'm driving a 3-car 158 or 159, & need to top at the 3-car sign? Thanks again.

Mart

 

[eezypeazy]

To do that, you'll need to go through the route file and find every .stop command and move it appropriately, ie., copy, cut and paste it further down the route, near the appropriate stop sign... to make it easier, find out the object index number of the 3/4 car stop sign before you start, this will make identifying where to paste the .stop commands to easier .....

Cheers

eezypeazy

 

[Turbostar]

Ok, cheers.

Mart