Railroader News

As with 2024.6.9, focusing on refinements with the goal of this being our last release before 2024.6 is posted on the default branch!

• Adjusted Auto Engineer to make hard couples less likely. (RR-750)
  
• Adjusted Auto Engineer Waypoint Mode to take current train direction into account when planning its route. (RR-763)
  
• Fixed Auto Engineer Waypoint Mode slowing in advance of CTC switches when there was a non-CTC controlled switch beyond it, even when that switch was lined for its route. (RR-764)
  
• Waypoint selection is now cancelled when selecting another engine or changing the control mode. Fixed clicking on window setting the waypoint 'through' the window. (RR-595)
  
• Changed locomotive and tender brake cylinder pressure for a train brake application to match the 2.5X factor of standard cars. Additionally, locomotive brake cylinders will hold pressure applied via train brake until train brake is released. (RR-762)
  
• Overhead ("2") camera now restores its orientation after moving to stay above ground, such as when following a train through a tunnel.
  
• Added "Jump to Waypoint" item to gear menu in HUD controls. "Simplified Controls" toggle now only appears for engines in Manual control mode.
  
• Made waypoint overlay arrows gently emissive (more visible at night).
  
• Fixed waypoint overlay showing incorrect final waypoint arrow in some cases.
  
• Fixed leaks from audio clips from engines; would occur when engines are unloaded and then reloaded.
  
• Fixed unstable Sort by Destination order in switch list panel; added Sort by Location. (RR-676)
  

We're continuing to work toward wrapping up work on the experimental branch, so our programming effort has been focused on bug fixes and refinements to Auto Engineer Waypoint Mode and Timetables, but we've also been working on several new locomotives and buildings that are ready for service on your railroads! This release also includes a significant performance improvement for busy railroads.



[h2]Equipment & Building Additions[/h2]

• Added P-48 modeled after Southern Ps-4 class. Revised P-43 to model USRA Heavy Pacific.
  
• Added C-40 Mastodon.
  
• Added SD7 diesel locomotive! Updated GP9.
  
• Added Union Tank Car Co. tank car tank car. Fixed capacity of Single Dome tank car (8kgal to 10kgal).
  
• Added Locust Pin Co. and fuel dealer buildings!

[h2]Auto Engineer & Timetable Improvements[/h2]

• Auto Engineer now interprets timetable times that are 12 hours in the past as the next day, allowing assigning an AE to a timetable train for the next day during the 12 hours preceeding its departure.
  
• Auto Engineer now handles timetable stops where the arrival time is after the departure time (example: 18:00 arrival, 7:00 departure) by waiting until next day after the arrival. We recommend an interval of several hours between the two to avoid edge cases, as well as considering using different trains to support layover schedules like this.
  
• Auto Engineer HUD status label now shows reason for not moving which was previously only posted as a notice.
  
• Fixed artificially higher numbers of transfer passengers gathering at stations. (RR-707)
  
• Fixed Auto Engineer Waypoint Mode moving slowly through cleared signals that are not lined for their desired route. (RR-697)
  
• Fixed Auto Engineer Waypoint Mode reporting "Switch Against" when waypoint is within fouling distance. AE in Waypoint mode will now foul switches unless they are already fouled, or CTC-controlled. (RR-607)
  
• Fixed timetable editor window not prompting to apply changes when hitting backspace. (RR-712)
  
• Enabled throwing fouled switch in case where car fouling it is already on that route. (RR-713)

[h2]Other Enhancements[/h2]

• Improved MU mode reverser handling to automatically set an appropriate reverser setting. Fixes diesel MU'd to steam running at centered reverser setting. (RR-714)
  
• Fixed issue that would prevent completing purchase of cars if they could not be fit on one track. (RR-711)
  
• HUD controls for diesel engines now snap and show notch values. In-cab control throttle tooltip now shows notches.
  
• Fixed first person camera not moving smoothly with swaying car.
  
• Improved performance in cases with many nearby train cars via adaptive decal culling. (Note to modders: we highly recommend consolidating decals where possible. Smaller decals are culled when many decals are visible, similar to how LODs work.) (RR-719)

Thank you as always for your feedback!

Two more quick fixes – thank you for your reports and feedback!

• Fixed issue that caused derailments and equipment damage during regular movement, first seen in 2024.6.6.
  
• Fixed "Edit Timetable" button missing for clients in multiplayer.