Crossing whistle signal

rrmanOGR Forum Member

I have read Barry's book and looked at DCS manual and do not find a softkey for grade crossing signal (need new glasses ). I hoped that release 4.03 might have it)

The wife who also runs trains, suggested that the forward and reverse softkeys work while engine is stationary or very slowly moving so there is good rail connectivity, but that the moving engine may not pickup the DCS signal properly to give reliable two longs/short/long sequence.

She is probably on to something as I notice as train moves even with really fresh cleaned track, I can't always get a reliable crossing signal as I do with a stopped engine, and sometimes engine may add an extra short toot (but that maybe a DCS signal reflection going on at times between crossing blocks?).

Other thoughts?

3/26/147:51 PM

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AGHRMattOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERMEMORIAL SUPPORTER

The grade crossing soft key (SXS) is locomotive-specific and will only appear if the locomotive has that capability. The forward and reverse (SFS/SRS) work when the engine is stationary or moving. On some engines (the first run of UP Heritage SD70ACe's come to mind) the SXS function wasn't accessible under some versions of DCS. Updated sound files were put out to fix the problem.

3/26/148:05 PM

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rrmanOGR Forum Member

Originally Posted by AGHRMatt:

Interesting that MTH did not choose to include this crossing sequence in all their engines. I imagine (wrongly?) that the DCS sends a code to the engine which in turn selects the sound file to play. Be more apt to use this than forward or backup sounds. Only drawback is the last long technically is to be sounded until engine enters the crossing island. So maybe why MTH did not use it as they would get complaints of too short or long last sound segment.

3/27/142:59 PM

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Barry BroskowitzOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER

Sam,

So maybe why MTH did not use it as they would get complaints of too short or long last sound segment.

That's not the case at all.

As sound clips go, the grade crossing signal sound is relatively new to PS2/PS3 engines. Older engines won't have it because it wasn't available when they were manufactured.

3/27/143:31 PM