[Traindude]

Given the added functionality of bell animation in ORTS, I have another idea for an improvement related to bells in terms of how they're controlled, by defining whether the bell is hand-pulled, electric or air-operated:

ORTSBellControl ( x )

In this case, x is an integer from 0 to 2 defining how the bell is to be operated:
0 = Electric or Electronic (default) no changes from existing ORTS/MSTS bell functionality (press and hold B to ring, press SHIFT+B to make it stay on indefinitely).
1 = Air Operated. Same controls as the "default" electric bell, but it defines the bell as an air-using device. Turning the bell on will cause the main reservoir pressure to slowly decrease while the bell is in operation and continue to decrease until the bell is shut off. An optional ORTSMaxBellAirConsumption ( x ) parameter can be used to define a non-default MR depletion rate.
2 = Hand pulled. When the bell is defined as hand-pulled, the control scheme changes from the old MSTS/ORTS standard. Instead of holding the B key or pressing SHIFT+B, the B key needs to be alternately depressed and released to make the bell ring. This action is analogous to the action of a locomotive fireman alternating between pulling the bell cord and releasing the cord in order to make the bell ring continuously. Depressing B makes the bell ring once, releasing B makes the bell ring a second time. (This control scheme was inspired by the NCSL 576 Whistle simulator Android app.)

Is this something you guys (especially the steam buffs) wanna see?

[Jonatan]

Nice suggestion with the air bell consuming air, air sanders should do the same imo.

The hand rung bell is an overthought nightmare and would be a major tedium for anyone to operate, especially in conjunction with all the other tasks you actively have to focus on... But if that's your thing you can still achieve this by just pressing B in its current configuration and using a OneShot parameter in the sms file.

By all means try it, your finger will hate you after a few crossings or yard runs.

[ATSF3751]

I have to agree that the swinging bell option would be a complete nightmare and no one would even use it.

Brandon

[Traindude]

Jonatan, on 13 October 2022 - 10:50 AM, said:

Nice suggestion with the air bell consuming air, air sanders should do the same imo.

Okay, so the hand-pulled bell sounded like a good idea on paper...so that idea's out the window.

But you can't blame a dude for thinking out loud and asking for feedback, right?

IIRC, operating the sanders does in fact cause the MR pressure to decrease automatically, either at a default rate or defined by the parameter ORTSMaxTrackSanderAirConsumption ( x ).

[Traindude]

Weter, on 14 October 2022 - 09:18 PM, said:

Of course, it's interesting, and never deserve to be blamed.
Wow, I didn't know, that parameter exists! Really?
Which units are applicable?

According to the CTN website, it's listed as a diesel exclusive, but I wouldn't be surprised if it works on all other forms of motive power. (I've experimented with retrofitting it to an electric...)

[Weter]

It turns, I ought to visit CTN site more regularly.
Thanks for important information.