[Genma Saotome]

C44-9W, on 16 May 2024 - 09:09 AM, said:

That is unfortunately not how MSTS defines it.

Because of issues in MSTS, legacy rolling stock has break values that are far to large.

Q: Are you coding this with an expectation that MSTS values would be used? Or Open Rails?

[C44-9W]

Genma Saotome, on 16 May 2024 - 09:59 PM, said:

Q: Are you coding this with an expectation that MSTS values would be used? Or Open Rails?

I am trying to accomodate both, but favouring OpenRails (and North American railroads).

At this time, the only thing that matters is the scale of the force graph, and the thresholds that determine the bar color. Rolling stock created for MSTS has an unrealistically high break force. I need to override those with a realistic value. 500 klbf is reasonable for North America, 1000 kN for Europe. I have also seen 750 klbf mentioned.

Although there is an ORTSBreak parameter, the simulation handles it the same as the (MSTS) Break parameter.

[C44-9W]

Going through the ORTS code, I just found that there also is an ImpulseCouplerForceUN. Maybe I should use the higher of the two for the bar graph.

// Test to see if coupler forces have been exceeded, and coupler has broken. Exceeding this limit will break the coupler
if (IsPlayerTrain) // Only break couplers on player trains
{
    if (Math.Abs(CouplerForceU) > GetCouplerBreak2N() || Math.Abs(ImpulseCouplerForceUN) > GetCouplerBreak2N())  // break couplers if either static or impulse forces exceeded
                    {
        CouplerExceedBreakLimit = true;

[Genma Saotome]

Roger, are you talking with Peter (steamer_ctn) in Australia? He's been reworking coupler code for some time now. I bet he would easily point you in the right direction for recent OR, current OR, future OR and maybe even MSTS.

A side note: I recall reading something about the design of couplers and it said they designed the coupler knuckle to be the weakest element so it would break first. It was small so having a replacement in the caboose was no big deal, it was the easiest part to replace, and the job could be done by the train crew.

[ATW]

Knuckle is the weakest link but coupler/drawbars wear out too an have expeienced drawbars pulled out yard switching even spotting a lumber facility. Which will be the standard thing to break a knuckle or coupler or both?

[Genma Saotome]

ATW, on 18 May 2024 - 05:28 PM, said:

Knuckle is the weakest link but coupler/drawbars wear out too an have experienced drawbars pulled out yard switching even spotting a lumber facility. Which will be the standard thing to break a knuckle or coupler or both?

Yes, drawbars do break but think: If there is enough force to break the drawbar would it not make more sense to design the knuckle to break at a somewhat lower force? Small part, easy to fix... whereas breaking something further towards the center of the car will put it on the RIP track, so yes, a weaker knuckle design makes sense.

Drawbar breaks, AFAIK, is usually caused by an existing crack. I have heard of draft gear failing when the acceleration was extremely fast.

[Weter]

Newly-replaced knuckle, worn old brawbar...

[Laci1959]

https://kephost.net/p/MTIyMjI5NQ.png

Hello.

They are not sure that the coupler marked in the picture could withstand the 1000 kN breaking force. Europe, Hungary, Kismaros - Királyrét Forest Railway.

Sincerely, Laci1959

[Weter]

Link'n pin with buffer integrated.
Cute coocoo, by the way.

[C44-9W]

Laci1959, on 19 May 2024 - 12:36 AM, said:

They are not sure that the coupler marked in the picture could withstand the 1000 kN breaking force. Europe, Hungary, Kismaros - Királyrét Forest Railway.

The 1000 kN is meant as a fallback when the Engine or Wagon file has an unrealistic value.