[Laci1959]

Quote

Typical for North America is 500,000 lbs-force.

Hello.

The Hungarian standard for the interoperability of European railways specified the tensile strength at 850 kN, or 191,087 lbf.

[Weter]

They use sem-auto claw-couplers, while most of Europe - still hook&link with screw type.

[ATW]

MSTS was inaccurate in lots of physics but still had one thing being a good challenge no matter how smooth you operated slack being durability/comfort levels goal set either in activity/consists fragile/durable. That's a good challenge to bring to ORTS evaluation and timestamp/mileposts.

So if countries have a typical limit, why not that be set in ORTS Option tabs at a max threshold no matter how strong couplers in a file are set to break? You cross the threshold you see it in the graph set to a typical max but if you got weak couplers under threshold to break you don't get dinged as not all coupler run-in or run-out breaks in real world have operator at fault.

So if trying to make a graph have a typical max limit threshold, can it be optional to set a max value divided by 4 line values for both run-in and run-out since country standards are in talk? Color coded forces each car should be the couplers health strength nearing to break in red at its max break force. You can have max threshold set for the graph and unrealistic infinite like break forces in train still be green telling you are far from the break limit but have exceeded country standards.

[C44-9W]

Here is my refined proposal.






There are 9 bars on each side of the graph, 4 green, 3 yellow, 2 red. In the center line, blue indicates an engine, white a wagon.

Coupler Bargraph: Shows the length-wise (longitudinal) force at each coupling (rear of each car). This is equivalent to the "Coupler" column in the Forces HUD. Up means pull, down means push.
The graph's scale is determined by the weakest coupler in the train. Thus, red bars may not be a problem if they are not at the car with a low coupler strength.
The scale is non-linear to show more details at the top of the scale.

Derail Bargraph: Shows the sideways (lateral) force at each car (at the wheel flange). Up means pull to the inside (risk of stringlining), down means push to the outside (risk of jackknifing).
The graph's scale is determined by the car (wheel) with the lowest vertical force (which is proportional to its weight). Thus, red bars may not be a problem if they are not at the car with a low force to derail.
The scale is non-linear to show more details at the top of the scale.

Brake Bargraph: Shows the brake force exerted by each car. This is equivalent to the "Brake" column in the Forces HUD. This graph only has an up part.
The graph's scale is determined by the car with the lowest brake force (which is proportional to its weight). There are no yellow or red bars in this graph.
The scale is non-linear to show more details at the bottom of the scale (ie. small application of the air-brakes).

Text Line: Shows the highest coupler and derail force in the train, and the car (number) where the highest force is. The line also shows the coupler-break force of the weakest coupling, and the derail force of the car with the lowest derail force.

The window scales with the length of the train. It has a minimum size (showing the two peak forces), and a maximum size of 1028 pixels. Longer trains require scrolling (shown in the second below).

Notes:

• An alternative would be to scale each bar relative to the car it represents. This would then indicate the risk, rather than the force. The Forces HUD uses this approach for the Derail Coefficient. I prefer showing the force.
• I also considered showing the slack as a graph. But I feel the coupler force graph sufficiently represents if the coupling is expanded or compressed.
• I would have liked to show the grade with the longitudinal force and the curvature with the lateral force. But this is challenging to do with the limited space avaliable for a popup (used while driving).
• The colors are stronger and more distinct in the simulator (than in the included images).
• For details see this PR in my repo.

[ATW]

Very Nice!

Soon as it's tested, released and coded for Web Server it will fit right in one of many multiple monitor displays.

Braking and Derail Coef is going to be a good thing to look at with this. I had a scare last week on a real train I ran in yard when a broke brake valve leaked the BP to not charge above 81BP and worse dropped its pressure to 73BP when throttle was moved to Run2-idle but management wanted it moved down hill an through balloon track worth 33 cars of intermodal empty/loads stretch braking.

[C44-9W]

ATW, on 27 February 2025 - 11:26 PM, said:

... and coded for Web Server ...

I am not sure what you mean by the above. My prototype is a pop-up window within the main window, similar to the Train Driving Info popup. Are you suggesting that I add a HTTP version (similar to the HUD). Or is there a plan for a generic feature to makes pop-ups available via HTTP?

[ATW]

C44-9W, on 28 February 2025 - 08:58 AM, said:

Are you suggesting that I add a HTTP version (similar to the HUD). Or is there a plan for a generic feature to makes pop-ups available via HTTP?

I guess you can say that. However the track monitor, HUD, train driving info, F9 train list etc are in web server this pop up can be added to it too in future.

[C44-9W]

PR 1062 created: https://github.com/o...rails/pull/1062

[ATW]

Might take a while but look forward to testing this out. Thanks for your effort on this need.

[ATW]

Trying it now in U2025.03.26-2122 And all I can say is awesome addition! 👍

It is now a step forward from having the HUD open for both forces and brake, though the weakest link coupler vibrates numbers due to advanced adhesion but the limit warning for max derail/coupler is a great thing to monitor and be cautious. Though I'm sure some might want the weakest link highlighted somewhere.