I just wish that if I downloaded someones loco that didn't have something like incremental breaking, I could edit a file and just copy and paste the required script/programming code into the file so the loco does have that functionality. Or if a loco I downloaded doesn't have the ability to change it's running numbers like the in game loco's do or how other content creaters loco's do, I can edit the file so it will be able too.
I'm not looking to steal or redistribute anyones creations, I just want to make them work as they should.
Braking is partly controlled by the enginespec. If you are that interested in getting engines to work, first try talking to creators to see how they did enginespecs used. Enginespecs would almost be one of the easiest content items to make, all they are is a config file set up with information to make the engine work. I looked into this, I only lacked figuring out how to get the throttle and brake information needed. There's also testing to do in Trainz to insure the engine works as desired. So there are content areas where you don't need to learn reskinning or mesh creation or manipulate sound files, you just need information and know how to setup the config file. Another example is regions, nothing but a config file.
I wouldn't say edit enginespecs, just clone them and change information. Just make sure to read how they work, last I knew some lines were listed as "Don't change this line" or "Not used in Trainz" no point working with those lines.
As to changing running numbers, some locomotives allow this but the result is all of them look the same, same weathering, same paint, etc. This happens when 1 mesh is setup for running numbers, advantage is less FPS hit since you keep using the same item over and over but they all look the same except for the numbers. Those who don't put running number ability sometimes they choose to do it this way because then every locomotive looks different, different weathering, paint, details, etc. To the creator, this approach is more realistic because not every locomotive has the same weathering, details, etc.
So it comes down to a choice and thus you need to make one. Do you want the locomotives that all look the same (not too realistic) with different numbers or realism with different weathering too.
For more comparisons, you can go to places like VMD's North American freeware page. Get the CP GP38-2 pack, each of the three has different paint but no ability to change numbers. Compare to the GP40-2s, you use the same locomotive mesh that auto-assigns the number but they all have the same look. There's other places with models too. You have to know and choose this beforehand and know that the two methods are both used for justifiable reasons.
