I'm attempting to build a new route based on a prototype that uses 'gravity' switching to get on the correct side of their cars at their interchange with another railroad. I've seen this referred to by several different names (which often ignites a debate on what to call it!), but this is simply having the cars uphill from the locomotive...tucking the locomotive in a siding, and having the member of the crew working the ground release the hand brakes, roll the cars past the locomotive, and then recouple the locomotive on the other side.
This activity is actually VERY common with both the Class One's and shortlines in my area.
I've experimented with a couple of things, but either the grade had to be 'amusement-park' steep to get the cars rolling with no locomotive attached...and/or they were next to impossible to get stopped when and where I needed to.
I'm hopeful that someone has solved this challenge in the history of Trainz and can suggest a solution that I haven't thought of. I can add a 'classic' locomotive run-around to the route of course, but that changes the look and feel of an important activity of the prototype more than I had hoped to.
Thanks in advance!
This activity is actually VERY common with both the Class One's and shortlines in my area.
I've experimented with a couple of things, but either the grade had to be 'amusement-park' steep to get the cars rolling with no locomotive attached...and/or they were next to impossible to get stopped when and where I needed to.
I'm hopeful that someone has solved this challenge in the history of Trainz and can suggest a solution that I haven't thought of. I can add a 'classic' locomotive run-around to the route of course, but that changes the look and feel of an important activity of the prototype more than I had hoped to.
Thanks in advance!