Once you have mastered "Half Engine Full," you can graduate to advanced railroading techniques that modify this rule.
If you have two locomotives at the front, "Half Engine Full" on the lead loco sends the same signal to the trailing loco. However, be aware of "Consist Hunting" – if the rear loco has different adhesion values (e.g., one steam, one diesel), 50% throttle can cause a disastrous jackknife. Always use identical locos when using precise throttle commands.
When the throttle is advanced to Notch 8 (Full Engine), the locomotive is operating at maximum capability. trainz half engine full
Once the train is rolling at 5-10 mph using "Half Engine Full," you can then push the throttle beyond 50%.
| Situation | Setting | Why | |-----------|---------|-----| | Starting a heavy train from standstill | Full engine | Maximum starting tractive effort | | Moving a light locomotive or empty cars | Half engine | Less wheel slip, smoother start | | Cruising at constant speed | Half engine (or less) | Saves fuel/steam, reduces wear | | Climbing a steep grade at low speed | Full engine | Maintain maximum pull | | Descending a grade | Half/Full reverse | Dynamic or steam braking effect | | Switching / shunting | Half engine | Better control, less jerky movement | Once you have mastered "Half Engine Full," you
In Trainz, driving a diesel-electric locomotive is not a seamless gradient like a gas pedal in a car. Instead, real-world locomotives use a system of "notches" or discrete power settings. This system is faithfully recreated in the simulator.
The Notch System Most standard diesel locomotives in Trainz utilize an 8-notch throttle system (not counting Idle). When the throttle is advanced to Notch 8
If you just placed a train on a track using the "Edit Session" menu, sometimes the physics engine freezes the wheels. The loco will rev to 50% and go nowhere.
When a driver in Trainz advances the throttle to Notch 4 (often colloquially called "half engine"), the prime mover (diesel engine) increases its RPM to roughly half of its maximum capability.