Diesel Electric Engine w/ JKnuckle
From the rail workshops of JodianGaming comes the next iteration of train engine, boasting superior pulling power as well as inter-connectivity. It doesn't matter how big of a load you're hauling. Add one, two, three, or as many of these engines as you want. This engine uses the patented "JKnuckle" design, so you can connect this engine up with any other workshop car/engine bearing the JKunckle title and control everything from one "Master" console.
Cost: $67k
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HOW TO START
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The main engine itself runs off two large batteries, and as such you don't actually need the "engine" to be running for the train to actually move. That said, those batteries will run down fairly quickly if you don't keep them charged up. That's where the diesel comes in.
When you first step onto the train engine you're going to want to enter the cab and find the generator control center (light green in color). Turn the key and the engine will automatically start up. When the RPM jumps up, meaning the engine has started, flip the generator switch and you're now making power. The diesel engine is designed to hold around 15RPM but when you engage the generator it puts a huge load on the engine. It's best to apply this generator load while the engine is up around 30RPM, just after starting, than to bog down the engine once it's already settled at 15RPM. The train engine is now up and ready to go. You can then sit at the conductor's console, switch the train to "Master" mode, and get rolling... Or you can leave it in slave mode and connect a "Master" train engine to it. For more on that, read the JKnuckle section below.
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JKNUCKLE CONTROL SYSTEM
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To give more of a simulation feel to my train system, I developed a unique "knuckle" and microcontroller combination that allows all of my JKnuckle train cars and engines to literally "speak" to each other. This system works on a Master/Slave control scheme, where the "Master" vehicle sends out the commands and the "Slave" vehicles obey the commands. It's important to note that you can only have ONE train car/engine set as the "Master" in the train consist, or weird stuff will happen (just like in real life). To prevent such errors all JKnuckle enabled train engines/cars are set to "Slave" mode by default. Only ENGINES will have the option to be switched to "Master", usually at the conductor seat.
This enables their control console, as the console doesn't work in Slave mode. So what does this actually mean for you?
Well, if you have a train with 3 engines, you can use the "Master" engine to control the brakes, throttle, and reverse of the other 2 engines. The "Master" engine will also control the brakes of any JKnuckle train cars you have attached to it. The train knuckles always search for a valid signal along the train consist, so it doesn't matter where you install the "Master" train engine, it should be able to control the entire train consist so long as all cars use the JKnuckle system. You can see if the train is connected properly, and the JKnuckle system is active, by looking for a green light on the actual train knuckle.... Happy conducting!
