By activating simple controls i lost control of the train brake and reverser. Locobrake totaly
disappears. Do i need additional things to do? First time i use simple controls.

In the working the mines act. the shay wont take water. Spend almost an hour on it,
but not a drop.

Every advise welkom

Ton

Hi Ton:

I have never used Simple Controls. Upon reading your post, I activated Simple Controls, entered the Ozark Northern route using the Shay and found that it is very cumbersome to use Simple Controls. Apparently when Simple Controls is activated, it disables auxilliary functions and about the only factors that controls the movement of the locomotive is the S key (toggles between Fwd and Rev) and the A/D keys. Not very simple, in my opinion. Suggest you de-select Simple Controls and run the Shay using the Reverser (W/S keys) and Throttle (D/A keys) and the engine brake "[" and "]" keys. I find that much "simpler".

As for the Shay not taking on water/coal:

When you enter the simulator, the Coal and Water values are full. Thus, if you attempt to take on water without any being consumed, it will not do so, for the value indicates full. However, I note you indicate that you operated the Shay for over an hour and still no pick up. Here's a coupld of suggestions:

* Make SURE you stop the locomotive so the water hatch on the tender is directly under the waterspout of the water tank. The Shay's pick up point values are set for:

IntakePoint ( -10.0 20.0 FuelWater )
IntakePoint ( -10.0 20.0 FuelCoal )

* HOLD the "T" key down until the water level is replentished.

I double checked the "pick up points" in the Ozark Nothern and the coal/water locations on the Ozark Northern are indeed "live" and have the ability to take on water.

Hope this helps?

Hi Andre
Thanks for your reply. For the simple controls: thats your suggestion for running thr ON.
I"m returning to normal driving. Running the act "working the mines" the conductor wants
to topoff water so i did after the pass of the AI train. That did'nt work sofar. Now i have done some work and the water level is dropt some. Will try again.

Thanks again
Ton

Hi Again Ton:

The activity you reference is a 3rd party supplied activity? If so, then I have not run the activity.

If your engine does not actually need water/coal at that time during the activity, then I would suggest you simply spot your engine at the water tank for a bit... perhaps retrieving a cup of refreshment for yourself (coffee? tea?)... then carry on with the activity. It should not have an adverse effect on the outcome of the activity.

"Simple Controls" can help an inexperienced person running MSTS trains on steep grades from point A to point D (that is, no switching) but Simple Controls is apparently not good for switching.

When handling heavy cuts of cars up on the Buckhorn Branch, just remember to keep your speed down... use your train brake air wisely, and use that engine brake too! You don't want to have a run-away back down to Zinc City!

I do hope you have fun!