Two locomotives on one train?

[Eddi]

To what extent does double-heading a train reduce breakdowns?...both engines have to fail independently for the train to stop,right?

The OpenTTD model of breakdowns is very crude. Only the lead engine's reliability is taken into account, so a breakdown is not more or less likely with additional engines. Also, every breakdown will cause a full stop.

There is a patch out there which adds more kinds of breakdowns (like reduced power instead of full stop).

[ISA]

There is a patch out there which adds more kinds of breakdowns (like reduced power instead of full stop).

That means the speed is reduced while the train can visit depot or is the repairs done while the train still moving and the speed goes up again?

[Baldy's Boss]

To what extent does double-heading a train reduce breakdowns?...both engines have to fail independently for the train to stop,right?

The OpenTTD model of breakdowns is very crude. Only the lead engine's reliability is taken into account, so a breakdown is not more or less likely with additional engines. Also, every breakdown will cause a full stop.

There is a patch out there which adds more kinds of breakdowns (like reduced power instead of full stop).

Oh well.I saw the set of triple-headed steamers on the 1.4 splash screen game and figured they were a way to keep steam engines limping along into the maglev era.

[Taschi]

That was quite unusual, but common practice for regional trains on the Hamburg - Lübeck route, where additional coaches from Neumünster trains had to be attached in Bad Oldesloe. In this case, the (push-pull) train arriving from Hamburg, with the V200 pushing, left Bad Oldesloe with the V200 in the middle.

Yup, that's exactly where those pictures were taken. Thanks for the info.

[lugo]

That means the speed is reduced while the train can visit depot or is the repairs done while the train still moving and the speed goes up again?

I think both cases were implemented in the patch.

edit: http://www.tt-forums.net/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=39518

[ISA]

That means the speed is reduced while the train can visit depot or is the repairs done while the train still moving and the speed goes up again?

I think both cases were implemented in the patch.

edit: http://www.tt-forums.net/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=39518

Thanks, that cleared things up!

[bvoice360]

Using multiple engines involving two separable units (like the Chimaera maglev from standard OTTD) at the front creates a very odd-looking train unless you want to spend ages distributing equal numbers of carriages/trucks in between the different units

[Espee]

Engine in the mid of train? Normally they are at the front or at the end, aren't they? In my region, it is normally so. Is it in at your home not so, or do you just like it, when an engine is in the midth?

Landsborough Central, CoalTrains.png (15.16 KiB) Viewed 1161 times

Here on the Landsborough Central, using NARS 2.03 over mountainous territory, multiple engines are the order of the day. Our 4,000 ton coal trains warrant a trio of EMD SD9s, a pair on the front end and a third unit cut in just in front of the way car (caboose), providing 5250 HP and 223,000 Lbs of tractive effort.

Landsborough Central, CoalTrain2.png (173.36 KiB) Viewed 1161 times

Of course, in order to accommodate these type of behemoth trains that are common in North American practice, we need to set our maximum station length to 16 TL. Here's a screenshot of the station at Brohall Mines, which produces 400-500 tons of coal per month:

Landsborough Central, Brohall Mines.png (417.17 KiB) Viewed 1161 times

Savegame, heightmap, and screenshots of the Landsborough Central: http://www.tt-forums.net/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=71256

[oberhümer]

Hmm, do station tiles that are disconnected from the others still raise loading speed? Could be useful for long trains like those - one platform on one side of the industry, one on the other, and a curve to connect them. I ran a quick test, but didn't get a clear result.