Variable Train Running Costs

[Pookey]

Is it possible to have variable train running costs so that when a train is loading it has a very low running cost, when it accelerates it becomes very high and levels out when it stops accelerating (and gets cheaper when a train decelerates). As trains slow down on hills and speed up going down a hill, would it also be possible to have the running costs change dependent on whether the track is flat, a descent or an ascent? I am guessing it may be impossible as trains technically don't know what's in front of them (so they can't adjust running costs accordingly)?

[Lakie]

Variable running costs for trains is a part of Callback 36 now, using var 10 as 0D. Since the cost is recalculated on the fly, the changes should be immediate.
However that is only part of what you are asking for, I do not know if the other part is currently possible with the current Action2 variables.

[Please Note that you would have to set the 'variablerunningcosts' switch to on to use it]

Hope that helps a little,
~ Lakie

[PikkaBird]

You can't base the costs on the slope, but you can take it back a step and simply vary it based on how fast the train is going: ie, a train powering slowly up a hill costs more than one coasting down it at full speed. I've done this with a test grf and it works quite nicely.

[Dave]

Will be in the UKRS one day then?

[SkeedR]

Do not quote me. But. I believe Pikka is working on it as i type, ish, so i hope so! Certainly know Lakie and Pikka were discussing it in Pikka's UKRS thread.

[EDIT] I was wrong, but, they certainly were talking about it on IRC!

Which is another reason to go to #tycoon on irc.quakenet.org!

[michael blunck]

Is it possible to have variable train running costs so that when a train is loading it has a very low running cost, when it accelerates it becomes very high and levels out when it stops accelerating (and gets cheaper when a train decelerates). As trains slow down on hills and speed up going down a hill, would it also be possible to have the running costs change dependent on whether the track is flat, a descent or an ascent? [...]

According to Lakie, it´s part of CB36 now, but why should running cost be different depending on the loading state or on speed?

At least in reality this isn´t the case.

O/c, during loading stage, a train´s engine wouldn´t consume as much fuel as when travelling full speed, but this is negligible in the long run.

Main factors in running costs for trains are staff and maintenance costs. I.e., whether a train is loading, stopped or running, staff cost would be the same and maintenance is done on a fixed schedule, e.g. all 10000 kms, so IMO this idea is just nitpicking.

Topographical and timing effects are already counted for by different travelling times and thus reducing the ranking.

regards
Michael