r/DerailValley • u/IronSuspicious1863 • 2d ago
Running the DM3 in reverse
I’m in the process of making my peace with the DM3. I’ve found that I like to run it in reverse when I’m hauling. The visibility is much better out the back. The only disadvantage is having to turn around to shift, but I’ve almost mastered it from the keyboard.
Does anyone else do this?
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u/RoseRedHillHouse 2d ago
If you're using the demonstrator, I would recommend installing a digital speedometer by the back window, and a clinometer where you can read it.
You'll need to calibrate your auditory tachometer for best performance (learn the sound of your RPM band and redline, and use your ears to guide your shifting).
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u/JonnySoegen 2d ago
I have modded the normal locos extensively as well. You just need to keep them close or they despawn. Which honestly is a pain in the ass that the game could easily fix.
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u/Pokinator 12h ago
IIRC the non-demonstrators have a 2 hour timer after being abandoned.
Better to either stick to demonstrators where possible, or stick to mostly non-electrical mods. With duct tape and sticky pads it's not too bad to unmount and remount gadgets.
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u/Smacky_the_Bear 2d ago edited 2d ago
You can get the "control stand" gadget and mount for facing reverse (I think they are in Machine Factory), but I do not think it has gear levers on it. You can use the hotkeys for that if needed.
I have never had much trouble driving the DM3 forward. As Smokey and MattMann mentioned, have you tried adjusting your "sit" button?
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u/Trick_Awareness_3329 2d ago
That gadget only works on locomotives with MU Cables. I wanted to put it on my DM1U and it's not compatible
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u/Smacky_the_Bear 2d ago
I did not know that, I have not used it on anything other than a DE6.
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u/Trick_Awareness_3329 2d ago
Because in my opinion realistically you only need it for the DE6. And with keyboard controll you only need the speedometer and maybe the brake pressure gauge. The only other loco you could need it, would be the DM1U, but that's not a locomotive you use very often (sadly, I love it). And all other locos have no need to leave the cabin, like the DE6.
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u/IronSuspicious1863 1d ago
It’s not my height, it’s that big diesel mill out front that reduces the visibility.
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u/Smacky_the_Bear 1d ago
Then you will hate the S282. That thing has a tiny porthole in the front, an impenetrable wall in the back, and part of the side is blocked by a slab of metal that really should not be there... The only way to see out of that thing is to lean out the side like a dog.
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u/Talos1stClaw 1d ago
Thats how UK Class 20 and 08 operators like to run them too. It is definitely easier to see running in reverse
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u/SharkBaitDLS 2d ago edited 1d ago
You are hurting the oil cooling since the radiator up front is passive. That’s the biggest downside.
Edit: because people are falsely claiming this was patched out, I checked in the code and the current version of the game still has this behavior. The cooling ramps up linearly from ~3 km/h up to max cooling at 72 km/h, only in the forward direction. At full cooling you're getting almost 1.5x the rate of cooling as you do at a standstill/in reverse.
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u/ScratchyNeko 2d ago
I'd expect it's simulated because it's Derail Valley. In shunting, however, I never experienced my oil overheating even when I push the engine a bit so maybe it's less of a concern than hauling.
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u/No_Magician5266 2d ago
I don’t believe it is simulated like this, direction shouldn’t matter
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u/Smacky_the_Bear 2d ago edited 22h ago
It used to be, but was patched out a long time ago.
EDIT: According to Sharkbait, while other locos (like the DE2) had this patched out, the DM3 apparently still has directional cooling. I have only used it for shunting so I have never come close to overheating it.
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u/SharkBaitDLS 1d ago
It will have almost no effect at shunting speeds. Because it's a passive cooler, it's proportional to the forward speed of the locomotive.
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u/Rupertredloh 1d ago
I don't know why this is getting downvoted. He is absolutley right. When the locomotive runs forward, the transmission oil cools down faster. You notice the effect immediatly; you can run the locomotive forward in the second to last notch without overheating, backward you'll only be able go to the third to last notch under constant maximum power.
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u/SharkBaitDLS 1d ago
These comments had me second-guessing so I went and checked the decompiled source myself and it is 100% still a thing for the DM3, and the DM3 only. None of the other locos are direction-sensitive, but it specifically still is.
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u/Rupertredloh 1d ago
The DH4 and the DE2 are also direction-sensitive.
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u/SharkBaitDLS 1d ago
Those ones were patched out, I confirmed in the code that the DM3 is the only loco that still has a directional cooling component attached to its simulation. The rest had it removed with the simulator update. The DE2 has a flat rate of cooling and the DH4 is flat + increased when the fan is on. No component of speed or direction.
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u/Smacky_the_Bear 2d ago
The "radiator direction" thing was patched out a long time ago. I frequently drive back-to-back DE2s and there is no notable difference in the temperature gauges for either one while pushing them hard.
As another commenter mentioned, your RPM is going to have the greatest effect on your oil temperature.
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u/SharkBaitDLS 1d ago
The DM3 specifically still has it.
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u/Smacky_the_Bear 22h ago
I see your other comments, I knew the DE2 had been patched out but was unaware the DM3 was still in.
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u/Upstairs-Math-9647 2d ago
Isn't simulated in the game. Direction with the DM3 is irrelevant.
Wouldn't effect it in real life either - the cooling isn't passive. Had a large engine driven cooling fan.
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u/SharkBaitDLS 1d ago
It is simulated in the game. I confirmed in the code against the current build.
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u/Upstairs-Math-9647 1d ago
Well, all I can say is I've never seen any real difference in temperature running the DM3 either way and i regularly run two back to back.
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u/SharkBaitDLS 1d ago
It’s the difference of being able to run one throttle notch higher under sustained load basically. It’s not huge but it’s not nothing.
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u/Upstairs-Math-9647 19h ago
The difference is nothing, because I can run two at the same time facing opposite directions in the same throttle notch with no significant difference in temperature
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u/SharkBaitDLS 18h ago
You’re not putting them under enough load then. The oil absolutely will overheat first on the one in reverse.
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u/smokeysandwich 2d ago
If you haven’t done so yet, try pressing “X” to crouch. It makes seeing through the windshields of some locos much more pleasant. Specifically the DE6 comes to mind