Multiple-Unit: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 01:36, 11 March 2025

In Derail Valley there are two types of multiple-unit vehicles (MU for short). Integral multiple-units are designed to be permanently connected, such as how steam locomotives are paired with their tenders . Optional multiple-units are those, either with coupled MU cables, or wireless MU controllers . To connect optional multiple-units together, you need the Multiple-Unit license .

Only some motorized rail vehicles come equipped with MU cables, as indicated in the vehicle catalog . They have cables on either end, and can be connected with other vehicles that have the same cables, similar to how air line hoses work.

Such vehicles can also be equipped with wireless MU controller gadgets , which let them sync at distance, without the use of cables.

When multiple-units are connected either way, they operate in unison, all controlled by a single driver, as if they were a single vehicle. This feature is available on some electric , diesel-electric and diesel-hydraulic motorized vehicles. The vehicles need to have their engines and breakers turned on individually for the MU connection to function properly.

It is allowed to have some vehicles in MU configuration oriented differently from others. In such a case their reverser automatically adapts to the desired direction of travel. Headlights and taillights automatically adapt in MU configurations, too.

Connecting different kinds of vehicles, or vehicles at different locations, together via MU may result in asynchronous behavior, and lead to one unit overheating , losing traction , spending more fuel, or experiencing something else entirely than another unit. To help with this, alerts from any of the affected units propagate to all MU connected instruments.

Multiple-units can be operated with remote controllers , too.

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-In Derail Valley there are two types of multiple-unit {{pll|Rail Vehicle Types|vehicles}} (MU for short). "By design" are the MUs designed for permanent connection of multiple vehicles, such as {{pll|Steam Overview|steam locomotives}} with their {{pll|Rail Vehicle Types|tenders}}, or lengthy people movers. "By cable" are the MUs that are {{pll|Coupling|connected}} manually by a driver, with an MU cable.
+In Derail Valley there are two types of multiple-unit {{pll|Rail Vehicle Types|vehicles}} (MU for short). Integral multiple-units are designed to be permanently connected, such as how {{pll|Steam Overview|steam locomotives}} are paired with their {{pll|Rail Vehicle Types|tenders}}. Optional multiple-units are those, either with {{pll|Coupling|coupled}} MU cables, or {{pll|Wireless MU Controller|wireless MU controllers}}. To connect optional multiple-units together, you need the {{pll|Licenses Overview|Multiple-Unit license}}.
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-Some motorized rail vehicles come equipped with the "by cable" MU support, with a blue cable on either end. This cable can be connected to another vehicle’s MU cable, in a handshake manner, similar to how {{pll|Air Brake System Overview|air hoses}} connect. When vehicles are MU connected, they operate in unison, controlled from a single locomotive {{pll|Rail Vehicle Types|cab}}, by a single driver, as if they were a single vehicle. This feature is available on some {{pll|Powertrains Overview|electric, diesel-electric and diesel-hydraulic}} {{pll|Rail Vehicle Types|locomotives or railcars}}. The vehicles must have their {{pll|Powertrains Overview|engines}} and {{pll|Breakers|breakers}} turned on individually for the MU connection to work properly.
+Only some motorized rail vehicles come equipped with MU cables, as indicated in the {{pll|Vehicle Catalog Overview|vehicle catalog}}. They have cables on either end, and can be connected with other vehicles that have the same cables, similar to how {{pll|Air Brake System Overview|air line hoses}} work.
+Such vehicles can also be equipped with {{pll|Wireless MU Controller|wireless MU controller gadgets}}, which let them sync at distance, without the use of cables.
+When multiple-units are connected either way, they operate in unison, all controlled by a single driver, as if they were a single vehicle. This feature is available on some {{pll|Powertrains Overview|electric}}, {{pll|Powertrains Overview|diesel-electric}} and {{pll|Powertrains Overview|diesel-hydraulic}} motorized vehicles. The vehicles need to have their {{pll|Internal Combustion Engine|engines}} and {{pll|Breakers|breakers}} turned on individually for the MU connection to function properly.
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-MU automatically adjusts for {{pll|Reverser|vehicle orientation}}, so it is possible to have some of the vehicles be {{pll|Reverser|reversed}} in a multiple-unit setup. {{pll|Headlights & Cab Lights|Headlights}} take this into account too. It is possible to {{pll|Remote Controller|remotely control}} a locomotive in a MU setup, too.
+It is allowed to have some vehicles in MU configuration oriented differently from others. In such a case their {{pll|Reverser|reverser}} automatically adapts to the desired direction of travel. {{pll|Headlights & Cab Lights|Headlights and taillights}} automatically adapt in MU configurations, too.
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-Beware that combining different kinds of vehicles via MU may result in asynchronous behavior, and lead to one unit {{pll|Powertrain Overheating|overheating}}, losing {{pll|Traction Overview|traction}}, {{pll|Driving Efficiency|spending more fuel}} or experiencing something else differently than another unit. To help with this, alerts from any of the affected units propagate to all MU connected instruments.
+Connecting different kinds of vehicles, or vehicles at different locations, together via MU may result in asynchronous behavior, and lead to one unit {{pll|Powertrain Overheating|overheating}}, losing {{pll|Traction Overview|traction}}, spending more fuel, or experiencing something else entirely than another unit. To help with this, alerts from any of the affected units propagate to all MU connected instruments.
-<!--T:5-->
-To connect vehicles together with multiple-unit cables, the driver must own the {{pll|Licenses Overview|Multiple-Unit license}} first.
 <!--T:6-->
-Installing a {{pll|Wireless MU Controller|wireless MU controller gadget}} allows connecting MU-capable vehicles wirelessly.
+Multiple-units can be operated with {{pll|Remote Controller|remote controllers}}, too.
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-{{See also|Headlights & Cab Lights|Train Brake|Coupling|Rail Vehicle Types|Remote Controller|Licenses Overview|Wireless MU Controller}}
 [[Category:General Information|4]]