Converting wagons between loaded & empty

[MojoUK]

Heya all. Is there some conversion tool or something I can use, that basically gives me all the figures etc. that I need to put into a .wag file, as I want to convert a loaded tanker into an empty version, but I assume it's not just a case of changing the description from LD to MT? Thanks in advance.

Mart

[bandorr2000]

Open the wag file you wish to change. I use Wordpad. Look for a line such as

comment ( 24.186t empty, 98.163t full )
Mass ( 98.163t )

Note, some wag files have the weights, as in the above comment, some don't. Note the Mass line is at max, or loaded. To make an Empty, use the lower value.

You must also change the wag name. As an example, lets say this car was Tanker1, and it's wag line was Tanker1. Since it was a loaded wagon, and now an Empty, I change the name of the wagon to Tanker1_MT, and the wag line also. If there is a Name ( Tanker1 ) I also change that in both the original file, Name ( "Tanker1 LD" ) and in the new Empty version, Name ( "Tanker1 MT" ).

Exit Wordpad and save your changes.

[MojoUK]

Nice one, your a star, thanks Glenn. Would I not need to change as well the various other values that determine the force & effort needed etc. to haul the car/wagon, whether being it full or empty?

[superheatedsteam]

Would I not need to change as well the various other values that determine the force & effort needed etc. to haul the car/wagon, whether being it full or empty?

There is also the friction section in the wag file that you can modify.

There is a program in the file library here called Fcalc 2.0 (fcalc.zip) that will calculate these values.

[Armchair_Engo]

FCalc 2.0 by Joseph T Realmuto and Okrasa Ghia is a utility that many would use to calculate the Friction() data in the .wag file. I guess it would be in the file library.
You may need to adjust the MaxBrakeForce() to something lower for an empty wagon.
Extra-fussy folks may also adjust the DerailRailForce(). Around 2.5 to 2.7 times the wagon Mass() is ok e.g. DerailRailForce(2.7*30t).
Extra-extra-fussy folks may want to add or adjust the CentreOfGravity(), although how you calculate it and whether it makes a difference is open to debate.

[kjp115]

Actually an empty car would have a higher braking force than a loaded car. It takes longer for a loaded car to achieve noticeable braking force due to it's extra weight.

[ragtimer]

Actually an empty car would have a higher braking force than a loaded car. It takes longer for a loaded car to achieve noticeable braking force due to it's extra weight.

The brake force is lower (less mass in the vehicle) but empty wagons do seem to pull the train up quicker for the same brake application (Real World)

[Armchair_Engo]

Actually an empty car would have a higher braking force than a loaded car.

Up to the limit of adhesion, which would vary with the weight, among other factors.

[MojoUK]

Cool, thanks for the various advice guys, much appreciated. :-)

[Armchair_Engo]

Have a look at the file propk5.zip in the file library.
Some smart people have put a lot of work into MSTS physics over the years.