Impuls in double formation

[jmluengor]

I started the fifth mission of Patwrogel by selecting the LKA option, with the Impuls 2. Initially, I start with a single railcar and couple a second one to a parking track. After successful coupling and battery activation in the second vehicle, I switch cabs in the main vehicle and report it over the radio. The traffic light turns white, but I can't move forward because my vehicle only has traction in the main unit (although the second does appear on the HUD). Obviously, I understand there's something I'm doing wrong. Can you tell me what it is? Thank you for your time.

[jeroezie]

13 hours ago, jmluengor said:

I started the fifth mission of Patwrogel by selecting the LKA option, with the Impuls 2. Initially, I start with a single railcar and couple a second one to a parking track. After successful coupling and battery activation in the second vehicle, I switch cabs in the main vehicle and report it over the radio. The traffic light turns white, but I can't move forward because my vehicle only has traction in the main unit (although the second does appear on the HUD). Obviously, I understand there'sw something I'm doing wrong. Can you tell me what it is? Thank you for your time.

As far as I am aware, coupling Impulses yourself does not work yet.

[broniewskijarek]

It works. I did it in the single player scenario.

Follow the steps like Hitman in this video:

 

[jmluengor]

Thanks for your replies. I'm going to watch the video now.

[jmluengor]

Well, the video is useful for starting two Impuls 2 units that are already coupled (like in the Piotrków Trybunalsky - Zigerz scenario), but the problem persists when you want to couple two self-propelled vehicles to, for example, carry out mission 5 of Patwrogel using a double 36Wed formation. I've spent many hours trying and finally "thrown in the towel". 😑

[jeroezie]

Mooorits did write on the Discord, that multiple Impulses in onw train does not work yet, and they are still working on making this possible. Its unfortunate, but waiting for a good implemtation of Impuls coupling is probaly for the best. At least that will save our sanety in the meantime.

[mateusz424]

W dniu 15.03.2026 o 20:38, jmluengor napisał(a):

(...) but the problem persists when you want to couple two self-propelled vehicles to, for example, carry out mission 5 of Patwrogel using a double 36Wed formation (...)

Before coupling, in front cabin of second unit (from the coupling side) you have to:

• turn on the battery,
• select rear pantograph,
• activate cabin,
• raise the pantograph,
• turn on the main switch (quick switch),
• release the spring brake (if is turned on),
• deactivate cabin.

After coupling you have to come back to this front cabin of second unit, to make sure the main switch is still turned on (because it turns off automatically during coupling). Activate this cabin and if the main switch is turned off (three red indicators on the train status display) - turn it on again. And one more important thing: during coupling the ETCS system is activating brakes and shows red icon:

and display message: "Runaway movement". You must clear this message to release the brakes on the second unit. To do this, click the field with the driver ID, then click the same field labeled Level SHP in next step. The yellow ETCS button will start flashing; click it (or press the spacebar). This will release the brakes on the second unit. Also, make sure the speed controller (Power and brake handle) is set to 0 (not -0, not +0, but exactly 0), the brake lever (Service brake) is in the drive position, the direction controller is set to Neutral and spring brake is turned off. If so, deactivate the cabin.

Then, go to the cabin of the first unit, from which you approached the second unit. This cabin after changing direction will be the rear cabin of the first unit, so you have to turn everything off there, the selection of pantographs also to position 0, only the battery have to stay turned on. And deactivate this cabin.

Turn on everything required to drive in front cabin of first unit. You can do simplified brake test (on the train status display) if you want. And it should be possible to move.

If you later change direction and cabin during the shunting, you must prepare the cabins in both units in the same way. In the front cabins of both units (which will become the rear cabins after the change of direction), everything except the batteries must be turned off. After changing direction, prepare the front cabin of the second unit as described above, and in the front cabin of the first unit, turn on everything required.

Of course, during shunting, you have to enable Shunting mode on the main display (click and hold  for a moment this field). Otherwise, ETCS will repeatedly stop the train.

If you are ever unable to move from the front cabin of the first unit - always go to the front cabin of the second unit and check the main switch and ETCS Runaway movement message.

Edited March 17 by mateusz424

[jmluengor]

Well, I've got a job for tomorrow!

[jmluengor]

I've followed your detailed instructions step by step twice. Unfortunately, I can't get both vehicles to work as one. I'll wait for an update from the SimRail team for this electric railcar. I appreciate your explanation and the time you dedicated to it.

[jmluengor]

 

"A picture is worth a thousand words."

I've followed your instructions twice, and both times I've managed to couple the two railcars and drive them together. Interestingly, when I started driving from vehicle A (the main one), the motor amperage was negative in vehicle B (the one I coupled to). When I switched to the cab at the other end of vehicle A (to reverse the direction of travel) and set the selector on both pantographs in the rear cabs of each railcar to 0, the amperage was then the same in both vehicles.

Thank you for your invaluable help, mateusz424.

 

[mateusz424]

13 godzin temu, jmluengor napisał(a):

"A picture is worth a thousand words."

That's true! 😃

13 godzin temu, jmluengor napisał(a):

I've followed your instructions twice, and both times I've managed to couple the two railcars and drive them together. Interestingly, when I started driving from vehicle A (the main one), the motor amperage was negative in vehicle B (the one I coupled to). When I switched to the cab at the other end of vehicle A (to reverse the direction of travel) and set the selector on both pantographs in the rear cabs of each railcar to 0, the amperage was then the same in both vehicles.

The pantograph selector switches in each of the four cabs must be checked and, if necessary, adjusted correctly every time. This applies to every change of direction and cabs during shunting, and even when starting a deactivated double Impulse 2.
In each of the two rear cabs of each Impuls 2 unit (the rear ones - looking in the direction we will be driving after changing direction), the pantograph selector knob must be set to the "0" position. Similarly, in each of the two front cabs of each Impuls 2 unit (the front ones - looking in the direction we will be driving after changing direction), the pantograph selector knob must be set to the "2" (rear) position.

I only encountered negative amperage values in the second unit when, after completing the last shunt, I left the cruise control on (by forgetting) in the second unit.
Before changing direction (and therefore before changing cabs and Impulse 2 units), it is essential to turn off the cruise control in the cab of the unit you are exiting!

So if you see a negative amperage in the second unit and can't accelerate above 35-45 km/h, check the pantograph selector knob in each of the four cabins of the two Impuls 2 units and make sure the cruise control isn't engaged in the second unit. Also, remember that only one cabin can be active at a time.

One more important thing about changing cabins: 
In the Impuls 2 (whether in single EMU unit or double EMU units), when changing direction, there's no need to lower the pantographs. 
When you deactivate the cabin you're exiting (none of the four cabins are active at that time), the Impuls 2 automatically raises both pantographs (in each EMU unit) for the time needed to transition to the new cabin. This means the Quick Disconnector (Disyuntor), compressors, and converters will be powered on in this time. And in the new cabin you won't have to turn everything on again. The pantographs will automatically adjust themselves correctly (according to the pantograph selection knobs) when you activate the new cabin.

Edited 2 hours ago by mateusz424