in real life the beetle never pulled any train cars, as that was a limitation in its design. but nonetheless this mod is still awesome! great job.

has there been any update on this? for me the exhaust goes straight up when stationary and then actually angles 'foreward' when the train speeds up, to the point where at high speeds it's throwing smoke puffs well ahead of the engine.

maybe you could make the locomotive reversible

The two jet engines exhaust seems pointing up near vertically. Is there a chance of fixing it? Thanks

I love the black beetle! Any possiblity of just a normal RDC-1/2/3/4?

Sorry for the delay. Problem solved. Tested it on a flat mega map and it ran straight and true. Went back to my savegame, readjusted the track to as 'flat as possible' now it's spot on. My bad. (fired the track survey team, obviously not up to big projects... my bad, their fault...)

If it's any use, I had no problems with the train. Worked fine for me and I was reaching the top speed.

@redscouse51, could you try to see if other trains have the same problem? I've had the issue as well but with other trains, and I can't seem to recreate the problem right now, there isn't a value in the files I can change which would affect cornering speeds. So I expect it to be an issue with the game, possibly that a tiny piece of track has a lower max speed that you can't see.

That's not intended, I'll take a look in the files to see if I messed something up

Just wondering... I have one set on a flat, stable 186mph/300km/h high speed track, more than long enough for it to reach top speed and maintain it but it only reaches approx 170mph and then slows down to approx 80-90moh then speeds up, slows down, etc 3 or 4 times between stations. Is this normal? Is is set to slow down on curves or in tunnels even if the track speed is constant?

Thanks for letting me know, was expecting something like that but hadn't taken the time to look into it yet

@tomme2009, No the Engines used on the M-497 did not have Reverse Thrust, as that would require a change in Turbine Geometry, because there was neither a "Sleeve", nor a "Bucket" installed on them that could provide Reverse Thrust due to space constraints (and or the engine not being equipped with such a system by itself)

I was thinking about making the normal series of RDC, and this could fit very well with that project, thanks for the suggestion.

Have you thought about New Haven's Roger Williams [en.wikipedia.org] ? It was another RDC derivative.

I love this, it has great acceleration and reaches its top speed faster than anything else I'm running in the year 2050.

That was fast, thanks!

I'll change it real quick so it can be used forever, I wasn't sure what I was thinking when I gave it an end date, especially since it's basically better that the modern American high speed trains

This looks really cool! I'm going to have to try it out. Could you make it so that it doesn't become obsolete?

You can actually use it quite well to give Avelia Liberty a bit of a boost, it would still be shit, but better. As for a powercar on each end, in game I could definitely do it. Realistically speaking, I haven't checked if these engines have reverse thrust or not.

The only thing wed need now is a MU version of the M-497. Regional or Intercity Setup, with a Powercar at each end, for 24MW Total Power :P

I am surprised that someone has put this type of vehicle into the game, but I am pleasantly surprised! The "Black Beetle" was the first attempt of installing jet-powered engines on top of a Budd Rail Diesel Car (RDC). It made 4 successful test runs along a 68 mile segment of track. Although the tests were successful and they had an unlimited budget from the New York Central Railroad, public officials deemed the project unconventional commercially. Throughout the world, other countries such as Russia made attempts at turbo-jet railcars during that time.

Cool...not sure i will ever use it. Bit over the top for me. But it looks cool.

oh well that was to be expected rockets on a train? well alot could go wrong! first of all rocket propellant is not cheap nor truly a safe way to propel a train lol. but yeah i did some looking up for myself and i was shocked it was even concidered and built........... if i saw this train turn up id take my chances with a safer yet slower one XD

It was absolutely real! And a giant failure... But hey, this isn't real life

what in the world! urm ok a rocket power train? lol im in no doubt this was a real thing but its a quaint idea that seems a tad unsafe XD

Already got a customized rdc-1 and rdc-3, so shouldn't actually be too difficult from here, I don't think I'll be able to do it in the couple two weeks though

if you make a proper rdc i'll love you forever