rct 2 block brakes

How do all of you use them? I know how blocks work in reality, but does anyone have problems with them in the game? Also, can a lift hill count as 2 blocks in the game (I've seen it done in real life)?

Often times I make my final brake runs with several block brakes (alternating with a regular brake in between each section), in order to advance the trains as far up as possible before having to stop because the next block is occupied. I'm not sure if it actually increases capacity, but I would imagine having the next train as close to the station as possible does save on time spent waiting for the next train to load.

One thing that annoys me about the block brakes is the fact that they act as a trim. When I add one in the middle of the layout, sometimes trains won't be able to complete the course even though they would if the brake were not there. In other words, I wish there was a way to turn them off and only have them engage when necessary.

The thing I don't like is all the block breaks low the train to 4 mph, so yeah that MCBR better be high up off the group, so the train can regain its speed back.

I use block breaks though out my layouts, MCBR, and a few along the final break run. Just to add up to four or five trains.

Vater said:
One thing that annoys me about the block brakes is the fact that they act as a trim. When I add one in the middle of the layout, sometimes trains won't be able to complete the course even though they would if the brake were not there. In other words, I wish there was a way to turn them off and only have them engage when necessary.

Wouldn't that violate a rule of a block brake though? The block needs to be located at a position that if the train is brought to a complete stop, it can still complete the course (hence Raptor's MCB being 70 feet in the air). So because your trains can't complete the course after being slowed by the block, that is a failure of a block.

Yeah, you're right...not sure what I was thinking. Although it still bugs me that the brake slows the train down. If the block ahead is clear, the brake shouldn't engage at all. Or, you should be able to set the speed on it the way you would any other brake section. That way it can act as a block brake or a trim, or both.

I just make sure my block is so high that the train is moving pretty slow through it anyway, that way not much speed gets sucked off.

Besides in the real world, how many block breaks are not used as trims anyways? Bet you can only count them on one hand.

^^ - now that I agree with. It would have been nice to have an "off" setting so that it wouldn't engage unless the block ahead was full.

Yeah, I set my block brake up high as well. I also place enough block brakes before the station so that the total number of trains can be stopped at the end of the ride and not on the course, even with wild mouse coasters and such. Yeah, I'm weird.

BTW the block brake speed can be readjusted in RCT3.

~Rob

I tend to do it the same way - with alt. track stacked at the end (although it stacks my loadtimes). I guess my question was how to change it from a trim that is always activated, even after the next block is clear - but it seems it is a game flaw, because you are all expressing the same situation that I have described.

I just use the "gentle slope up to level slope with a lift" (top of lift hill) piece as my block brakes. They won't touch the train unless the block ahead isn't empty.

and they will pull your train over the hill if they do get stopped :) I use cheater blocks in all my wood coaster designs in RCT2.

Damn you kids and your cheater blocks!

I always feel dirty doing that. I feel like I am really cheating the system.

I'm a dirty, chain block whore :)

On my coasters with block brakes I have trains speed through at 25-30 mph. If your train is going at a fast enough speed on the MCBR it should not slow to 4mph....at least that's how I remember it. I haven't played RCT2 in 3 years.

If it doesn't slow it to 4 MPH, then it probably won't stop the train in the event it needs to and...people will die!!!