Trolley Time Challenge
Version 1.3, (©) 1996-2002, Challenge Products
Challenge Products presents TROLLEY TIME CHALLENGE. Another great
RAILROAD-ORIENTED PC game/simulation from Challenge Products. Now
it's traction... on your Windows PC with authentic trolley sounds and controls!
INTRODUCTION: Trolley Car history began in the latter part of the
1800s and blossomed through the early 1900s with most towns and
cities boasting networks of trolley tracks. Trolley Time Challenge is
a Windows 9x based simulation of those nostalgic Street Car trolley
operations. Animation of street car, controller, air brake, trolley
pole and all necessary controls are reinforced by realistic graphics
and sounds. The operation of a Birney Street car through an assigned
route provides insight into the challenges of prototype trolley
operations and perhaps brings back the nostalgia of the noisy,
clanking street cars of the past.
The simulated trolley car controls are based on real controls
including a representation of the Type K Controller with 5 operating
"points" and a straight air brake control with
Release-Lap-Service positions. Air pump operations and circuit
breaker tripping are also featured to enhance the realism of trolley
car operation. Door operation is simulated and passenger entry/exit
is depicted in both graphics and sound.
The operator must take on the role of the "Motorman" and
not only master the operation of these controls, but also maneuver
his car through the streets following an assigned route. The safe
operation of the street car is ensured by a number of Company Rules
which must be followed or fines will negate revenue achieved. To add
to the challenge, a number of unforeseen problems will present
themselves, including trolley pole de-wire and car crashes resulting
from excessive speed or careless operation.
PROGRAM OPERATION: Five basic program menu operations are included
at the upper left portion of the standard Windows screen under pull
down menu headings. These include: RESTART; OPTIONS; QUIT; HELP; and
ABOUT... In addition to the above menu operations, the screen
presents useful status information for the Trolley Car operator,
including: EARNINGS; OPERATOR & TIME; and a JOURNAL.
TROLLEY CONTROLS: Seven Trolley Operation Controls and three
status meters are presented in the TROLLEY CONTROLS PANEL. These
controls are all that is needed to run the Trolley Car in a manner
very close to a prototype trolley. The controls include: POLE;
CIRCUIT-BREAKER; GONG; THROTTLE CONTROLLER; DIRECTION LEVER; AIR
BRAKE; DOOR CONTROLS. In addition to these seven controls, three
other displays are also in the Trolley Car Operations Panel. These
are: SPEED GAUGE; AIR BRAKE PRESSURE; and ON BOARD PASSENGER COUNT
The CONTROLLER is a simulated Type K controller with four
operational positions, called points, in addition to an OFF. The four
positions produce progressively faster car operation. Safety
provisions are built in so that improper use of the controller will
result in a CIRCUIT BREAKER trip.
The AIR BRAKE Control simulates a typical straight air brake
system. The control has three positions: Release, Lap and Service.
The car brakes are engaged when air is allowed to enter the brake
line. This is done by moving the Brake Lever to SERVICE. The brake
lever is then moved to LAP position and the brakes will remain on at
that brake force. Moving the lever to the Release position allows air
to escape from the Brake line, thereby releasing the brakes.
Operating the Trolley Car braking system will take some practice for
those who have not used an air brake system before. The operation is
quite different than applying brakes by pressing on a pedal as in
automobile operations.
As in many prototype street trolley systems, the direction of
TRACK SWITCHES can be controlled by the motorman. If the trolley is
drawing current (throttle is on, not coasting) while the trolley car
approaches the switch at the location marked with a white stripe
across the track, the switch will throw to the right-hand route,
either straight or diverging. If power is not on as the trolley
passes the white stripe, the switch will be set for the left-hand
route, either straight or diverging.
COMPANY RULES: TROLLEY TIME operation is governed by a set of
official Rules and Regulations. These are spelled out in the same
manner as street car company rules of the early part of this century.
The Rules and Regulations form the nucleus of trolley car operation
and cover such topics as routes, stopping locations, switch
operation, as well as all the built in safety precautions.
FINES & REVENUES are accrued in the operation of TROLLEY TIME
including provision for the following: Pole De-wire; Car Crash; Trip
Breaker; Lost Passenger; Missed Stop; Missed Gong; Off Route; Door
opened - not stop; Excessive Speeds; No brake test; Power Costs; and
revenues earned.
TROLLEY TIME can be operated in several EXPERIENCE LEVELs
including: PRACTICE, APPRENTICE, and JOURNEYMAN. In practice mode,
all car controls are functional but no route is assigned and time
limits are not in effect. Apprentice mode adds routes, time limits
and warnings about Rules infractions, however no Fines are levied.
Journeyman mode adds the exposure to Fines as well as a number of
unpredictable "challenges."
HELP FACILITIES: A full featured, standard Windows HELP facility
is provided which will display, on screen, descriptions of all of the
operating controls, full listing of the Company Rules &
Regulations, and maps of the assigned Routes. The HELP facility has
full cross-indexed searching so access to answers about operating
questions is readily at hand.
Another feature is provided which demonstrates the assigned route
right on the street display. This may be useful for beginning
motorman when they may have forgotten which way to turn on their
assigned route.
SOUND OPTION: TROLLEY TIME enhances the motorman's experience with
authentic trolley sounds appropriate for the various functions. SOUND
will be enabled if your PC is equipped with the standard Windows
multimedia sound support. If your PC is not so equipped, standard PC
bells will be used for certain warnings.
PC CONSIDERATIONS: TROLLEY TIME operates in a Windows 9x
environment, optionally supporting Windows multimedia sound
facilities (e.g., Sound Blaster, etc.) Although Trolley Car operation
can be performed with the NUMERIC KEYBOARD, mouse clicking will
probably be preferred. The program supports either 16 or 256 colors
in a 640x480 or more, pixel screen resolution, (VGA, super VGA,
etc.). The program may operate in 4 Megabytes of internal PC memory,
but not supporting 256 colors. 8 Megabytes, or more, is the preferred
environment. Operating with less internal memory is possible but
slows the program by extensive hard disk usage. 3¼ Megabytes of
hard disk space is used to save the program files at PROGRAM
INSTALLATION. TROLLEY TIME is distributed on an autoload CDROM.
