@ Johnbeere
Now that I think about it, one could theoretically do a designs based on Onca77's 6-axle platform, where the middle bogie is directly connected to the grid. That should at least make it more stable. I probably won't go into that, as I like the wheel designs mechanics a lot more. But please try it if you want to, I would gladly take a look at what you come up with.

@Johnbeere
I know, thats what I meant by "practically" using only one on a subgrid. I tried doing different designs, but the problem is, that the more turning subgrids you have, the more phantom forces in the 'roll' axis (looking forward) you experience. Before getting to any practical power to haul anything serious, it just gets unusable and too unstable.

I do not say it is absolutely not possible to use them. You can do that and you may even come up with a successful design. I didn't, despite many tries.

@Xaerthus The way Peaceman nerfed the propellers was he made each added to a subgrid be 20% less effective. Theoretically, you could just chain a bunch of subgrids - that are connected somehow, but not to where they are the same grid - and have an effective propeller locomotive.

me too :)
And that's why I'm observing all your locomitive designs very carefully, as well as what onca77 has built so far.
I would love to have a nice and well functional locomotive concept in the game and I'm impressed how much you and onca77 succeeded with this.
I can't wait for Equinox, bringing up his steam locomotive. He clearly said that he is about to build one. And I expect pretty much, as it was him who invented the rail mod which is just awesome in my opinion.

Yeah, steam engines, baloons, aircraft and rails. Medieval Engineers is slowly evolving into Steampunk Engineers. But well, I like that very much ;)

hehe :))
I know what you mean. I was just about to quote myself with: "...The only reason why he didn't finish his ideas was, that there was no way to produce the needed parts with the required precision." - And that's exactly why steam power IS an anachronism in medieval era. There were some very inspired people who all had the same problem: living in the wrong era. ;)
But nevertheless, anachronism or not, I like those steam engines and I also like that rail mod (which clearly IS an anachronism, more than steam power) because those give a new inspiration to the game. I was about to put it aside when Equinox came up whit his rail mod - and shortly after that Peaceman gave us his steam engines. And since then I'm busy with building tracks all over my world. :))

The same way Leonardo da Vinci envisioned helicopters and his famous spiral propeller, so one could argue that both those technologies are not that anachronistic as they seam. (By the way, the Leonardo da Vinci propeller is lately been added to the Balloon mod by peaceman, you might want to check it out!)

@Xaerthus (continuation)
I agree with you being surprised, that two completely different mods work together as they do. Pretty impressive. I'm same surprised as you and this is why I admire what you made with them.
And I know about propellers being nerfed, but I did a simple construction which drives 4 propellers with one engine and with this I'm able to pull 4 wagons of stuff around. That's enough for me.

@Xaerthus
"...because medieval steam power isn't anachronistic at all..."
Well, at least it's much less of an anachronism as one could imagine, but for sure it's less anachronistic than propellers are.
The history of the steam engine actually starts much earlier than many suspect. Leonardo da Vinci (late Middle Ages) has already sketched a description of a steam engine (actually rather a steam cannon but he clearly knowed exactly about the physical basics). And this was long before the invention of the steam engine, as we know it. The only reason why he didn't finish his ideas was, that there was no way to produce the needed parts with the required precision.

@Capuzzi09
"propeller driven vehicles in medieval era is kinda anachronism", because medieval steam power isn't anachronistic at all... Sorry I had to :D

Firstly I am still honestly and greatly surprised, that these wheel locos even work at all. Lets be honest here, its several different mods thrown together, that were never designed to be working with each other. But as you said, there is no better solution yet. I also don't like the jumping. I just got used to work with it.

Secondly, propellers were significantly nerfed some time ago by peaceman, so now you can practically use only one propeller on a single subgrid. Which sadly renders them useless if you want to haul any kind of cargo. But yes, if you want to go fast on one single bogie, they are the best option.

@Xaerthus and Johnbeere. (3/3)
Again: don't get me wrong, I admire your work and your creativity - and all this jumping thing is not your fault. Thank you very much.
And please apologize my english. ;)

@Xaerthus and Johnbeere. (2/3 - oops)
Meanwhile I tried the newest 4-6-4 'Hermes' Express Locomotive myself, so no more need for a video from my side. :)
My first impression was, it runs pretty fast and (proving you right with what you said, Xaerthus) it does much less jumping and bumping than I expected, but still...
So sad that there is no other way to bring the traction to the rails, yet.
But there still is another option: propellers. I made a tiny propeller wagon which is powered by steam engine, myself. I don't really like it, because propeller driven vehicles in medieval era is kinda anachronism. But all in one this is still the only solution which works properly without annoying bumping und jumping and it is surprisingly powerful.
As I said, I don't like it but I guess I'll stick at it until Equinox or maybe Peaceman will come up with a real steam locomotive.

@Xaerthus and Johnbeere. (1/2)
First: Thank you both for your explanations. Most of what you said is exactly what I noticed from watching how your designs work and why they behave as they do.
I understand that those cannon wheels are (at the moment) the only solution to make a locomotive moving.
Please don't get me wrong, I admire your designs and all those awesome constructions you've done so far. The only thing that I dislike is that bumping, it's annoying somehow. I know that it's not your fault and also that it is unavoidable but I still don't like it.

Yes, but if it is small enough, it won't have almost any effect on the speed, driving quality, etc.

Well, of course you can limit the jumping, but there will always be some by doing it with those wheels. It's just the way the hitboxes interact, as you said.

I may do a video, but I am not sure how my computer will handle it, so no promises.

2/2 During extensive testing, me and onca77 have established some ways of dealing with that problem. What you can do:
- weight down your driving unit - works great but reduces your max speed significantly
- give your design more drive axles - more stable, but also longer and heavier
- balance your design, so that the center of mass is in the middle of the driving wheels
And the probably most important one:
- design and choose a good suspension for the bogies.
For different designs, different suspensions will work best. This one was specifically designed for speed and carefully balanced and stabilised with ropes. The way it works is it accumulates the energy and makes the bogie jump instead of the driving unit.

This is a very time consuming process, as i haven't found another method yet than just painful trial and error, rebuilding the different suspensions for each test. But in the end, it is possible. Of course occasional small jumping can occur, but other than that, its stable.

@Capuzzi09 @ Johnbeere
1/2 Yes and no. Until Equinox will introduce driveable wheels to his mod, these are the most useful option. Now, jumping has been a big problem while designing locomotive using these wheels, but I have to disagree with Johnbeere. There are ways to reduce the jumping significantly if not completely. It wouldn't be possible to go that fast otherwise.

Now, let me explain where the jumping comes from as far as I know. The tracks hitboxes are consisting of smaller 'cubes', every track has 5-6 of them. When the wheels meet a new hitbox it is that moment they are sometimes launched up a bit. The faster you go, the more severe it is.

@Capuzzi09 Those wheels are the best current option that we have, they have increased traction which is necessary for a locomotive. The jumping is unavoidable, unfortunately.

Looks great. Very impressive design.
I noticed that you're also using those wheels coming from the bombard cannon mod as I've seen in many other designs. I tested a few of them and I always was pretty disappointed because all models have been bumpy and hopping around while driving, making quite a lot of noise but driving very slow. So for me it seems that in general those wheels are not really practicable for use with the rail mod.
Is this the same with the new model you're presenting here? I'd like to see a short movie of your model if that is not too much to ask for.
And sorry for my english. :)