Coupling / Decoupling

A mechanism that dynamically couples / splits two consists via schedule conditions.

Behavior

Before:
   Train A [▮▮▮▮]      [▮▮▮▮] Train B
                       ↑
                  arrive at the same station

Coupling:
   Train A [▮▮▮▮]──[▮▮▮▮] Train B
                ↑
            auto coupling

After (operates as one consist):
   [▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮]

Constraints

Up to 2 trains can be coupled
Due to the Create MOD's car limit, a consist can be up to 32 cars

This is operated by a "Create schedule condition," not a key

There is no dedicated key or item for coupling / decoupling. It works just by adding a single "Couple / Decouple" wait condition to the Create train schedule. TSU adds this condition to Create's schedule editor.

The condition added is just one kind: "Couple / Decouple".
Within that condition, you choose the mode from "Couple" or "Decouple" (see below).
The icon is shown as coupling = chain / decoupling = scissors.

Configuring the condition (choosing couple / decouple)

When you add this condition in the schedule editor, a scroll input (a field you set by hovering the value and using the mouse wheel) appears on the condition row.

Field	Operation	Selectable values
Mode	Mouse wheel over the field	Couple / Decouple
Wait time	Mouse wheel over the field	1 – 30 seconds (how long before the rear consist departs after decoupling; used in Decouple mode)

Steps

To couple

In each of the two consists' schedules, add a "Couple / Decouple" condition and set the mode to "Couple".
Have both consists arrive at the same station (this condition automatically waits until the other arrives at the same station).
Once both are present, they couple automatically and continue operating as one consist.

To decouple

At the schedule point of the station where you want to decouple, add a "Couple / Decouple" condition and set the mode to "Decouple".
If needed, adjust the wait time with the wheel.
While stopped at that station, decoupling runs automatically.

Schedule edit GUI

The condition can be added on Create's standard schedule screen. You can also select "Couple / Decouple" as the wait condition for each point from TSU's Management Computer > Schedule Tab > Schedule Editor, and set the mode (couple / decouple) with the wheel.

Interaction with electrification

A coupled consist is treated as a single electrification unit, a train pool:

While coupled, it is electrified if either side has a pantograph
The FE inverter buffer is shared across all cars
On decoupling, it is distributed by each car's owned buffer amount (relative capacity ratio)