Approaching stations

[Godders]

Hi,

I've done a bit of searching, and I havn't been able to find an answer to the following question....

What is the 'proper' way to stop at stations?

I realise a lot of it comes with learning the routes & braking zones, but I was wondering if there is a 'standard set of rules' in real life?

I only ask as I can only assume (and I know that assuming makes an ass out of u and me) that coming into a station @ 40mph and slamming on the emergencies to stop by the s car marker is probably a swift way to find yourself out of the job.

Thanks in anticipation,

James

 

[1D53]

Steady braking is the way to go, easing off in the brakes as you crawl to a stand is the ideal way to do it.

You are right that slamming into emergency isn't good

 

[DescendingSadly]

It is considered more serious if you brake for a station and miss it than if you just don't apply brakes and power through

 

[eezypeazy]

A lot depends on what you're driving and the local topography.

Take Alnmouth on the ECML, for instance. If you're driving the HST, about three miles beforehand you've had an 85mph restriction on a curve, and you accelerate away... then, the line climbs gradually, over the level crossing and past the house that is the remains of Warkworth Station, under the bridge at Buston, and you're still climbing.. you enter a curved cutting, emerge to Wooden Gate Crossovers, you're about a mile out and you see a green signal. But now, the gradient is falling, so having struggled up to 110 mph, it's time to start braking (at least two notches, if not three)... as you dip down to Alnmouth, the gradient increases slightly, so you need a little more braking, 'cos if you're doing much more than 30mph as you enter the station you'll be hard pushed to stop in time...

... now, if you're in the 220, you'll have galloped out of the speed restriction, easily reached 110mph, eased the power back a notch or two to maintain the speed, and taken the power off and started braking as you've gone through the green signal...

... does that help?????!!!!!

Regards

eezypeazy

 

[Jim]

Or for some class driving: http://youtube.com/watch?v=lg63CLTmIFk

 

[Coxster]

You may wish to take a read of this (for Sprinter stock):- http://www.trainsimcentral.co.uk/downloads/misc/cl158.drivers-guide.htm

Braking

All 'Sprinters' have a 'Five Position Westcode' brake handle (9), giving release, service braking steps 1, 2 and 3, and emergency positions. The Class 158 features air driven disc brakes instead of the block brakes fitted to earlier 'Sprinter' classes.

Each step of the brake handle applies an increasing amount of air pressure to the brake cylinders. The actual pressures depend partly on the individual unit, but also on the loading of the train (measured by a device called the variable brake valve). Typical values are:

Release
0.0 bar

Step 1
1.1 bar

Step 2
2.2 bar

Step 3 and Emergency
3.3 bar

You can see your brake cylinder pressure on the right hand needle of the B.C. gauge (14). Typically drivers use only Step 1 or Step 2 in service, and Step 3 only as a backup.

Note - if you apply the brakes while the power is on, the engine will automatically return to idle. You must return the power handle to off before you can reapply power.

Stopping at stations

Unlike BVE2, BVE4 does not provide an indicator to help you stop at stations. You will need to learn the route and practise driving the train in order to stop smoothly and precisely. Fortunately, BVE4, does allow route authors to specify what the acceptable limits for stopping at each station are and they are usually more lenient than the limits in BVE2. Most routes also have a marker at the correct stopping point (though they can be prototypically hard to see!) : on British routes be sure that you know how long your train is, so that you know which of the numbered stop plates applies to you.

If you stop too far from the correct position, BVE will display a message asking you to move forward or back as appropriate. On suitably equipped routes, the Class 158 also plays the correct Guard's buzzer signal:

six beats - draw forward
three beats - set back

If you hear either of these signals, acknowledge it to the Guard using the [6] key, before moving the train.

 

[guillyman]

I only ask as I can only assume (and I know that assuming makes an ass out of u and me) that coming into a station @ 40mph and slamming on the emergencies to stop by the s car marker is probably a swift way to find yourself out of the job.

Oh I dunno... That's what they do on the Northern Line every day!

And, off topic, DescendingSadly, I haven't forgotten your recordings of Northern Line passengers screaming manically as the train draws smoothly to a halt, I've just been away.
Cheers all,
Alan.

 

[DescendingSadly]

[offtopic] no problems matey, no rush for 'em [/offtopic]
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Or for some class driving: http://youtube.com/watch?v=lg63CLTmIFk

If that was a real train the train maintenance guys would be having a heart attack

great way to wear down the brakes, mean reason why drivers try to limit themselves to notch 1 and 2 on sprinters

 

[Ascot]

Heard somewhere that the CT lads (LM now) say 20mph for platform then you can stop at any board not sure if other TOCs do this or what or other depots.

 

[Nym]

I'd delibratly wear the brakes down to get at maintenance, id the're anything like the REME< You break it, we fix it (usualy with stickey tape or chewing gum)

 

[Mojo]

Normally if I am on the platform and have missed the stop board I ignore the guard and release the doors myself using F6, although my preferred option is to release the doors myself whilst I am braking for the stop and travelling at about 15km/h

 

[1D53]

Normally if I am on the platform and have missed the stop board I ignore the guard and release the doors myself using F6, although my preferred option is to release the doors myself whilst I am braking for the stop and travelling at about 15km/h

haha, I thought I was the only one to do that! Especially good on the DLR!

 

[NathanPrior]

I usually on the tubes notch it down from P3 to P2 when i go into the station, then back up to P3 then down to P1 at the end of the station.

 

[devon_metro]

On the Northern at peak, due to adverse signals, its 35mph entering and into p4/5 then let off for 2 to stop on board.

I'm much gentler with mainline

 

[Coxster]

I usually on the tubes notch it down from P3 to P2 when i go into the station, then back up to P3 then down to P1 at the end of the station.

On the Northern at peak, due to adverse signals, its 35mph entering and into p4/5 then let off for 2 to stop on board.

Px? Wouldn't Braking be a better idea?

 

[NathanPrior]

Px? Wouldn't Braking be a better idea?

Nah :P

Oh how much fun my passengers are gonna have if I become a tube driver :P