Change in driving method for MTU vs Valenta?

[JonD]

Hi All,
I stood and watched a couple of MTU powered HSTs leave Reading the other day, and stood up at the driver's end, looking through the cab window.
I noticed that all the drivers pushed it up to notch 1 when pulling away and left it there for several seconds before moving up the notches.

I could hear what sounded like a gear change, and was probably the alternator drive engaging, and I wondered whether there had been a change to the powertrain management systems with the move to MTUs. I remember reading comments that the electronics in the HSTs were some of the very earliest on the railways, and that a lot of work was required in the MTU installations to get the time-to-full-power down to that of the Valenta.

I'm sure I remember seeing/hearing clips of Valenta HSTs being throttled up all the way from zero to top in one go. Did this change with the MTUs?

Cheers
Jon

 

[The Planner]

Probably a FGW driving policy, XC tend to give them a bit more stick.

 

[37401]

Probably a FGW driving policy, XC tend to give them a bit more stick.

and they have the clag to prove it

 

[devon_metro]

and they have the clag to prove it

...and rough sounding powercars.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Hi All,
I stood and watched a couple of MTU powered HSTs leave Reading the other day, and stood up at the driver's end, looking through the cab window.
I noticed that all the drivers pushed it up to notch 1 when pulling away and left it there for several seconds before moving up the notches.

I could hear what sounded like a gear change, and was probably the alternator drive engaging, and I wondered whether there had been a change to the powertrain management systems with the move to MTUs. I remember reading comments that the electronics in the HSTs were some of the very earliest on the railways, and that a lot of work was required in the MTU installations to get the time-to-full-power down to that of the Valenta.

I'm sure I remember seeing/hearing clips of Valenta HSTs being throttled up all the way from zero to top in one go. Did this change with the MTUs?

Cheers
Jon

Notch one will be to prevent a roll back and also will prevent excessive shove when the rear powercar takes up the slack in the couplings. They are then to power up through the notches as you say. I believe FGWs policy is to power into 5 when the rear powercar is on the end of the platform. Obviously different circumstances require different driving styles!

 

[HSTfan!!!]

also can be very dependent on the driver themselves

 

[Royston Vasey]

...and rough sounding powercars.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Notch one will be to prevent a roll back and also will prevent excessive shove when the rear powercar takes up the slack in the couplings.

Thought the point of buckeyes were that they were rigid and there was no slack, hence the lack of need for buffers?

 

[kestrel]

Thought the point of buckeyes were that they were rigid and there was no slack, hence the lack of need for buffers?

if they were totally rigid would lead to a pretty uncomfortable trip for pax an driver alike!, the couplers are attached to large spring or shock absorber

 

[Bayum]

Hmmmm

FTPE have the whole, saving diesel thing with their 185's, could just be they're trying to save fuel anywhere and everywhere they can - including revving up their HST's

 

[Ilove165's]

Surely revving up a PC doesn't use that much fuel?

 

[Pumbaa]

fGW also have, if I remember correctly, a very strict and prescriptive driving policy that is rigorously enforced.

 

[HSTfan!!!]

Surely revving up a PC doesn't use that much fuel?

of course it does, as does revving the hell out of a car - changing gear at lower speeds (within reason) uses less fuel, hence why higher speeds = higher fuel consumption due to the higher revs.

 

[43034 The Black Horse]

Simple answer is No. There was a policy on low notches when starting from stations has been relaxed I think. In regard to driving policy, We can say FGW have a professional driving policy same as all operators!

 

[The Snap]

I didn't realise there was such a thing as a "driving policy". I always assumed it was up to the driver how they drove - if they were a normal guy, they would drive normally, if they were a NED like us lot, they would drive like one!

Obviously it doesn't work like that though.

And Liam:

and rough sounding powercars.

They're the best ones...

 

[devon_metro]

Simple answer is No. There was a policy on low notches when starting from stations has been relaxed I think. In regard to driving policy, We can say FGW have a professional driving policy same as all operators!

FGW has a "defensive" driving policy

No the case on XC it appears!

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Notch one, (give two back to guard), release brakes, start to move, notch up and pull away. I think!! It seems to be the sequence we get, give driver 2, revs up (ie, Notch 1), two back, brakes off and away we go.
Yes, Notch 1 to (try and) prevent roll back

 

[222001]

I've also noticed XC seem to kick the hell out their power cars! They also seem to accelerate hard on the Voyagers compared to EMT with their Meridians.