Driving Technique - What is Yours?

[ryryrecords]

Hi all,

I'm new to TS2013 and I love it. I am really attempting to play the game realistically, as in, what would a real train engineer do as drives the train.

So in this Thread, I'd love to hear what your approach to driving technique is. I find it really hard to keep the timetables in the scenarios without going full throttle (even breaking the speed limit) and then overshooting the station. So, what do you do that helps you succeed.

So far here is my technique:

When leaving a station I throttle to 25% until 10mph (read this in the manual) and then set my throttle to get to speed once I'm clear the station. I run at full throttle usually. I'm experimenting with reducing throttle on curves and then accelerating out of them to see if this is better for passenger comfort.

As I approach a station, I like to be at about 80 when 3km away, and then about 55-60 at 2 kms away, I like to enter the station at around 30 or 25 and coast to about 15mph at mid platform to come to a stop at the end.

So what do you do? I'd love to hear your technique!

Ryan

[lenfish]

100% throttle from standing start, 100% throttle throughout whole journey, 100% throttle until 400 yards from station then 100% brake into station. Return to d e p o t, then 100% fired!!

Regards,

Len

[ttjph]

Some of the older timetabled scenarios in particular may not actually be possible, certainly not whilst driving 'realistically' - I have two driving styles, one for 'Career' or tightly timetabled scenarios, and one when I'm trying to do it properly!

I won't pretend to be an expert, but there are all sorts of things to consider (many of which have been discussed before on these forums):
- Never using full braking (and certainly not 'emergency')
- Taking up the slack in couplings, especially when changing from power to brakes or vice versa
- Easing off the brakes just before stopping to reduce the 'jerk' on passengers
- Running brake tests (I think these are mostly for freight, but stand to be corrected)
- Always changing cabs when reversing, and especially being in the front cab when moving to couple up

More detailed trains such as those from Oovee add features like a driver-to-guard buzzer so you can acknowledge the 'right away', slower engine and brake responses that require you to plan further ahead, or a Driver's Vigilance Device that requires you to prove you're not asleep.

Some more reading linked from this thread:
http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic. ... 3&t=126976

Happy driving!

[deltic009]

It depends on what I'm driving. Multiple units I will usually depart on 50% throttle up to 10mph, around 70% to 20mph then open it up - this comes from being a guard and experiencing economical and wear friendly driving techniques. As for braking, some units vary wildly - the 377 needs about 0.7 miles from top speed but the 450 is pants in comparison - which doesn't reflect real life.

Driving diesel locos depends on the trailing load. Just because the sim would let me fire straight up to 100% it doesn't mean I do. I do my best to ensure smooth quick acceleration that keeps me in the 'yellow band' - somewhere between 60-80% of maximum amp output. Don't forger the field diverts on heavier loads too.

[ryryrecords]

I mostly drive the passenger trains and prefer the electrics... I like diesel too... no steam for me.

So here are a couple follow up questions:

1. What does taking up the slack in couplings mean (I assume the carriages don't want to bump into each other?) and how is this best achieved?

2. You said never to apply E-brake and never to set brakes to full - will my train roll at all whilst loading/undloading passengers... what is a good % value to keep the brakes at stopped in the station?

3. What are the rules regarding using the horn and bell... have been asking that and can't find information anywhere - everytime I guess at it I get a minor operational error for misuse

Thanks for letting me know that the time table may not be realistic in career mode. I can relax and be late a little and still feel good.

Well I'm off to play!

[Kiwisteam]

An answer to those questions:
1: Taking up slack means putting tension on the couplings so that you pull the train. Start slowly to do this in my view.
2: As for brakes, around 75% I reckon. (I usually go 100% but not emergency and ease off and reapply for timetabled scenarios)
3:Horn should be used when leaving stations, heading into tunnels and approaching crossings as well as warning tresspassers or livestock. Bells should be used at crossings and leaving and arriving at stations, just use it whn you use the horn most times bar tunnels.

[ttjph]

To get a better idea of what's happening with coupling slack, note that the HUD speed indication shows you what's happening at the rear of the train (certainly if you start with a complete consist). Watch this speed carefully as you pull away, especially with a long freight - if it's a UK scenario with no 'helpers', you may notice that the last wagon doesn't even start to move for several seconds and then suddenly jumps to a higher speed. If you go to view "3" to watch the last wagon, you can see the same thing.

I've actually experienced this, seated towards the rear of a ~22-coach Australian train, and I can tell you it's not very comfortable! Basically, as mentioned above, you should just ease forwards until the whole train is moving before applying more power.

With really long American consists, angle your view so that you can watch the loco speedo as well and compare it to what the rear is doing - it's quite odd at times! (Also note that the default US couplers aren't stiff enough, so with three or four big locos providing lots of tractive effort this effect can be excessive.)


Re the horn, I believe it shouldn't be used between certain hours - using it at night will generate the 'inappropriate horn use' error.

[malkymackay]

Re the horn, I believe it shouldn't be used between certain hours - using it at night will generate the 'inappropriate horn use' error.

And that is where the sim falls down. It's definition of night doesn't match up with the hours that late 70's BR docs describe. They advise that the horn should not be used between 2330 & 0700 at whistle boards, except in an emergency. IIRC, the sim treats sunset to sunrise as night.

[andrewrail]

I have a question concerning Braking and AWS...

Let's say you are driving a Diesel Train - say a Highspeed BR Blue Diesel...

I noticed in this engine that there are two gauges when it comes to braking - Brake Cyclinder and Brake Pipe Pressure ...

In real world operation is it best to engage the brakes, release, engage, and the release... is this this optimal way to slow down (besides coasting) ... or is the graduated setting better (albeit if you are coming in hot and have to set it to 70% would that be harsh braking? What are yous thoughts?

Also, on the British route I was on I have an AWS question. I am guessing the AWS is the little yellow boxes I'm flying over. It seems every two boxes I get a "Brrrrrrinnnggggggg" sound. Is 'Q' which is the Alerter acknowledge in the game what I should press when I hear this sound, or is this sound just to make sure I'm awake. I ask because I did hit some yellow signals later which actually did turn the real buzzer alerter on for acknowledgement.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Andrew

[gptech]

No idea about the answer to how a real driver would use the brakes, but the "Brrrrrrinnnggggggg" sound you hear needs no action on your part, it only signifies that you're approaching a signal showing a proceed aspect. When you approach a signal showing caution, or stop you'll hear a more strident alarm and the visual 'sunflower' indicator in the cab becomes black and yellow. The big square button with '!' on it in the HUD also changes colour to yellow, clicking on this does the same job as pressing the 'Q' key.

[FarRockDepot]

Hi! New here. Just got this sim over a week ago. I mostly use the NEC Senarios. My technique is usually similar to prototypes to my knowlegdge. When Operating an Acela Express, I tend to sound the horn. throttle to about 66-83% till about 15-20 MPH with my bells going till im about half way out the station then throttle at 100% till my speed limit (with NYP and Metropark being exceptions). ill enter a station im suppose to call at at around 20 mph and usually try to stop centered to the platform(except at NYP where in real life its typically east end or west end of platform since they practice stacking trains on platforms, and Cornwell Hights where the SEPTA platform holds about 2-3 cars so i aim for my first set of cars to platform.) The AEM7 engine for Northeast Regional service is a completly different beast! That 'toaster'-as they are commonly referred to here in the Northeast-has its own mind at times. Wheel slippage WILL occur in bad weather when throttling over 33% leaving stations. i tend to have it at 25% till about 50mph or the speed limit if lower. its 36" wheels makes this engine almost one of a kind. I find this engine easier to brake compared to the Acela. I love the placement of the cab signaling which shows track AND signal speeds. And it had Cruise Control! this makes my runs easier when "haulin a$$" thru most of New Jersey (primarily Trenton to Rahway).

On a side note, being frequent user of the NEC in real life, im competely in awe of the realism and accuracy put into this sim! all the scenery, stations and background are there "to a 'T'"!!! I havent touched my old MSTS since!!

[Kneedown]

In real world operation is it best to engage the brakes, release, engage, and the release... is this this optimal way to slow down (besides coasting) ... or is the graduated setting better (albeit if you are coming in hot and have to set it to 70% would that be harsh braking? What are yous thoughts?

In the real world we try and brake as lightly as possible to ensure a smooth ride, whilst maintaining timings.
I currently mostly drive Sprinters in the real world. My technique is step 1 applied in good time, releasing or using step 2 as necessary, unless on a 158 when most braking is done in step 2. I like to keep step 3 as an extra back up.
Loco's don't have a three step brake but the general technique is similar, braking as lightly as possible in good time, applying more or releasing a little as necessary.
On and off in rapid succession is a big no no. This is known in the trade as "Fanning the brake" and a Mentor, Instructor or Driver Manager would spit his dummy out big time if he saw you doing this as it is not an effective use of the brake, and on a loco hauled train would result in a very lurchy ride as it can take a considerable time for the brakes to fully apply/release at the rear of the train, especially if it's a vaccuum brake.
Of course Railworks, great though it is, isn't entirely realistic as you can't "feel" how the train is responding and some scenario's are tightly timed, so some liberties have to be taken sometimes with braking.

Hope this helps.