How long does it take to.... realistic timings for sessions!

[Davie_UCF]

I'm curious.

I've been setting my route up with timetabled trains and while testing a train had got to the station and runaround in under 4mins and then had to depart again.. I thought, hmm it can't be this quick for real.

So I want to set up my route as if real so it can be left running or I can enjoy it with human trains amongst all the AI traffic.

Here comes the Q's.
How long does it take to runaround a train on average?
How long does it take to couple up (60s route so screwlinks, i'm guessing knuckle couplers are near automatic?)
How long do trains stop at stations on average? Minimum would be useful!

Some others to make the topic worth it.
How long to water a steam locomotive. I fear this is about 45mins or something?
Also filling with coal.

Thanks for your help!
David

 

[itareus]

....a train had got to the station and runaround in under 4mins and then had to depart again. I thought, hmm it can't be this quick for real.

4 minutes is a bit optimistic!

The basic answer to all you questions is "how long is a piece of string". The times taken depend on a number of factors, I have tried to note some of them below along with some times:

How long does it take to runaround a train on average?

Depends on length of run-round loop, signalling constraints etc. Running round a two coach set on a branch is very different from running round a 12 coach train at a busy station. You might get some idea of times by finding the timetables (and ideally loco and stock diagrams - which for the 1960s will be as rare as hens teeth) for a real station similar to the one on your route and working out the run-rounds from the arrival/departure tiimes.

How long does it take to couple up (60s route so screwlinks, i'm guessing knuckle couplers are near automatic?)

From buffering up to actually getting the screw link coupled 30 seconds to a minute if the shunter is in a hurry! But the you have to consider connecting brake pipes and doing a brake test.....

How long do trains stop at stations on average? Minimum would be useful!

1960s BR - a minute or three maybe, unless the train was dividing into portions. It was all "slam door" stock then so a lot depended on the length of the train, number of platform staff etc., express services would get special attention and shorter stops. Also commuter services generally had shorter stops because the passengers were "well trained" to close the doors! 20 second station stops are common on commuter services these days.

How long to water a steam locomotive. I fear this is about 45mins or something?

About a minute to get the filler in and start filling and the same to remove it. The remaining time would depend on the amount of water to be taken and the volume of water pumped by the filling point. A small tank loco can easily be "topped up" in 4 or 5 minutes.

Also filling with coal.

Again depends on quantity to be taken and the method used - filling a large tender by hand would take rather longer than filling a small tank loco bunker from a hopper.

***

Edit: As an afterthought - the time these tasks could be "planned" (timetabled/diagrammed) to take was often constrained by the time agreed between Railway Management and the Unions for each task. In practice they generally took less time to actually perform than was allowed for in the planned timetable.

 

[Davie_UCF]

Thanks for the indepth reply!

I thought coupling would have taken a bit longer, no clue why.
If with brake pipes and test would it add another minute or so?

You might get some idea of times by finding the timetables (and ideally loco and stock diagrams - which for the 1960s will be as rare as hens teeth) for a real station similar to the one on your route and working out the run-rounds from the arrival/departure tiimes.

Where on earth would I find something like this? Online I hope! I just want an idea so my route isn't silly like the 4 mins to runaround and leave

 

[itareus]

If with brake pipes and test would it add another minute or so.

Coupling the loco pipes to the train pipes (brake and steam heat) is quick, I have seen the screw couplings and pipes connected in less than a minute but as to what test was involved for 60s steam locos and vacuum brakes I have no idea. With air brakes I think it's just a question of checking a gauge to see that the required pressure is achieved.

Where on earth would I find something like this? Online I hope!

As I said diagrams will be as rare as hens teeth - i.e. (probably) non existant except maybe in some retired railwayman's attic! There are a few timetables on the net. What route are you working on?

I just want an idea so my route isn't silly like the 4 mins to runaround and leave

As a rule of thumb (and just a personal opinion) I would allow a minute or two to uncouple and then start the run-round (which takes .... as long as it takes!). After buffering up to the other end of the train allow say 4 or 5 minutes before departure, maybe a touch less for peak hour suburban services.

I think it's a case of "if it looks (and feels) right, it is right" - it's your railway after all !

 

[Davie_UCF]

Thanks again,

Its my own route that i've been fiddling with for a few years on and off believe it or not.. now its been at a finished state (until I expand branches and mainlines) I decided to make use of it and add a ton of AI and traffic

Branch splits into two termini, ones one platform for 'proper' trains and a short one for a dmu..
I've just been trying to get everything to work in sync without trains clashing and enough time between trains

The 5mins thing is good! The trains going to have to wait for 10 mins now till its departure time so it all works out .

Just good to know the coupling timings for when I add some intricate shunting for local goods or something

 

[itareus]

...good to know the coupling timings for when I add some intricate shunting for local goods

For goods shunting moves the coupling would just be "thrown" on with a shunting pole (takes 5 seconds max), most goods stock had three link / instanter couplings but in any case screw couplings would not be tightened for shunting moves. Shunting would be done just using the loco brakes so it was all a lot quicker.

Cheers