Prototype Operations

[Rougespear7mm]

Hello all, I'm very interested in the "switching" aspect of Trainz. I'm doing a lot of switching in yards and industrial settings, all the while in "cab" mode. I'm wondering if there is somewhere that explains prototype practices in regards to switching moves? I'm interested in the following questions:

Switching speeds, coupling speeds, yard speeds, how long to wait between zero throttle and reversing directions, can throttle be engaged in the reverse direction while travelling in the forward direction, how long to wait after coupling to cars before beginning to move, testing brakes while switching, etc, etc... lol

Thanks for any thoughts for an ignorant one. I want to learn though!!

Cheers, Brent

 

[cascaderailroad]

Speeds

Usually the conductor has to walk ahead of the loco, and physicaly shove the coupler into place with his foot, to line up the coupler on center, and open the knuckle with both hands, and remove the yard air line-trainline charging hose. Most coupling speeds are well below 5 mph (should be)...and the loco sometimes is directed by the conductor on the ground, using hand signals or radio, to give a little heave ho on the couplers, to make sure the coupler lock, thrower, and pin drops into place, and another 2 min of a conductor coupling air hoses, and turning on the air angle cocks. And conductor climbing back onboard the loco or freightcar. A conductor always re-opens the loco coupler before getting onboard.

Road and Yard initial terminal air brake tests usually take @ 5 min or longer, especially if a Fred (FlashingRearEndDevice), or radio telemetry is required to be installed.

Flat switching is called, kicking cars, and is a tricky symphony of operations between the engineer and the conductor, pulling up on the freighcar cut lever, all the while the freightcar and loco is in motion.

Hump yard speeds are really slow, less than 1 mph, shoving over the hump.

ROCO switching uses only one man on the ground, doubling as both an engineer and conductor, using a radio contol hand operated throttle/brake, and generally speeds up the process.

I have seen over zellous loco hoggers, switch between forward and reverse, during a rain storm, pulling cars with the handbrakes still locked on, skidding, making sparks, draging cars, and steam comes from between the wheel and the railhead, resulting in wheel flat spots.

 

[Rougespear7mm]

So I should wait about 2 min after coupling to any car before moving, and 5 min to a cut of cars how many long? Is there a way to simulate the air brake tests within Trainz, or should I just wait the specified times?

What's the rules/recommendations on locomotive bells?

Typical yard speeds while moving around cuts of cars?

Thanks, Brent

 

[cascaderailroad]

Wait for it...wait for it..

Close enough...You could step it up a bit...timewise
You could always crack open a cold one, while waiting...or take a bathroom break, while the operation takes place...or you could make strange sounding wooshing air and clanking metal noises with your mouth and lips during coupling (like I do)...or buy the MRC SoundStation 312, or MRC SyncroSpeed modelrailroad noise simulators...or step up the process like modelrailroaders do on a fast clock.

Most yard speeds are 10-20 mph...I prefer slower...mainline speeds are generally @ 70mph max, but I prefer @ 30 mph or slower.

Bells are generally used where the FRA, or yardmaster, or yard foreman are known to be at any given time, or where regulations specify ringing the bell, like while passing a cut of cars on an adjacent sidetrack...or where yardworkers and track department, or car inspectors and other personel are on the ground, and may not be paying attention.

 

[007007]

Basic rules I carry over while switching.

1 - 10mph speed limit in yard or industry sidings.

2 - Do not couple at more than 4mph.

3 - A simple full application and release of the brakes after switching is done before you leave the yard...

4 - Bell should be used when first moving the locomotives and most of the other things that cascade mentioned. Other than the FRA crap...

5 - All engine facilities are 5mph with bell ringing continuously.

All I can think of right now...

Steve

 

[Sextonpl]

How to scale a HO mile?

i'm in the process of building parts of the California railroad system to scale. Anyone have any suggestions on converting miles to the baseboard?

thanks

 

[sethmcs]

i'm in the process of building parts of the California railroad system to scale. Anyone have any suggestions on converting miles to the baseboard?

thanks

a baseboard is 750 meters. 1 mile is roughly 2.5 baseboards.:wave:

You can download 1/4 mile stick 1/2 mile stick and 1 mile stick to help with measurements.

 

[Sextonpl]

Thank you for your reply. Can you please walk me through a stick? Not dumb just dense...lol

 

[sethmcs]

Thank you for your reply. Can you please walk me through a stick? Not dumb just dense...lol

Goto download station make sure you check the box for TRS2004. Type 1/2 mile in the search box and download measuring stick.

 

[Hot_Box_Detector]

Switching speeds, coupling speeds, yard speeds, how long to wait between zero throttle and reversing directions, can throttle be engaged in the reverse direction while travelling in the forward direction, how long to wait after coupling to cars before beginning to move, testing brakes while switching, etc, etc... lol

Back in the "old days" all this depended on how much alcohol the engineer had in his blood and/or back pocket.

 

[American_Connections]

As the crow flies

i'm in the process of building parts of the California railroad system to scale. Anyone have any suggestions on converting miles to the baseboard?

thanks

The grid will give you straight line distance, but if you want the track distance, use the tape measure in tools and set it along the edge if the intended route till you set the track, this will also compensate for elevation changes. Now remove the tape.