zooo131

Very nicely written. As a swiss train driver i am amazed, how certain things are handled like passing the automatic Block-Signals. That wouldn't be allowed here. As for the indirect / automatic (air) brake I would like to add some handlig basics: Service pressure is 5 bar then all brakes are released. First braking position is 4.8 bar. That's for a very gentle stop or just slow deceleration. When expecting a red signal, it is common to empty the air line to 4 bar* (or 4.2...4.4 bar for passenger trains). 3.5 bar applies the maximal braking force. An emergency brake does not apply more braking force, but it empties the main air line faster so the brakes apply as fast as possible. * With freight trains release the air brake when you have around 60km/h and keep braking with the electrodynamic brake, (if you have one. If not do not fully release the Brake). For a gentle stop with a freight train make sure you approach the red signal with about 15...10km/h at the last 400...200m then apply the brakes with ≈ 4.5 bar about 100m before the signal to stop about one "loco-length" (30m) before the Signal. Sawing is normally only needed at very steep slopes. (We have slopes of 27 ‰ in the Alps). Tha Air Brakes have to be released for at least 90 s before they are reapplyed. The needed speed reduction in calculated as follows: "Needed speed reduction [km/h]" = "Train Weight [t]" * 2 / 100 Greetings from Switzerland