Rule of the Week: Air pressure, Speedos and Throttle Ha
Started by fwbryan6 posts5 min read
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...a continuing review of railroad operating rules applicable to MSTS, in the interests of more realistic operation of the simulator. We now turn for a while to the BNSF Air Brake and Train Handling Rules for engineers:Rule 102.5 Standard Air Pressures (mostly for the information of locotomotive builders here):1. Main reservoir pressure is 130 to 140 psi2. Locomotive brake cylinder pressure -- 72 psi3. Brake pipe pressure is: a. Yard service - 80 psi b. Freight service - 90 psi c. Certain mountain grade operating identified in individual special instructions - 100 psi d. Trains consisting entirely of business car or passenger equipment - 100 psi (comment: BNSF trains, not necessarily Amtrak which is 110(?))Rule 102.10 Operative Speed IndicatorsA lcomotive used as a controlling unit at speeds above 20 MPH must be equipped with an operative speed indicator. 1. Locomotive speed indicators must be accurate within: - plus or minus 3 MPH at speeds between 10 to 30 MPH - plus or minus 5 MPH at speeds above 30 MPH.(comment: Some of the analog dial speedometers in MSTS are a little off. Best to check against an F4 or F5 displayed speed. But this also means that when you derail at 1-2 MPH over (or under) the speed limit on some of the California routes, it isn't really your fault, despite what the anal on train-sim may say.)Rule 104.4 Throttle HandlingTo allow the train to asborb in-train forces gradually, follow thesew throttle handing rules:1. Make throttle changes one notch at a time. (comment: probably the most violated rule in MSTS, wait 1-2 seconds between changes)2. When moving at speeds of 25 mph or more over railroad crossing at grade (diamond): a. At least 8 seconds before the locomotive reaches the crossing, reduce the throttle to RUN 4 (or lower if the throttle is already positioned in RUN 4 or lower); b. Wait until the entire locomotive consist passes over the crossing before advancing the throttle. (comment: to prevent flashovers from the traction motors in the heavy metal diamonds)3. Uses this procedure if the wheel slip light comes on: a. If the light if on continuously, reuce the throttle on the locomotive until the light goes out. (comment: or turn on sander in MSTS) b-d. (not aplicable to MSTS)4. When operating over the crest of a grade and handling trains with locomotive consists exceeding 12,000 horsepower or more at speeds below 15 MPH, gradually reduce the throttle before the locomoive crests a heavy grade to a position that will prevent speed increase until at least one half of the train has crested the grade.5. Do not apply power to hold a train stationary on a grade (comment: not always possible in MSTS in my experience)fwbryan
RE: Rule of the Week: Air pressure, Speedos and Throttl
Very interesting, as I I think the two most often confusing aspects of operating a train, is correct throttle and brake handling.Thanks for posting this weeks lesson.Chris Bogley Syracuse New York www.msnusers.com/highballphoto
RE: Rule of the Week: Air pressure, Speedos and Throttl
LAST EDITED ON Dec-12-03 AT 08:53 PM (EST)
fwbryan:I applaud you for taking the time to create these rule of the week posts. They give MSTS users a better idea of what is really required in running a train and that is knowing, observing, and abiding by the rules in "addition" to running the train.One thing though that I would like to point out is, the Train Handling rules are only a general written guideline and most of the time are not rules set in stone. When you go the the simulator and you do your student trips as a Fireman you realize that book stuff doesn't always apply. I'm not stating here that you learn to cheat on the rules but that in reality other means and ways can be used safely.For example you said:>1. Make throttle changes one notch at a time. (comment: probably the most violated rule in MSTS, wait 1-2 seconds between changes)1 to 2 seconds between throttle changes in some cases is not long enough. The proper way would be to wait for the ammeter to drop to a point where it stabilizes before advancing the throttle further. But contradictory to that would be where the Engineer understands how much power he has in his locomotive consist, what the weight of the train is, and the grade profile of the area and he actually could skip throttle positions to get his train up to speed faster.So just remember that the Train Handling rules are general guidelines and not the way we "must" run a train.PatchCrew UP Engineer
RE: Rule of the Week: Air pressure, Speedos and Throttl
Far be it for me to argue with a real engineer,(and I mean that), and I suspect the AB&TH Rules (they call them "Rules") are not as strictly or exactly enforced as the General Code of Operating Rules, if only because they would be hard to enforce in all circumstances, but GCOR Rule 1.3.1 Rules, Regulations and Instructions says in part:Employees who duties are affected by air brake operation must have a copy of the rules and instructions for operating air brakes and train handling. Employees must know and obey these rules and instructions.fwbryan