I was wondering if there's a certain procedure to it, or how everyone else does it, but start in notch 2 till 5mph, then notch 3 till 10mph and then notch 4 till 15mph and finally notch 5 there on after. Sorry if this is the wrong thread.
I think there was a real life power restriction imposed for closed in stations due to noise on the original Valenta power units. I don't think they were permitted above notch 3 until the trailing power car left the station limits.
Different depots did things their own way. Old Oak and Laira drivers were more 'aggressive' on the throttle than the Brizzle crews. Almost always simultaneously releasing the train brake as N1 selected though. Bristol went N1 - N3 and settle, then 4 settle and 5, usually by 15 - 20mph. The others took more time to get to N5, even so far as to settle in N2 until 25 mph was reached.
Adhesion was a factor too. On the midland mainline, on a dry rail, some Drivers would just go straight into notch 5. In autumn, or if it was wet, it was necessary to notch up more slowly to avoid wheelslip. Admittedly one Driver did say to me that he just sticks it straight into notch 5 regardless and lets the WSP sort it out, but that definitely was not considered good practice. Repeated slipping puts unnecessary wear on equipment and infrastructure, even if it is quickly caught by the WSP.
