Another handy addition for anybody who needs it. This is focused on american trains as they implement the EoT device, which data we will need. First thing to know is how to obtain your current train data. Pressing ESC key will display a menu that contains some important data, such as the number of wagons, total train mass and train lenght. Those data are updated everytime we perform either coupling/uncoupling or loading/unloading operations. The next important thing is to understand the air flow along the pipe in long trains and the rear of train behaviour. Applying or releasing brakes can take several seconds to reach the rear of your train. That´s why it´s important to monitor the brake pipe pressure (as EoT it´s connected to the brake pipe) and the acceleration on the rear of your train using the information provided by EoT device. This will give you an idea about the status of your brakes and if rear wagons are accelerating or decelerating. On the next picture we can see the acceleration data on the left side and the pressure data on the right. The acceleration of the rear portion of train is close to 0, as train is at standstill, and the pressure is close to 90 psi, which is matching the locomotive gauge indication for brakes released, so we know that our rear of train is almost at standstill and the brakes are close to be fully released. If pressure was lower than the indication on the locomotive gauges then we would know that brakes are still partially applied and we should wait a little bit more to start increasing traction. On the other hand, if the pressure was higher than the indication on the locomotive gauges then the brakes are applied on the front of train but not yet on the rear, as the air needs to flow along the whole train. Proper operation of brakes and traction prevents any potential damage to brakes and couplers. The other important thing to calculate is our train lenght when leaving a speed limit for instance. Some locomotives such as AC4400 include a distance counter in the displays but you can also use the mileposts boards to know the distance. The ones at Peninsula Corridor route will help you better as they include 0.1 mile interval indications, as seen on the next picture. But you can also use the nominal 1 mile interval boards for this purpose. You just need to count boards from the cab to estimate the distance after the end of speed limit was passed and when it´s higher than your train length you will know that the whole train has left the speed restriction area and you could increase your speed. Cheers
Very nice. This will certainly help people out. DTG needs to make the distance counters in the GP and SD work.
