Completing the 7.45am run on GWR using the Class 43, I was slowing in preparation of my arrival into Reading, when, despite having returned the brake lever to ‘Running’, the brake pressure continued to fall with a noticeable hissing sound. This caused me to stop well in advance of the stop marker at Reading. Odd.
You’ve most likely been tripped by the erroneous TPWS system bug that’s been around for years. I always turn the safety systems off when approaching Reading as I’ve had this happen numerous times. I think it only happens on approaching one particular platform, don’t recall which one though.
If you have AWS activated this would also turn on the TPWS as they are linked with each other, due to there being a red signal at the end of each platform, this causes the TPWS Overspeed and train stop grids to be activated, if you go over the Overspeed detection grids at more than around 20MPH the train will automatically initiate an emergency brake application as it thinks that you are liable to have a SPAD, my advice is once you reach near the middle of the platform at London Paddington and Reading ensure that you are travelling at no more than 15 MPH, this will avoid any unwanted emergency brake applications.
The loss of brake pressure started as I approached the platform, which caused me to stop with the back end of the train not reaching the platform.
That is very unusual, it has never happened to me before (unless it was TPWS) if I find anything I'll keep you posted
Yes it's platform 9 this happens on. I never knew about the slow speed approach tpws checks for. Anyone know if there's an online resource about tpws anywhere?
The set speeds for each TPWS loop are published in local documents like the signal box special instructions for the controlling box, its unlikely you will find these online but I wouldn't totally rule it out For what its worth as an ex signaller and ops manager of many years, this is a bug in my opinion. It triggers at even very low speeds, which it shouldn't. I always isolate the safety systems on approach to P9
Experienced the same problem lots of times. I always switch aws off before reaching that platform, but it destroys the experience for me. I've crossed it at much lower speeds and it still triggers the breaks. Must be a bug.
Depends on what the speed of the TPWS grid is set at! Some are ridiculously low due to multi SPAD's at a certain location.
The clearest evidence that this is a straight forward bug is that there are no other instances (that I'm aware of at least) of a TPWS loop intervening on this route or on ECW. If it was working as designed you'd expect interventions at other locations where players approach a red signal too quickly.
I agree. It is a bug. I have just driven a service into platform 9. I was travelling at 2mph and the breaks were applied!
Saved me some time there testing it later. I'm not sure TPWS is engineered to this sort of detail in the game anyway tbh, if you speed into Brighton, Eastbourne or paddington with safety's on coming onto the buffer stops it doesn't intervene and there will 100% be overspeed loops there in real life
I confirm this too. It was in the previous version GWE. I thought DTG fixed this, but they didn't fix bug.