Firstly, why do they seem to travel so slowly, even on massive open stretches? And also places where nothing seems to change, they seem to arbitrarily slow down for reasons I can't fathom. Secondly, why do they have a bell that starts chiming when you sound the horn, but unlike the horn has to be manually stopped? Thanks
Cuz most of the routes have steep gradients and you are hauling thousands of tons behind you. You can't go fast. As long as you set up the loco correctly and banking comm if applicable and enough power (locos) then you'll lose speed but not stall when going up hill. Going downhill, you can only go slow since again heavy stuff but going down, otherwise you'll just have a runaway train due to gravity and low control at high speed And for the bell and horn, that's just regulations I guess.
Regulations for the most part... Horn at all crossings (2 long, 1 short, 1 long until occupying the crossing) and various other situations. Bell must be ringing in yards passing other trains or stationary cars and along station platforms and public crossings at grade. So, the two starting together with the bell being manually shut off depending on further circumstance makes sense. I just wish DTG would put a bell shut off on the X or D pad again like in TSW2020. Slow trains would depend on Track speeds, tonnages, and other circumstances affecting travel.
This is from Transport Canada Regulations... 13. Engine Bell (a) The engine bell must be rung when: (i) an engine is about to move, except when switching requires frequent stopping and starting after the initial move; (ii) passing any movement standing on an adjacent track; (iii) approaching, passing or moving about station facilities or shop track areas; and (iv) one-quarter of a mile from every public crossing at grade (except within limits as may be prescribed in special instructions) until the crossing is fully occupied by the engine or cars. At crossings where engine whistle signal 14(l) is applicable the engine bell need not be rung. (b) Should the engine bell fail on the lead locomotive in the consist, repairs must be made as quickly as possible. If repairs cannot be made the movement may proceed to the first point where repairs can be made. The engine bell if available on another locomotive in the consist will be rung continuously or operated by another member of the crew, when available, under the direction of the locomotive engineer. 14. Engine Whistle Signals Note: (i) Wherever the words “engine whistle” appear in these rules they also refer to “engine horn”. Signals prescribed by this rule are illustrated by “o” for short sounds; “___” for longer sounds. (ii) Engine whistle signals must be sounded as prescribed by this rule, and should be distinct, with intensity and duration proportionate to the distance the signal is to be conveyed. Unnecessary use of the whistle is prohibited. (iii) Radio must not be used in lieu of engine whistle signals for indications prefixed by the symbol (#). (a) o When standing - braking system is equalized; angle LOVE may be closed. (b) o o Note: Not applicable when switching. (i) Answer to a “stop” signal (except a fixed signal). (ii) Answer to any signal not otherwise provided for. (e) o o o o o o To notify track forces of fire on or near the right of way (to be repeated as often as required). (f) Succession of short sounds (#) Alarm for persons or animals on or near the track. (l) ___ ___ o ___ (i) (#) At public crossings at grade: A whistle post will be located 1/4 mile before each public crossing where required. Whistle signal must be sounded by movements: exceeding 44 MPH , at the whistle post operating at 44 MPH or less, in order to provide 20 seconds warning prior to entering the crossing. Whistle signal must be prolonged or repeated until the crossing is fully occupied. EXCEPTION: Not applicable when manual protection is to be provided or when shoving equipment other than a snow plow over a crossing protected by automatic warning devices. (ii) (#) At other whistle posts indicated in special instructions. (iii) (#) At frequent intervals when view is restricted by weather, curvature or other conditions. (iv) Special instructions will govern when such signal is prohibited in whole or in part. (r) In case of engine whistle failure the engine bell must be rung continuously; (i) approaching and moving through curves; and (ii) approaching and passing station facilities, yards and public crossings at grade. In addition, the movement must not exceed 25 MPH entering each public crossing at grade which is not protected by automatic warning devices, until such crossing is fully occupied. (t) When a snow plow is operated ahead of an engine, the employee in charge of the snow plow must sound engine whistle signals 14(f) and 14(l). All other engine whistle signals must be sounded by the locomotive engineer as prescribed by the rule. 17. Headlight Movements headed by equipment equipped with a headlight must display the headlight: (a) at full power in the direction of travel approaching all public crossings at grade until such crossings are fully occupied; (b) at full power in the direction of travel while moving on the main track; (c) on both ends of the engine while moving on non-main track but may be extinguished on the end coupled to cars. EXCEPTIONS: When not approaching a public crossing at grade the headlight may be extinguished or dimmed: (i) approaching or being approached by an opposing movement; (ii) on a passenger carrying train, approaching a location where passengers will entrain or detrain; (iii) facing oncoming vehicles at night which may be affected on adjacent roadways; or (iv) when weather conditions cause the vision of the operating crew to be impaired. 18. Headlight Failure (a) If the headlight on a movement fails and repairs cannot be made, ditch lights will be used in lieu of the headlight and the movement may proceed. (b) If all headlights and ditch lights have failed, such lights as are available must be used proceeding to the first point where repairs can be made. At public and private crossings at grade not protected by automatic warning devices, movements must not exceed 10 MPH entering the crossing unless it is known to be clear of traffic and will remain clear until occupied. 19. Ditch Lights A train must have ditch lights displayed continuously in the direction of travel when the headlight is required to be displayed full power. If ditch light(s) fail en route, the movement may proceed to the next point where repairs can be made.
Am I right in assuming you have a European background? If so, the easiest way to put it is that US railroads operate the opposite way to European ones: In Europe, it's about transporting light goods (either light freight or more often passengers) short distances in a timely manner. In the States, it's about transporting heavy goods (easily between 10-20 thousand tons per train) over extreme distances with little consideration for time - it gets there when it gets there. Open stretches don't equate to high speeds when you've got these long trains. For example, the heaviest trains in Germany, the so-called Erzbomber (literally ore-bomber), don't exceed ca 80/90km/h while weighing "only" around 5 thousand tons. Handling the American beasts is an entirely different matter. Also, with the sort of freight US trains usually transport (apart from intermodals), there's rarely any rush for the goods to arrive - those types of freight have been switched to the roads.
Lamplight Yeah I'm from the U.K Thank you all so much for the replies. You do learn something new every day and I now know a lot more than I did yesterday!
It takes awhile for a 200+ car loaded coal train to do anything. This is why the speeds are what they are. A good reason for a speed drop in instances where there is no steep gradient are turns. For example if you have a train two miles long going through s curves going too fast can put it on the ground.
