I never managed to learn how to drive with PZB, seems complicated but possibly fun once you've got the hang of it. After seeing Matt drive with some HUD guidance like below (I suppose this is the 'Display Safety System Helper' setting), I might do another attempt at PZB, learning by doing. I don't know if this system is present on all routes, and I've also read plenty of reviews that PZB isn't always working as it should. So are there any specific routes and locos the PZB-experts would recommend me to use on my attempt to learn PZB?
Easiest loco: probably the 185. I was going to say the 146, but freight routes don't have to worry about station stops and schedules on top of PZB; additionally, Modes M and U give you more time to get down to the limit. In terms of the system being straightforward and not throwing you many curve balls, I would say MSB or RSN. (Note on freight: your top speed is governed by the consist, not the PZB mode. It's very common, indeed usual, for Vmax in M to be capped at 100 or less)
I would use the Talent 2 in the Koln - Aachen route. Also, if you are starting with PZB I suggest you restrict yourself to passenger trains (PZB mode O) until you get enough experience with it. PZB for freight trains (mode M and U) is not much different really, but when you are starting to learn something you dont need any kind of extra distractions like different speed limits for each mode, or controlling brake pressure to manage speeds with heavy trains, etc ... That distract you from what you are trying to learn.
Ok, first PZB question; I'm driving a freight train with the 185 on RSN. Why does PZB want me to slow down to 55 km/h when I'm passing a 70km/h distant speed restriction sign?
I’ll just echo what I wrote in the other, similar thread this morning. RSN is in my opinion the best start to get acquainted with the basics of PZB. Once you’re ready, HRR will test your knowledge of GPA magnets but will be brutal if you don’t know what you’re doing. What I’d avoid are DRA and RT. RT, because the signalling is completely broken and doesn’t reflect real life at all. DRA because it uses a different signalling system to all of the other routes. Not a problem once you’re familiar with the system but distracting while learning it.
This is prototypical for mode U. A 1000Hz magnet is a 1000Hz magnet, no matter whether it’s before a red signal or to enforce a speed restriction. This does mean that you’ll have to slow down to 55, release PZB (if cleared for it), and then accelerate to 70. It’s a limitation of the systems only having 1000Hz magnets for regular monitoring - similar to why the GPA magnets exist as a workaround monitoring for higher speeds.
Ok, 2nd PZB question; I'm getting a zwangsbremsung when I'm going over 105km/h. How do I know the max speed of my train? All I see is a blue 55 on the in-cab screens and HUD.
U 55 indicator - 100km/h max Swangsbremsung starts at 105km/h M 70 indicator - 120km/h max Swangsbremsung starts at 125km/h O 85 indicator - 160km/h max Swangsbremsung starts at 165km/h Note these are the absolute max speeds, but other factors such a wagon VMax will often reduce your maximum, in earlier DLC these arent modelled in game, and not always modelled for even modern DLC. While your starting out and learning the basics stick to the above, if you are finding you cant slow down without getting a PZB penalty reduce your speed.
What redrev1917 said. You just need to know them. Some passenger stock has lower speed limits than 160km/h (usually denoted somewhere in the cab). Freight trains are much more complicated with top speeds. There’s a reason we have entire dedicated threads about them. Zwangsbremsung, actually
On the subject of max speeds, what is the Vmax for the BR425? Ive found sources stating 120km/h, 140km/h & 160km/h??
Today the 425 can go up to 160 using LZB, using PZB only it is limited to 140. It was certified in this config. However, it was limited to 120 for some time, due to problems with its brakes. It was even limited to 80 for some days. As far as I know this was only in one region, though…
In addition to what OpenMinded already said, I did some background research. The following timeline was translated by yours truly from here: Apparently, the 425s got their 140/160(LZB)km/h max speed back in early 2005 following upgrades to the sand distribution system and software updates to the wheelslip protection. Wikipedia also says that there was some more drama in 2007 with the 425s’ BrH being lowered resulting in them being stuck in PZB mode M. After more software updates and some changes to the pneumatic brake system, the 425s were back to mode O and 140/160 at the end of 2008 outside of the autumn months. To get them back to 140/160 in the autumn months, they were also fitted with additional sanding systems specifically for braking. No more drama after that though, apparently. Well, quite a mess. Seems the autumn months are a real slippery slope for the Quietechies (that’s our nickname for the 425s, by the way)
When I first learned how to use PZB, I went with what was on Matt’s tutorial which was the ICE3 to Aachen from Köln, i personally think it’s a good type of service for learning all the safety systems.
Got a link to it? Because I also always run into problems with LZB when I leave the high speed LZB-section of the route.
You need to acknowledge the signals and follow the PZB rules after you pass the LZB END signal. LZB will be monitoring the train for some more meters, but PZB is also watching at the same time in the background. When you actually get out of the LZB zone PZB rules apply immediately, and if you did not acknowledge any signal or did not follow any PZB rule previously it will immediately trigger an emergency brake.
The problems I ran into were with only LZB enabled, and PZB disabled. Triggers all kinds of alarms when leaving LZB zone, so I usually just disable LZB at that point. Haven't tried it with LZB+PZB both on, as I'm still learning PZB. LZB is, mostly, quite easy to use, and since LZB is on by default in TSC, I already have experience with it.
I can't remember exactly, but I probably tried hitting the Q button, but that's probably not the right button to acknlowledge LZB END.
let me know if the link doesn’t work for you, It doesn’t for me, but not many do for me I’ve noticed.
You could always check tygerways' videos about German and other safety systems: https://www.youtube.com/@tygerways6615
At At the end of lzb section (near Duren station) the lzb "ende" light start to flashing on the desk. At this point, just hold on the "pzb release" button for some second as soon as the light stop flashing. Than just slow down to the speed indicated on the desk and at the switching point pzb stars to work with its rules. On the other direction -> to koln it is a bit harder to understand due various speed and signal limitations but it works in the same way, just "release" and prepare your self to travel under pzb
Honestly, i have all german routes and pzb works on 98% of the cases. The major issue was at the release of hamburg-lubeck with the 500hz magnet. However as i said on other post, the best route to star learn pzb is MSB. Just repeat again, again and again the same service until you understand why something happen. The rules are always the same, take some notes near you let's try with all safety system active (yes sifa too) at the same time. If you get a emergency brake don't worry, stop the train, reset it and continue your trip. Even with a lot of experience sometimes a mistake always happen (and yes in realty too)
A good way to remember this, Purno, is this: You’re releasing yourself from LZB monitoring. That’s why you need to hit the PZB Release button.
For interesting action, make the last freight service of the day on the tharandter ramp. 17:20 from chemnitz to dresden with 44 (22) laers auto loader, using the es64u2. Plenty of changing speeds and terrain. I use to drive it in pzb mode u, on a 80kmh "fahrplan". You cant select brakemode G, but at least on the wagons its possible. Even more interesting to make the freight train calculations by yourself. There is a 70kmh section, where you have to brake down to 55 from 80 because the active 1000hz magnet. This in a very steep gradient.
