When I break I have been prone to probably like many stick it in max braking but I want to be a bit smoother with it all to simulate real world practices?! I am finding it a bit hit and miss with doing min braking effort on the class 385 but if anyone has a stopping distance in miles from 100 mph please let me know. Still getting used to the brakes on the loco. Thanks, Sam
Just use Training Center and practise there. Generally, depending on the timetable, if it's tight then make a strong application initially and gradually release the brakes when slowing down.
There’s not really a one size fits all, generally you want to be approaching/entering platforms at 20-30mph (depending on length of course). I wouldn’t be doing more than 60mph at the 700yard mark - again though braking in something like a 385 is a world away from breaking in a loco.
We all have our ways of driving, in the 323 i break from 60 at 1500ft on full service and bring it back as i approach the marker on the electrostar i aim for 60 at 2000ft and bring it on on brake 2 aiming for 40 at the start of the platform. Each to their own. I would suggest from 100 breaking at around 3500-4000ft
Stopping distances all depends on the train, station length and distance from the station. Whilst I can’t give exact stopping distances I know from watching training videos in trains with stepped braking like a 323 is good practice to starting braking in step 2 then releasing to step 1 before stopping to make it smooth. Only use step 3 and emergency when absolutely necessary. Generally between 0.8 miles or less should do.
Min braking for stations is a bit overkill. The timetables have to balance passe ger comfort with speed so you will soon be behind schedule. About 60% of the brake is a good point to aim for to start slowing down from high speed. Step 2 if you are on a unit with 3 step braking. As your speed lowers you can either keep it there or release the brake slightly if you are slowing too fast. With modern units you can aim to be doing around 25-30 mph by the time you hit the end of the platform. Shorter platforms or older stock may require you to do less. Then as you come to a stand you want to release the brake slightly to give a nice smooth stop. It's important to note that real drivers aren't setting the brakes at a certain point and then sitting back to relax. They will have braking points yes but conditions change and all trains brake differently, even within the same class so they will be constantly adjusting the amount of brake applied as they approach a stop. Brakes are generally more effective the slower the train is travelling, particularly with vacuum brakes. Dynamic brakes are the opposite but they will be supplemented with traditional friction brakes at low speeds.
I aim to be going no more than 30mph when entering a station, 15mph for short platforms. I generally start braking around 0.6 to 1.5 miles away, depending on speed.
As stated above you should be aiming to be down to less than 5 mph at the end of the platform. That will then allow the weight of the train to bring the train to a gentle stop, while you ease up on the brakes. Mike.
With the 80x’s I usually aim for minimum breaking from about 3 miles away, you’d be at a perfect standstill by the edge of the platform
