Fair enough. I'm not a train driver ("but I play one on my computer!"), but I do have a legal background. I misinterpreted the rules I quoted earlier I think. There goes my chance of a career at ProRail Thanks for the insight!
Quoting myself here for a second, as there are developments! 24TrainsTV (a Dutch train enthusiast subscription channel) reported today that RailForceOne (RFO) have bought three of the eight former NS International Class 1700s. Units 1744, 1750 and 1752 have been picked up by RFO from the NS storage facility at Amersfoort Opstel. RFO will use 1750 and 1752 to expand the 1700 fleet and replace some of the Class 1600 locos that RFO currently operate, and 1744 will be used as an organ donor to keep the other 1700s RFO already owns in working order.
Awesome. Although I'd prefer to see the Mat '64 in NS yellow livery, at least this one can be used for research and recording, if Keolis cooperates. I'd love to see the NS Mat '64 in TSW, drop a like on my suggestion if you agree (link in signature).
This Mat'64 is unit 904 owned by Stichting 2454 Crew foundation, and is normally just NS yellow and blue. Keolis have rented it from the foundation for use on the Valleilijn and to promote that the Valleillijn is now operated by Keolis and will be rebranded as part of the RRReis network. It's not the only Mat'64 that's still driving around, mind you. Spoorwegmuseum has unit 876 in its collection and the Karel Foundation has unit 466. All these units are still certified for the mainline, are equipped with ATB-EG and are in drivable condition.
Thanks for the detailed posts on Dutch freight. In the game timetable the Vectron services seem to be timed for the max line speed (140kmh) rather than the typical freight operator speed or even what would be safe for the Zacns I pulled. E.g. The 06.35 service is timed for 54 minutes which is only possible if you go to the top line speed.
Hello..., I tried the Vectron with the new update including ATB, but I could not get to make it work. Could someone be so kind to explain me about how to active it? Thank you in adavance. Regards
1. Open MCB & lower pantograph 2. Go to the right side MFD, press soft key 1 to enter the country selection screen 3. Select Netherlands 1.5kv 4. Raise pantograph & Close MCB 5. Turn on the PZB isolation switch (which includes ATB now) 6. To change the language press the button with the flag symbol on centre or right side MFD
Which is really sad! The last (German) DLC with this problem was DRA. Ever since DTG taught the fright trains to behave…
That’s quite nice that we can switch cabs inside the BR193 without having to leave it even though the engine room is not accessible:
It must have been something I did trying to release it before searching the web because I'm running it now and the putting the brakes into emergency and then letting them off worked. I originally pressed everything I could press and when none of that worked searched the web lol
From other people on the forum, it should be just going into emergency and release I can't confirm it though
woah damn, I missed this ... I often see cool trains on this station, but damn I missed this one ehm, is this prototypical, or just an in-game solution to make implementation of ATB possible in this loco ?
I'd be willing to bet it's not prototypical. That PZB switch most likely doesn't exist in the real Vectron in the first place. The real procedure for enabling/disabling safety systems would be a lot like it is on the Expert 101 and IC cab car.
It's not prototypical. PZB normally switches on using one of the locomotive's screens, after the driver enters the specifications of the train (weight, length, Vmax and brake mode). There is an isolation switch for use in real life, but if I'm not mistaken, it's in the engine room on the breaker panel. According to the K-Trains version of the Vectron in TSClassic (which is closer to prototypical) ATB is activated using the DMI (center screen). The DMI asks if the driver wants to activate it after enabling one of the Dutch modes. I'm not sure if this is how it works in real life, but K-Trains is normally very close to reality (within the limitations of TSClassics).
Question for the Dutch rules specialists or IRL drivers: Suppose I'm driving along a piece of track that has max allowed speed of 140. I encounter a yellow signal, so ATB changes from green to yellow limiting me to 40 because the next signal is red. I start braking. But before I encounter the red signal, ATB changes back to green/140 because the red signal ahead has cleared and has upgraded back to green. What do the rules say in such a case? Can you trust ATB and start accelerating instantly to 140 kph? Or do you continue on at 40 untill you can visually see the next signal and confirm that it is indeed green, and only start accelerating at that point? I thought that a while back, I read something on here but I can't find it anymore. I thought someone said that according to the rules you can indeed start accelerating instantly as soon as ATB changes, but that there is an 'unwritten' rule among drivers, and that they pretty much frown upon that. They will wait untill they can visually see the next signal and confirm it's green and only then will they start accelerating again. Can anybody confirm this, or correct me if I'm worng?
Driver's may only accelerate if they can visually confirm that the upcoming signal's aspect has upgraded to green (or to flashing yellow with a digit). So if that signal is around a bend, or otherwise obstructed from view, you're not allowed to accelerate until you see the signal, even though ATB clears you for acceleration. That's not to say it never happens. But it's not allowed. If the signal in question is equipped with ATB-EGvv magnets, accelerating can even cause a forced stop (unless there's a release loop present on that section of track).
Hartelijk bedankt voor de opheldering! (Thanks for clearing this up) Edit: adding Tag tygerways#2596 as he was also interested in this
From the NS Handbook: 15.5 "Wat doet u bij een seinbeeldverbetering?" (What to do when the signal aspect improves) - Does the next MAIN signal allows a higher speed? Then you may speed up if you have passed this MAIN signal with your entire train. - You are allowed to increase speed IMMEDIATLY if: 1. it's "daytime" and you have good visibility. [the daytime bit is NS specific] 2. you can clearly see that the next MAIN signal allows a higher speed. 3. you have passed a speed sign that allows a higher speed with your ENTIRE train. [if you switched tracks under, lets say, yellow (40kph) and then switched tracks. you can't be certain what your current line speed is so you need to pass a new speed limit or speed restriction sign first.] 4. the ATB cab signal allows a higher speed. 5. you are not driving on sight (40kph or lower to be able to stop for anything). 6. you don't posses a European Instruction that goes against the higher speed. 7. you have passed all switch curves with your whole train. 8. there are no switches between your train and the MAIN signal.
I can confirm that to release the ATB penalty brake you put the brakes into emergency and then release them. I tried to release the and pressed every button and switch in the cab that I could press and when none of that worked searched the web to find out if anyone else knew. Found the post that mentions the above method and tried it but it didn't work on the run I was stuck on so I'm assuming that pressing everything possible knackered it. Gave up on the run and tried the same run the next day and when the ATB caught me tried the above method and it worked.
Has anyone noticed (some) sprinter services running on the wrong track from Koekange Overloopwissels to Meppel?
nice change, sure, but it's also wrong. Just like the Sprinter Groningen / Assen taking the left track on approach to Assen. Also wrong.
While I agree that the chances for this to be a bug are higher then not, I remember an IC service on LFR which was routed through one of the small stations on to the opposite track. I was also convinced that this must have been a bug at the time. However, turned out that, had I been on time with my 103 service, I would have encountered a 628 service on the other side, which would have blocked my patch. Obviously the TSW dispatcher is not clever enough to differentiate, hence, the IC service was hard coded in the tt to always divert to the other side… Again, unlikely this is the case here, just thought I through this in here, nevertheless
I have watched cab videos of trains getting to the other track due to running around trains as well as track work. You could consider it a bug or just the needs of the day.
I just finished one of the Vectron freight services for the first time. While it's great the loco has been updated with ATB, I must say the actual service itself was very, very tedious in terms of how dull it was...
I have another question for our Dutch experts here - I've seen at Sloterdijk a pair of white flashing signals on the ends of each platform facing outwards (away from the station) - what are those for, and are they present at Zwolle station? I can't see them in game, but I'm not sure if that's an oversight or they genuinely aren't there in real life.
Not sure to which signals you're referring, but flashing white (assuming you don't mean the departure ("V") signals), are usually warning signals aimed at ground personnel for incoming trains. The WUBO ("Vaste waarschuwingsinstallatie bij uitzichtbelemmerende objecten") signals have been mentioned here before, and consist of a pair of white lights that are on, and start flashing in sequence when a train approaches from an angle that's obstructed by an object. They look like this: There are also WIDO signals ("Vaste waarschuwingsinstallatie voor dienstoverpaden"), which are two white lights that flash in unison when a train approaches, and alert personnel at service (non-public) crossing, such as crossings near a station platform for train personnel. They look like this:
The blinking white light with a 'V' under it ? it blinks when the train has a proceed aspect ahead. The conductor can't always see the exit signal, so when this blinks he knows he can close doors and go. I think they are in about every station?
I got a screenshot from street view, but it isn't great, so I've circled them. They are situated at the ends of the platforms and face away from the station, so you wouldn't see them if you were stood on the platform itself, if that makes sense? Edit: snagged this from a cab video:
Same. I adhered to a 90 kmh speed limit. Flicked on the AFB and just cruised along. But such is the life of freight train drivers. You drive slow and sometimes boring routes.
Yeah that's true. But for TSW, I normally very much enjoy freight services overall, but this route - along with the 2+-hour night services on Kassel-Wurzburg - really test the patience. But, saying that, I still continue to play them every now and then as at least they offer more gameplay variety etc and, as you say, it's realism.
I have to admit, the first time I ran the Vectron in this route, I struggled getting everything running. Must admit, I was just "winging it".
I do wonder though, what is the use of these WUBO lights? just a yellow/red signal progression can do this. Does anyone know what the extra value of this is ? Is it service to the customers? 'we're waiting for a train from Leeuwarden'? Is it so they won't call the dispatcher? Sow what do train machinists with this extra bit of information?
WUBO (Waarschuwingsinstallatie bij UitzichtBelemmerende Objecten (Warning system for objects that obstruct the view)) are placed for people who work on the railroad where trains are driving. These lights warns that a train is approaching and construction workers have to keep distance from the tracks. They are placed on locations where the the view is obstruct by curves, bridges or something like that. When people can see trains from far enough, the eyes or a safety (wo)men is enough.
Red and green are a big no-no when it comes to anything other than signals intended for (and visible to) the driver, as the driver must never be confused (green is always "safe", red is always "stop now!"). Both WUBO and WIDO are intended for people doing trackside work (WUBO mainly for maintenance crews, WIDO mainly for drivers walking to the yard or crossing the tracks outside the publicly accessible crossings etc.). They're not there for customers (although in some cases you can tell your train is coming by WUBOs flashing, like on the western approach of Nijmegen Dukenburg station). As WUBOs and WIDOs are not intended for the driver, but rather for people on foot working on or near the tracks, they use neutral colours only (white in this case), so that a driver can't mistake the flashing bulbs for a signal intended for them. So to answer your last question: drivers don't do anything with this information, as this information is not for them.
I'm really enjoying this route, having picked it up after watching one of Tygerways videos. Just need to find some stroop for my pancakes now. Kind regards, Dave
