Marias Pass White Freight Pull - 15 MPH Slow Order

[ForestHIllsRob]

At the beginning of the activity, there's a 15 mph slow order going down a hill.

The problem is this: The dynamic brakes don't hold the train under 15 mph. If I apply the minimum train brake, the train stops.

Any ideas? I have the latest physics for the SD40-2, V4.92, so I don't believe there's any problem with the .eng file.

Robert

[goneon66]

on the bnsf, you can't apply more than 1/2 your dynamic brake power through slow orders (distrurbed track) or turnouts without having any air set. in other words, you are not supposed to apply full dynamics going through slow orders and turnouts without any air set until half the train is past the slow order or turnout...............

here's another rule to keep it fun. you can't "power brake" (use the trains airbrakes) if you are exceeding 20 mph and exceeding run #4. you can use the trains airbrakes if you go under 20 mph and keep it in run #4 or under. with this in mind, in you situation, here is what i would do:

approach the slow order VERY slowly with full dynamics and just before you enter it, apply a minimun set on the trains airbrakes while slowly getting rid of your dynamics. while in the slow order, you may have to "power brake" and apply some throttle but don't exceed run #4. watch your amps, because if they get too high you would rip the train apart..............in fact try to keep it in run 1 or 2 with a minimum set to get through the slow order.

in real life, i would not want to "kick off" my air on a hill, especially in cold weather, unless i POSITIVELY knew my dynamics would hold me once 1/2 of my train was by the speed restrction or turnout..................

let me know if this works for you,

66

[ForestHIllsRob]

Hi 66:

Your solution is totally on point. I was able to get through the 15 mile zone twice, doing as you suggested. I needed run 2 to keep the train going, but no more.

BTW, what does "kick off" mean in train lingo?

Robert

[goneon66]

hey rob,

glad to hear you got through that slow order without breaking the rules......

"kicking off" the air just means releasing the trains brakes via the automatic brake valve.

"setting" the air would mean applying the trains air brakes via the automotic brake valve handle.

so, going through that 15 mph slow order, you made a minumum set (minimum automatic brake valve reduction, around 6 psi taken out of the 90 psi brake pipe pressure, giving you about 84 psi of brake pipe pressure and consequently applying the train's brakes), drug the train through the speed restriction in run 2, and then kicked off the air when you cleared the restriction............

have fun, hope that made sense........

66