Deadman Systems

[Driverman2008]

Since MSTS 2 will have both North American and European high detail routes in the present day, I was wondering if realistic deadman systems would be included. Here are 2 examples of what I'm talking about.

In North America, diesels and electrics nowadays have an "Alerter" deadman system on them. This was in the first MSTS.

In Europe, diesels and electrics nowadays have a "Sunflower Dial" deadman system on them. When you're approaching a yellow or red signal by passing a sensor in the track or warning signal (depending on the country), an alarm will go off and the driver has 3 seconds to respond by pressing a reset button, and in England, a light will appear in the shape of a sunflower. If the signal is green, a bell will ring inside the cab, and the driver doesn't need to respond. This is what Rail Simulator has.

So since we're getting modern North American locomotives and modern European locomotives ready to run out of the box, will they feature their correct deadman systems? That being North American locomotives being based on non-responding time and European locomotives being based on signals.

[marcus92]

i think this is a great idea, in sweden the drivers have to hold down a pedle with the foot (or both) and in som locos ther is the option of holding it down by hand, it has to be held down for as long as the train is moving, if the driver releases it a beep starts and it lasts for 7 seconds and then a emergency break activates, once again a great idea, but maybe they should make a foundation for the deadmansystem for more countrys then those included in the game origanaly in order for users to have a easyer time when they are creating modles for the game rather then to have to spend time scripting it by them selfs ;) only a thought

[shortbart]

Be careful with that wish, in Germany this Deadman-System is called PZB90

It´s quite hard to simulate ;) But it would be nice if the 3rd-Party Developers would have the possibiltiy to implement such a system afterwards to the game...

[ragtimer]

Just to clear up what we have here in UK.Driverman,I am sorry you are confusing two systems.Every traction unit has a "Driver's Safety Device" system (DSD) whereby a footrest type of thing has to be kept depressed whilst a direction is selected with the reverser.If it is released a warning is sounded and if pressure is not reapplied power is cut and the brakes applied.At random intervals the alerter will sound and it has to be released and reapplied otherwise you come to a grinding halt once more.On our Class 66 locos (ex GM) as long as the controls are operated the alerter does not sound-the loco knows you are still alive.
The second system is the AWS-"Automatic Warning System" which was introduced over 50 years ago in response to accidents at Harrow and Lewisham among others.At first it applied only to distant signals but nowadays virtually every signal is fitted.There are a few I know of which are unfitted and some where the magnet is in advance of the signal.Two magnets are provided in the "four foot" 200 yards in rear of the signal,the first a permanent magnet and the second an electromagnet which is energized only when the signal displays a green aspect.
Every traction unit has a reciever mounted underneath it.When it passes over the permanent magnet the cab display changes to all black.If the next magnet is energized i.e green aspect on signal a chime sounds in the cab,the display stays all black and no action is required from the driver (the bell has been superseded by a chime)-much more soothing!If the next magnet is de-energized then a warning horn sounds and the driver must depress the reset button which causes the display to change to yellow/black.As you can see it is a "fail safe" system because failure of the second magnet will cause a warning to be sounded.
Magnets are also provided at all temporary speed restrictions and some permanent ones.

[Conrail Tweety]

An alerter countdown on the dashboard computer screen would be nice.