NEC

[KPryor]

I bought the NE Corridor this evening and am thoroughly confused. Lots of unannounced speed limit changes, things beeping in the cab and at one point the train just started beeping and braking and stopped itself. I was actively using the controls when it just shut down. No idea what was going on. Can anyone shed light on this crazy situation?

Sincerely,
A. Noob ;-)

[trev123]

Did you read the manual on it about the signalling as it is quite complicated.

[artimrj]

And there is something called the "Alerter", when it sounds you have to press a button. It makes sure your paying attention or it goes into emergency.

[OlPaint]

Here is what I have gleaned from the manuals and various forum articles. This applies to the ACS-64 electric loco but I suppose it also goes for the HHP-8 as well on the NortheastCorridor and NewYorkNewHaven routes.

"
If you're in the driver view you'll hear a buzzer, in all views you'll see the alert icon light up on the Cab Control display. You need to acknowledge the alert within about 3 seconds or the emergency brakes will be applied to save other members of the public from a driver who has obviously fallen asleep or died and is unable to control the train. You do this by clicking the alert icon on the Cab Control display, pressing the (Q key) or clicking the (AWS/PZB reset button) in the 3D cab.

If you enter a new block and it has a reduced aspect (e.g. going from Normal to Limited) then the following happens and must be done by the engineer:

1. An alarm will go off in the cab

2. The cab signalling will update to reflect the new maximum allowed speed limit and confirm what the new aspect is.

3. If the train is within the MAS (Maximum Allowed Speed) then the engineer must simply press the ACKNOWLEDGE button (Q key) within 8 seconds.

4. If the train is above MAS then the engineer must

1) zero the throttle,

2) move the brakes to the SUPPRESSION notch and then press ACKNOWLEDGE within 8 seconds. To quickly get to the SUPPRESSION notch on the brakes, the engineer can press (SHIFT-‘) (Note: It is not required to be within the speed limit during the 8 seconds, it is only required that the engineer has confirmed to the ATC system that they acknowledge the reduction in aspect and have taken appropriate action to comply with it.), and

3) acknowledge the alert within about 3 seconds or the emergency brakes will be applied to save other members of the public from a driver who has obviously fallen asleep or died and is unable to control the train. You do this by clicking the alert icon on the Cab Control display, pressing the (Q key) or clicking the (AWS/PZB reset button) in the 3D cab.


If the engineer moves the brake back out of suppression while still being above MAS then the alarm will sound again and the same procedure must be followed.

Failure to acknowledge correctly within 8 seconds means the brakes will go to full service application - however, the engineer can apply the same procedure as above and they will be able to regain control of the train without having to stop.

Once the train is under the new MAS the engineer can simply release the brakes and apply throttle as required.


Speed Increase Alert - This alarm is a small audio ping as a notification that your signal speed limit has increased. (Note - this only applies to SIGNAL speed limits, not track speed limits.)

Currently you can only see this working if you have the control state dialog visible, there's nothing on the cab to indicate it.

The maximum speed allowed indicator on the in-cab signal panel shows whatever the fastest you're allowed to go at the moment is - so if you're in a "limited" signal restriction then it will show 45mph even if the track speed is 70mph. Once that limited signal restriction is lifted up to a normal, it will then show track speed of 70mph. You can reliably use the “Maximum Authorised Speed” value to see what your maximum permitted speed is at any given time.

Disabling The Alerts – If the player does not want ALERTER functionality, they can press (CTRL-F) to toggle ACSES Cut-out, this will actually toggle the alerter. This was used as there is UI on the cab signalling to remind the user what the setting is. If the player does not want ALERTER OR ATC alarm and penalty brake functionality then they can press (CTRL-D) to toggle ATC Cut-out. In this case the cab signalling will still function, it just won't pester you with alarms or brake applications.
"


OlPaint

[KPryor]

Thanks guys. I didn't see the manual, so I'll go look for it. I appreciate all the info and help!
Ken

[KPryor]

Ok, feeling pretty stupid right now. I had never noticed there was a whole folder full of manuals in the RW folder.