Speed limits

[Griphos]

I like to drive using the engine instruments when possible, without any of the F-key HUDs. This works most of the time, but it doesn't work for speed limits. How do actual engineers know the speed limits (other than just knowing them by heart)? Using a track chart? I know some routes have speed limit signage (like the BSB), but when you see the sign, it's too late to slow to the speed.

[TrainMaster1]

Speed limits appear on US roads in a number of ways...

1) Trackside speed posts usually at areas where limits change (either up or down). Some actually have speed for freight and passenger traffic noted (where that still runs on a route.)

2) Employee time tables have all kinds of info on speed limits including permanent speed restriction on curve or certain switches.

3) Track charts in the real world can have this but 1:1 track charts are used more for knowing grades and locations although some do include speed info. Here I am not talking about track charts in employee handbooks or division time tables but actual RR topo maps.

A crew usually begins running a route either under guidance of either a road foreman or some type of pilot who coaches them through what to do and when. Once they have the basics down they qualify on the line and if successful can now be added to the crew pool for that route. Knowing speeds is usually part of the testing procedure. Running it over and over drills them into your head. Just make sure you have a copy of your daily bulletins for any temporary speeds or any work being done on the route.

Nick

[dick8299]

If you want to take the time to do so - run the route using the F4 HUD and immediately that you notice a speed limit change, switch to the route editor and place a speed sign on the track at that point. Then in the future, the engineer (you) will have a visible notation of the speed limit without having to resort to using the HUD.

[arizonachris]

IMHO, of course, but the F4 HUD...............well, it's like a toy train thing. I shut it off, bring up the F3 and F5 HUD's. Second tab over on the F3 tells you the current speed limit, next speed limit and distance to that speed limit, your current speed, next signal distance and status of that signal, and track grade. Comes down to personal preference, but I'll stick with the old style. It works for me.

Bottom line, tho, is what Nick said. In RW, just like in the real world, you gotta learn the route. Period. Charts, all that good stuff, that's fine. But I would so much love to ride next to a seasoned engineer that's been railroading for years. They know every little dip in the track, where the coffee shops are, where the lunch trucks are. Oh, yeah, speed limits, too.

[Kali]

In the UK you spend around 6 months or so learning the route before you get signed off for it - this involves knowing each individual signal, speedlimits, where to go if you have an accident at a particular point, alternative routes if you get diverted, and so on.

What annoys me about the F3 hud is it gives you the next signal aspect; I'd be quite happy just having the position.

[Griphos]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess I have a lot of practicing to do. I might try editing to place speed limits on my favorite route or two. In the meantime, I guess there's nothing for it but to check the HUD regularly. It's just that I've noticed the F3 HUD is sometimes wrong. It will say the distance to the next speed limit, but before I get there sometimes, the limit has dropped to some other value.