Driving A DMU 101 - Braking And Stopping

[FHRob]

I read the instructions included for the DMU 101. Shifting gears to increase speed is reasonably well explained.

The instructions to slow the train and then stop aren't well written.

I'm not following when the brake can be used, and when to put the gear selector in notch 4, in order to coast.

If somebody can give a simple explanation or direct me to one, it would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Rob

[trev123]

Maybe post in the UKTS forums. http://uktrainsim.com/ I have this DMU and don't have any issues. I also have the Armstrong Powerhouse sound pack for it.

[peterhayes]

From all of the 101 Manuals:

Stopping the Train (also applies to slowing the train)
To stop the train, return the Power Controller to Idle, select 4th gear, and apply the
brake by moving the Brake Valve into the Apply sector. The vacuum will start to
drop and the brakes will apply. The further you move into the Apply sector the
faster the vacuum will drop and therefore the faster the brakes will come on. To
hold the desired vacuum move the valve back into the Hold sector.
Keep 4th gear selected until you’re almost stopped and then select Neutral.

.

You can use 4th gear at any time if you want to coast and that will allow you to apply the brakes if you are going too fast.
pH

[FHRob]

From all of the 101 Manuals:

Stopping the Train (also applies to slowing the train)
To stop the train, return the Power Controller to Idle, select 4th gear, and apply the
brake by moving the Brake Valve into the Apply sector. The vacuum will start to
drop and the brakes will apply. The further you move into the Apply sector the
faster the vacuum will drop and therefore the faster the brakes will come on. To
hold the desired vacuum move the valve back into the Hold sector.
Keep 4th gear selected until you’re almost stopped and then select Neutral.

.

You can use 4th gear at any time if you want to coast and that will allow you to apply the brakes if you are going too fast.
pH

Hi Peter:

OK, thanks. I want to take the question one step further.

Let's say you're stopping at a station. You're in 4th gear, and the speed is 10 mph after braking. Going at this speed will cause you to stop too soon.

What's done after releasing the brakes? Can I open the throttle again without shifting down to neutral and then back up to 1st gear, since the speed needed to get into the station is obviously outside 4th gear's range?

Rob

[peterhayes]

Rob
That is an excellent question, I'm not sure of how a real world driver would do it:
It may well depend on the gradient into the station say:
If the gradient is level or downhill or if it is uphill.

In my case I change down to 1 or 2 and increase the throttle to give my enough speed to stop at the correct spot on the platform, release the throttle, and then change up to 4 and apply the brakes slowly, bringing the train to a halt (into neutral just before stopping) at the correct spot! I found if I applied the throttle still using position 4 - there was virtually no power applied or applied with a lag and then the train suddenly shoots forward too fast!!
As Trev says above, it may be worth posing this question on UKTS to see if any real world driver knows the answer.

This is from an old manual about gradients so it could apply to your 10 mph scenario:
Gradients

If you come to an adverse gradient and speed can’t be maintained with full power
then it will be necessary to change down to a lower gear, for example if you’re
running in 4th gear and the speed drops below about 40 mph. To change down
bring the Power Controller back to idling and immediately select the next lower gear,
pause for 2 seconds and then re-apply power.

In Theory: So if you are at 10 mph - you would choose position 1 - apply enough throttle to stop at the correct spot - BUT if you needed to coast - reduce throttle to zero move to position 4 - brake switch to neutral just before stopping? IMO you should be able to brake when in any position 1, 2, 3, or 4 (throttle at zero) and switch to neutral just before stopping?
pH

[FHRob]

Peter:

I posted the question on UKTS, as suggested here.

The answer included a link to a video on You Tube, "DMU Diesel Train Driver Part 2, Driving The Train."

Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bS5xiM0LYtA

Rob

[peterhayes]

Rob
Yes, some nice answers on UKTS and thanks for the link!
PeterH

[trev123]

A ex Class 101 driver has posted on your UKTS post FHRob if you have not already seen it.