Strangely, as, I although I have always been interested in trains, the sort of mechanical detail described above fascinated me at the same time as going over the top of my head. But I did read it all, with interest.
But I searched in vain for the answer to one question that occurs to me. Bearing in mind the enormous loads of a train, as opposed to a lorry for instance, how did they apparently overcome the grip required by steel on steel. As a trainspotter as a lad a regular featuire of watching a steam engine start from stationary was the overpowering of the engine causing several rapid spins of the driver wheels.
I didn’t see or hear the same with the diesels, so how come?
And also, how have they done the same with electric?
Diesel & electric still stall or spin the wheels. They try to get over it with more driving wheels either one behind the other, one ‘banking’ from the rear or in the case of very long trains one or three in the middle as well. Going back to an earlier post (6) in this thread there is one HST pushing another which had failed.
This hour long video has mutiple locomotives spread out and still grinds to a halt.
Anyone else into the Dovetail games, TSW (train sim world), they have the new TSW6 launch on the 30th September. I cant wait as the new format is more realistic than the former TSW5.
The track testing train going up Shap at 105mph and having to slow down for the speed restriction at the summit. Start at around 26 minutes when it shortly becomes clear that the signals ahead have been set to the wrong route and the driver has noticed an incorrect advance route warning. Turn up the volume to hear the driver talking to the signalman. The route then follows the M6 and A74 through some marvellous scenery.
This is a very clear indication of just how much concentration and knowledge is required to drive a train. Imagine doing this in the dark and rain, let alone fog.
Nice one. I’ll keep coming back to watching that while I’m being tipped and loaded.
Forgot to post in here, was getting the train down to Wolverhampton last Saturday and while at Wigan North Western the Midland Pullman HST charter train made a brief stop. Was calling at Preston & Lancaster then non stop to Inverness, doing a Highland Lines tour. Wished I was getting on it!
Looked ace in the blue livery. I took a video but says it’s too big file to post here. Was a welcome surprise anyway.
The comments are worth a read relating to the incorrect route. It would seem (I know nothing about signalling) that he expected to see a warning and didn’t so he slowed and contacted the signalman.
This reminds me of the dog’s dinner signing all year on the A249 to Sheppey at the Kemsley exit.
I’ve honestly no idea, but their old dungers are all over NSW and Vic so it wouldn’t surprise me. People in Britain think Type 3s (Class 37s) are old and they certainly are, but some of the power units still used here on regular freight are ancient.
