MattW
Conductor
Railworks just [finally] released the Northeast Corridor for Railworks2(3) which so far only includes an AEM-7 and Amfleets, but there's been some consternation within the various communities over just how exactly the in-cab signaling is supposed to work vs. how it really works in real life. The Railworks NEC includes a signal aspect PDF, and the AEM-7 manual indicates that the upper part displays the color-position-light signal aspect (no question there) while the lower part has two speeds: upper displaying signal speed, lower displaying track speed. The big question floating about this part is what defines track speed? The best example is the curve at Frankford Junction. On my first trip through, track speed was indicated as being 110mph, but track speed is only 55mph. I only discovered this after my Northeast Regional tipped over. What speeds does ACSES provide to the cab signals? Are things such as temporary speed restrictions supposed to be included? Also, how is an engineer supposed to know upcoming track speed such as the Elizabeth S-curve (ok, everyone should know this one by heart, but work with me here)? In-game, speed limit changes happen instantly, and there are no line-side speed limit signs warning of an upcoming reduction. Is this how it works in real life?
The next question is about signal speed. In normal railroad signals, I understand that if you get some sort of restricting aspect, you're supposed to pass the next signal at say 30mph and you have the entire block to slow down, so in theory, you could run maximum allowed speed right to the last second, then cut in full service braking and pass the signal at exactly 30mph. In-game however, any signaling speed changes require you to apply full service braking within a few seconds or it will apply the brakes (though not emergency brakes) if you've activated speed control. On the real NEC, are signal-speed changes regarded as immediate reductions, or is the speed reduction only required to be in force once the train has passed the signal?
The next question is about signal speed. In normal railroad signals, I understand that if you get some sort of restricting aspect, you're supposed to pass the next signal at say 30mph and you have the entire block to slow down, so in theory, you could run maximum allowed speed right to the last second, then cut in full service braking and pass the signal at exactly 30mph. In-game however, any signaling speed changes require you to apply full service braking within a few seconds or it will apply the brakes (though not emergency brakes) if you've activated speed control. On the real NEC, are signal-speed changes regarded as immediate reductions, or is the speed reduction only required to be in force once the train has passed the signal?
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