Loss of power on the Lickey Incline

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Loss of power on the Lickey Incline 15/07/2014 at 03:17 #62768
eeldump
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In the Gloucester sim, I noticed that trains that are running with a loss of power simply plod up the Lickey Incline with no need for banker help. You'd think that some of those trains would need a bit of help up that grade...

Semi-related sidenote: Is Distributed Power used at all in UK freight ops? (I know that US railroads use it extensively to avoid needing regular manned helper operations in mountain grade territory, among the other benefits it does bring...)

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Loss of power on the Lickey Incline 15/07/2014 at 06:59 #62769
Forest Pines
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The Gloucester sim doesn't include gradient code as far as I know. Saltley does, though, and you can see the effect on speed as a train comes up the bank.

Distributed power isn't used in the UK. The idea of a "freight dmu" has been raised occasionally, but it's never gone beyond a loose concept.

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Loss of power on the Lickey Incline 15/07/2014 at 15:07 #62770
AndyG
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The other simulation with significant gradients enabled is Sheffield, from Dore up Chinley Bank to Earles sidings; IIRC most freight loses time.
I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either.
Last edited: 15/07/2014 at 15:08 by AndyG
Reason: typo

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Loss of power on the Lickey Incline 15/07/2014 at 16:24 #62773
Danny252
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I wasn't aware of any significant issues with Sheffield unless the bad weather scenario was selected (though maybe I didn't observe closely enough!). However, Carlisle has been noted for suffering significantly from gradient delays due to what was confirmed to be a core code issue. I believe that this has since been fixed in the core code that makes up the loader - Motherwell has a fair few steep bits as well, but trains run as they should.
Last edited: 15/07/2014 at 18:24 by Danny252
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Loss of power on the Lickey Incline 01/08/2014 at 02:32 #63389
eeldump
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" said:
The Gloucester sim doesn't include gradient code as far as I know. Saltley does, though, and you can see the effect on speed as a train comes up the bank.

Distributed power isn't used in the UK. The idea of a "freight dmu" has been raised occasionally, but it's never gone beyond a loose concept.

I wonder if part of the problem here is the mix of MU systems in the UK? I suspect the Locotrol-type DP gear used in the US is designed to work with the AAR MU wiring...

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Loss of power on the Lickey Incline 01/08/2014 at 07:35 #63391
postal
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" said:
" said:
The Gloucester sim doesn't include gradient code as far as I know. Saltley does, though, and you can see the effect on speed as a train comes up the bank.

Distributed power isn't used in the UK. The idea of a "freight dmu" has been raised occasionally, but it's never gone beyond a loose concept.

I wonder if part of the problem here is the mix of MU systems in the UK? I suspect the Locotrol-type DP gear used in the US is designed to work with the AAR MU wiring...
There is probably no need for distributed power in the UK as the infrastructure is not equipped to handle trains heavy and long enough to need such power (as discussed at some length in this topic).

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
Last edited: 01/08/2014 at 07:35 by postal
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Loss of power on the Lickey Incline 01/08/2014 at 09:30 #63394
peterb
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" said:
The other simulation with significant gradients enabled is Sheffield, from Dore up Chinley Bank to Earles sidings; IIRC most freight loses time.
Is this in the most recent public version or a more recent beta? I recall no issues with freight loosing time on this stretch.

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Loss of power on the Lickey Incline 01/08/2014 at 11:48 #63397
Danny252
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" said:
" said:
" said:
The Gloucester sim doesn't include gradient code as far as I know. Saltley does, though, and you can see the effect on speed as a train comes up the bank.

Distributed power isn't used in the UK. The idea of a "freight dmu" has been raised occasionally, but it's never gone beyond a loose concept.

I wonder if part of the problem here is the mix of MU systems in the UK? I suspect the Locotrol-type DP gear used in the US is designed to work with the AAR MU wiring...
There is probably no need for distributed power in the UK as the infrastructure is not equipped to handle trains heavy and long enough to need such power (as discussed at some length in this topic).
And equally, few industries have enough demand to require such long trains anyway - regular service is preferred over a once-fortnightly dump. Even if there was the demand, you could easily double the length of UK trains before getting into the territory of needing DPU.

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