You have read the page about stopping trains first havn't you???

• To start your engines, first check that your gear lever (5) is in neutral and throttle (9) in the "engine idling " position.
• Press the engine starter buttons (1) the lamps alongside these buttons will prove that all your engines have kicked into life and are correctly engaged to the final drive to the road wheels.
• The guard's given you the " right away " on the inter-com. bell.
• Take off the brake (4) the vacuum brakegauge (3) is just above it
• Push the gear lever into first and gently open the throttle.
• Now watch the engine r.p.m. gauge (8). When its needle enters a sector marked " change up ", shut the throttle to "engine idling".
• Change to second gear, pause briefly to let the self-change gearbox mechanism engage the new gear, then gently reopen the throttle. A glance at your rail speed indicator (6) shows that all this has happened at about 15 m.p.h.
• You'll find you have to make your next gear-change at 25-30 m.p.h. and the last, from third to top, at about 40 m.p.h. your engine speed indicator needle will also tell you just when to change down during deceleration.
• Always keep a grip on your throttle, for a " dead man's handle " is built into it; if you let go for more than five seconds the brakes will automatically go on, after the engines have shut down. This is a protection against any sudden illness attacking the driver, and don't forget to keep an eye on the signals and the track ahead will you.
• Other items marked in the photograph are the Electro-pneumatic control air pressure dial (2) and the train lighting switches (7).

  incidentally, you're driving a train like the Birmingham R.C. & W. set seen below leaving York for Leeds in 1968.

 

1. Links To Good Railway Web Sites ( including the one already mentioned where you have the chance to drive trains)
2. Basic Stuff Introduction Plus How To Stop A Train
3. How Diesel Railway Engines Work (This Page Still Under Construction)
4. How Railway Braking Systems Work
5. Back To Our Home Page

If you need to e-mail me use this link or mail to Petemoss@steamline.freeserve.co.uk