British trains emergency braking.

[Delta Dart]

When driving some of the British trains (notably the grey Class 47 and the HST), without any indication of a red signal or any other issues (alerter systems aren't active), the warning indicator comes on (exclamation mark on the simple HUD) and the emrgency brakes are tripped. It doesn't allow me to do anything with the controls until the train comes to a complete stop.

Most notably with the HST picking up passengers at Reading 4 and taking them to Oxford 2 (I'm doing this one as I type this). I was doing 119 mph in a 125 zone about 8 miles out of Reading 4 on my way to pick up the passengers and without indication, the warning indicator lights up black and yellow, I click it and the e-brake comes on (I've ignored it in other scenarios, namely with the Class 47, and it still hits the e-brake automatically.). Fortunately (this time) it did not deduct from my score for the e-brake being triggered (it did when using the Class 47). I was still 6.75 miles out of Reading 4 in a 125 mph zone, with the only signals passed being green and all indications that the signals ahead are green as well.

I've gone back to the train academy, doing tutorials relevant to the trains I'm operating to see if there was anything about it there. I couldn't find anything.

Am I missing something here? Am I doing something wrong? Thank you for any insight you may be able to provide.

[Sharpey™]

If pressing "Q" does'nt register when the Emergency indicator comes on or clicking on it doesnt reset it maybe its the drivers vigilance device?
If you dont Press "E" after the audible alarm goes off it will trip the Emergency Brake although I cant remember if the Class 47 and HST have it equipped.
I mainly get caught out when using an external camera while driving. You get no message of the DVD sounding and suddenly your train goes into Emergency. Some Just trains products etc include a message which can be seen even when travelling outside the cab.

[Delta Dart]

I don't think it's a driver's vigilance device (I'm more familiar with the Alerter, which is pretty much the same thing). It happened again about 2 miles later, then again about 12 miles out of Oxford 2. I was blowing the horn every 15 or 20 seconds to make sure it wasn't that. This time, I noticed a double yellow single signal head just after the alarm went off and I passed a single yellow single signal head, which seemed to have triggered it again while the e-brake was already applied. This time, after waiting a couple of minutes and the signal was still yellow (not to mention putting me well beyond my timetable for arriving at Oxford 2), I released the brakes, pushed the reverser to full forward, and added full throttle. The the train just sat there at 1500 rpm and would not build up any amperage.

It's seeming to me that if it's for signals (which it really looks like it is), there's absolutely no way of preventing it. At the speeds you NEED to go to keep the timetable, by the time the signal is rendered it's already too late to stop for it. I've also hit F1 to see if it could give me any advanced notification of signal status. I noticed a red signal ahead there, but was green when I came up to it (this was on the same route from Paddington to Reading 4, but a few minutes before the first e-break was tripped).

[Delta Dart]

Ah ha!!!! Thank you Sharpey. I was clicking on the exclaimation. Hitting "Q" seems to prevent the e-brake from coming on, provided I start to slow down soon after I hit "Q".

[Sharpey™]

Awesome man glad its working okay now!

[Ighten]

I think if you pass those two plates before the signals at too high a speed or are not showing a braking action then it snaps on regardless if you press q for the AWS magnet. Its representing the TPWS rather than the AWS (I think)

[Chicken Balti]

Hello mydartswinger, as an ex-BR real driver over the route you mention, you will recieve AWS warnings for the following.

Yellow/Double Yellow/Red signal states.

Speed Restrictions ahead, which are linked to flashing single Yellow signals that will only change to Green once the driver has reduced his trains speed to the required speed ahead. For instance, moving from the Down Main across all tracks towards the Didcot 'avoiding line' when heading for Oxford, at a speed restriction of 70mph over the associated pointwork. In addition, the other way around when working a train from Oxford to Paddington using the Didcot 'avoiding line'.

Line speed restrictions which require reducing speed from 125mph to 120mph, 100mph, 70mph, 50mph, 25mph, 20mph, 15mph at a number of places between Paddington Didcot and Oxford.

Be aware of all advanced lineside warning signs and be ready to act accordingly, plus cancel your AWS horn by pressing 'Q'.

If you do find your train emergencey brakes applied, press 'Q' to cancel the horn, close your power handle (power will have been lost) wait until you have stopped. Once stopped, check your signal state ahead (that might be Red, so be aware before moving off again) place your engine only independent brake (if fitted) to a full application to hold your train and stop it moving, place your reversing lever in the middle position, move your 'train brake' back to a full release position and then 'destroy' the brake again by making a 'full brake application' and hold that position for a few seconds to 'equalise' the system, watch your brake gauges to confirm, bring back the train brake to a full release again and watch your brake gauges, you should now see the train brakes releasing.
Once fully released, return the train brake to the running position, select Forward on your reversing lever, open your power handle to notch one, making sure you have power again by looking at your Amps gauge rising, last of all, release you independent engine only brake if fitted. You should then be moving again after 're-setting' the AWS brake system.
Best.

[Delta Dart]

Thanks for the info. With pressing "Q", I was able to avoid the brake coming on. Though I was chasing yellows for about half the route, I managed to make it to Oxford a few minutes early.

When the train was stopped by the e-brake, I had no hope of making any of my timetable.

[robert.dollin]

If you have the Class 43 Armstrong Powerhouse Enhancement pack check that the Automatic Train Protection is on or off (you can tell if the little LEDs around the speed dial are illuminated). You can switch it on or off by using Ctrl+P. If approching speed limits or signals requiring speed reduction it warbles at you and will end up with the brakes being applied. Use Ctrl+' to cancel the brakes.
Also the Driver Vigilance Device DVD requires E to be pushed not Q as is for the vast majority of of other trains. AWS cancelling is the same for others bypressing Q.
By default ATP and DVD are off at the start of the simulation.