DB Class 185.2 Traffic Red Expert-Line: Compatible With Train Simulator 2015 or Later
DB Class 185.2 Traffic Red Expert-Line: Compatible With Train Simulator 2015 or Later
2 traffic red
Expert-Line
Content ........................................................................................................................................ 1
1 Information ............................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 DB class 152 - Functions available in the Simulation .................................................................... 3
1.2 Technical Data DB class 152 .......................................................................................................... 3
2 The Locomotive ......................................................................................................................... 4
3 Cab and Controls ....................................................................................................................... 6
4 How to drive.............................................................................................................................. 7
4.1 Expert-Line and general hints ........................................................................................................ 7
4.2 Start-Up Procedure........................................................................................................................ 7
4.3 Message- and Help system ............................................................................................................ 7
4.4 Battery ........................................................................................................................................... 7
4.5 Pantograph and Main Switch ........................................................................................................ 7
4.6 Regulator ....................................................................................................................................... 8
4.7 AFB (cruise control) ....................................................................................................................... 8
4.7 Brakes The locomotive has three brake systems .......................................................................... 9
4.8 Wheel-slip and Sanding ............................................................................................................... 11
4.9 FML (Traction motor blowers)..................................................................................................... 11
5 SiFa, PZB and LZB (Train protection systems) ............................................................................ 11
5.1 SiFa (vigilance alarm) ................................................................................................................... 11
5.2 PZB 90 V2.0 (point based train protection & control system) .................................................... 11
5.3 Overview of PZB 90 ..................................................................................................................... 12
5.4 LZB (continuous line based protection & control system): ......................................................... 14
6 Additional Systems .................................................................................................................. 15
6.1 Protective section ........................................................................................................................ 15
6.2 Door control and train heating .................................................................................................... 15
6.3 Destination board control ........................................................................................................... 15
6.4 Observation ................................................................................................................................. 15
6.5 AI Pantograph selection .............................................................................................................. 16
6.6 Double formation and push pull system ..................................................................................... 16
6.7 EBuLa ........................................................................................................................................... 16
7 Key Layout .............................................................................................................................. 17
8 Hints for scenario creators ....................................................................................................... 18
9 Credits .................................................................................................................................... 18
1.1 DB class 152 - Functions available in the Simulation
The most important functions are summarised below (Not all functions are listed)
TS problems: If more than one locomotive is coupled to your train, the brake pressure may
be reduced or divided by the engines present in consist. Please keep that in mind when
using the brakes.
4.4 Battery
Battery voltage:
Before you can start driving with the locomotive the battery need to be switched on.
You do this by pressing <Shift+B>. The battery could only be switched on when the
locomotive is not moving and the reverser is set to 0 (zero). The battery is always fully
charged. Normally the battery is switched on already at the begin of a scenario.
4.6 Regulator
Automatic notching control:
With the regulator you select a desired tractive effort and the locomotive then will try to
reach that selected value. If you run light engines or lighter trains, then select a lower
tractive effort as on heavier trains.
Reverser lock:
The reverser is locked when:
Requirements:
- the locomotive was started up
- the regulator is set to 0 (zero)
- the train brake is applied
- the AFB VSoll-lever is set to 0 (zero)
- there is no active emergency braking applied
Now use the AFB switch or press <Shift+A> to switch on the AFB system. You will hear a
speech 3 times, the AFB holding brake will be applied, the VZiel display on the speedometer
gauge will light up with ‘000’ and you will get a message on the right upper screen position.
The AFB system now is ready to work. Set a speed you wish to reach and hold with the
VSoll-lever. The VZiel display and the VSoll needle in the speedometer gauge will change and
display your actual setting. To start the run you need to release all bakes and set the
regulator to a value higher than 0. The AFB will release the standing brake and tries to apply
some power. You can easily change the speed while driving with the VSoll-lever. To prevent
the system from wavering around the zero TE between power and brake force, select a
lower regulator value to smooth it out.
Requirements:
- the regulator is set to 0 (zero)
- the AFB VSoll-lever is set to 140 (the maximum value)
- there is no active emergency braking applied
Now use the AFB switch or press the keys <Shift+A> to switch on the AFB system. You will
hear a speech 3 times, the AFB standing brake will applied, the VZiel display on the
speedometer gauge will light up with ‘000’ and you will get a message on the right upper
screen position. Set a speed you wish to reach and hold with the VSoll-lever. The VZiel
display and the VSoll needle in the speedometer gauge will change and display your actual
setting. Set the regulator to the required value and the AFB system begins to do the work.
Switch off:
Use the AFB switch or press the keys <Shift+A>, you will hear a speech 3 times, the VZiel
display goes dark (if LZB is not running), the VSoll display moves to 0 (if LZB is not running)
and you will get a message on the upper right screen position. After that you need to set the
VSoll-lever to 0 (zero) position. Now reapply power with the regulator if needed.
The AFB system is able to control the speed whilst running in LZB mode. The procedures to
switch on and off are the same as described above. Note, that you can’t set a speed with the
VSoll-lever that is above the actual LZB maximal speed. But you can set the VSoll-lever to its
maximum value while under LZB control. The system reads out the maximum speed that can
actually be set. Of course, you can set a speed below the actual LZB speed to travel slower
than the line speed (maybe for LZB controlled freight trains).
Please note:
The AFB works a bit differently under LZB control than if you use it in manual driving mode.
When running under LZB and the G is lit, then the AFB VSoll speed runs underspeed by 10-
20kph to avoid exceeding the speed limit. While the G is lit there will be no power applied by
the AFB system.
4.7 Brakes
The locomotive has three brake systems
Engine brake:
when you enter the cab the loco brake is released. The brake is only used to brake the
locomotive and not the train. You can use the brake when starting your train on a hill to
prevent the locomotive from rolling back. When you take power, the loco brake should be
released.
Train brake:
The train brake is used to brake the whole train. It is a notched brake and can be precisely
controlled. Use the brake with care, according to the train weight and track conditions.
When you take power the train brake needs to be released.
E-brake:
If both, train brake and E-brake levers, are in the release position they are automatically
coupled together when the train brake is used. To use the E-brake independently from the
train brake simply decouple the lever by moving it separately.
Brake modes:
The locomotive has three different brake modes (you can maybe call them brake difficulties).
They named R, P and G. The main difference between these brake modes are the fill and
release rates of the brake cylinder pressures. In mode R and P, the times are 4 seconds to
fill, and 20 or 15 seconds to release the brakes. In brake mode R the high braking is active
and will do an additive pressure to the locomotive brakes below 130kph to raise the brake
force.
The brake mode G is the more interesting one for you, the virtual train driver. You need to
consider a good portion of think ahead. Fill rates of about 35 seconds and release rates of
more than 90 seconds will attracting your attention. Especially long and heavy trains will do
react a lot slower than short and light weight trains. The longer the train the longer the
times become to fill and release brakes. Do not brake too hard or you will wait a long time
before an already clear signal. Brake too weak and you will be thrown over a blocked signal
or a 500Hz magnet which exists mostly to prevent the signal pass at danger. At the end you
need to wat if you do a mistake with your braking style. Timing and feeling is what you need
here.
To switch the brake mode, set the train brake to emergency position and use the key
command <Ctrl+Shift+;>. They get cycled thru. This could only happen when the train is
not moving.
Please note: there is a possibility to set the brake mode from scenario script and then
the mode is forced and can’t be switched again from the user’s sight. If this happens,
you will get a message box on the top right corner that informs you about it.
High braking:
On disc braked locomotives there is a system that uses more pressure to brake the loco itself
at lower speeds. Disc brakes are not as efficient as block brakes at lower speeds, so they
need more pressure to be effective. Below 130km/h the system activates automatically and
de-activates if you come back above 160km/h. There is a lamp on the desk that will show
you the actual state of the system. It is called “Hohe Abbremsung” and is colored red. The
system works automatically, but be aware that due to the additional pressure applied, the
locomotive brakes will release more slowly than usual. Release the brakes earlier to prevent
too much reduction in speed. The high braking is active only in brake mode R.
If you pull a heavy train it is very difficult to prevent the wheels from slipping. If you do not
reduce the power, the wheels will keep slipping. To master difficult situations like climbing
up a hill with a heavy train you can use the sander. Use the switch in the cab or press <X>
to switch on the sander.
If you switched on the SIFA you have to press the space bar every 30 seconds to reset the
timer.
If you forget to reset the SIFA timer, the SIFA lamp will lit up on the desk to remind you to
press the SIFA button. If you miss this, after 2 seconds you will get a warning speech that
will last for a further 2 seconds after which the train will begin braking automatically and
give you an emergency warning speech. You can stop that braking on every time with a
press on the SIFA pedal to reset the timer. It’s not a real emergency braking.
The SIFA will pause if you switch to an outside view. So you can have it switched on even if
you want to have some route explorations. Back in cab the SIFA timer runs again from
30secs down.
5.2 PZB 90 V2.0 (point based train protection & control system)
The locomotive has a realistic built in PZB90 system used in Germany for the speed control
of trains. We have now overhauled the whole function with better prototypical replication.
Important: The use of the PZB Wachsam / Acknowledge switch is different to earlier
vR locomotives with PZB. The use of the switch will be registered by the PZB system when
the switch is releasing! That is a prototypical behaviour and different to earlier PZB systems
installed in vR locomotives or other vehicles with PZB equipped. You can switch and hold
PZB Wachsam / Acknowledge switch when you pass a 1000Hz magnet, but need to release
the switch in between 4sec. to avoid an emergency brake.
There are three types of train controlled via the PZB system, these are described as:
When you enable PZB with Shift+8 it will start up ready for a Zugart O train.
Zugart can be read in the vR Message window to the right in the cab.
You can use Ctrl+8 to cycle between the train types until you have the one most appropriate
for your train. The key differentiators are the maximum speed and the ability to stop, so a
long slow heavy freight train should be a Zugart U, for example.
In the descriptions below, the process that is followed is exactly the same regardless of the
train type selected, what differs is the speed limits that are enforced.
• 1000Hz - at some remote point on the track such as the distant signal
• 500Hz - usually 250m before the main signal being checked
• 2000Hz - placed at the signal itself
Note: In the speed limit descriptions below the line limit always overrides that given in the
description. For example, if the description says that you must be below 85km/h and the
line limit is 60km/h then this takes precedence.
1000Hz Magnet
A passing train will first meet the 1000Hz magnet and the 1000Hz lamp will light on the PZB
display after pressing PZB Wachsam / key Page Down while passing the signal.
On the Train Simulator 2012 HUD, the exclamation point indicator will light up with a wasp
black/yellow pattern, but there is no audible indicator. The driver now has four seconds
within which to press the PZB Wachsam button (Page Down). Failure to do this will result in
emergency brakes being applied.
Having acknowledged the 1000Hz magnet, the driver now has 23 seconds to drop their
speed to 85km/h ( Note: A different Zugart ( M or U ) has a different speed ) or emergency
brakes will apply.
After the train has passed 700m from the 1000Hz magnet the 1000Hz lamp will go out and
at this point the driver may choose to press PZB Frei (End) to get out of the speed restriction
if, and only if, they can clearly see that the controlled signal is now showing a clear aspect.
If the driver presses PZB Frei and then runs over an active 500Hz magnet the train assumes
the driver has made a mistake and will apply emergency brakes.
500Hz Magnet
On passing the 500Hz magnet, the train must not be exceeding 65km/h or the emergency
brakes will be applied. The 500Hz lamp on the PZB display will light up. The train now has
153 meters to reduce speed to 45km/h.
The 45km/h speed limit is now in force for the next 250m. It is not possible to release from
this with the PZB Frei button.
2000Hz Magnet
If the train passes an active 2000Hz magnet then it will always apply its emergency brakes
as the only time this can happen is if the train is passing a signal at danger.
Other notes
If, while under the control of a 1000Hz or 500Hz magnet, the train stops or spends more
than 15 seconds at less than 10km/h the enforced speed limit will be reduced by a further
20km/h and this is then called a restrictive speed limit. This is indicated on the PZB display
by the speed indicators (the top row) alternating between two lamps ( 70 and 85 ).
Once the magnet lamp goes out you can press PZB Frei (END) to get out of the restrictive
speed limit.
Befehl40 (‘Order 40km/h’)
The Befehl40 button (DEL) allows a special case that instructs the train to ignore a 2000Hz (
red signal ) magnets that it comes across. You are put in to an enforced speed limit of
40km/h while this is active, exceeding this limit will cause the emergency brakes to apply.
To pass the red signal press and hold DEL for PZB Befehl40 until the Befehl40 light lights up.
O (Obere) 165km/h -> 85km/h 65km/h -> 45km/h 45km/h -> 25km/h
in 23 seconds 45km/h constant
In 153m
in 153m
Further Reading
You can find more recommended reading about the German PZB90 system at these links:
• http://www.marco-wegener.de/technik/pzb90.htm
• http://www.sh1.org/eisenbahn/rindusi.htm
(content is owned and maintained by 3rd parties and not under our control)
The LZB end procedure is now implemented prototypical but will again depend on the
correct route work to act like in real world. Maybe the distance to the end is to short or too
long or there is no LZB end defined in the route. LZB end will be signaled in the cab with the
LZB ‘Ende’ lamp within the MFA lamps and an acoustic buzzer sound and need to be
acknowledged within 10 seconds with PZB Acknowledge <page down> or you will get an
emergency braking applied to a stop. An LZB emergency braking now needs to revoke by
pressing the PZB command key <del> for a minimum of 3 seconds.
Also note, that the AFB never brakes a train to a halt. If you are heading to a stopping
aspect, you need to brake manually. Take care of the LZB distance gauge and the VSoll
needle within the speedometer to not run into a LZB overspeed or LZB SPAD. Always be
save and have one distance LED lit and the speedometer needle a bit lower that the VSoll
needle to prevent unnecessary emergency braking.
To open the doors you need to use the usal TS key <T>. You then need to close the doors
with key command <Shift+T> manually after you heard the whistle sound.
When the doors are open the regulator is locked and it may be necessary to engage the loco
brake to prevent the train from rolling.
6.4 Observation
Voltage maximum:
The maximum voltage the locomotive can handle is 600A. With activated ZDS the maximum
is reduced to 300A. This locomotive regulates the usable power by itself, and you don’t need
to get involved with it. But the reduced voltage reduces also the possible tractive effort you
can reach.
6.5 AI Pantograph selection
There are some special functions for the locomotive when it is used as an AI machine.
If it is raining or snowing the right wiper in driving direction will start automatically.
If you write scenarios by yourself you can now decide which pantograph should be raised
when the locomotive is used as an AI vehicle. Type in the listed code after the locomotives
number in the editor fly out ID field:
• „SA00“ = no pantograph is raised (please use the TSs own dead engine system for it)
• „SA10„ = pantograph No. 1 is raised
• „SA01„ = pantograph No. 2 is raised
• „SA11„ = both pantographs are raised
You can see the result of the preselection in the editor right after entering it into the
numbering field.
On scenario start the ZDS system activates automatically if there are two locomotives in the
consist. Otherwise you can switch on it by the key command <Shift+9>. First switch it on in
the trailing BR185.2 and then switch the cabs within 10 seconds and switch it on in the
heading 152 too.
6.7 EBuLa
First to say that the EBuLa will be a community driven feature. We just implemented the
basic functionality to give you the ability to have a working EBuLa. We will try to help out if
you need help. Just ask about within our support channel.
Function Key Key
Battery Isolating Switch on/off Shift B
ZDS/ZWS on / off Shift 9
Pantograph Selection Shift P
CHANGED: Pantograph up / down (Ctrl) P
CHANGED: Main circuit switch on/off (Ctrl) Z
Regulator A/D
Reverser W/S
Traction motor blower Shift / Ctrl F
Cruise control speed selection lever (Shift) Y
Cruise control on / off Shift A
Brake mode selection Ctrl+Shift ;
Train brake ;/´
E-brake </>
Engine brake [/]
Emergency brake Backsp ()
Sander X
SIFA on/off Shift 7
SIFA Reset Space
PZB on/off Shift 8
PZB Acknowledge Page down
PZB Release End
PZB Command Del
PZB system information Ctrl+Shift 8
LZB on/off Shift 6
Horn high B
Horn low N
Doors closing (SAT) Shift T
Wipers (Ctrl) V
Cab light and Reading lamp (Shift) L
Instrument lights I
ZZA up (+10) (Ctrl) 0
ZZA down (-10) (Ctrl) + Shift 0
Help system on or off Shift [
Message level Ctrl ]
Message language selection DE/EN Ctrl+Shift M
Speech announcement system test (takes time) Ctrl+Shift 7
Please place the locomotives so that cab 1 points into the driving direction.
This will prevent a false detection of the driving direction for placing the driver and raising
the correct pantograph.
This Expert-Line is able to follow the save and resume function of TS. All the important
system states are saved, so you can save your scenario and resume it later. Please note that
some system values are not stored like an active PZB monitoring.
You can set the brake mode from scenario scripting and force that mode so the user can’t
change it. The control name is ‘BrakeMode’ and accepts the values 2, 3 and 4. The values
are representing the brake modes: 1=R, 2=P and 4=G. Fire only once and wait until 4
seconds after scenario start to set it up. Use a message window and fire an event to do so.
The forced brake mode is scenario save function and rolling start compatible and will remain
after a resume.
We say Thank You to all people who helped realizing this package.