Driving Efficiency

Driving trains is all about efficiency. The more you're familiar with the physics and economy involved in train operation, the more cost effective you'll complete the deliveries .

The skills to cost saving are best gained from hands-on driving experience, getting to know the railway network , and studying the vehicle catalog . Here are some tips to improve efficiency:

• Know your switches well in advance .

• Avoid collisions . When approaching a vehicle for coupling , a way to ensure safe speed of contact is to first stop at a safe distance, then proceed at very low speed until contact.

• Choose the right pulling power for the job. Having too little power may cause the train to stall uphill, whereas having too much power may be too costly in terms of fuel consumption. Try to find an ideal match and, if necessary, take multiple vehicles in multiple-unit configuration .

• Control steam production. Do not produce more steam than you need with steam engines. Any steam that ends up vented out by the safety valve is a product of wasted fuel. Rather than rely on dampers to cut on steam production, well timed water injection can be even more effective.

• Optimize coal burning . Keep the firebox light when airflow is low, and keep it full when airflow is high.

• Utilize the limits of derailment . Time is money, so don't drive too slow. Once you fully understand the derailment limits, maximize your speed in accordance with the speed limit signs .

• Utilize the limits of a vehicle’s powertrain . Once you fully understand the limits of powertrain overheating and traction loss with a given load, vehicle and weather plan accordingly what sections of the track you can accelerate and brake to the fullest capacity.

• Use your momentum. Trains are heavy, and will keep moving for a long distance even if you cut throttle to save fuel.

• Learn the route's grade and speed variations . Timely observe the signs, but also memorize them. Like following a raceline on the circuit, the best way to drive a train efficiently is to know the route by heart and take the most optimal actions at precisely calculated moments.

• Utilize gravity. Let it accelerate and decelerate your train on grades , and only use power and brakes as supplements to that force.

• Utilize methods of dynamic braking . Whether it’s to help slow down faster, or reduce stress on the mechanical brakes , dynamic brakes are another valuable tool in maximizing efficiency.

• Use gadgets . If cleverly utilized, they can drastically cut time and resource usage.