Cab controls for class 31 and 37 locos

[cmodyssey]

Hi,

I'm booking a loco driving experience and have never been in the cab of any type of train, let alone drive one.

I've been looking on the net for some web pages showing the cab controls of a class 31 or class 37, as it's one of those classes that will be used on the experience day.

I've had no luck finding web pages showing this.

Can anyone please point me in the direction of where I can find this (if it exists at all).

Thanks in advance.

Richard.

 

[Holmbridge]

Hi this is the cab of a 37 I had the pleasure of driving at ELR recently

Engine and train brakes on the left
Direction and throttle controls on the right
Feet operate the "dead mans handle"

And the most important lever. ... The horn by your right knee.

more photos if you are interested here.

http://www.pbase.com/amjones/drive_a_diesel

 

[cmodyssey]

Hi Holmbridge,

Thanks for that, just what I was looking for.

I also looked through all the other photos in your album, looks like it was a great experience.

Thanks again,

Richard.

 

[87 027]

You could also try downloading simulator software - I have both a 31 and 37 for OpenBVE

 

[O L Leigh]

Why not just wait until you get your driving experience day? You'll have an instructor who will tell you what everything is, where it is and how to use it. Studying photos or playing simulators won't help a huge amount with driving the loco compared to the experience of your instructor.

O L Leigh

 

[Holmbridge]

Why not just wait until you get your driving experience day? You'll have an instructor who will tell you what everything is, where it is and how to use it. Studying photos or playing simulators won't help a huge amount with driving the loco compared to the experience of your instructor.

O L Leigh

Anticipation of the big day out is all part of the experience of the total package

Doing some background pre visit research adds to the overall enjoyment of the day. It not simply about trying to learn how to do it in advance.

 

[cmodyssey]

Having taken a look at the photos and watched some youtube clips, that's as far as I want to take it.

I wanted to be able to get up to speed quicker on the day and having done some of this background stuff has made me look forward to it more.

Thanks everyone for all your replies, it's all helpful

Richard.

 

[Beveridges]

Thats an excellent idea doing the pre visit research, the quicker you can get up to speed on the day the more you'll enjoy it

 

[37038]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faxC4Rqb0I8

Thanks

 

[Juniper Driver]

Hi this is the cab of a 37 I had the pleasure of driving at ELR recently

Engine and train brakes on the left
Direction and throttle controls on the right
Feet operate the "dead mans handle"

And the most important lever. ... The horn by your right knee.

more photos if you are interested here.

http://www.pbase.com/amjones/drive_a_diesel

That brings back memories. Great locos.I always thought of them as like tanks on rails.

 

[colchesterken]

I have never undersood how the drive works.. are the electric motors driven from the controls or is it like a car where the amount of fuel govens the speed
On an electric loco the driving controls must work the motors direct

 

[Juniper Driver]

I have never undersood how the drive works.. are the electric motors driven from the controls or is it like a car where the amount of fuel governs the speed
On an electric loco the driving controls must work the motors direct

Nah it's 25kv it's got to be stepped down.Via transformer and tappings.im sure someone can explain it better than I can.

 

[Domh245]

No idea with the diesels but my best guess is that the throttle varies the fuel delivered to the engine, varying the revs, which in turn varies the voltage to the motors. Probably with some rectifying along the way. As for electrics, in ye olde days (class 81-87) a tap charger was used to vary the amount of windings on a step down transformer to give a variable voltage AC which was then rectified and sent to the motors. Nowadays, the lever controls some fancy electronics which take constant voltage DC (transformed and rectified from AC) and turn it into a vaguely sinusoidal waveform for the motors.

 

[KA4C]

That brings back memories. Great locos.I always thought of them as like tanks on rails.

Orrible noisy draughty things with a switch instead of a controller and a DSD that you can't hear

 

[Juniper Driver]

Orrible noisy draughty things with a switch instead of a controller and a DSD that you can't hear

Sounds like a 455 with a DSD you can't feel. (or hear the click of it releasing)

 

[Beveridges]

I've yet to Drive a 37 but I notice from the pictures that visibility looks poor out of the windows. They seem quite high up and small. Is this a problem when driving these?

We have a dwarf DD at our place. I would think he would have trouble if he had to sign 37's.

 

[87 027]

I've driven a Cl 40 on a driver experience day on the ELR - yes the cab windows are high compared to some locos, but no visibility issues when sitting in the driving seat (obviously after getting used to the bonnet). Thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommended.

 

[Holmbridge]

I've yet to Drive a 37 but I notice from the pictures that visibility looks poor out of the windows. They seem quite high up and small. Is this a problem when driving these?

Wasn't a big issue, you get used to it quickly.

 

[455driver]

Sounds like a 455 with a DSD you can't feel. (or hear the click of it releasing)

The click was removed when they changed the actual switch for a more modern alternative which didnt click, after a few DSD brake demands (because drivers didnt realise they were not depressing the pedal correctly), they decided to fit another part which makes a click but it is not actually associated with the DSD switch itself.