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| Length calculator V1.3 01/01/2013 at 17:12 #39929 | |
jc92
3690 posts |
I have just submitted This file to the "other Stuff" section of downloads (available What is it? Length Calculator is an Excel based Tool which will assist timetable writers to get train characteristics correct, provided they have details of the formation they are creating. What does it do after inputting the Number of locos, wagons, coaches etc that will be in a train, the calculator will tell you the maximum permissable speed of the formation, and also its full length. both of these can the be dropped into the train characteristics window on the timetable editor. Instructions upon opening the spreadsheet there are six spreadsheets: Coaches: this covers loco hauled parcels and coaching stock. it also provides a list of locos. EMUs: as it says DMUs: as it says Freight: a list of freight stock and a list of locos to work them. SLUs:a full SLU chart in case you need to convert SLUs to metres from documentation Track machines: a list of OTMs note: all the sheets are independent and will not take input from another sheet into consideration. to use, simply enter in the number of each vehicle into the "quantity" column and hit enter. the calculator will then tell you the total length of all locos, the total length of stock, and also the total length of the formation in the "complete train" box. it will also indicate the maximum permissable speed. when you are done, empty the quantity column and start again. Bug/error reporting if any errors, ommissions or bugs are present, just report them onto this thread to be dealt with. Credit I created the spreadsheet and the calculations required, along with the initial Stock listings. this has been added to extensively, including the full SLU by Pascal Nadin (58050) and then fine tuned by myself. Note: this spreadsheet has been designed with "heritage" timetables in mind, and will not therefore be fully comprehensive for any formation past the year 2000. if there is sufficient call, i will add further to the list with more modern wagon and coaching stock types "We don't stop camborne wednesdays" Last edited: 01/01/2013 at 18:01 by AndyG Log in to reply The following users said thank you: TimTamToe, Ben86, Razzabazza123, maxand |
| Length calculator V1.3 01/01/2013 at 19:10 #39937 | |
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jc92
3690 posts |
now available for download
"We don't stop camborne wednesdays" Log in to reply |
| Length calculator V1.3 01/01/2013 at 19:23 #39938 | |
58050
2659 posts |
For those who wish to use this, there are some wagons in the freight list that are post 2000. These include:- HIA - 90 tonne bogie aggregates hopper used by Freightliner Heavy Haul HYA - 102 tonne bogie coal hopper (formerly used by 'Fastline', now in use with Freightliner Heavy Haul) HXA - 102 tonne bogie coal hopper used by Freightliner Heavy Haul HYA - 102 tonne bogie coal hopper used by GBRf HTA - 102 tonne bogie coal hopper used by EWS BYA - covered bogie steel carrier used by EWS HHA - 102 tonne bogie coal hopper used by Freightliner Heavy Haul There are 2 lines of data for each of the bogie coal hoppers as the speed is different when they are loaded compared to when they are empty. Log in to reply The following user said thank you: tjfrancis |
| Length calculator V1.3 23/03/2013 at 15:42 #42567 | |
onlydjw
456 posts |
On the subject of HHAs and HXAs - the whole point behind the HXA was that they are shorter than the HHA for the same gross weight, so therefore the restricted Scottish flows can run with an extra wagon (ie 20 HXA instead of 19 HHA). The length claculator has both types as the same length, which I think is therefore incorrect. According to the Porterbrrok data sheet, a HHA is 19.6m long - see http://www.porterbrook.co.uk/images/pic_library/pdf/HHA%20Wagon.pdf Various sources seem to point at the HXAs being 19m long. God bless, Daniel Wilson Log in to reply |
| Length calculator V1.3 14/12/2013 at 18:01 #52741 | |
woodruff
204 posts |
Jc92 have you updated the lengh calculator from the origanal version?
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| Length calculator V1.3 14/12/2013 at 18:07 #52742 | |
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58050
2659 posts |
I suspect the answer to that Woodruff is no. Whats your quiery on train lengths?
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| Length calculator V1.3 15/12/2013 at 13:36 #52757 | |
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woodruff
204 posts |
I was going to use the calculator for the 2013 Carlisle timetable I have done and now testing. Then I changed my mind and went for and the have used the generic nr wtt train types. But on reflection I might want to change to have the nr wtt train type in the description but then have the actual train lengh in the train type! The reason is that though a train may be 75C86D12 it does not really give me the lengh, [ unless of course I decide that I devide the nr wtt weight by either 100t or 50t for a loaded wagon], of the train and any train that has this as the train type has the same lengh as all the other trains of the same description. I did try changing the train lengh but the tt editor reverts the train to a custom train. From web info I get that reightliner trains are approx 24 wagons in lengh and FHH approx 17 wagons in lengh. I noticed that on a post jc92 had said he would update the calculator, [ great tool by the way]. I think the main issue I have is whether to use the nr wtt train types or use these in the train desription but then custom each train. Unfortunately I have not been able to find out the train lenghs for the Carlisle route and have instead settled for train types having the same lenghs, [ approx 400 m]. It might be me trying to make the tt too realistic! Or that I saw on a thread about the tt writing group a screen shot of a tt editor where it seemed lots of other info could be input aka days of week running and other train inputs that the tt editor does not give at the moment. Log in to reply |
| Length calculator V1.3 15/12/2013 at 15:09 #52758 | |
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58050
2659 posts |
Well which ever system you use is entirely up to you. I always use the length calculator Joe did as the majority of the info contained in it came from various Freight Train Loads Books & Working Manuals for Rail Staff I have from my time working on the railways predominantly on the freight side. The length of trains aren't purely determined by the traction usit hauling the train, but also subject to the length limits the loops & yards along its booked route can accomodate. During the Speedlink days Kingmoor Yard at Carlisle had a length limit of 70SLUs which equates to 448m including locos. Most yards around the country tended to have length limits of 60SLUs which is 384m. However the freight companies today use bogie hopper wagons for coal (HTA, HHA etc etc) & most trains tend to have between 17, 19 or 21 wagons on them plus Cl.66 or Cl.70 loco. There is one error I've found on the 'Loads Calculator' which needs correcting & I suspect at some point Joe may well correct that & also add some other freight wagon lengths which are currently missing. When will that be is anyones guess. Maybe you could 'PM' him & draw his attention to your specific quiery.
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| Length calculator V1.3 15/12/2013 at 16:19 #52759 | |
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woodruff
204 posts |
Thank you for the info regarding Kingmoor yard and the train lenghs. I have beem playing around and think that I will have the nr wtt train description as part of the overall train description but then customise the actual freight train lenghs, using the calculator. More work as it means I have to change the whole of the freight trains. But should be done for the end of the week......as they say on the forum.....its ready when its ready! One item that I would like to see on the "speed classes" part of the tt editor is to have the nr wtt train classes on it for freight and passenger and also an editor where you can put in the actual loco hauling the load and wagon type and quantity. Log in to reply |
| Length calculator V1.3 15/12/2013 at 16:24 #52760 | |
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58050
2659 posts |
Woodruff what you suggest at the end of your last post has already been raised some time back regarding what info should be put in the 'train description' field. The best idea I think is to have another field underneath the existing one for train info for freight & loco hauled passenger trains as well as being able to put 'named trains' in as well.
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| Length calculator V1.3 15/12/2013 at 17:15 #52761 | |
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GW43125
495 posts |
Just a quick one, Most modern EMUs are missing! Log in to reply |
| Length calculator V1.3 15/12/2013 at 17:26 #52762 | |
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58050
2659 posts |
Here's a website I use quite alot for details of rolling stock:- http://www.railway-centre.com/ If you look at the index on the left hand side of the screen & select 'Traction Recognition' you will then go to 4 options Locomotives, EMUs, DMUs or Coaching Stock. When you select the Class of loco or unit or coaching stock it will give you the length of the vehicles or even the set length. Very useful for creating train types in creating timetables. Log in to reply |
| Length calculator V1.3 15/12/2013 at 17:35 #52763 | |
Steamer
3986 posts 
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" said:Just a quick one,All covered on the Wiki. "Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q) Log in to reply |
| Length calculator V1.3 15/12/2013 at 18:27 #52764 | |
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GW43125
495 posts |
So where's the t/load we use??
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| Length calculator V1.3 15/12/2013 at 19:07 #52765 | |
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jc92
3690 posts |
" said:Just a quick one,as in the O/P, this is primarily aimed at heritage sims, and isnt designed to cover up to date units and stock "We don't stop camborne wednesdays" Log in to reply |
| Length calculator V1.3 15/12/2013 at 19:15 #52766 | |
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GW43125
495 posts |
Would people like it if I made an up-to-date version of the length calculator with new stock?
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| Length calculator V1.3 15/12/2013 at 20:14 #52770 | |
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Steamer
3986 posts
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" said:So where's the t/load we use??The Timing Load for a train is given in the WTT published by Network Rail as an indication of the minimum speed/acceleration needed to meet the times. It's not seen in SimSig, unless the TT author decided to make a train category "DMU (S)" instead of separate categories for Class 150/153/155/156. "Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q) Last edited: 15/12/2013 at 21:21 by Steamer Reason: Rephrased explanation- original was ambiguous. Log in to reply The following user said thank you: woodruff |
| Length calculator V1.3 15/12/2013 at 20:43 #52777 | |
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woodruff
204 posts |
I have dropped jc92 a pm to ask if he is going to update the calculator that he placed in to the download section.
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| Length calculator V1.3 15/12/2013 at 20:57 #52779 | |
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woodruff
204 posts |
Just a quick thought Steamer, if we can input the info for Dmu etc then is there anything that can be input for freight trains , modern or heritage that will do the same?
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| Length calculator V1.3 15/12/2013 at 21:05 #52780 | |
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Steamer
3986 posts
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" said:Just a quick thought Steamer, if we can input the info for Dmu etc then is there anything that can be input for freight trains , modern or heritage that will do the same?Could you phrase that again please? Sorry, I'm not sure if you're referring to the Wiki or the Length calculator. "Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q) Log in to reply |
| Length calculator V1.3 15/12/2013 at 21:08 #52782 | |
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woodruff
204 posts |
If by inputting say a class 150 as DMU(S), so the sim uses this info, can you do the same for freight?
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| Length calculator V1.3 15/12/2013 at 21:20 #52784 | |
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Steamer
3986 posts
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" said:If by inputting say a class 150 as DMU(S), so the sim uses this info, can you do the same for freight?SimSig doesn't recognise DMU (S) as anything, I meant that a TT writer could make a single Train Type called "DMU (S) 2 Car" instead of separate Train Types for "Class 150", "Class 155" etc. EDIT: I can see my original post was a bit ambiguous, I've tidied it up a bit. "Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q) Last edited: 15/12/2013 at 21:22 by Steamer Log in to reply The following user said thank you: woodruff |
| Length calculator V1.3 16/12/2013 at 09:33 #52803 | |
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onlydjw
456 posts |
Be careful, a 150 length is different to a 156 length for example. Timing load does not give any indication of length - only what weight and maximum speed any path is timed at (example, if a tank train from Lindsey Refinery was booked for 30 TEA (that's roughly 3,000 tonnes), but only went with 10 TEA (roughly 1,000 tonnes), there would be a big difference in the relative acceleration/braking characteristics of that train, and also it's length. However, the timing load on it's path would be exactly as it was booked. The train would probably tend to run a little early on its point to point times, and would probably end up in loops for longer waiting for its booked time. Going back to sprinters, the timing load is exactly the same for a 153 (1 coach), as it would be for a combination of 2 x 156 + 2 x 153, even though that is 6 coaches. It's timing load would still be DMU (S) 075. Likewise, we get trains booked 158 + 153 which are timed as DMU (S) 075, and likewise, we have 158 diagrams booked as DMU (S) 075, so that if a 75mph unit covers the diagrams, it won't lose time. God bless, Daniel Wilson Log in to reply |
| Length calculator V1.3 16/12/2013 at 15:50 #52812 | |
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GW43125
495 posts |
On a separate sidenote, would a train fact sheet in .xls format be useful to anyone?
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| Length calculator V1.3 16/12/2013 at 17:19 #52814 | |
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woodruff
204 posts |
If it had train lenghs etc then yes. The problem with the Nr wtt is that it only has the weights and no lenghs for freight trains.
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