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Woodhead Class 76 (TS)

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Inversnecky

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I don’t know if it’s my driving, but does anyone else find that as soon as you put a Class 76 into notch one, there’s a bit of a jolt?

If this reflects the prototype, then passenger trains hauled by a 76 can’t have been the most comfortable! Vintage whiplash injuries?!

Was anyone here on a real 76 hauled passenger train back in the day?
 
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Peter C

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Is this the original Woodhead route, or the Woodhead in Blue version? I've got the original route and randomly remembered this thread earlier today, and so, after quite a bit of faffing, I got to the position where I could get the 76 moving. I couldn't get it to make a jolt, but that might have been because I was trying to do the seemingly-entirely-uphill route from Manchester to Sheffield with 10 Mk1s in tow. From the few old bits of film I've seen of 76s, they seemed to be quite smooth when starting off from a station. https://www.britishpathe.com/video/goodbye-to-steam-aka-railway-modernisation has a quick shot of a 76 (which the commentary incorrectly describes as a new diesel - something many have picked up on), and it seems to be moving off as normal?

-Peter
 

Inversnecky

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Is this the original Woodhead route, or the Woodhead in Blue version? I've got the original route and randomly remembered this thread earlier today, and so, after quite a bit of faffing, I got to the position where I could get the 76 moving. I couldn't get it to make a jolt, but that might have been because I was trying to do the seemingly-entirely-uphill route from Manchester to Sheffield with 10 Mk1s in tow. From the few old bits of film I've seen of 76s, they seemed to be quite smooth when starting off from a station. https://www.britishpathe.com/video/goodbye-to-steam-aka-railway-modernisation has a quick shot of a 76 (which the commentary incorrectly describes as a new diesel - something many have picked up on), and it seems to be moving off as normal?

-Peter
The Woodhead Electric in Blue. I have the older one, but not tried it, will have a go tomorrow. As you say, it’s most likely an error.
 

hexagon789

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I don’t know if it’s my driving, but does anyone else find that as soon as you put a Class 76 into notch one, there’s a bit of a jolt?

If this reflects the prototype, then passenger trains hauled by a 76 can’t have been the most comfortable! Vintage whiplash injuries?!

Was anyone here on a real 76 hauled passenger train back in the day?
Sounds like typical default TS physics if I'm honest. If trains handled the way half of the default trains do in TS, half the passengers country would have for ever been suing BR and it's successors for whiplash injuries!
 

Trackman

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The Woodhead Electric in Blue. I have the older one, but not tried it, will have a go tomorrow. As you say, it’s most likely an error.
I've just tried it in the blue version with passenger stock and no jolt to report.
Seems to jerk more when light engine and with braking when LE.
Class 84's used to jerk on the first notch up I believe and with stock!
 

_toommm_

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Have you tried taking a notch of power before you release the brakes? As the brakes release, it may allow a smoother start.
 

Inversnecky

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Have you tried taking a notch of power before you release the brakes? As the brakes release, it may allow a smoother start.

No I’ll try that.

I tried the black EM1 from the original Woodhead earlier, but it wasn’t much different.
 

_toommm_

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No I’ll try that.

I tried the black EM1 from the original Woodhead earlier, but it wasn’t much different.

Can't say I've driven the 76 even though I own the Woodhead in BR Blue route, but that's what I do with most locos
 

Crisso

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Tbh, the Class 76 in the original TS Woodhead Route and the subsequent ‘Blue’ release are two completely different animals. The latter is meant to be much more prototypically realistic with the controls. It is a very advanced loco in TS and one thing, once your train has loaded, you should firstly ensure setting up - 1) correct Loco formation, 2) the correct brake mode and 3) brake selector.
Whilst probably not real life procedure for passenger trains, you could always try activating the weight transfer switch from rest until moving smoothly, then switch it off again.
You do need to read the manual fully on how to drive these simulated locos correctly but, it’s very satisfying when mastered.
Feel free to ask any more questions, etc.
Cheers and best regards
 

chorleyjeff

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I don’t know if it’s my driving, but does anyone else find that as soon as you put a Class 76 into notch one, there’s a bit of a jolt?

If this reflects the prototype, then passenger trains hauled by a 76 can’t have been the most comfortable! Vintage whiplash injuries?!

Was anyone here on a real 76 hauled passenger train back in the day?

Me. Once. All I remember is that it was very smooth. Certainly no neck strain.
On another subject. I forgot my password and asked for a reset. The Catcha question was what city is Paddington Station. I answered Westminster which was marked as wrong. I put in London which was accepted. Surely the correct answer really is Westminster.
 

Inversnecky

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Tbh, the Class 76 in the original TS Woodhead Route and the subsequent ‘Blue’ release are two completely different animals. The latter is meant to be much more prototypically realistic with the controls. It is a very advanced loco in TS and one thing, once your train has loaded, you should firstly ensure setting up - 1) correct Loco formation, 2) the correct brake mode and 3) brake selector.
Whilst probably not real life procedure for passenger trains, you could always try activating the weight transfer switch from rest until moving smoothly, then switch it off again.
You do need to read the manual fully on how to drive these simulated locos correctly but, it’s very satisfying when mastered.
Feel free to ask any more questions, etc.
Cheers and best regards

You're right there! I just tried the "Black 76"/EM1 the other day, and the controls are by no means duplicates of the Blue 76s. I'll have to read the manual, but the reverser lever wouldn't seem to distinguish between series or parallel, and looked like it had gone straight into parallel.

I've been reading a book about the history of electric trains in Britain, and have learned a lot about the rationale between the different controllers on locos vs emus - locos notched for greater control, while emus generally had a shunt notch, series, parallel, then WF with automatic switching.

It mentions "notching current" - that notching up was done when the current fell back to a certain level, but I don't think any of the TS locos, even the AP ones, have this level of control detail!

Of interest perhaps, regarding the real 76/77.
 

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Crisso

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All very interesting thanks and I believe I have the same publication somewhere in my collection.
Regarding the controls of the Woodhead in Blue (ie advanced) Class 76 - there are two separate levers - the usual reverser and then, the combination control lever which goes from off to series (to move off from rest) then to parallel. So, when you have set up the train, as per my previous comments, move the reverser to forward then, move the combination lever to the series position. You should hear a low hum. Then release the brakes and move the main power controller to notch 1. I have rarely managed to get moving without a slight jerk but then from then on everything should seem fairly smooth. You can normally move through the notches fairly quickly, depending on the load gradient etc., to full field and on into the four weak field notches but always keeping below 800 amps current. Then, when the speed reaches around 30 mph, move the combination lever on to the parallel position and after this immediately move the main power controller back to notch 1 not notch 0! After a second or two, you will see the Amps gauge fluctuate slightly and simultaneously hear a low click. Thereafter start notching up again as before, although you may find it slower than before in reaching the 800 Amps limit each time. The aim is to get to notch 14 or full field where all the resistances are removed.
I respectfully suggest you reread the manual since, this is a very complex but satisfying loco to drive when mastered in train simulator.
Cheers again
 
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