User Guide

MICROSOFT TRAIN SIMULATOR ENGINEER’S HANDBOOK
TRAIN BASICS | 26
Locomotive brakes
The locomotive brakes function only on the locomotive. There are several types of locomotive brakes:
Independent brakes: Independent brakes are applied only on the locomotive. The locomotive can use
these brakes when it is operating light, that is, without being coupled to cars. When the locomotive is
coupled to cars, the locomotive brakes can be applied and released independently of the train brakes.
Most locomotives use air brakes, although steam locomotives often use steam-powered brakes.
Dynamic brakes: Electric and diesel-electric locomotives are also equipped with dynamic brakes,
which use the traction motors that normally drive the train to convert the moving train’s energy into
electricity. In electric locomotives, this electricity can be returned to the catenary (called regenerative
braking), while diesel-electric locomotives dissipate the electricity into the air as heat (rheostatic
braking), using large resistor grids on the roof of the locomotive. Dynamic brakes don’t cause wear
on the brake shoes.
Engine brakes: The KIHA 31 has an engine brake instead of a dynamic brake. Engine brakes slow
the train by using the train’s momentum to turn the engine’s crankshaft. You use a similar principle
in your automobile when you put the transmission into low gear to descend a hill.
UNITS OF MEASURE
The displays and gauges in Train Simulator locomotives use the same units of measure as their
real-world counterparts. You can use the following table to convert the units into the standard
you are most familiar with, or to compare values for two locomotives.
Pressure
PSI Kg/cm
2
Inches Hg Bar kPa
1 pound per square 1 0.07 2.04 0.068 6.89
inch (psi) is equal to
1 kilogram per 14.2 1 29.04 0.98 98
centimeter squared
is equal to
0.49 0.03 1 0.03 3.38
(Hg) at 60° F is equal to
1 bar is equal to 14.5 1.02 29.6 1 100
1 kilopascal (kPa) 0.145 0.01 0.296 .01 1