Casey Joneskii

[Dan-C]

In the Casey Joneskii scenario, how fast can the train be travelling when it reaches the end point? Does it need to slow down to a certain speed?

[GranitePenguin]

Originally Posted by Dan-C

In the Casey Joneskii scenario, how fast can the train be travelling when it reaches the end point? Does it need to slow down to a certain speed?

You know, I never really thought about it, but it's reasonable to say the train needs to actually _stop_ at 0413 (i.e., it can't barrel in at 7 hexes/turn).

I assume 9.02.4 Running off the rails would apply here, since that's exactly what it would do if it came in too fast.

[Mack_JB]

While I can see that, realistically it's a short train, and could stop from full speed within a few hundred yards.

It's one to consider for the rules though.

[GranitePenguin]

Originally Posted by Mack_JB

While I can see that, realistically it's a short train, and could stop from full speed within a few hundred yards.

Except it takes 4 turns to go from 7 to 0
6/7 -> 4/5 -> 2/3 -> 0/1

So if it's at full speed, the minimum distance it would have to start decelerating (hard) is
7+4+2 = 13 hexes, which is just the west side of the bridge at S1-0906

[Mack_JB]

19,500 meters to stop*? Man, that's a stretch. I think that's one area where gameplay trumps reality.

One hex = 1500 meters, so 13 hexes is 19,500 meters; or 12 MILES to stop the train per the rules de-acceleration.

Seven hexes per turn is 6 miles per turn (four minutes per turn, right?, so that's roughly 100 mph).

Realistically, a present day BNSF freight a mile long, moving at 50 mph, can stop in emergency in about a mile.

[GranitePenguin]

Originally Posted by Mack_JB

19,500 meters to stop*? Man, that's a stretch. I think that's one area where gameplay trumps reality.

One hex = 1500 meters, so 13 hexes is 19,500 meters; or 12 MILES to stop the train per the rules de-acceleration.

Seven hexes per turn is 6 miles per turn (four minutes per turn, right?, so that's roughly 100 mph).

Realistically, a present day BNSF freight a mile long, moving at 50 mph, can stop in emergency in about a mile.

Yes, the train scale is a *cough*little*cough* outside reality. :-)

[Mack_JB]

This one kept me awake in bed quite a bit of the night. I did some Googling, and found these:

"A Japanese railway company on Friday unveiled a new Shinkansen bullet train featuring an improved brake system that can reduce the stopping distance to 300-400 meters while speeding at 270 kilometers per hour." (February 2013)

"A full service application will stop a loaded (unit) coal train going 50 mph on flat ground in about 1.5 miles; an emergency application will stop it in about half of that distance."

"A suburban train can stop (under ideal conditions) from 70 mph in about 1/2 mile."

Regarding the French TGV trains:

"Maximum emergency stopping distance from 300 km/h (186 mph) is 3500m (about 2 miles), and each passenger car axle is equipped with four brake discs - with wheel slide protection."

And lastly, a little visual explanation, with 1993 tech:

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

[Mack_JB]

Originally Posted by GranitePenguin

Yes, the train scale is a *cough*little*cough* outside reality. :-)

I've heard of handwavium, but that's full on 'Jazz Hands' there.

[sir_pudding]

Maybe it isn't taking the whole turn to stop or the entire hex.

[offsides]

As a general rule, trains can slow down much faster than they can speed up. Perhaps we need to adjust the rules and allow trains to slow down by 2 steps rather than just 1? It still requires 2 hexes to stop (6/7 -> 2/3, move 2, then 2/3 -> 0/1 and stopped), but that's much more realistic.

OTOH, forcing you to slow down earlier and take 6 hexes to stop adds to the strategy and tension, but not having actually played a train scenario other than the new nightfall one, I'm not sure how much that really adds...