Train Protection
Overview
Train protection in Create Managed Railways - PZB 90, the vigilance device (Sifa) and ETCS levels 1 and 2, and how they work together.
Create's trains on a schedule never pass a signal at stop. Trains driven by hand do, and that is where train protection comes in. German trains are protected by two systems, and this mod has both, plus the driver's vigilance device:
| System | What it does | Needs on the train | Needs at the line |
|---|---|---|---|
| PZB 90 | Track magnets at the signals brake a train that ignores a signal at stop or runs too fast towards it. | Train Protection Cabinet, PZB Panel in the console (recommended) | PZB Track Magnets |
| Sifa | The driver has to acknowledge every 30 seconds, or the train brakes. | Vigilance Device in the console | nothing |
| ETCS level 2 | Movement authority over the radio, speed supervised continuously against braking curves. | ETCS Computer, ETCS Display (DMI) | Radio Block Centre, GSM-R radio masts |
| ETCS level 1 | Movement authority from Eurobalises at the signals. | ETCS Computer, Balise Antenna, DMI | Eurobalises |
Fit a train with the equipment and it is supervised; leave it out and nothing changes for that train.
From left: Radio Block Centre (in the signal box), ETCS Computer and Train Protection Cabinet (both on the train).
How the systems work together
- Under ETCS supervision PZB stays out. As long as ETCS supervises a train (in the modes FS, OS, SR, SH, TR, PT), PZB magnets do nothing to it.
- Outside ETCS PZB takes over. On level 0 (mode UN), outside a radio block centre and without a level-1 balise, or where ETCS is switched off, PZB protects the train, as on a real line.
- Sifa runs alongside both and only cares whether the driver is awake.
- An order from the dispatcher over the train radio lets a train past a signal at stop: ETCS lets it pass in staff responsible mode, and the PZB magnet at that signal does not brake it.
The mod counts one block as one metre. All speeds are in km/h, as on CRN's displays.