Driving is an essential operation of every railway network. In Dovedale, a variety of trains and routes are provided to players, with no experience required. This guide provides you with everything you need to know about driving in Dovedale. It is highly recommended that you read the Signals and Signs pages before reading this guide to best understand driving procedures and regulations.
This guide is not finished. Some parts are still being made.
Getting Started
| 1.1 - Spawning Trains |
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Trains can be spawned by clicking on spawners located on the tracks in certain locations across the map. Spawners can only be used if the spawning zone is clear of trains. The location for each public train spawner can be seen below:
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| 1.2 - HUD (Head-up display) |
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The driving HUD can be found at the bottom of the screen when in a train. It provides important information to the driver about the status of the train and acts as a control panel for operating many features of the train. Below is a labelled image of the HUD with each section explained.
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| 1.3 - Train Controls |
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See also: Keybinds Primary driving controls (throttle, braking, and AWS) operate differently across platforms, but due to their importance they are easily accessible to all users. All other controls can be controlled via the HUD as described above. PC For PC users, the primary driving controls are bound to keys, as shown below:
MobileUpon entering a train, mobile users will see large arrows appear on the sides of the screen, which can be used to control throttle and braking power. AWS is acknowledged by pressing the AWS sunflower on the driving HUD. ConsoleControls are linked to the Xbox controller as shown in the diagram below:  |
Driving Regulations
| 2.1 - Signals, Signs, and Instructions |
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| 2.1 - Performing Train Movements |
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| 2.1 - Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) |
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Signal Passed at Danger (Abbreviated to SPAD) means that a driver has passed a signal displaying a danger indication without authority. Doing so could lead to a severe incident, possibly involving a derailment or collision. As such, the occurence of a SPAD should be treated seriously and acted upon immediately. If you pass a signal at danger without authority, you must:
SPAD is considered an in-game offence and players may be moderated if they SPAD deliberately or consistently.
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Procedures
| 3.1 - Arriving at a Station |
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Before arriving at a station, signal corresponding to your platform or group of platforms could be set to the danger. This means that there is a possibility of slowing down more in order to safely bring a train to the stop, however every driver should be aware of this. Once cleared into the platform you will always encounter "S" marker. It is placed on the end of the platform. You should stop your train at that marker. There can be special markers for different types of trains, for example, a blue marker for the Class 323 at Fanory Mill. These markers need to be followed in order to reach the TRTS button (more information below). |
| 3.2 - Departing from a station |
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Once you are at the platform, if your intentions are different from the standard procedure (Shunting for example) you must make contact with signaller and notify about your intentions. After signaller is aware of your path, you must wait for the corresponding signal to be cleared. Some stations are busy and signallers cannot keep their attention only at one train. That is why TRTS system is introduced. TRTS stands for Train Ready To Start. TRTS is not located at all stations. TRTS is supposed to be used by the Dispatchers but in case there aren't any, Drivers can use it too. TRTS sends the Signaller a bell that the train on the platform is ready to depart. It should be used only in that case, but it is known that trollers like to abuse it. Once the Signal on the platform shows that you can proceed, you are free to depart the station. |
| 3.3 - Shunting procedure |
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Shunting procedure is rarely used to send trains to their destination in a way that requires a reversing action. Steps explained below must be followed precisely to avoid confusion with signaller.
Limit of Shunt signs are only used on double lines when traveling on the left track and they cannot be passed under any circumstances, they act as red signals. |
| 3.4 - Dismissing AWS procedure |
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AWS (Automated Warning System) is system designed to alert the drivers in case of a Danger signal ahead of them. AWS is represented by Yellow circle and audible warning. To dismiss the warning simply left click on the circle or press Q. Audible warning should stop. In case of driver failing to respond to the AWS, audible warning will continue, and after a few seconds, full brake will be enabled on the train and will not be able to be disabled until the AWS has been responded to by the driver. |