Driving Guide

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Introduction

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, Signs and Headcodes pages before reading this guide to best understand driving procedures and regulations.

Getting Started

1.1 - Spawning Trains
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 locations of train spawners can be found on the List of Trains page, and in the spawn menu. Spawners are labelled with their train class and livery. Some spawners are group locked to Companies.

1.2 - Driving UI

The driving UI can be found at the bottom left of the screen when seat 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.

#	Function	Description
1	AWS	Warns the driver of an upcoming signal at danger, or of a significant speed reduction. (See 1.5)
2	Current speed	Displays the current speed of your train.
3	Speed limit	Displays the current speed limit, and will flash if a lower limit is upcoming.
4	Left doors	Opens/closes the left side doors of the train.
5	Right doors	Opens/closes the right side doors of the train.
6	Switch direction	Moves your character to the other side cab and reverses the direction of the train.
7	Low horn	Sounds the low horn.
8	High horn	Sounds the high horn.
9	Hide GUI	Hides the driving GUI.
10	Remove train	Hold to remove the train.
11	Emergency brake	Applies emergency brake.
12	Exit train	Hold to exit from the train.
13	Guard Buzzer	Used to send buzz codes to guards.
14	Lights	Toggles night-time exterior lights.
15	Throttle	Shows selected throttle level and applied throttle level.
16	Brake	Shows selected brake level and applied brake level.
17	Train information	Displays train class, headcode, and UTC time.

1.3 - Route selection UI

The route selection UI can be found with the driving HUD when in a train. With this HUD you can select the destination to where you want to go and the train type (1 - Express, 2 - Passenger, 5 - Empty Coaching Stock) which can be seen to signallers and in the destination display. Below is the image of the route selection HUD.

#	Function	Description
1	Destination	Select the destination here.
2	Train class	Select the train's class (type) here.
3	Hide UI	Hides the route selection UI.

1.4 - Controls
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, a list of all keybinds including primary and secondary driving controls can be found here. Mobile Upon 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. Console Controls are linked to the Xbox controller as shown in the diagram below:

1.5 - Automatic Warning System (AWS)
Automatic Warning System (AWS) is a system used to inform the driver of whether the next signal they are approaching is at proceed or at caution/danger, or of a significant speed reduction. Depending on the upcoming signal state, the AWS will either produce a 'beep' sound (as a warning indication), or a 'bell' sound (as a clear indication). If the train driver fails to acknowledge a warning indication, an emergency brake application is initiated by the AWS, and it can't be reduced until the driver acknowledges the warning.

Driving Regulations

2.1 - Performing Movements
Section WIP, see: Signals, Signs

2.2 - Spawning & Commencing Service
WIP

2.3 - Stopping at Stations
WIP

2.4 - Appointing a Guard
Coming in 2.1..

2.5 - Shunting
WIP

2.6 - Coupling
A guide to coupling trains can be found here.

2.7 - Electric Token Block Sections
WIP

2.8 - Waiting at a Danger Signal
WIP

2.9 - Permissive Working
WIP

Contingency Procedures

3.1 - Incorrect Train Routing
WIP

3.2 - Passing Signals at Danger
WIP

3.3 - Passing Unsafe Level Crossings
WIP

3.4 - Pilot Working
WIP

Emergency Procedures

4.1 - Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD)
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: Stop your train immediately Check for derailment Inform the signaller of the SPAD Communicate and determine following actions with the signaller Keep the train stationary until instructed, unless your train poses a risk of colliding with or derailing a train on a conflicting path SPAD is considered an in-game offence and players may be moderated if they SPAD deliberately or consistently.

4.2 - Derailment or Collision
In the event of a derailment, you must stop your train immediately. You should despawn your train manually if you can. Derailments can be caused by speeding, SPADing resulting in running into unset points, signallers changing points beneath trains, or occasionally due to bugs. If you believe you have been derailed due to the actions of a signaller, you should try and resolve the situation in a civil manner. If for whatever reason a collision between two vehicles is about to occur, you must stop your train immediately. If a collision does occur, you should try to reverse the trains apart if they are not derailed, otherwise they must be despawned. You should consult with the other driver and the signaller to determine who is at fault for the collision. If the collision was caused intentionally or a driver refuses to remove a derailed train, you should call an admin for assistance.

4.3 - Adverse Signal Change
If a signaller replaces a signal to danger without prior warning to the driver before a train has fully passed it, this is known as an adverse signal change. This may occur if the signaller needs to stop a train in an emergency, or by accident such as believing a train has fully cleared a signal when it hasn't. In this situation, you should stop your train immediately and contact the signaller to determine the intended actions.

Introduction

Getting Started

PC

Mobile

Console

Driving Regulations

Contingency Procedures

Emergency Procedures