Tabor/Obsługa/Obsługa i sterowanie EP09/en

EP09 Locomotive

EP09 locomotive

EP09 driver's cab

The EP09 locomotive is a Polish electric passanger locomotive designed for hauling express trains at high speeds. Manufactured in the late 1980s and early 1990s at the Pafawag works in Wrocław, it was the first Polish locomotive capable of maintaining a constant speed of 160km/h. It utilized advanced technical solutions for its time, such as a dynamic brake and pulse-controlled resistor engine starting. To this day, locomotives of this series continue to operate on Polish railway lines, remaining one of the most recognizable express locomotives in Poland.

Procedures

Cold and dark start

Second man's control panel

The proces of starting the locomotive should be started on the second man's control panel on the left side of the driver's cab. Switch labeled "Rozrząd" should be turned into "1" position.

Then, you should set the direction on (Page Up or Page Down keys). When the direction is set, the indicator lights on the left side of the panel will light up.

Remember that each time the direction selector is moved to or through the "0" position, the auxiliary relay must be powered by pressing the traction motor overload relay release button (N key).

Then you can proceed to raise the pantographs (O and P keys). Which pantograph should be raised depends on the direction of travel. Under normal conditions, the rear pantograph is used, while the front one is reserved for emergency situations.

After raising the pantographs, wait a few seconds until they touch the overhead wires. When this happens, you will see the voltage on the high-voltage voltometer raise from zero to approximately 3kV.

The next step is to turn on the main switch (M key) and engage it (Shift + M keys). A closed main switch will be indicated by a light on the dashboard.

Next, turn on the converters (X key) and wait for the battery charging current to sabilize. This process should be monitored on the low-voltage ammeter.

The next sterp is to turn on the compressor (C key) and wait for the main reservoir to fill up. Then the pressure gauge of the main reservoir exceeds 5 bar, you can proceed to fill the break pipe with the air.

To do this, set the combined brake valve to the release position (Num. key), hold down the brake release button (Num6 key), and wait until the pressure in the break pipe reaches 0,5 MPa and the brake cylinders are emptied. These actions should be monitored on the pressure gauges located on the right side of the panel.

When the brake cylinder pressure gauge shows values close to zero, set the combined brake valve to the drive position (Num4 key).

The last step is to unlock the traction motor overload relay (N key).

After completing all of the above steps, the locomotive is ready to run.

Quick start

When editing the consist, if you uncheck the "Cold start" option, the locomotive will be in an almost ready state when the simulation starts.

The first thing you need to do to prepare for driving is to set the direction selector in the desired direction (Page Up or Page Down keys). When the direction is set, the indicator lights on the left side of the panel will light up.

Remember that each time the direction selector is moved to or through the "0" position, the auxiliary relay must be powered by pressing the traction motor overload relay release button (N key).

The next step is to engage the main switch (Shift + M keys) and release the brakes. To do this, set the combined brake valve to the release position (Num. key) and wait until the pressure in the brake pipe reaches 0,5 MPa and the brake cylinders are emptied. These actions should be monitored on the pressure gauges located on the right side of the panel.

When the brake cylinder pressure gauge shows values close to zero, set the combined brake valve to the drive position (Num4 key).

Next, unlock the traction motor overload relay (N key).

After completing all of the above steps, the locomotive is ready to run.

Shut down

Before shutting down the locomotive, make sure that it is braked and that the driving and shunting controllers are in the "0" position.

Then you should:

• turn off the compressor (C key),
• turn off the converters (X key),
• turn off the main switch (M key),
• lower the pantographs (O and P keys),
• set the combined brake valve to cut off position (Num9 key – until the valve reaches the end position),
• set the direction to „0” (Page Up or Page Down keys).
• set the switch labeled "Rozrząd" on the second man's panel, into "0" position.

After completing all of the above steps in the correct order, the locomotive will be shut down.

Changing cabs

The procedure of changing cabins should begin by disabling control in the currently active cabin.

To do this, make sure that the locomotive is braked and that the driving and shunting controllers are in the "0" position.

Then you should:

• turn off the compressor (C key),
• turn off the converters (X key),
• turn off the main switch (M key),
• lower the pantographs (O and P keys),
• set the combined brake valve to cut off position (Num9 key – until the valve reaches the end position),
• set the direction to „0” (Page Up or Page Down keys).

After completing all of the above steps, go to the second man's control panel on the left side of the driver's cab and turn switch labeled "Rozrząd" into "0" position.

Then you can move to the second cabin (Tab key) and start the vehicle by performing the previous steps in reverse order:

• turn switch labeled "Rozrząd" into "1" position on the on the second man's panel,
• set the desired direction of travel (Page Up or Page Down keys),
• set the combined brake valve to the driving position (Num4 key),
• raise the pantographs (O and P keys),
• wait for the voltage from the overhead wires to appear on the high-voltage voltometer,
• turn on the main switch (M key),
• engage the main switch (Shift + M keys),
• turn on the converters (X key),
• turn on the compressor (C key),
• power the auxiliary relay by pressing the traction motor overload relay release button (N key).

After completing all of the above steps in the correct order, you will succesfully change cabs.

Driving and braking

Driving controller

Driving controller, in the form of a wheel, is used to select the appropriate positions of the driving resistors, which moderate the current going to the traction motors.

When the controller is moved from zero position to the first position, the contactors are activated and current is supplied to the traction motors. At each position of the controller (except 0, 19 and 31), an appropriate combination of resistors is selected so that at higher positions, the current flowing to the motor is greater.

The flow of current through the starting resistors generates large amounts of heat and, in the long term, can lead to their burning out, which results in the immobilisation of the vehicle.

Additionally, there are two non-resistance positions on the controler - 19 and 31 (called series and parallel positions, respectively). These are setting in which the current flowing to the traction motors does not pass through any resistors.

Shunting controller

On non-resistance positions, you can use what is known as "shunting" (Num/ and Num* keys). Shunting weakens the pole energization of the traction motors, which results in more current being supplied to the motor.

The locomotive is equipped with five shunting stages - the higher the stage, the greater the current supplied to the motor. The shunt hangle is located behind the driving controller wheel, on the left side.

Starting

To start moving, set the driving controller to the first position (Num+ key) and wait a moment for the contactors to be activated.

When this happens, the light labeled "Jazda na oporach rozruchowych" will illuminate and "Styczniki liniowe wyłączone" will obliterate. At that point, the ammeter of the traction motors should indicate an increase in current.

To accelerate, gradually increase the position of the driving controller, increasing the current flowing to the motors.

Driving technique

As with other Polish locomotives with resistor starting, good driving technique involves avoiding prolonged driving on resistors to prevent them from burning out.

You should aim to quickly pass through the resistance positions and continue driving in the non-resistance positions (positions 19 and 31).

The driving resistors of the EP09 locomotive are particularly weak and prone to burnouts, which is why driving in non-resistance positions is even more advisable.

Braking

The EP09 locomotive is equipped with an Oerlikon electro-pneumatic braking system with an additional electrodynamic (regenerative) brake.

The combined brake (called the train brake) affects all wagons and the locomotive, while the additional brake (called the locomotive brake) affects only the locomotive in which it is located.

The combined brake is controlled using Num9 (upward movement) and Num3 (downward movement), and the auxiliary brake with the Num7 (upward movement) and Num1 (downward movement).

Control panel description

The table below contains descriptions of all the functions of each switch and indicator light on the locomotive's control panel, along with corresponding numbers in the photo of the control panel.

Number	Badge	Description
1	OŚWIETL. PRZYC. KABINY	Cab light switch
2	PRZYC. OŚWIETL. PRZYRZ. POMIARÓW	Indicator light switch - pressure gauges, ammeters, voltometers and speedometer
3	SYGN CZERW. LEWY	Left front red light switch
4	SYGN. CZERW. PRAWY	Right front red light switch
5	PANTOGRAF TYŁ	Switch for raising the rear pantograph relative to the current cab
6	PANTOGRAF PRZÓD	Switch for raising the front pantograph relative to the current cab
7	OGRZEWANIE POCIĄGU ZAŁ	Train heating indicator lamp
8	JAZDA	Driving indicator lamp. Lights up when direction is selected
9	REFLEKTOR LEWY	Left front white light switch
10	REFLEKTOR GÓRNY	Up front white light switch
11	REFLEKTOR PRAWY	Right front white light switch
12	PIASECZNICE	Sanding switch, when switched on, the locomotive will automatically apply sand when skid is detected
13	OGRZEWANIE POCIĄGU	Train heating switch
14	POŚLIZG	Skid detection indicator lamp. Lights up when locomotive detects sudden change in speed
15	OŚWIETL. ROZKŁ. JAZDY	Timetable light switch
16	PRZYCIEMN. SHP	SHP light dimmer
17	PRZYC. LAMP. CZUWAKA	CA light dimmer
18	SPRĘŻARKA	Compressor switch
19	JAZDA NA OPOR. ROZRUCH.	Starter resistance indicator lamp. Lights up when current flows to the motors through the resistors
20	AWARIA WENTYLAC. OPORNIKÓW ROZRUCH	Resistance fan system failure indicator lamp
21	-	Radio
22	PRZEKAŹNIK NADMIAROWY SILNIKÓW TRAKC.	Lamp indicating that the traction motor overload relay has been activated (usually caused by excessive current being supplied to the motors). When it lights up, set the drive and shunt controls to the zero position and use the overload relay release button (key N)(number 35).
23	PRZEK. NADMIAROWE SILN. SPRĘŻ. I GRZ. POC.	A lamp indicating that the compressor motor overload relay and/or train heating relay has been activated. When it lights up, use the overload relay release button (key N)(number 35).
24	PRZEK. RÓŻNICOWY OBW. GŁÓWNEGO	A lamp indicating that the main circuit differential relay has been activated. When it lights up, use the differential relay and overbraking release button (number 36) and close the main switch again.
25	WYŁĄCZNIK SZYBKI ZAŁĄCZONY	Main switch state indicator lamp
26	PRZETWORNICE ZAŁĄCZONE	Converters state indicator lamp
27	AWARIA PANTOGR.	Emergency pantograph lowering button
28	STYCZ. LIN. WYŁĄCZ.	Contactor state indicator lamp
29	HAMOWANIE	Electrodynamic brake working indicator lamp
30	PRZYCIEMNIENIE REFLEKTORÓW GŁÓWNYCH	Headlights dimmer
31	PRZYCIEMNIENIE REFL. PRAWEGO	Right front headlight dimmer
32	PRZEK. NADM. PRZETW. 1	Lamp indicating that the overload relay of the first converter has been activated. When it lights up, use the overload relay unlock button (key N)(number 35).
33	PRZEK. NADMIAR. PRZETWOR 2	Lamp indicating that the overload relay of the second converter has been activated. When it lights up, use the overload relay unlock button (key N)(number 35).
34	PRZEKAŹNIK RÓŻNICOWY OBW. POMOCNICZYCH	Lamp indicating that the auxiliary circuit differential relay has been activated. Once it lights up, use the button to unlock the differential and excess braking relay (number 36).
35	ODBLOK. PRZEK. NADMIAROWYCH	Traction motor overload relay unlock button
36	ODBLOK. PRZEK. RÓŻNICOWYCH I NADM. HAMOW.	Differential and excess braking relay unlock button
37	WYŁĄCZNIK SZYBKI WYŁĄCZONY	Main switch closing switch
38	PRZETWORNICE	Converters switch
39	WYŁĄCZENIE STYCZNIKÓW LINIOWYCH	Contactors turning off button; one they are turned off, the power to the motors is cut off
40	LUZOWANIE HAMULCA	Brake release button
41	KONTROLA LAMPEK SYGNALIZACYJNYCH	Indicator lamp test
42	IMPULS ZAŁĄCZ. WYŁĄCZNIKA SZYBKIEGO	Button engaging the main switch
43	S.H.P	CA/SHP safety systems warning cancellation button
44	WYCIERACZKA	Right window wiper switch
45	-	Shunting controller
46	-	Driving controller
47	-	Direction selector
48	AMPEROMIERZ NN	Low-current ammeter - current flowing out of the battery
49	WOLTOMIERZ NN	Low-voltage voltmeter - battery voltage
50	AMPEROMIERZ WN1	Ammeter measuring the cuurent flowing to the motors on the first bogie
51	AMPEROMIERZ WN2	Ammeter measuring the cuurent flowing to the motors on the second bogie
52	WOLTOMIERZ WN	Voltometer for overhead wires
53	-	Hasler speedometer
54	SYRENA	Horn lever
55	CZUW.-SHP-CZUW.	CA and SHP safety systems warning lamps
56	MANOMETR CYLINDRA HAM.	Pressure gauge showing brake cylinder pressure in the locomotive
57	MANOMETR PRZEW. GŁ.	Pressure gauge showing break pipe pressure throughout the whole consist
58	MANOMETR ZBIORNIKA GŁ.	Pressure gauge showing main reservoir pressure
59	-	Combined brake valve
60	-	Additional brake valve