Functions of the controls, lights and gauges on the Bombardier T1 subway car, (Operator: Toronto Transit Comission).

The T1 incorporates a lot of new technology in it's design, including computer controlled diagnostics of all systems.

EP BRAKE

Under normal driving conditions with all systems ok, the only light that is constantly lit on the panel is the EP BRAKE light, which indicates the power supply for the Electro-pneumatic brakes.

DOOR CLOSE / DOOR SUPPLY

When the door sensors indicate that all doors are in the locked position, only then does the DOOR CLOSE light come on, and stays on until the train has come to a complete stop and the guard has opened the doors on one side (Or both sides, which never happens in revenue service).

(The 2 lights mentioned above are shown lit in the T1.jpg image).

The door supply light comes on when the guard opens the doors and stays on even after the guard closes the doors; it only goes out when the train starts moving.  This means that for a while between closing the doors and moving off, both the DOOR CLOSE and DOOR SUPPLY lights are lit.

WHEEL SPIN SLIDE

Comes on when experiencing wheel slip during acceleration or wheel slide during braking.  Wheel spin almost never happens when accelerating, unless under extreme conditions like ice on the tracks, a very heavy load uphill, etc.  Wheel slide is also rare unless the emergency brake has been applied.

DIAGNISTICS

The rest of the lights deal with system diagnostics.  Before entering revenue service, these diagnostics are tested in the following way:

The red CONTROL TEST button is pressed and all control systems are diagnosed by the computer and if all control systems are functioning properly, then the blue CONTROL TEXT OK light comes on for a few seconds.  Then the TRIP SWITCH INTERLOCK ALARM TEST button is pressed to check the DOOR INTLK BYPASS and the TRIP SWITCH EB LOOP BYPASS systems.  If these are functioning properly, then these lights will momentarily come on.

DRIVER/GUARD COMMUNICATION

The bell is used for communication between the driver and guard.  When the train is stopped at a station and there is a red light right after the station, the driver sounds one bell to indicate that the guard should wait before closing the doors.  After the light changes, the driver sounds two bells to indicate that it is ok to close the doors so the train can move off.

DRIVER VIGILANCE SYSTEM

There is a spring in the control handle which causes it to rotate 90 degrees so that the handle is vertical when it's released; this applies the emergency brakes.  The driver must constantly grip the handle to keep it in it's horizontal position and prevent it from rotating.  (Some drivers are in the habit of waiting until the last second to brake and then doing a controlled emergency brake application by allowing the handle to rotate slightly, which isn't good because it also signals transit control every time they do it).

REVERSING AT A TERMINAL STATION

(Maximise this window to see the following diagram properly)

 <-West                                                                       East->

 Westbound driver's cab                        Westbound guard's cab
  |           Eastbound guard's window                    |
  |                       |                               |
 _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________
 |_|         | |           | |_|         | |           | |_|         | |           |
 |           |=|          _|-|           |=|          _|-|           |=|          _|
 |___________| |_________|_| |___________| |_________|_| |___________| |_________|_|
                          |                               |                       |
                          |                   Westbound guard's window            |
                Eastbound guard's cab                         Eastbound driver's cab

(Each train consists of 3 sets of married pairs)

At the end of the line, the driver and guard switch roles; after the train stops at the terminal station, the controls for the cab in the now tail end of the train are switched off and the driver takes his position as guard in the car directly behind him.  The procedure is as follows:  The driver releases the handle after the train has come to a stop.  Then, either the reverser is switched at that point by the driver or he will leave that up to the guard when he takes his position in the cab at the other end of the train.  Then he turns the key in the off position, removes the key, goes to the car directly behind him to take his guard position in either the cab or at the guard's window, (This depends on which side of the train the platform is located), inserts the key to activate the door controls and waits for the moment to depart before sounding the door chimes and closing the doors.  While this happens, the guard removes his key and goes to the car which will be the lead car for the return trip.  He then inserts his key and activates the controls of that cab and if the reverser has not been activated he activates it then.  As well as reversing train directions, the reverser also toggles the headlights / taillights on the front and back of the train.

While most stations have side platforms with the tracks in the middle, terminal stations and transfer stations and a few others have a centre platform with the tracks on either side.  Before arriving at a station with a centre platform, the guard must remove his key, open the cab door, go to the window on the other side of the train, insert his key which activates the door controls and unlocks the window, then he flips open the cover that conceals the door control and door chime buttons and waits for the train to stop at the station.  The guard's and cab windows slide open so the guard can look out and see if all passengers have boarded before sounding the chimes and closing the doors.
