In article , ] (Steve
Fitzgerald) wrote:

In message , Clive
writes

In my case (on the Picc.) my line knowledge is such that I know where
to shut off and coast and start braking. Just comes with time.

I am a former Northern Line and Central line driver, and whilst I knew
where to shut off to coast, the diamonds were for economy. Have
these now gone?

Some of them are still there but are difficult to spot in the dirt and
dust generally, they don't seem to get cleaned.

There are also instances where signalling has been changed and the
diamonds have been left there. The approach to Cockfosters comes to
mind - after the Moorgate disaster there was a lot of protection put in
place so that you now have to approach the inner home at just under
18mph for it to drop. If you were to motor up to the diamond there,
you would have no chance!
--

This is the same with Y2, approaching Morden. Possibly a throw back to
when coupling / uncoupling was withdrawn and the calling-on/warning
signal was removed and Y2 moved further back. Nobody in their right mind
would wait until they reached it before shutting off, especially with some
of the braking on the older stock, but it would have been interesting to
have had a try!.

The actual driving techniques for this approach state:
"3. About 2 train lengths before signal Y2 select Off & Release and coast
4. About 1½ train lengths before signal Y2 (position of the old coasting
board) apply the appropriate ‘Professional Driving’ techniques for it’s
approach."

Although only shutting off ½ car length earlier, that ½ car would make a
big difference.

In reality, people have always shut off at a point where the cables dip in
the tunnel - which is about the designated shut off point anyway.

Roger