Austrian Safety Systems: Sifa, PZB 90 in Vorarlberg (Train Sim World | tutorial)

Although Austrian railways are nominally using the same safety systems that are also used in Germany, especially die Sicherheitsfahrschaltung (Sifa) and Punktförmige Zugbeinflussung (PZB), there are a couple of details that merit a closer look at the workings of PZB installations on the Vorarlberg route.
Full "International Rescue" scenario on the Bombardier Talent (ÖBB Reihe 4024) and several short experimental runs (on the Traxx 2 DB BR 185.2 and the Siemens Vectron DB BR 193) mainly in the new free roam mode on Dovetail Games' S-Bahn Vorarlberg DLC for Train Sim World 4, featuring tutorials discussing the safety systems used in Austria (48:14), the workings of PZB 90 (54:10), including specifics for restricted monitoring and release (1:56:32).
Quick Access:
00:00 - Start
03:10 - 'International Rescue' scenario
06:18 - Shunting signal switching from "Verschubverbot" to "Verschubverbot aufgehoben", PZB starting program
08:58 - Red on white speed signs discussed
10:23 - Speed signalling at the junction going from Lustenau branch to Bregenz
16:35 - Approaching (red) "Halt" signal at Bregenz
20:50 - Stop at (red) "Halt" signal at Lochau-Hörbranz
22:40 - Accelerating through neutral section
24:50 - Slowing down according to (German) Vr2 and Hp2 signals
27:20 - Stop at invisible stop signal at Lindau-Reutin
30:20 - Picking up stranded train, change ends
37:10 - Stop at (red) "Halt" signal at Lochau-Hörbranz while passing neutral section
43:00 - Passing intersection towards Wolfurt
44:20 - Speed signalling before diverting into Wolfurt yard
46:52 - Stop at buffer block at Wolfurt yard
48:14 - Austrian safety systems overview
54:10 - PZB 90 in Austria, sequence to signal at danger tutorial
1:21:48 - PZB 90 in Austria, sequence to speed limit reduction tutorial
1:36:45 - 2000 Hz and 1000 Hz at signal repeaters to make up for missing 500 Hz magnets discussed
1:42:30 - Active 2000-Hz-magnet at "Hauptsignal zeigt Halt" signal repeater at Bregenz
1:46:50 - Active 1000-Hz-magnet at "Hauptsignal zeigt Halt" signal repeater at Nüziders
1:52:10 - Active 1000-Hz-magnet at "Hauptsignal zeigt Frei mit Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung" signal repeater at start of "Go Hard" scenario (most probably incorrect)
1:56:32 - PZB 90 in Austria, restricted monitoring and starting program tutorial
2:04:13 - PZB 90 in Austria, release from monitoring tutorial
2:18:01 - Signal type markers (Orientierungstafeln) discussed
2:23:20 - Distant signal "Hauptsignal zeigt Frei" before main signal showing "Halt" with "Verschubverbot aufgehoben"
2:39:00 - Passing main signal showing "Halt" with "Verschubverbot aufgehoben" with Befehl 40 mode (PZB Override), shunting signals keep showing "Verschubverbot"
2:45:17 - Conclusion
Broadcasted live on Twitch -- Watch live at / tygerways

[@robf5684]

Superb video and informative tutorials, thank you. I now have a much better understanding of the differences in Austria compared to the German ones I am used to from many existing routes.

[@tygerways6615]

Thank you very much for watching and the friendly feedback!

[@SuperPaul5000]

Hey, great videos and really well explained. I think on my next trip in TSW4 I'll dare to drive with the PZB activated. A question about the 2000Hz magnet at the signal repeater (Signalnachahmer): Did you find this rule in the ÖBB regulations or are you just describing the function as it is in TSW? But I can also imagine that it is simply wrong in TSW at train station Bregenz. On Google Maps you can see the tracks clearly from the car bridge at the train station using Streetview and I think you can see that the magnet is not at the repeater at the platform but at the main signal. (Of course it could also be that the ÖBB has changed this over the years. In TSW the route doesn't take place in the current year but around 2010 or so I think)

[@tygerways6615]

Thank you! Very happy to heat that the videos inspired you to turn on the PZB! Unfortunately I have not found regulation describing this use of the 2,000-Hz-magnet, so I can't exclude completely that it is simply an error in TSW. I don't think so, though, since you can find it at a couple of signal repeaters on the route, DTG usually place their magnets according to real-life track plans and - most important - it seems to make sense to provide additional flank protection and make up for the missing 500 Hz.

[@SuperPaul5000]

Thanks for your answer. You're right, for trains that stop at the station it makes sense, but for trains that go by and don't stop at the platform, I think it would not make sense and be confusing that they would then have to stop at the signal repeater. So I think it's a mistake by the developers of the game.

[@tygerways6615]

@@SuperPaul5000Oh yeah, totally agreed, for trains not stopping in front of the repeater having the 2,000-Hz on wouldn't make any sense at all. So those magnets need to be switchable in some way and/or connected with the Fahrweg.

[@SuperPaul5000]

OK, yes, that would of course be possible

[@Maxtorym]

Super video, what controls are you using to handle the train?

[@tygerways6615]

Thank you! If I am not using the modeled buttons and controls with the mouse, I am using keyboard shortcuts (typically throttle, brakes, doors, safety systems).

[@Maxtorym]

@tygerways6615 nice, maybe a tip i am allso using a usb footpedal for lzb released etc. Think I bound more keys to my mouse.

[@Myrtone]

Re 50:00 What he means that that the SiFa is not task linked while similar systems used in English-speaking countries typically are. But I do wonder if task-linked versions of SiFa exist in the real world as there is an ergonomic case for task linking.

[@tygerways6615]

To my knowledge there are Sifa systems that are triggered by a period of time elaspsed ("Zeit-Zeit-Sifa"), a distance of track travelled ("Weg-Weg-Sifa") or a combination thereof ("Weg-Zeit-Sifa"). There have also been systems that randomly required the driver to ackoledge by pressing a pedal or button. But there are (to my knowledge) no implementations that can be reset by operating controls (as with most British vigilance or American alerter systems). If anyone knows about such a Sifa variant, please let me know!

[@Myrtone]

@@tygerways6615 I wonder why there is not such a variant. Would German and Austrian laws allow them?

[@tygerways6615]

@@Myrtone As far as German law is concerned, it should be possible. § 28 Abs. 1 Nr. 6 EBO only requires a "Sicherheitsfahrschaltung, die bei Geschwindigkeiten von 20 km/h und mehr anspricht und bei Dienstunfähigkeit des Triebfahrzeugführers selbsttätig das Anhalten des Zuges oder der Rangierfahrt bewirkt" (Sifa, that activates at speeds of 20 km/h or beyond and stops the train or shunting service autonomously in case the driver gets disabled).

[@tuggamyshaft2407]

Tyger I need u to come to my rescue , when getting shunting signals and you get proceed to go , Do you have to acknowledge with override pzb , press or hold as you go past , I keep getting penalty brake . Thx great tutorials 👍

[@tygerways6615]

Whenever passing a red signal, even though you are allowed to do so (for example because of the two diagonally arranged white shunting lights shown with the red signal - dispatcher telling you to 'proceed with restricted speed'), you need to PRESS AND HOLD the PZB OVERRIDE key (Befehlstaste), otherwiese the active 2000 Hz will stop you. Sometimes the same happens at normal shunting signals showing the two diagonally arranged white lights, but this should not happen, imho.

[@tuggamyshaft2407]

@@tygerways6615 Thanks Tyger for explaining everything so clearly , wished there was better tutorials within the game but then we need people like yourself to give us such tutorials which are always a joy too watch , hopefully one day I can catch yer on a live stream

[@dimonrallyfun]

There is a good mod for the PZB indicator for UBB

[@tygerways6615]

Thank you for the advice!

[@Xavpin234]

Hi , i was wondering if you had a link to your discord

[@tygerways6615]

Sure! discord.gg/3YuUqxqk (valid for another 7 days)