Hi George,
To me, one of the attractions of the S&D is that you have to "work" to successfully drive steam locos on it
If you use full regulator all the time, you'll rapidly run out of steam. It's a case of constantly balancing the regulator and cut-off (reverser) together with keeping an eye on the steam usage, steam generation and boiler pressure figures (if you're using MSTS). With all that to watch, I recommend that you use the automatic fireman!! Somewhere in the Forum is a steam loco driving tutorial, but, sorry, I'm not able to locate it at present.
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If the train you're driving is a double header and the train loco is a Bulleid, I suggest you try driving the latter instead of the 2P - of course, you need the Bin Patch installed to be able to switch locos.
Cheers,
Ged
** EDIT : Check out this thread -
http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic. ... 0#p1453846 (Pages 9 & 10)
Also, I found this is my archive, but, unfortunately, didn't record its source :
Before starting out from Bath, open your dampers (M) to 100% and shut off the small ejector (J) to save steam. Use about 40% cut-off and when you get to the junction open the regulator to about 80%. Before entering Devonshire Tunnel sand on (X) and full regulator. When leaving the tunnel back to 80% regulator and sanders off. Same again when you enter Combe Down Tunnel, by the time you leave the tunnel you're on way down to Midford. If your boiler pressure is down a bit, hold the blower button (N) to help bring pressure back up. Keep the dampers at 100% open all the time. I managed about 29mph through the tunnels and arrived in Templecombe only about 1 min late. Try it!
...AND, don't forget to set the train brakes to "Running" instead of "Release" as it'll use less steam!
