Really Poor Steamers.

Frellis · Post by **Frellis** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 4:52 pm

I have just bought the SVR add-on and on the whole I am impressed.
However, I have noticed that when I choose to drive a steam engine of any kind they steam terribly. The steam usage rate far exceeds the generation rate even when the regulator is closed. I have set the game on auto fireman and my other steamers run brilliantly.
I have tried it with the drain cocks both open and closed but that doesn't really help at all.
Can someone please help me with this problem?

Cheers.

kevpotts · Post by **kevpotts** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 5:54 pm

Manually open dampers to 100%. BA default is partially closed.

bigvern · Post by **bigvern** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 6:16 pm

If using the AI Fireman with the SVR steamers he does need a helping hand. Before starting off, force the firebox doors open (you may need to hold down the F key as the AI tries to close them) then hit R repeatedly to get more coal in the firebox. Although it uses a bit of steam also keep hitting N to get the blowers working, which will improve things a bit (though warning, this has crashed the sim on occasion for me).

Finally make sure the brake handle is returned to a running position after release otherwise this also wastes steam. Leave it as close to 99% running as you can get.

Now if you want a *real* challenge download the Durango to Silverton from Train-sim.com, get a K36 on 10 Silverton coaches and take 'em for a thrash up the hill!

Christopher125 · Post by **Christopher125** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 7:18 pm

Hi

When you say 'the other steamers steam brilliantly', you're letting the cat out of the bag - the other steamers are set up way too generously, and normally inaccurately. Only recently have major strides been taking in Steam Loco physics. If you need help when it comes to driving a steam engine, please refer to the various tutorials. The major things though, are make sure that the brake is in the running position when not beeing used, and wind back the cutoff almost immediately after starting off.

Chris

1crick14a · Post by **1crick14a** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 8:39 pm

Below is from an email sent to me to-day from a Gent who needed a wee bit of help.............

I think we've done it!! Or should I say you have!

It's the bloody dampers! I've been running on 15% open, expecting my fireman to manipulate them as required (like I had to when I was firing!) and the moron has just left them be!

Running with 100% dampers transforms the performance. I have run 1071 and 61016 on my test run and they now steam like kettles! Halleluja!

You'd better bear this in mind if you have the same prob. with anyone else. I feel a right d***head now, fancy overlooking something so obvious. Auto fireman indeed - auto bloody moron more like.

Thanks for your patience, Richard. I'm so glad this is sorted because it's been bugging me considerably.

I'll try the file you sent me for 1134.

Christopher125 is perfectly correct in what he said above the files are to
easy, reason only a very few of you would be able to handle anything near the real thing at this moment in time some day you will when you drop this Auto thing and start firing them.............I will now leave you with a question from the eng.files do any of you know what this means..........

CylinderEffectivity ( 1 )

Regards to all Rick

matthews · Post by **matthews** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 10:17 pm

Its the brakes mainly, pop em in running and problem dissapears for me. Was trying to set up an activity out of Victoria on L-B and could't get to Battersea

. Dampers help too, but mostly brakes.

tinsley · Post by **tinsley** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 10:32 pm

For max steam production..
firedoor open in full...blower on full...dampers on full...brake set at 'running 90% +' (not prototypical..but useful

)
Increase and decrease the regulator gradually...learn to combine regulator/reverser (like in a car regulator=throttle...reverser=gearbox..)
Read tutorial and practice..and practice...It is so nice when you get it right

MartinH · Post by **MartinH** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 12:37 am

IMHO the SVR physics is spot on, whichever route you run them over.

Cylinder effectivity is a fudge factor that is supposed to represent the efficiency of the cylinders, i.e. representing the fact that you need more steam than is theoretically necessary (ignoring losses). I normally leave at 1.1 (you need 10% more steam), but have experimented with 1.2.

Martin

johndibben · Post by **johndibben** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 8:43 am

The first thing I do is to shut the dampers and blowers and only open them when required.

Too much steam otherwise

Frellis · Post by **Frellis** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 3:48 pm

cheers guys, didnt expect such a high number of responses!

I shall try all these suggestions and see what happens

Thanks again
Freddie

jimmyladd · Post by **jimmyladd** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 4:03 pm

In the eng file change the DraftingEffect to 0.75 and you will have hoodlems of steam (not very prototipical I'll grant you). Set at 0.9 to 0.95 it will take some skill to maintain steam pressure