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WSR Locos- Underpowered?
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:48 pm
by leezer3
Hiya guys,
I'm twiddling with sticking the WSR Manor & 117 into Paddington- Penzance route, but as of the mo, they seem to be incredibly underpowered- For example, I'm unable to get the manor above about 55mph whatever I do.
Any thoughts- I'm no eng file expert
Cheers
Chris Lees
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:52 pm
by RobertM
This may sound abit cheecky, but improve yor driving, I've got the Manor too 80mph, the DMU in the reigion of 50mph
RobertM

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 11:24 am
by leezer3
My driving is fine :2gunfire:
(This is with 12 coaches!)
I might try a double-header, but I would have thought I should be able to get them to the reigon of 65-70mph with 12 coaches.
Cheers
Chris Lees
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 11:36 am
by jonrach73
This isn't loss of steam pressure is it? Look at the F5 view and check your steam production versus your steam generation.
For years I just struggled on with MSTS locos until recently I saw the posts about using the dampers (M) open them to 100% and also use a low enough reverser setting so that you keep your steam pressure up. Make sure the brakes are set to running and not released as this is another area which is inefficient on steam. Obviously there are times when you have to sacrifice the boiler in order to climb a hill / start from a standstill but you will find that even at low reverser settings, a healthy boiler pressure will get the loco to higher speeds... The Scotsman eng file lets you get away with steam murder! Other better set up eng files are much more realistic and dependent on good boiler pressure.
and apologies if you already do this!
Cheers
Jon
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:35 pm
by leezer3
Nope, not loss of steam pressure, as the boiler is at max, and I'm generating about 1500 more than I'm using and running at 30% reverser. (Any further towards zero does nothing)
Oh, and the fireman is on auto, but manual isn't any better.
My suspicion is that the WSR locos have been optimised for the low speed running on the WSR, and not for full speed express running.
Typically, I don't know how to deal with this
Cheers
Chris Lees
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 1:42 pm
by davvydo
I fell that the manors are harder to drive than the other msts steamers, they may have underpowered the manors to give the illusion that washford bank is such a challenge, they want to get to the NYMR then !
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 7:46 pm
by growler37
Hi
i have got the manors up to 75mph, on GWR padington 2 penzance,
starting from penzance,i usually get up to speed before Hayle,
i use almost identical settings to jon, cant say i have noticed that they are
underpowered.
you could try asking the same question on the railwaves forum.
http://forum.alphatwofive.com/
regards,kevin
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:38 pm
by alisterbetts
I can't drive kettles for love nor money. Can't even get 60103 put of KX without stalling in the tunnel......
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:43 pm
by leezer3
Little update on the matter- Tried the new eng files posted at the WSR forum a few days ago, and thats even worse

What happens with these is that my steam pressure is rapidly falling to and getting stuck at 146 PSI shortly after accelerating past 40 (I also loose the main chuff sound at this point, returns after I fall below 40). Also, having a quick comparison to the other GWR locos on the Highworth site, the steam usage seems much higher- I wonder if this is related.
Oh, are you using the default WSR consist, or are you running more (I'm using 12 cars, but it really should be going faster than this)
Chris Lees
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:57 pm
by Thrashin
If this is wrong then I apologise... I recently made a consist with the ELR Class 40 and 12 WSR Quantock Belle coaches. The 40 would get to 60-ish after about a fortnight. Could the problem be the coaches?
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:27 pm
by leezer3
Its the coaches

No idea why, but subbing in a rake of blue-grey MK1s means that engine accelerates nicely, and actually gets to the speed I expect it to. Anyone with any ideas on why?
Cheers
Chris Lees
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 11:34 pm
by OdneyManor
This may have completely nothing to do with the speed, but the wsr carriages have no hand brake, could that have anything to do with it?
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 9:10 pm
by Thrashin
Is it not something to do with friction? I think I saw that somewhere on the forums. It could be set too high so it's easier to keep to 25mph...?
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 9:14 pm
by trainlover123
Check the weights are 34 Tons.

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 10:50 pm
by leezer3
Mass is 37t, same as the blue-greys. I'm stumped
Chris Lees