Atomic Systems

Hey all,
I'm just wondering if there is a way to change the default firebox coal/boiler level, load at start-up.

I would like to create a scenario where the train is "cold" (sorta), and you as the engineer have to fire it up to temp, before starting your work.

Any help on any of this would be greatly appreciated.

Well I don't play with Steam, but is similar to that of any diesel, except that you have to dbl.click the "tender" instead of the "engine", which you would do with a diesel.

you can change only the water/coal level from tender but nothing in the boiler or firebox

Bullet399 wrote:you can change only the water/coal level from tender but nothing in the boiler or firebox

Thanks for the info Michael,

Well, lets hope that changes.
I for one, get a little tired of hearing the Safety's Blow for the first ten mins of every scenario. Unless of course your cleared to do 50mph from a standing start.
I was hoping to get the train "Properly" fired so that I had just enough steam to run, and didn't have such a massive overage of steam production.

I thought that leaving the brakes in the full off position was supposed to bleed off steam? ...not much if any.
I thought that adding water would lower the steam production...not much if any. (cuz the firebox is full...and your boiler is full at the start of every scenario anyway.)
I thought that turning off the blower would lower steam production...it does...once the coal in your firebox has depleted quite a bit.
I thought that opening the cylinder cocks would bleed/use steam...not that I can see.(not in the default trains anyway).
I must be missing something. I've tried everything I can think of to bleed off steam. But the crazy firebox just keeps building it right back up.
I guess I could start the scenario and go to lunch...then come back and refire.
Honestly, if your doing a shunting scenario...bring earplugs...or asprin...cuz I get a headache after a while.

Is there a way to fix this?....(I may go as far as to remove the sound from my system...or rename a null sound so it doesn't get replaced every-time RW installs an update. )

OK, I tried.

I cloned the A1-Tornado.
Changed all the "asset" lines to my "developer" folder ...that's where I cloned it too.
Copied all the relevant sub-folders. changed all the "Asset" lines to point to my "developer" folder in all the .bin files.
Included my "developer" in the route I was using for testing.
Changed the idle fire mass...to something like 200. (which works BTW).
But,...the boiler pressure was still at full/ideal. (working on that now.)

edit:
Apparently there is no "starting"/"idle" pressure for the boiler. (as of now).
Which brings me to my next question.
Most steam engines...at least all the ones I've seen...have a blow-out valve...for things like de-scaling the boiler and removal of excess steam. (I've watched this process...LOTS of steam shooting at least 100 feet out the side of the train.)
What, if anything, approximates this in-game?
For instance: Your in very hilly country and have to keep steam up to get from point A to point B. However your now pulling into a station, at MAX pressures, and the safety's are going to blow off constantly for the next half hour. Is there a way to let off a large amount of steam as your approaching. Any chance that they (RW), are going to incorporate "raking out the firebox" to lower steam production?

Edit:I used my imagination.
(Using the Modified Peppercorn A1 Tornado.(with about 175lbs of coal in the firebox).
I do what I call a "blow-down"...
I start with a normal rake of about 8 carriages.
Then I turn off the blower and open the cylinder cocks, put on full reverser and regulator. (put in my "imaginary" water treatment), then let off the brakes...go about 1-2 Rake lengths...(only get to about 18mph), apply the brakes, set full reverser and back up to where I started. By this point I have around 35lbs of steam pressure. Then I close the cylinder cocks, and turn on the blower, and start shoveling till I get to the Ideal fire mass...and wait. (about 25min's). Then go.
Hey it works for me.

This will only work on an engine in which the cylinder cocks actually release steam from the boiler. I haven't checked how this plays out with the default trains yet...that's next.

Yes I find this a problem too, As if for say on a preserved route. You are being the role of support engine at a gala and have to sit in a bay platform until needed you will be passing steam every 5seconds. Also a similar subject, I think some scenarioes would be good to start like you could in some of the Old MSTS one starting at speed and not stood still

kirkheath wrote:Yes I find this a problem too, As if for say on a preserved route. You are being the role of support engine at a gala and have to sit in a bay platform until needed you will be passing steam every 5seconds.

Exactly! It would be nice if I could figure out how to increase the steam released from the cylinder cocks as well. So far I'm not sure what variable I could change.
This way I could open them up as I approached a station and release SOME of the excess steam I had used to get up the hill, and not have the "safety's" popping off every 3 seconds.
I know this isn't realistic...but its a workaround for me. I still don't see a discernible difference in steam generation, with HALF of the optimal fuel mass in the firebox.
So, I STILL get the safety's popping off, with half the recommended fuel in the firebox.

kirkheath wrote: Also a similar subject, I think some scenarioes would be good to start like you could in some of the Old MSTS one starting at speed and not stood still

A lot of people are wanting that. I've never had a scenario in mind, that would require it...but apparently a lot of other people do. I think RW is working on that, and we will see it in future.
Im, not sure; Can you "jump" into a train that's moving in RW? I know you can switch trains, but I never tried to do it with one that was moving. If you CAN, then we are already half-way there.

Looking forward to the new Scenario Tools that are supposed to be coming out real soon.
It looks as though they may have that option.