Atomic Systems

Before I start, I would like to point out that this isn't meant as a definitive guide to driving the 4MT, and I accept that other people may do things differently.

So, lets board our 4MT.

Firstly, turn the reverser wheel to 100percent (press F5 to see the display if you wish)

Release the train brake completely, and watch the needles on the pressure gauge rise. Once they stop, open the cylinder drain cocks (press C), and crack open the regulator. Once the train starts moving, close the cylinder cocks (C again).

Now that the engine is underway, reduce the reverser cut-off to around 50 percent. This will prevent the loco losing power. You might also want to reduce the regulator too, as the loco will now start speeding up. Control the speed with occasional applications of the brake, especially on preserved lines where the speed is restricted to 25mph.

To arrive at a station platform without overrunning, it is essential that you slow down early. Reduce the regulator to 10percent and apply the brake to bring the speed down. At around 18 mph, release the brake quickly, and if the loco shows signs of stopping too early, give it a little more grunt on the regulator. You should aim to pass the leading edge of the platform at around 15mph with the regulator shut off. Then apply the brake enough to bleed off speed. As the loco comes to a rest, open the cylinder cocks (C) for a few seconds to drain condensate and then close them again. Then you can press T to open the doors for the passengers. Normally, you would switch the blower on whilst stationary, but DT have put it on a loop, so there is no need to do that.

Hope this helps!
Best wishes,
Padster

Aha! Will try this out on my next run - just graduated to Expert mode so allhints useful.

I cannot for the life of me find where I saw an explanation of what blowers and dampers do and how to use them. CVylinder Cocks I have just about got now.

Basic explanation I was given is this - the blower creates a force (sorry can't think of the word) meaning that more pressure is placed on the fire, this creates more exhaust.

Padsterdood wrote:Normally, you would switch the blower on whilst stationary, but DT have put it on a loop, so there is no need to do that.

Umm, by default, most steamers in RW (certainly those from RSC) have the blower cracked open a teensy bit the instant you step on board. There's nothing to stop the player turning it on some more or turning it off...

Dunno how accurate the physics are, tbh, 'cause stuff like opening the blower a smidge before closing the regulator to avoid blowback aren't simulated, whereas having the firebox doors open and the blower off upon entering a tunnel will result in a virtual fatality...

Cheers, Rik.

conireland wrote:Basic explanation I was given is this - the blower creates a force (sorry can't think of the word) meaning that more pressure is placed on the fire, this creates more exhaust.

Technical reasons aside (allowing the fire to draw in the absence of that created by the cylinders, e.g. when stopped), the other best explanation I read went something along the lines of: when making a station stop, turn on the blower 10-20 seconds before arriving at the platform. This will allow steam through the pipe which runs from cab to smokebox and to warm it up before you get to the platform. If not, condensation can build up in the pipe which, on arriving at the station, will be blown out the chimney, along with (now wet) smuts and soot and showering innocent bystanders in crud and muck

Rik.

The auto-fireman will keep the blower on when it's needed, and will also stop shovelling and shut the doors when entering a tunnel. On some - but definitely not all - locos he will also turn up the blower to full, consuming about twice as much steam as usual. This is all to simulate measures taken IRL to avoid a very dangerous blowback. (It also means you will have less power available when in a tunnel, especially if you're in it for a while.)

Yet another thing that RW doesn't simulate is the smoke and steam filling the cab when in a steam locomotive working hard in a tunnel. In some places, especially with multiple-headed trains, this was a serious hazard that required breathing apparatus, never mind the visibility problems. On the Woodhead route in particular, avoiding this was a major benefit of the new electric locomotives.

BTW, the blower is just an attachment to the exhaust system which can create smokebox vacuum independently of the engine's working. When the engine is working, the exhaust steam from the cylinders is sent trough the blastpipe and the smokebox, where it takes some air/smoke with it on it's way up the chimney. The efficiency of this exhaust system is a major component of steam locomotive performance, but was often neglected due to a lack of scientific understanding of the matter at the time.

Kromaatikse wrote:The auto-fireman

Pfft, lightweight!

Cheers, Rik.

@ Rik, probably a union man, 1 man = 1 job, actually more prototypical than doing it all yourself! My excuse and I'm sticking by it. My wife would say it's because I can't concentrate on more than 1 thing at once though!

Hey, interesting info guys; another step to more realistic driving.
Thanks
Jos

Hi all
One extra little thing once the brakes have fully released bump the brake leaver back up to running,this reduces steam usage and can be seen in F5 views. Another interesting bit of graphics is when the blower is turn on or off,especially while full throttle,on the G Trax SP 4449 loco's it alters the smoke out the stack big time. Worth a look if you havn't seen it.
Phill

Really interesting stuff guys. How do you tend to use these in RW as opposed to real life?

Why not making a Tutorial Video?

burek

The way I learned to drive this thing without autofireman was pulling 12 Mk 1 coaches from Exter to Plymouth. Some of the hills had me down to 3-5 mph, really teaches you how to balance reverser / regulator and is great fun because you are adjusting all the time just to keep it moving. Took me 2hrs 50 minutes stopping at Newton Abbot and Totness. My favourite loco right now.

with my Steam version of the DT 4MT I have observed that the reverser position has absolutely no influence above 30mph. I even can put it to 100% reverse and the loco does not loose speed. Could someone please explain?

Thank you,
Michael

Interesting thread, I would love to know more technical info on steam locos.
So basically the blower is a series of steam outlet pipes in the smokebox pointing up the chimney, when opened up they serve to keep all exhaust products going in the right direction especially when the regulator is closed or entering a tunnel, is that right? Now somebody explain how the injectors work in RW2 as well as real life.