RSC working on an LNER A4

[bdy26]

Thanks Chris that's helpful. Looks like only the long named A4s are BR reskin options which is a bit of a shame.

B

[Leaf85]

I'm finding these exceptionally nice renditions. I have the JT versions as well which I also enjoy operating even if they are somewhat 'dated'. The RSC versions just seem...like meatier pie.

Kind regards,
Dave

[jarmstro]

60007 has AWS and presumably (because I haven't checked) so does Bittern, UoSA and Eisenhower. Mallard doesn't and hopefully neither does DoC.
60007 is dual braked but not in the configuration as modelled, which is the same as Bittern ie. straight air loco brake and standard air brake with air/vacuum distributor on the left where the Metcalfe was. The real Bittern's cab layout has been fairly extensively modified if you look at the photographic evidence, with what looks like a steam sander, LMS ejectors and the braking arrangement as described. 60007 and 60009, in real life, have retained their original Metcalfe vacuum brakes but they have got a column to the right of the driver where the standard air brake handle is located. It's not the end of the world by any means, the pack is certainly worth the purchase, I just think it's a bit of a shame that this wasn't modelled.

One thing I noticed when driving Mallard is that the small ejector is just for show, in that it doesn't actually do anything with regards to the train pipe pressure. Makes a nice noise though. I'm also slightly confused by the injectors, as they operate like nothing I've ever used before and neither the manual or tutorial explains them. From what I can work out, it seems to be hold the usual injector water key (K or L) down and then hit I or O just the once, then adjust as required by increasing and decreasing K and L. I suspect this has been done to prevent people from forgetting to turn the water off and wasting it all over the ballast, since the injector water values reset to 0 everytime you turn the injector steam spindles off.

Chris

Mallard does have AWS. At least the sounds are there even though there is only an acknowledger in the cab.

Paddington to Reading: - Just set the reverser to 18% with full regulator. You will be up to 110mph by Slough with no loss of boiler pressure and constant blowing off. Then reduce the cut off to 16% and speed will rise to about 118mph on the level whilst boiler pressure is still maintained. Then mortgage the boiler and the sky's the limit. Err....... I don't think so somehow?

[ChrisBarnes]

Mallard does have AWS. At least the sounds are there even though there is only an acknowledger in the cab.

There isn't an actual unit for the AWS though in the cab, is there? (Flower, buttons, acknowledge trigger all on a tidy little box). For reskinner's wanting a pre-AWS loco, all that's important is whether the unit is modelled or not, as the AWS as the simulation sees it can be added/removed from any RW loco with ease.

Paddington to Reading: - Just set the reverser to 18% with full regulator. You will be up to 110mph by Slough with no loss of boiler pressure and constant blowing off. Then reduce the cut off to 16% and speed will rise to about 118mph on the level whilst boiler pressure is still maintained. Then mortgage the boiler and the sky's the limit. Err....... I don't think so somehow?

If I remember correctly (need the book on me to provide evidence), according to Peter Townsend, when Mallard broke the world speed record, the cut-off was as high as 45% and the boiler was sustaining pressure, believe it or not. That's about 61% on the F5 display and if you tried that on the model, I bet the nasty core RW back-pressure simulation would decelerate it down to about 40mph. I suppose my point is that, given the right conditions, including gradient, total train weight, coal type, firing technique etc etc, a real A4 boiler could possibly give a similarly phenomenal output as you describe in your Paddington-Reading run.

[bdy26]

Ah, physics by goal seek! I suppose it needs to be able to 126 mph without thought.

Hope they've fixed the big end in that case.

B

[jarmstro]

If I remember correctly (need the book on me to provide evidence), according to Peter Townsend, when Mallard broke the world speed record, the cut-off was as high as 45% and the boiler was sustaining pressure, believe it or not. That's about 61% on the F5 display and if you tried that on the model, I bet the nasty core RW back-pressure simulation would decelerate it down to about 40mph. I suppose my point is that, given the right conditions, including gradient, total train weight, coal type, firing technique etc etc, a real A4 boiler could possibly give a similarly phenomenal output as you describe in your Paddington-Reading run.

I very much doubt it Chris. Not a sustained 110mph for ever on the level with seven on. Thrashing one downhill at 45% cutoff maybe. And there is no way according to O S Nock that the 45% cutoff could have been sustained without a serious drop in pressure. Anyway Mallard broke its big end hammering down what is quite a steep slope. Balancing speed for an A4 was about 98mph with a good fireman. Not 118 mph.

Best Regards
John A

[Mr395008]

Is there some sort of guide on how to drive a steam train in TS? I seem to be struggling.... !

[xguerra]

Is there some sort of guide on how to drive a steam train in TS? I seem to be struggling.... !

Have you tried the tutorial scenario?

[Mr395008]

Is there some sort of guide on how to drive a steam train in TS? I seem to be struggling.... !

Have you tried the tutorial scenario?

I completed that fine, I just seem to have issues once I'm running!

[AndyUK]

Is there some sort of guide on how to drive a steam train in TS? I seem to be struggling.... !

Have you read this thread?: http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic. ... 1&t=126233

Andy L

[bdy26]

It's definitely one of RSCs better offerings, I'd probably put it up there with the B1 as a product.

The modelling is very good without doubt. Sounds are very good in the main, though the lack of running sounds and the beyond irritating air pump (hammer on dustbin lid) I'm less than impressed with. It is pretty much silent when coasting. High speed sounds are desperately difficult to get right and Matt has done a grand job with the roar.

I thought the physics were over keen at first but it will sustain 95 happily with load 10 without mortgaging so i think they aren't far off. From what I gather from interviews with Clive Groom, the A4s were generally kept on 1/3 glass with the small injector on and a light fire, but certainly it steams better on a more conventional firing approach. It's nice to have an RSC loco that actually slips for once.

I've not seen Bittern's cab, but Gresley retains her LNER braking gear in addition to air brakes, so the detail of the modern cab isn't right in that case. A niggle to some, but it seems odd not to have got it right.

The textures are probably the weak point - its just block colour and far too shiny for a working loco even compared to 60009 on its second run last year which I saw. The roof of an A4 does not stay that colour for more than a few hours a most. Okay for a static museum piece but that's about it.

In comparison to DT Meshtools and recent JT offerings it falls short on features and detail but this was always going to be a mass market can-you-get-it to-126 release. It's very good, but I'm not going to eulogise about it.

All MHO

B

[styckx]

How does this company still forget bogie audio for coaches? How cool is it when a kettle blows by at 80mph and the coaches behind it could sneak up on a mouse.. Engine sounds great, too bad they bundled it with recycled coaches that don't make any noise.. Professionals at work...

[92212]

It's definitely one of RSCs better offerings, I'd probably put it up there with the B1 as a product.

The modelling is very good without doubt. Sounds are very good in the main, though the lack of running sounds and the beyond irritating air pump (hammer on dustbin lid) I'm less than impressed with. It is pretty much silent when coasting. High speed sounds are desperately difficult to get right and Matt has done a grand job with the roar.

I thought the physics were over keen at first but it will sustain 95 happily with load 10 without mortgaging so i think they aren't far off. From what I gather from interviews with Clive Groom, the A4s were generally kept on 1/3 glass with the small injector on and a light fire, but certainly it steams better on a more conventional firing approach. It's nice to have an RSC loco that actually slips for once.

I've not seen Bittern's cab, but Gresley retains her LNER braking gear in addition to air brakes, so the detail of the modern cab isn't right in that case. A niggle to some, but it seems odd not to have got it right.

The textures are probably the weak point - its just block colour and far too shiny for a working loco even compared to 60009 on its second run last year which I saw. The roof of an A4 does not stay that colour for more than a few hours a most. Okay for a static museum piece but that's about it.

In comparison to DT Meshtools and recent JT offerings it falls short on features and detail but this was always going to be a mass market can-you-get-it to-126 release. It's very good, but I'm not going to eulogise about it.

All MHO

B

I think some sounds went missing during RSC's fiddling with my work! Also, they added in their own brake pump sound. My original effort was much better and less intrusive!

Wheelslip is my doing! With sounds to match as well!

I'm not happy about the low-speed chuffs. But it's the best I could do with the sounds I was given to work with.

The whistle was ruined!!

Regards
Matt

[Trev123]

Is there some sort of guide on how to drive a steam train in TS? I seem to be struggling.... !

This is how I drive a steam loco.
First off I drive using the hud. Use manual fireman. When the scenario starts take note how much coal is on the fire say if it is 65% try and keep it 5 to 10% either side of that full. If you put to much coal on the fire you will make it to cool and the same with putting to little on. The same with water in the boiler don't let it go below about 50%. To start moving take the brakes off and give it full forward reverser 75%. Open up the regulator to say 2% to get moving and slowly increase it as you build up speed and slowly bring back the reverser. How I do this is I wait for the boiler pressure to drop ie the gauge goes red, without it blowing off steam and slowly bring the reverser back until it is green again. I keep on doing this until I reach my desired speed. You will find that when you get to a speed of about 65 to 70mph the reverser could be back to about 25%. This varies from steam loco to steam loco.

[bdy26]

Hi Matt

I saw they'd added the pump, but I can't believe they would hack your work in other ways after you'd done it. That's like me playing ukulele over Hendrix!

B