Can't get the hang of steam loco's

[saffy98]

Hi,

Sorry to bother everyone, but where can I watch a good tutorial on how to drive a steam
loco in RW?

I have played the Tutorial several times over but when I try to put it into practice on a
scenario ie Bath to Evercreech I just grind to a halt on hills.

I think it's this bit about starting with about 44 regulator then adjusting the other jobbie
down to 34% etc, Then it all goes belly up.

Any help would be most welcome, I've spent a fortune in the sale, I just need to know how
to drive them please.


Thanks

Steve.

[partyspiritz]

Hi Steve

Take a look on you tube as there is all sorts of stuff there.


Regards


John

[Chock]

Here's a video which ought to get you going:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VZSiJJK ... re=related

But... If you are seriously getting into steam locomotives in a big way, then it is worth buying this book, since it is the best tutorial you can find on how to really drive a steam loco:

http://www.amazon.com/Engine-Drivers-Ma ... 788&sr=8-2

Although it is aimed at being a training manual for those who actually want to drive the real thing at railway preservation trusts etc, it is certainly something that would help with driving simulated ones and if you are really interested in steam locomotives, then you would find it an interesting read. As well as showing you exactly how you should drive a loco, it goes into considerable depth on explaining the internal workings of them with lots of diagrams and photographs, and since it is written by a guy who actually drives a real 'Black 5' (aka the LMS Class 5 4-6-0) which you see featured in many Railworks scenarios, it is an ideal guide to Railworks in particular, because it has a lot of photos of all the various bits on a real Black 5 and uses that as the main vehicle which most of the explanations in the book are focused around.

If you don't want to buy that book (although I do recommend it) and prefer to watch something, you could try this DVD set instead: http://bobs-dvds.com/boxed-sets/driving ... d-box-set/

Hope that helps - Al

[saffy98]

Hi,

Thanks Guy's I shall give this a go. I'm not mad on wanting to get the full know how,
I do have some knowledge and books at home, but I just want to get my RW loco's
on the move.

Thanks again,

Steve.

[bdy26]

Best tip (for RW anyway) i've read is to use the F5 display to balance the steam production and steam usage. If you keep the steam production and usage in balance, then logically you shouldn't stall. To oversimplify things horrendously, once underway there there 2 basic schools of driving:

1. full regulator, and alter the amount of power and steam consumption using the reverser (think of it as a variable gearbox). On the flat with a light load you may be down to 15%, on a really tough slow climb you may be all the way up to 65-75%

2. Combinations of regulator and and cut off e.g. 75% regulator, 25% cutoff. This is more a game of knowing the loco and watching the steam consumption - fine adjustments do make a difference. Note that many locos have 2 valves in the regulator, and 49% regulator is the first valve and over that is the second valve, with a big jump in steam usage and performance.

The other important thing is to open and close the dampers to create more steam when you need it. This seems to act as a cue to the AI fireman in some locos.

There a technical but interesting thread here on the 56XX but the principles should apply.

http://ftp.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic.php ... 0deee99c0a

Hope that helps, I struggled at first but its really a case of practice and observation. Try a flatter route to learn at first as it removes a variable.

B