I need to hear about how I control this steamer in realistic mode because it makes the longest, most obnoxious hissing sound I think I have ever heard in this game. If anyone here knows from experience how to maintain the speed and boiler pressure and overall, just how to drive it and keep it steady, I could use the words of an expert on this so I can master driving these.
How do I regulate that obnoxious steam hissing sound with the new berkshires
- Thread starter 765mchone
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cascaderailroad
New member
I have heard that you can not edit any of the DLC assets at all ... You paid money to download a license to allow them to run on your PC ... but you don't actually own the DLC assets
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From what I've seen in my limited experience (and none of that with the Berk) -
Less Coal = cooler fire = less steam pressure = less safety popping (that god awful noise)
Injecting water WILL lower the boiler pressure, but if the fire is high, it will just go back up.
I keep my water between 30% and 70%
I haven't figured out the coal just yet, but I'd guess it's best around 50%ish - the harder the loco is working (climbing hills with a heavy consist) the more steam you are going to need - and the hotter you'll want the fire (higher percentage of coal).
Less Coal = cooler fire = less steam pressure = less safety popping (that god awful noise)
Injecting water WILL lower the boiler pressure, but if the fire is high, it will just go back up.
I keep my water between 30% and 70%
I haven't figured out the coal just yet, but I'd guess it's best around 50%ish - the harder the loco is working (climbing hills with a heavy consist) the more steam you are going to need - and the hotter you'll want the fire (higher percentage of coal).
ZecMurphy
Community Assistant
The Berks are, to say the least, free steaming locos in Trainz!
The thing is, keeping the boiler pressure under control on any loco (or boiler in general) requires practice, and knowing the route.
If you know you are going to be working hard, keep the coal level around 90-100% (100% is most efficient, so will produce the most steam essentially). Keep the water at 60-70%, and you may wish to open the blower just a little (press the N key - it has 6 'notches' when using the keyboard; shift+N will close the regulator).
If you know that, ahead, you are going to be working less (or coasting) let the fire burn down a bit (60-70% is a 'good' level IMO), and let the water level drop a little so you can put a bit more in to cool the boiler. Turn the blower off.
Note, putting water into the boiler will create more steam eventually, and if the fire is still hot it will convert to steam much quicker.
You can also try leaving the firebox door open to help as well, as this will let cool air into the firebox (note, not 100% sure if this actually works in Trainz; not done any specific testing of this personally).
There is a slight bug in Trainz, where the cut-off will have a largish effect on the fire temperature even when coasting. It's more just an exaggeration of the prototype (when coasting, a loco with 'drifting' valves will actually force air out creating some draft), but it will make fire control a little difficult if you aren't aware of it.
Hence, when coasting, bring the reverser back towards mid-gear (say 20% forward or reverse, depending on direction of travel). This will reduce the draft, and allow the fire to cool quicker. Some locomotives on the prototype are setup to drift in mid gear, whilst others are setup for full gear.
The thing is, to drive/fire a steamer properly you need to be familiar with both the loco and the road. Firing requires planning ahead, which is somewhat difficult when you're also driving! But, if you keep playing with the loco you will get better. I know I have my favorites that I'm starting to get the hang of. The Berks are among them, but I still get caught out on some maps!
Regards
The thing is, keeping the boiler pressure under control on any loco (or boiler in general) requires practice, and knowing the route.
If you know you are going to be working hard, keep the coal level around 90-100% (100% is most efficient, so will produce the most steam essentially). Keep the water at 60-70%, and you may wish to open the blower just a little (press the N key - it has 6 'notches' when using the keyboard; shift+N will close the regulator).
If you know that, ahead, you are going to be working less (or coasting) let the fire burn down a bit (60-70% is a 'good' level IMO), and let the water level drop a little so you can put a bit more in to cool the boiler. Turn the blower off.
Note, putting water into the boiler will create more steam eventually, and if the fire is still hot it will convert to steam much quicker.
You can also try leaving the firebox door open to help as well, as this will let cool air into the firebox (note, not 100% sure if this actually works in Trainz; not done any specific testing of this personally).
There is a slight bug in Trainz, where the cut-off will have a largish effect on the fire temperature even when coasting. It's more just an exaggeration of the prototype (when coasting, a loco with 'drifting' valves will actually force air out creating some draft), but it will make fire control a little difficult if you aren't aware of it.
Hence, when coasting, bring the reverser back towards mid-gear (say 20% forward or reverse, depending on direction of travel). This will reduce the draft, and allow the fire to cool quicker. Some locomotives on the prototype are setup to drift in mid gear, whilst others are setup for full gear.
The thing is, to drive/fire a steamer properly you need to be familiar with both the loco and the road. Firing requires planning ahead, which is somewhat difficult when you're also driving! But, if you keep playing with the loco you will get better. I know I have my favorites that I'm starting to get the hang of. The Berks are among them, but I still get caught out on some maps!
Regards