QR BB18 Loco Question

[c38nsw]

Hi all,

I installed the BB18 1/4 loco and dependencies, all works fine.
But when the pressure gets up to its capacity, it lets off steam as usual, but then it does this in short stints e.g

I will let off steam for 5-10 seconds, then stop for 5-10 seconds, then do it again, and keeps on doing it.

None of the other locos do this, can you please help, or is this just normal?

Thanks c38nsw

 

[sawyer811]

what are you running it in? because that's common in TS2010.

 

[NSWGR_46Class]

Thats how real locos blow off if the fireperson is doing the job of keeping the loco right on the boil

 

[c38nsw]

what are you running it in? because that's common in TS2010.

I am using TS2009 SP4

 

[Petan]

I assume a fireman only builds up pressure for the job in hand, ie, if approaching a long up grade, then build up fire to keep pressure near max all the way up the hill. If lots of long flat terrain, then maybe not quite the same need for heavy stoking and only maintain enough boiler pressure to maintain the loaded train at the road speed.

Or to put it another way, if the boiler was blowing off at the start of the long steep up grade, then would it still be blowing off when the train finally gets to the top, assuming the train is at max tonnage?

Is all steam out the safety valves wasted water and coal?

Are there any real world experienced steam crew that can help this question?

Hi all,
I installed the BB18 1/4 loco and dependencies, all works fine.
But when the pressure gets up to its capacity, it lets off steam as usual, but then it does this in short stints e.g
I will let off steam for 5-10 seconds, then stop for 5-10 seconds, then do it again, and keeps on doing it.
None of the other locos do this, can you please help, or is this just normal?
Thanks c38nsw

 

[NSWGR_46Class]

There are many ways to cool a boiler to keep it at peek boiling point - more often than not you would crack open your injector and pump a bit of cold water in just enough to keep it on the boil to much and you will be on the shovel and blower building your pressure up again - steaming a loco is a fine balancing act.

It also go to do with how co operative you driver is - a good driver can make it a lot easer on the fire person - a bad driver can ruin your day totaly

 

[c38nsw]

To stop this, would it be possible to edit the config file, so it stops this happening?

 

[NSWGR_46Class]

Also remember your also supplying steam to run your air compresser, injectors, blower, air operate firebox doors if fitted, auto stoker if fitted, power reverser if fitted and Turbo genny for lights if fitted and also for steam heating carriages and/or fuel oil and often your lube oil as well.

 

[PEV]

To stop this, would it be possible to edit the config file, so it stops this happening?

I assume you are running in DCC mode or AI.

To stop safeties venting a lot, I have made the following changes to steam container of the engine spec asset config.txt. (<kuid2:96997:1818:1>)

boiler-efficency 0.7
boiler-efficency-min 0.8
boiler-efficency-idle 0.8

each of these previously had a value of 1.0. Works a treat for me in TS2010.

 

[Petan]

Must just be a Trainz thing as I know the designer, Greg Cash, has many hours in his log book driving and firing real QR steamers at Rosewood ARHS line therefore he would be very aware of the real life boiler systems.

 

[Petan]

How do I fill the boiler in manual driver mode. The books says "i" for injector up and "o" for injector down. I assume up is filling the boiler so why have an empty boiler function of "o"?

Anyway nothing happens when I hit the "i" or "o" keys and water got down to below 10% on fairly flat ground north from Robina.

Previously I only managed steamers in automatic mode.

Maybe it is Trainz punishing me for taking a BB18 1.4 north from Robina as none have ever reached there in real life. The only steamer on the new Gold Coast line was the DD17 to Helensvale. The other ARHS trip on the new line was the rail car to Robina and we did both.

More about steam on the old steam era line http://petan.net/railway/southportC17.htm

Thanks
Peter C

 

[Ghost42]

Hi all,

I installed the BB18 1/4 loco and dependencies, all works fine.
But when the pressure gets up to its capacity, it lets off steam as usual, but then it does this in short stints e.g

I will let off steam for 5-10 seconds, then stop for 5-10 seconds, then do it again, and keeps on doing it.

None of the other locos do this, can you please help, or is this just normal?

Thanks c38nsw

Think of it as a kettle, adding water and killing the blower
will keep it just simmering.

www.trainzclassics.co.uk/guides_tips/files/Driving_the_9F.pdf

Doesn't come any better than this explanation.
The 'I' and 'o' are incremental, so are the blowers 'N' and shift 'N', a certain percentage each keystroke.
I am totally addicted to the 9f, that and the BigBoy seem to be the most realisticly modelled - unless someone can point me to others to help me with my addiction.

I'll try the BB18.
Rog

 

[Petan]

Thanks Rog for that quick response

Cheers
Peter C

Think of it as a kettle, adding water and killing the blower
will keep it just simmering.

www.trainzclassics.co.uk/guides_tips/files/Driving_the_9F.pdf

Doesn't come any better than this explanation.
The 'I' and 'o' are incremental, so are the blowers 'N' and shift 'N', a certain percentage each keystroke.
I am totally addicted to the 9f, that and the BigBoy seem to be the most realisticly modelled - unless someone can point me to others to help me with my addiction.

I'll try the BB18.
Rog

 

[Ghost42]

Yes, the BB18 is fine, I loaned it to South African Railways - got distracted and ran the boiler dry.
Glad it's a virtual BB18
Rog