Bill
First, Kuid numbers as detailed in my "Manage Content" folder, TANE 2, build 88364:-
1. Built In - C&O G7 2-8-0 - Loco - K:45588:4894>: Tender - K:45588:4893>
2. Built In - Chesapeake&O - H5 2-8-8-2 - Loco - K:45588:2102> - Tender - K:45588:2120>
3. Payware - C&O - H8 2-6-6-0 - Loco and T - K:2:661281:100035:1>
Two other variants of this loco type are listed in my folder - Late and Early versions:-
K:2:453099:100924:5> and K2:453099:100502:5>
4. D-L-S - N&W - Y3 2-8-8-2 - loco - K2:123250:100150:1> - tender - K2:123250:100156:1>
5. D-L-S - N&W - Y6B 2-8-8-2 - loco - K2:523:1972911:2> - tender - K2:523:1972919:1>
also 2 locomotives downloaded from a "retiring" builder:-
6. Baldwin - 2-10-0 - loco - K:96914:4872> - tender - K:96914:4873>
7. Baldwin - 2-8-2 - loco - K:96914:4880> - tender - K:96914:4881>
To recap on the events which finally prompted my mailing:-
3 Consecutive "QuickDrive" Sessions - using "Realistic Mode" of driving control
consist - C&O G7 plus two - later five coaches
Run - Quinnamont/Prince/Sanaford - reverse direction - Sanaford/Prince/Quinnamont - turn consist on "wye". Run - Quinnamont/Prince (pick up 3 more coaches)/Thurmond - turn and water locomotive - recouple to 5 coaches. Run - Thurmond/Newlyn 1/Newlyn 2/Redstar/Price Hill Junction/WhiteOak/Oakwood/Summerlee - use C&O H5 Mallet to move coaches and release loco to enable use of turntable - recouple G7 to five coaches. Run - Summerlee/Oakwood/WhiteOak/Price Hill Junction - RUN OUT OF STEAM - OPEN BLOWER (N x ?) - COAL READING BUILDS UP TO 195% - BOILER STEAM PRESSURE - ZILTCH!!!!!!!. Bring H5 down from Summerlee - couple to G7 (regulator and cut-off set to 0%)and coaches and Run Price Hill/Redstar/Newlyn 2. Uncouple H5 (G7 steam pressure now about 45psi - coal reading still at 140%). Run G7 plus coaches - Newlyn 2/Newlyn1 (take on coal - tender empty)/Thurmond. Reverse into Depot, park coaches in sidings, move loco onto shed. From memory, steam pressure was then about 60psi and coal reading around 125%.
All told, I probably ran something like 80/90 miles over these three sessions. There are some significant climbs between 1.5 and 3% on both the Prince to Sanaford and the Thurmond to Price Hill sections of these routes but the locomotive managed these grades and its load without any real difficulty. Significantly, the steam loss occurred on a fairly level/downhill section after a relatively short interval where the loco was either being turned or was stationery and it is following this type of prototypical inactivity which in my experience, is when steam pressure loss seems most prevalent in many of the Trainz steam locomotive stock. I will also admit that when first driving Quinnamont Coal Drag, also New River Mining Run, I have run short of steam after having to reposition the heavy consist to achieve the session's objectives.
I'm sure these steam losses are typical of that which occurred in the prototype but I don't seem to be able to access their remedies
If you are able to do anything or point me in a direction that will improve my enjoyment of any of these loco's, shall be very grateful. My priorities would be the G7 and the H5.
Bill, in addition to this reply to you, I am also going write a new line on this subject and float some related queries out to a wider world. I'm sure you will have the answers but it didn't seem fair to incorporate it all in this reply and load my concerns solely on your yourself.
regards
John