[ATSF3751]

This thought came to my mind. Are there any steam locomotives that they did massive testing with that are already built for the sim that we could convert over to Open Rails for testing?
Both UK and North American steam locomotives I would prefer just so we could get a better outlook on the whole picture.
Or any locomotives that we could easily build or in the process of being built that we could use?
My thought for the UK would be the Mallard or Flying Scotsman and for the US there are a few we could use.
Just would need to find the testing reports so we can compare them with Open Rails.

https://youtu.be/Teuko347ezM

Brandon

[copperpen]

Take a look at the ones available at Peter's site, https://www.coalston.../physics/stock/ . Those are the one we could find test data for when first setting the steam code up.

[copperpen]

ATSF3751, on 29 January 2021 - 07:09 AM, said:

Yes that is true but there are a few factors for it to be able to achieve that.

One that it was carrying it a fairly light load and also for it to be on mainly level track unlike here in North America.

Another factor was that it had water troffs along the ways so it could pick up water along the way at speed. In North America that was fairly rare and only really found on the East Coast where there was fast running.

The Scotsman also did not have to deal with mountain grades and the heavy loads that the North American steam locomotives had to deal with.

Our rail, freight trains and passenger trains are quite a bit heavier then in the UK as well.

Brandon

Light load by American standards, but substantial for UK standards and the road was by no means flat. Train lengths have to be able to fit the signal blocks as well which is another reason why UK and indeed European trains are shorter than US ones .It is because of this, and the fact that our load gauge is much smaller than yours, that our locomotives are much smaller. Even so, they do pack a fair bit of power into a pint pot.

[ATSF3751]

Yes I agree. I actually watch a lot of UK and USA steam videos quite frequently and I have always found that 3 cylinder steam locomotives of the UK quite fascinating.
The only USA steam locomotive that was 3 cylinder that I can think of is the UP 4-12-2 9000 class.
I Also find it fascinating how most UK steam locomotives have there cylinders on the inside instead of outside and a lot of UK steamers also have a nice bark to them!

Brandon

[darwins]

Quote

Here are a few more videos on how we fire steam locomotives over here in the US.

Thanks for those. I have been trying to digest the oil firing ones. The basic idea is clear, I am wondering what the maximum oil feed rate / combustion rate would have been for various sizes of loco. The UP 844 film mentioned test reports by Alco / UPP. It might be valuable if someone in US could unearth such reports, although they could well be from coal fuel days before the loco was converted to oil firing, in which case not so much help after all.

In comparing US locos with European locos, the technical opposite in many ways would be the Chapelon compounds. US building for rugged simplicity vs the 'high technology' of French construction. In spite of differences both eventually came to thoughts of economy and generous steam passages.

[ATSF3751]

Your welcome! Here are the locomotive specs that I found for the UP FEF class. I will try and find some more info for you guys later.


https://en.m.wikiped...ific_FEF_Series

https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/844/

[ATSF3751]

Here is some info you guys may find interesting! I hope some of this can come in handy eventually for everyone! The first two links may come very handy at some point.

A friend of mine is in the process of making Bio Coal for use in the future and is undergoing testing here in the US. I personally know the people who are involved with the project and they live here in the state I do. Very interesting information when you read through it.

The last 2 I find very interesting as well. They are both about the NYC Niagara and the last one is the testing they did of them VS the N&W J Class 4-8-4

Brandon

https://csrail.org/n...oom/tag/biofuel

https://csrail.squar...t=1491917400101

https://static1.squa.../WP_SLRWD_1.pdf

http://www.traintesting.com/steam.htm

https://pubs.usgs.go...0402/report.pdf

https://www.tandfonl...5.1954.10467614

https://nycshs.files...ingniagaras.pdf

https://nycshs.files...1/niagara21.pdf

[darwins]

At some earlier point in this discussion, it was suggested that firing in USA was rather different to firing in UK. Indeed huge engines with mechanical stokers and feed water heaters are rather different to British steam locos. However it seems the differences are merely those that come with increasing size.

This book from USA from 1889 is interesting:

A Manual of Instruction for the Economical Management of Locomotives

It describes hand firing in almost the same manner that would be done in UK.
Another library book includes the best description of oil firing that I have seen so far. It is well supported by the YouTube clips of the UP loco.

Locomotive Text for Engineers and Firemen

[Traindude]

Another minor nitpick that seems to bother me--the cylinder cocks are always closed at the start of an activity in OR. In MSTS, the cylinder cocks were always open when the train is at a standstill at the start of an activity, and closed if the train was in motion at the start.

In the real world, whenever steam locomotives are parked, shut down or left unattended for an extended period of time, the cylinder cocks are always left open until the locomotive is once again under steam and starts moving.

Cylinder cocks operating on AI trains should also be introduced--they open if the train has been stopped for more than 30 seconds, and close after the train accelerates past 5 MPH after said stop.

[ATSF3751]

Read up guys! This is from experienced steam locomitive guys here in the US about Cyl8nder cocks and when it use them!

https://www.trainord....php?10,3577238