Steam Locomotive Testing results

Hey everyone so Here are some real testing results that I have come across that may come in handy for some of you! I started this new thread so we can gather as many testing reports in one spot as possible for Steam Locomotives. This will not only help us in develop future proposals for Steam Locomotive development in Open Rails but will also help us come up with better testing for Steam Locomotives as a whole in the game!

Traindude has started a PM conversation with Peter, myself and Darwin to hopefully get the ball rolling quicker with Steam Locomotive development for Open Rails as we will now all be working together.

The first task at hand are Oil Burning Steam Locomotives. As for testing results here are some that I have found for basic steam locomotive operation and hope others are able to help us find even more in the future!

I just came across a bunch of old UP Steam Locomotive testing results for the FEF Class 4-8-4's and early Challenger locomotives. I am already in the process of building both of those locomotives and I am sure there is more we can find from other railroads that have test results when it comes to Steam Locomotives. I will certainly look around and see what I can find.

I do have very good books of both the FEF class 4-8-4s and the Challengers that have a ton of info in them when it comes to the UP Test Results and other info that may come in handy. I also have builder plans for both the FEF1-FEF3 along with both the Early and Late Challenger 4-6-6-4 steam locomotives and would much rather build a steamer off of plans vs just winging it when it comes to building one that has no plans at all.

Here are some Test Results that I came across!

Union Pacific

https://utahrails.net/flebbe-papers/
https://utahrails.ne...ings-Charts.pdf
https://utahrails.ne...oster-notes.php

Southern Pacific- I have attached a few SP Test results in PDF Files. One for a GS3 and I have also attached one for a AC8, AC9 along with GS1

NYC

Mowhaks

https://nycshs.files...om-2000q4-2.pdf

NYC Niagras

https://nycshs.files...agara-story.pdf

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

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

Baldwin 60000 Test results on various Railroads

http://www.cwrr.com/...win/part03.html

http://www.cwrr.com/...win/part04.html

UK Steam Test results

http://users.fini.ne...o1_GWR_Hall.pdf

I hope this info helps and I would be willing to help out with testing along with modifying some files if needed.

Feel free to chime in and also put up other Steam Locomotive testing data from other railroads! I do know that the Pennsylvania Railroad also did extensive testing on there steam locomotives as well along with many other USA Railroads.

Brandon

Attached File(s)

Southern Pacific Test8 GS-3.PDF (13.79MB)
Number of downloads: 87
Southern Pacific Test 9 AC-8.PDF (7.48MB)
Number of downloads: 79
Southern Pacific Test7 AC-9.PDF (4.74MB)
Number of downloads: 79
SP Oil Burner Comparison Testing part 1.pdf (73.17MB)
Number of downloads: 90
SP Oil Burner Comparision Testing Part 2.pdf (71.72MB)
Number of downloads: 81
SP oil burner comparative testing part 3.pdf (29.99MB)
Number of downloads: 76

WRT what Brandon posted just above... I've used the same Baldwin calculations for at least 20 years now and found them spot on for many locomotives... but not all. As a theory it makes sense -- managing the ratio between steam production at a given pressure and steam consumption u sing the circumference of the driving wheels, the volume of the cylinders -- big wheels and high speeds call for a very large firebox and tube surface, small wheels at low speeds can get by with a smaller firebox, etc.

What's useful here is you can infer a lot of data from those curves they show and if the inferences are reasonably accurate you can calculate what the locomotive can do on any grade with any size train on every possible speed (integer values).

Elvas Tower: Steam Locomotive Testing results - Elvas Tower