Is there a way to turn off/shutdown a locomotive?

[Kordain]

I took the tutorial showing how to cold start a locomotive, but I cannot find a way to do the opposite. I'd rather not leave my trains running while parked.

[Dexert Raat]

If you do nothing else the boiler will run out of fuel, the fire will go cold and the water will cool and stop producing steam. The next time you approach the engine it may have some residual steam but you will need to do the equivalent of a cold start to keep it going.

If you want to go further here's what I do:-
Set the engine brake to 100%
Set the reverser to 0% (this is critical for the next step)
Set the throttle to 100% (the engine won't move but given time it will drain the pressure from the boiler)
Set the tender brake to 100%
Walk away

[Axehandle]

One more thing, open cylinder c*cks to empty out the steam chest.

[mkabisch]

:) a steam engine has no shutdown, they cool down.

You learn on Betsy, on this and all level1 engines the brake is an hand brake.
Later there is an air pressure brake but this also ever brake your engine on 100% (0% Grade).
Because there is a little rest issue in this Game.
You boiler ever had 100% pressure.

When you came back, you will never find a really cold engine, how is on the first start.

[Kordain]

I understand the principle. While it may not be possible in this game I was unsure if just letting the fire die out would damage the train( especially if it runs out of water. I was kind of hoping for a way to smother the fire in the firebox. (which shouldn't be hard for wood fired engines, coal is another story)

[Dexert Raat]

Let the fire die. Nothing will happen to the locomotive. If it runs out of water, which is really hard to do unless you're determined to do it, it will simply run out of steam.

[Kordain]

Well I appreciate everyone's feedback. I know so little about about how the trains actually work it's made playing this game a challenge. Especially when I'm laying track. Several times I've laid tracks that couldn't be climbed by my trains going uphill. Anyone have any suggestions for that? how many degrees uphill shouldn't I exceed?

[mkabisch]

Originally posted by Dexert Raat:

If it runs out of water

No because when the fire die, the water consumption stopped.

Iam an old (Driver) EA Veteran.

I could say:

"Let a engine cool down on parking side".

You have ever the possibility to start them!!
And gives them life !!

I'am never ever must in this game emerge an empty (no water & no wood (coal)) engine ???

It is only a question of management !

[Dexert Raat]

Early in the game you have weak engines and small trains. I tend to limit uphill to 0.5 degrees for loaded trains and 1.5 degrees for empty trains.
Later in the game, when you can afford more powerful engines, I increase the uphill limit to 3 degrees. There are places where the terrain encourages you to go steeper and use the geared locomotives (Shay/Heisler/Climax) but it's entirely up to you how you deal with it.

[Kordain]

Originally posted by Dexert Raat:

Early in the game you have weak engines and small trains. I tend to limit uphill to 0.5 degrees for loaded trains and 1.5 degrees for empty trains.
Later in the game, when you can afford more powerful engines, I increase the uphill limit to 3 degrees. There are places where the terrain encourages you to go steeper and use the geared locomotives (Shay/Heisler/Climax) but it's entirely up to you how you deal with it.

Thanks. I'm going to have to re-plan my whole layout aside from my track going between the lumberyard to the sawmill. Some areas I have inclines between 6 to 10 degrees that I haven't tested yet.

[Dexert Raat]

Originally posted by mkabisch:

No because when the fire die, the water consumption stopped.

Correct but I believe if the water runs out before the fire dies the steam will simply run out.
I can't find the thread just now but a while ago someone could not create steam in their locomotive, it had ran out of water. I don't know if that is still possible but it has never happened to me.
EDIT: Did a test with a brand new Eureka towing a rake of carriages running in a circle until it ran out of water. The fire stayed at 752F. However, the water temperature dropped to 230F and the boiler lost all pressure. I wanted a boiler explosion and I'm disappointed I did not get one :(

Iam an old (Driver) EA Veteran.

Good for you, I joined EA roughly 20 months ago and have 1,100 hours under my belt.

[mkabisch]

Originally posted by Dexert Raat:

EDIT: Did a test with a brand new Eureka towing a rake of carriages running in a circle until it ran out of water. The fire stayed at 752F. However, the water temperature dropped to 230F and the boiler lost all pressure. I wanted a boiler explosion and I'm disappointed I did not get one :(

That is not Derail Valley the boiler have ever a safety ventil, you shown is when your boiler has the full pressure.

But this is unreal, every good fireman try to cook water in the right range.

And to your other point yes it is possible to drive a engine till the water is empty, but in this game you dosn't kill the boiler with this action on this way your engine will be a car and you must pull it to a water tower.

[Qualified EIC]

Originally posted by Dexert Raat:

EDIT: Did a test with a brand new Eureka towing a rake of carriages running in a circle until it ran out of water... ...I wanted a boiler explosion and I'm disappointed I did not get one :(

I've tried it too, back in the beta branch days, hoping for some consequences, it's sad that there aren't any. It's kind of like how there is no damage or cargo loss in wrecks; no consequences, no real challenge.