Southern Railway S15 Class

[Morky]

I have just purchased the above locomotive and I find that I am loosing a vast amount of steam from the cylinder drain pipes when in motion,is this normal, or is there anyway of shutting this off the cylinder drain pipes

[FusedCircuit]

I think you need the blower on, have you tried that ?

[Chicken Balti]

Hello Morky, close the cylinder drain ♥♥♥♥♥ by pressing C on your keyboard after around four revolutions of your driving wheels. Nothing to do with the blower, which should be on all the time when the engine is in steam, it is the 'only' control that keeps the fire in the firebox and not in the cab as well at 'all times'. In real life, the blower is only turned off after the fire has been dropped at the end of the working day. Most TS guides and manuals are incorrect regarding it's use.
Open your dampers when working hard, to allow 'primary air' to enter the firebox under the fire grate to brighten the fire to produce a much hotter fire that will produce more steam quicker.
Best.

[CrazyGecko]

I think the manual needs to explain things better. I start with 190psi but this drops and holds at 130psi. I've got the dampers open but the pressure won't rise.

[Chicken Balti]

Originally posted by CrazyGecko:

I think the manual needs to explain things better. I start with 190psi but this drops and holds at 130psi. I've got the dampers open but the pressure won't rise.

I agree CrazyGecko, not a very detailed manual for those not so used to driving steam engines.
Try to 'balance' your reverser and regulator settings, just enough regulator to maintain speed with a reverser setting 'notched up' as much as possible towards midgear. Try to keep your steam pressure icon in the green. Drive according to your steam chest pressure indication if you can, that is telling you directly how much boiler steam is entering the steam chest. No point in opening your regulator more if already high pressure in the steam chest to supply the cylinders through the valve gear. Pressing F5 will tell you if your driving style is using more steam than the fireman can generate for you.
Dampers open when working hard and blower on all the time, small injector on to maintain vacuum once created.
Set your brake option to suit what you are hauling.
Best.

[CrazyGecko]

Thankfully the issue has been sorted and came down to the regulator/reverser ratio being way off. I pretty much drive the S15 like the BR 7MT from JT as their manual provides better detail.

[Morky]

Thank you all for your grateful tips will give them all a try. Best wishes

[WhittyJW]

How do you sort out the regulator/reverser ratio? I may have the same problem with the s15 & the GWR manor.

Originally posted by CrazyGecko:

Thankfully the issue has been sorted and came down to the regulator/reverser ratio being way off. I pretty much drive the S15 like the BR 7MT from JT as their manual provides better detail.

[CrazyGecko]

Originally posted by scotsmana3:

How do you sort out the regulator/reverser ratio? I may have the same problem with the s15 & the GWR manor.

Originally posted by CrazyGecko:

Thankfully the issue has been sorted and came down to the regulator/reverser ratio being way off. I pretty much drive the S15 like the BR 7MT from JT as their manual provides better detail.

Under the assumption that the blower, injector, cylinder chook's and brake settings are sorted out I have the speed rise to a point where the pressure goes red and then I adjust it to the next setting and keep repeating until I reach around 20%.

Using the 7MT as an example: 0-5mph 75 cut off
5-25mph 45 cut off
25-40mph 35 cut off
40-60mph 30 cut off
60-75mph 25 cut off
75+ mph 20-15 cut off

Obviously the 7MT and S15 are different engines but with some trial and error you will manage to keep a good amount of steam pressure and speed but hopefully this helps and good luck

[WhittyJW]

I've found the best way to keep her steaming well. is to keep her at 47% on the HUD bar. and keeping the blower on all times. maybe easing off at stations.