How do you operate UP844

[Baboo]

I don't know how to operate this thing I can't maintain steam or pressure how do I operate this please tell me

[CowboyDandy]

READ THE MANUAL

[Baboo]

Where is the manual

[vlads]

Here: https://store.steampowered.com/manual/277740

[Smokebox]

If you're unfamiliar with how to run steam locomotives, I recommend against trying to play using the advanced version (the ones with "Adv" in the name). Instead, make sure to pick ones with "HUD" in their names. Those have a less realistic, but easier-to-use, throttle simulation and have the scripted automatic fireman (which knows how to maintain boiler pressure in an oil-burning locomotive like the FEF-3) permanently enabled.

The second important thing is to understand how to use the reverser. Don't put it at full (80% on the HUD) and just leave it there, like I see a lot of people doing. Treat it like the gears in a (manual / stick shift) car. Full forward is 1st gear, close to centre is 5th or 6th gear, centre is neutral. As you go faster, reduce the reverser (bringing it nearer to the centre, or 0%, on the HUD). Just as you wouldn't drive down the motorway at 70mph in first gear, you also wouldn't try to go at 70mph in the FEF-3 with the reverser fully forward - if you do, you'll use steam much, much faster than the boiler can produce it, no matter how well the fireman performs.

[vlads]

Smokebox, it's true, when spoken about experience steam drivers. I'll rather suggest more simple solution. I figured out that in the TS due to game engine limitations, one can run on same values of cutoff either trom full stop or on the plain area to maintain constant speed. Usually it is something like 40/40 (freight), 33/33 (passenger) or 22/22 (single locomotive), depends on the weight of consist and movement resistance (the problems occur only when the local train dispatcher give you less motive power than needed).
Usually constant 40 cutoff and variable throttle worked in most cases.

Keeping in mind simple model: force is defined only by portion of steam (pressure distributed in constant volume of cylinder), we can simulate this process giving not optimum time of filling of the cylinders and fuel disposal but at least we can ride.

We can argue a lot, and I definitely agree with you that the correct model of driving is good habit that is better to have from the beginning, but in case when we are speaking about the problem topic starter having, i bet it is simpliest way to start driving steam locomotives.

[vlads]

Cat, no he isn't. I watched his profile in game blocks site and he has a Arabic shaikh profile so your suggestion was not that correct as expected. Usually we use the bright nicknames and bright profiles to get someone's attention. I don't want such sort of attention and any questions so I do not put nothing in my profile except my name.

[Smokebox]

Originally posted by vlads:

Smokebox, it's true, when spoken about experience steam drivers. I'll rather suggest more simple solution. I figured out that in the TS due to game engine limitations, one can run on same values of cutoff either trom full stop or on the plain area to maintain constant speed. Usually it is something like 40/40 (freight), 33/33 (passenger) or 22/22 (single locomotive), depends on the weight of consist and movement resistance (the problems occur only when the local train dispatcher give you less motive power than needed).
Usually constant 40 cutoff and variable throttle worked in most cases.

Keeping in mind simple model: force is defined only by portion of steam (pressure distributed in constant volume of cylinder), we can simulate this process giving not optimum time of filling of the cylinders and fuel disposal but at least we can ride.

We can argue a lot, and I definitely agree with you that the correct model of driving is good habit that is better to have from the beginning, but in case when we are speaking about the problem topic starter having, i bet it is simpliest way to start driving steam locomotives.

With the HUD version, you can indeed either leave the throttle on full and use the reverser (cutoff) to control the mean pressure in the cylinders as the speed varies, or set the reverser as you said and leave it there, and then use the throttle to control the loco. But, that's because of the simplified simulation in the HUD version. With the Advanced version, you really do need to keep adjusting the reverser, because of the advanced simulation of the throttle valves, steam chest and admission and exhaust valves.

[Cat]

Originally posted by vlads:

Cat, no he isn't. I watched his profile in game blocks site and he has a Arabic shaikh profile so your suggestion was not that correct as expected. Usually we use the bright nicknames and bright profiles to get someone's attention. I don't want such sort of attention and any questions so I do not put nothing in my profile except my name.

I wouldn't call that a bright nickname or avatar.

Thanks vlads but I was hoping the OP would answer my question himself.

[vlads]

Originally posted by Mr.Etinic Cleansing:

Oh my God my profile pic has been removed again I hate you little kid

Ce la vie... Can you tell your experience, have you succeeded to drive the loco, after using whether the Smokebox's advice or mine?

[vlads]

You can feel free to spawn a cardboad figure in the Editor with a name what you hate and hit it with your UP844. Consider the Train Simulator as a sort of Desunoto if it can help you.

[Baboo]

Ok there is 2 Fef-3 HUD trains witch Union Pacific train should I pick

[vlads]

Just watch what Smokebox have written:

Originally posted by Smokebox:

With the HUD version, you can indeed either leave the throttle on full and use the reverser (cutoff) to control the mean pressure in the cylinders as the speed varies, or set the reverser as you said and leave it there, and then use the throttle to control the loco. But, that's because of the simplified simulation in the HUD version. With the Advanced version, you really do need to keep adjusting the reverser, because of the advanced simulation of the throttle valves, steam chest and admission and exhaust valves.

So, generally speaking you start it with turned on full HUD menu, showing the speed, line profile and virtual throttle, cutoff (reverser) and brake controls, so you control via keyboard instead of manual controls in cab. Also there is the fireman control and the water level control that can be turned on or off depending on the version of scenario/driving mode. While starting you must to keep the fire on 80% (if it is not so, turn on and start moving and turn off as far as it reaches 80%), turn the blower on and the sanders (at first time you can left them turned on all the time). Your goal is to select the throttle level, that give you constant decrease of pressure by 0.1 bar every 15-30 seconds or so (the pressure icon became red, but not be confused with security valve). The bigger or even infinite time is better. You have to keep the water level not less than 33% and fill it only after this point or when stopping on the station. Also after starting you must turn off the water because it tends to pressure decrease and turn on it only you have reached line speed and you can keep moving when your pressure icon became green instead of red.

[Smokebox]

Originally posted by vlads:

Also there is the fireman control and the water level control that can be turned on or off depending on the version of scenario/driving mode. While starting you must to keep the fire on 80% (if it is not so, turn on and start moving and turn off as far as it reaches 80%), turn the blower on and the sanders (at first time you can left them turned on all the time). ... You have to keep the water level not less than 33% and fill it only after this point or when stopping on the station. Also after starting you must turn off the water because it tends to pressure decrease and turn on it only you have reached line speed and you can keep moving when your pressure icon became green instead of red.

This advice isn't relevant in the case of the FEF-3 HUD versions. Please read the manual carefully, especially the part about the scripted automatic fireman (the section titled "Expert mode, Simple mode, HUD and Automatic Fireman" that starts on page 9. Note the final paragraph of that section:

"The HUD‐enabled version has the expert automatic fireman enabled permanently (it cannot be toggled off) ‐ this is because the HUD does not have the appropriate controls for an oil-fired steam locomotive. Therefore, with the HUD‐enabled version, the player assumes the role of locomotive engineer and leaves the model's scripted expert automatic fireman to take care of maintaining pressure and looking after that side of things."

It's also extremely important to follow the instructions about turning off the game's own default auto fireman:

"First though, it is extremely important to understand that whichever version is used, and regardless of the driving mode that is selected, the game's automatic fireman must be disabled via the in-game menu :

Main Menu > Settings > Gameplay > Automatic Fireman > Off

This is because the model simulates an oil‐fired steam locomotive, making it incompatible with Train Simulator's usual automatic fireman. The model's scripting implements its own specialized "expert" automatic fireman, using all the controls at its disposal."

So, please read the manual.

If you still have difficulty operating the FEF-3, I recommend you switch to Simple Controls gameplay mode (and make sure to use a HUD version of the loco).

[vlads]

Originally posted by Cat:

Originally posted by Mr.Etinic Cleansing:

Oh my God my profile pic has been removed again I hate you little kid

Well sonny, perhaps you are too young to understand what ethnic cleansing really is, and like you, it isn't funny.

Thank you for your answer, but can you just answer him in P.M, if you're so unsatisfied with his nickname, just could you be so kind? You've already underscored your point few posts ago so everybody in this forum has a clue about it. I've just subscribed to this topic to see if Smokebox will answer something useful about steam locomotives, because I like steam trains and I really appreciate his answers about steam locomotives driving, whether they are related to UP844 or not.