Why Can't I Gain Boiler Pressure?

[Hawkeye]

I'm supposed to sit at this stop to gain boiler pressure to 160 before moving on. Of course, the pressure has steadily dropped to 30 while I sit here fiddling with controls, unable to find anything to make it climb. I'm using the Driver Assist mode, but my "assistant" is evidently content to let me sit here, giving me zero advice.

Here is a screenshot of my settings:
Steam Settings

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Trying to get these Steam locos to work.

[GeneralGeldenhuys]

You choked the fire. Always keep the firebox level around 60%.

[slugwash]

Originally posted by GeneralGeldenhuys:

You choked the fire. Always keep the firebox level around 60%.

Thanks for info - I can't see detail on holliday50 screengrab - I am "green but keen" regarding "firing", please pass on which bit leads you to this conclusion and anything else relevant to newbie engine-drivers, like myself!

d;-)

[GeneralGeldenhuys]

Originally posted by slugwash:

Thanks for info - I can't see detail on holliday50 screengrab - I am "green but keen" regarding "firing", please pass on which bit leads you to this conclusion and anything else relevant to newbie engine-drivers, like myself!

d;-)

It would be useful if he used F4 than F5. Yes, F5 gives more technical information, but F4 will be a great assistant when driving with steamers the first time.

In the screenshot, his firebox level is 999 lbs of coal, which means he choked the fire, too much coal. I can't precisely remember what the level suppose to be, but if you drive with F4, you will see the % on the firebox button. Keep it between 60-70% will work wonders.

[slugwash]

Originally posted by GeneralGeldenhuys:

Originally posted by slugwash:

Thanks for info - I can't see detail on holliday50 screengrab - I am "green but keen" regarding "firing", please pass on which bit leads you to this conclusion and anything else relevant to newbie engine-drivers, like myself!

d;-)

It would be useful if he used F4 than F5. Yes, F5 gives more technical information, but F4 will be a great assistant when driving with steamers the first time.

In the screenshot, his firebox level is 999 lbs of coal, which means he choked the fire, too much coal. I can't precisely remember what the level suppose to be, but if you drive with F4, you will see the % on the firebox button. Keep it between 60-70% will work wonders.

Much obliged, GeneralGeldenhuys - all clear to me now!

[Hawkeye]

Originally posted by GeneralGeldenhuys:

Originally posted by slugwash:

Thanks for info - I can't see detail on holliday50 screengrab - I am "green but keen" regarding "firing", please pass on which bit leads you to this conclusion and anything else relevant to newbie engine-drivers, like myself!

d;-)

It would be useful if he used F4 than F5. Yes, F5 gives more technical information, but F4 will be a great assistant when driving with steamers the first time.

In the screenshot, his firebox level is 999 lbs of coal, which means he choked the fire, too much coal. I can't precisely remember what the level suppose to be, but if you drive with F4, you will see the % on the firebox button. Keep it between 60-70% will work wonders.

Okay. Looks like an opportunity for the driver assist to say something along the lines of "shut that door, it's getting hot in here!" I do drive in F4 mode though, but changed it for the screenshot so you guys could see all my settings. Is there any way I can build pressure back up now then, or is it too far gone. I went from around 130 to 35 PSI just sitting here & it wants me back to 160 before I move.

[GeneralGeldenhuys]

Originally posted by holliday50:

Okay. Looks like an opportunity for the driver assist to say something along the lines of "shut that door, it's getting hot in here!" I do drive in F4 mode though, but changed it for the screenshot so you guys could see all my settings. Is there any way I can build pressure back up now then, or is it too far gone. I went from around 130 to 35 PSI just sitting here & it wants me back to 160 before I move.

Well, I think it dropped way too far, you have to restart.

[DominusEdwardius]

Ideal firemass for the Pannier is 510lb on the F5 hud.

[simonmd]

Makes sense. Before I saw the pic the first thing I thought was "is the fire ok?". Steam engines can seem very complicated and daunting but there are really simple things at heart. Heat = Steam = Power. No Steam? Assuming water is ok, can't have much heat then.

Personally, I always use the auto fireman. It can be fun to try both but they needed two men in real life to do it so I dont see it as cheating or copping out personally and I can concentrate on the track and the time.

[Hawkeye]

Originally posted by simonmd:

Makes sense. Before I saw the pic the first thing I thought was "is the fire ok?". Steam engines can seem very complicated and daunting but there are really simple things at heart. Heat = Steam = Power. No Steam? Assuming water is ok, can't have much heat then.

Yes, unfortunately, neither the Academy, nor the Driver Assist do a comprehensive job of teaching. I'm trying to learn, but this type of thing makes it frustrating.

[slugwash]

Originally posted by holliday50:

Originally posted by simonmd:

Makes sense. Before I saw the pic the first thing I thought was "is the fire ok?". Steam engines can seem very complicated and daunting but there are really simple things at heart. Heat = Steam = Power. No Steam? Assuming water is ok, can't have much heat then.

Yes, unfortunately, neither the Academy, nor the Driver Assist do a comprehensive job of teaching. I'm trying to learn, but this type of thing makes it frustrating.

Yep - I copy and paste all the useful bits into a separate document - but this is all a bit random.

If any of you expert 'steamers' out there have any one document or site to share - would be appreciated by those of us who are still hanging around on steep hills with the brakes on waiting for more pressure! For myself, I have stopped (in time, I guess) and waited for a while - and the pressure has increased to have another go . . .

[pavig]

The old J94 guide covers the basics:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=117906786

[Hawkeye]

Originally posted by slugwash:

Originally posted by holliday50:

Yes, unfortunately, neither the Academy, nor the Driver Assist do a comprehensive job of teaching. I'm trying to learn, but this type of thing makes it frustrating.

Yep - I copy and paste all the useful bits into a separate document - but this is all a bit random.

If any of you expert 'steamers' out there have any one document or site to share - would be appreciated by those of us who are still hanging around on steep hills with the brakes on waiting for more pressure! For myself, I have stopped (in time, I guess) and waited for a while - and the pressure has increased to have another go . . .

Lol, I was at -6000 points or so in this scenario BEFORE I got hung up waiting on my pressure to build...which apparently never will, so I'll be starting that one over.

The issue with the Academy is that many of the short "tutorials" are completely irrelevant to operating a Steam engine vs Diesel or Electric. Below is a screenshot of the included scenarios:

Steam Academy Scenarios

Primary Controls - walks you through the Reverser, Regulator & Brakes

Secondary Controls - walks you through cycling the headlights & blowing the whistle...the loco doesn't even move in this scenario

Refueling Water - Just a short start & stop with the addition of hitting a button to fill your water

Refueling Coal - Nearly identical to the Refueling Water scenario

Coupling & Uncoupling - Really not that beneficial for learning to drive a steam engine. This is basic & used on every other engine in the game.

Switching Junctions - Again, you already know this...not specific to steam locos & basic stuff.

Two Aspect Signals & Three Aspect Signals - just signaling tutorials

Things that you never touch or learn during the Academy tutorials with steam locos include the following:

small ejector
cylinder valves
locomotive fire box
shoveling coal
live steam injector
increasing/reducing flow of steam to live injector
exhaust injector
blowers
dampers
lowering water scoop to fill up water on the go
preventing blowback
climbing hills
maintaining pressure

I know that I'm missing some things that also aren't covered, just because of my inexperience & lack of knowledge of them. I figured I could at least maintain a run using Driver Assist, but it's disappointing that it fails me in some areas too.

[slugwash]

Cheers pavig - will follow up on that guide.

Holliday50 - great list - agree with you - hopefully we may get some expert views - it would be good if there was a Firing Academy.

[slugwash]

Originally posted by pavig:

The old J94 guide covers the basics:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=117906786

Hmmmm - MattPeddlesden - hours played on TS = 4,540 . . .
I kneel before thee.

Thanks again pavig - only just started on that guide - and I have noticed the 123 comments, many from forum members.

I now realise that this is a must before getting going!

[Cat]

Originally posted by slugwash:

Cheers pavig - will follow up on that guide.

Holliday50 - great list - agree with you - hopefully we may get some expert views - it would be good if there was a Firing Academy.

A Firing Academy? Ran by a Firing Squad perhaps?