s282 traction

[whisper]

The B99 patch notes said that the s282 got more torque and is now traction limited, but it feels to me more like it lost traction. I swear I used to be able to pull 800 tons out of coal mine east with it, and now I can't seem to manage it. Even with the cutoff full forward and the sander on full blast, I can't open the regulator enough to maintain forward motion without spinning the wheels. Is there some subtlety I'm missing?

[Talkingpeanut]

Traction limited means that it is limited by its traction, i.e. it will slip even if strong enough to pull the train. I find it much easier to get out of CME this patch (because it has more torque) so long as I didn't slow down too much

[whisper]

I got a bigger runup by going around the whole station loop and barely made it. Whew! Guess i'm just bad.

[GHKtruc]

Originally posted by whisper:

I got a bigger runup by going around the whole station loop and barely made it. Whew! Guess i'm just bad.

Could be, but I also find the S282 especially on wet ground wouldn't get grip even on flat ground.

Climbing out of steel mill with 800 tons be it at 100% sand or 60% sand I was not able to give it more than 20% cutoff without the wheels spinning out of control. Maybe I had to climb at a lower pressure than 12 bars, but it was already sketchy enough has it is. 11km/h at the lowest, mostly because lack of grip. I have yet to run coal mine east but I assume it's the same scenario

[whisper]

Originally posted by GHKtruc:

Originally posted by whisper:

I got a bigger runup by going around the whole station loop and barely made it. Whew! Guess i'm just bad.

Could be, but I also find the S282 especially on wet ground wouldn't get grip even on flat ground.

Climbing out of steel mill with 800 tons be it at 100% sand or 60% sand I was not able to give it more than 20% cutoff without the wheels spinning out of control. Maybe I had to climb at a lower pressure than 12 bars, but it was already sketchy enough has it is. 11km/h at the lowest, mostly because lack of grip. I have yet to run coal mine east but I assume it's the same scenario

I think (and someone who's better at steam trains can correct me here, I'm still trying to figure this out) that when traction is a problem you want full cutoff and very low regulator. If the cutoff is low than the pressure duty cycle is reduced and so you are applying torque "jerkily" and more likely to spin the wheels than if you were delivering the same total amount of power with consistent torque.

[CaptainD54321 (They/Them)]

the 282 is definitely a slippery beast with the new update, my advice is to keep a close eye on the steam chest gauge, as it pretty much directly reflects how much torque the wheels are currently putting down (cause pressure in chest = pressure on pistons = force applied to wheels), and try and see what chest pressure you can manage without slipping, and then adjust the regulator to try and keep the chest as close to that pressure as possible without going over; of course as the engine speeds up, the chest starts draining faster, because you're getting more piston strokes, so you have to open up the throttle more to compensate (and also hook up the cut-off to decrease steam usage once youve got some speed), but if you go over and spin out you bleed out all that steam almost instantly and have to build it all up again

[whisper]

Looking at the chest to see where wheelspin starts is a really good tip. Thanks!

[FracturedJustice21]

I'm having a similar issue with it, while trying to build up speed on flat ground it likes to spin like hell then as soon as I start getting uphill I lose all power and I'm not even pulling that much it's like just over 500 tons heading out of the harbor towards City Southwest

[whisper]

For everyone else still having problems with s282 traction, it really is all about watching the chest gauge. The scales really fell from my eyes when i read CaptainD's post but putting it into practice i was still surprised just how powerful it is. By watching the chest and keeping it from getting to wheelspin pressure (or pre-sanding before it gets there) you can entirely prevent wheelspin, which unlocks the locomotive's potential.

I think the real reason people (myself included) had so much trouble with traction in this patch isn't the increased torque the s282 got but the more realistic chest pressure mechanics, which we weren't used to managing. But once you get the hang of it driving this engine is more nuanced and more fun than it was before b99. Wonderful game.

[schutt]

I use the anti slip computer in my s282 ... works like a charm... at start its alittle irritating, but once i got used to it i love it, i know.. computer in the steamer... but it works !

[Pops]

Watching chest pressure when the cutoff wheel is wide open is a good idea. But I find when you are cooking along closing the cutoff wheel to point where it starts slipping is better. I have taken 1800t south through FRC with no sand in the damp. When it comes to both the 282 and 060 you just have to stay ahead of it. I always stick my POV far enough out of the train to see the wheels. If you see sparks time for more sand or less cuttoff. The 282 has always been a fair weather train and maintaining your momentum