RSC 2-8-0 CONSOLIDATION

[evafan002]

I am not in my PC now, but I think I observed the same different direction of plume and smoke as ozinoz.

I got a bit side-tracked with an idiotic conversation in the Steam forum (as a result of which, and just to prove a point, I'm thinking of setting up a competition where you have to count how many animated parts there are in the FEF-3).

Please don't loose your precious time with that people. I am right now pounding them and at the same time supporting their insults.
I have a plan.

I dont suppose either of you 2 would mind giving a link to the conversation in question? i have looked but cannot find it

[ozinoz]

Mike,



Did you happen to turn on the F4 HUD by accident? There's a core code bug that makes the F4 HUD turn on the exhaust injector water. If something like that happens, turn off the HUD, then reset the injector (push the injector lever forwards and turn the water off)

yep - that is what did it. Knew there would be an answer...

[jalsina]

I dont suppose either of you 2 would mind giving a link to the conversation in question? i have looked but cannot find it

The link was deleted by DTG this morning

[mrennie]

I dont suppose either of you 2 would mind giving a link to the conversation in question? i have looked but cannot find it

The link was deleted by DTG this morning

"thread heaven"

[jalsina]

I could not reproduce the plume different direction of smoke. I was playing with HUD. I guess it was an illusion.
However I noted a difference in the whistle direction:

[mrennie]

I could not reproduce the plume different direction of smoke. I was playing with HUD. I guess it was an illusion.
However I noted a difference in the whistle direction:

Is that the whistle smoke or the high pressure safety valve steam?

[jalsina]

Is that the whistle smoke or the high pressure safety valve steam?

Whistle by sure.

[mrennie]

Is that the whistle smoke or the high pressure safety valve steam?

Whistle by sure.

It's because although the smoke and whistle have more or less the same velocity and resistance, when the smoke reaches the steam dome, it's had time to flatten out (drift more horizontally). The whistle steam, on the other hand, is still shooting upwards at that point and hasn't had time to flatten out. If it had a longer trail, it would eventually match the smoke. What I could do is to reduce the velocity of the whistle steam so that it drifts more easily (the steam would come out with less force).

[jalsina]

It's because although the smoke and whistle have more or less the same velocity and resistance, when the smoke reaches the steam dome, it's had time to flatten out (drift more horizontally). The whistle steam, on the other hand, is still shooting upwards at that point and hasn't had time to flatten out. If it had a longer trail, it would eventually match the smoke. What I could do is to reduce the velocity of the whistle steam so that it drifts more easily (the steam would come out with less force).

Most whistles have side holes. The steam pressure is higher than in a stack.
I tried again, QD, another place. The angle difference was slightly closer.
I expected a similar answer as the one you have posted. I don´t think it is necessary to tweak those fumes more.

I would prefer the core to include a wind direction even a stable one as we discussed it some time ago in Steam.

EDIT: A new picture with the plume fume crossing the stack:

[mrennie]

It's because although the smoke and whistle have more or less the same velocity and resistance, when the smoke reaches the steam dome, it's had time to flatten out (drift more horizontally). The whistle steam, on the other hand, is still shooting upwards at that point and hasn't had time to flatten out. If it had a longer trail, it would eventually match the smoke. What I could do is to reduce the velocity of the whistle steam so that it drifts more easily (the steam would come out with less force).

Most whistles have side holes. The steam pressure is higher than in a stack.
I tried again, QD, another place. The angle difference was slightly closer.
I expected a similar answer as the one you have posted. I don´t think it is necessary to tweak those fumes more.

I would prefer the core to include a wind direction even a stable one as we discussed it some time ago in Steam.

EDIT: A new picture with the plume fume crossing the stack:

Not much I can do about the plume from the generator crossing the stack. The exhaust pipe is angled (which is why the direction looks different from the whistle when you see it from above - it's just the difference in angle that the steam is ejected in each case) and happens to point at the stack, but the core engine doesn't do hitbox detection for particles. That's why it goes straight through bridges when you go under them, instead of swirling about under the bridge. I wonder if UE4 does it better?

[jalsina]

Not much I can do about the plume from the generator crossing the stack. The exhaust pipe is angled (which is why the direction looks different from the whistle when you see it from above - it's just the difference in angle that the steam is ejected in each case) and happens to point at the stack, but the core engine doesn't do hitbox detection for particles. That's why it goes straight through bridges when you go under them, instead of swirling about under the bridge. I wonder if UE4 does it better?

The probability to catch that is nearly 1 in 100.
I have spent an amazingly long time this evening with the HUD Connie with 8 PRR cars from Altoona to Gallitzin In the Horseshoe and later on from Helper to Provo in Soldier Summit (not finished this one).
I have taken many screenshots (some very nice) that can be found in my Steam profile (same name).
I am trying to learn to read the gauges and managing some controls in the cab but always with the help of the HUD.

[evafan002]

I dont suppose either of you 2 would mind giving a link to the conversation in question? i have looked but cannot find it

The link was deleted by DTG this morning

"thread heaven"

dern I always like to see these idiotic threads you just cannot pass up an idiot for sheer entertainment value

[mrennie]

Not much I can do about the plume from the generator crossing the stack. The exhaust pipe is angled (which is why the direction looks different from the whistle when you see it from above - it's just the difference in angle that the steam is ejected in each case) and happens to point at the stack, but the core engine doesn't do hitbox detection for particles. That's why it goes straight through bridges when you go under them, instead of swirling about under the bridge. I wonder if UE4 does it better?

The probability to catch that is nearly 1 in 100.
I have spent an amazingly long time this evening with the HUD Connie with 8 PRR cars from Altoona to Gallitzin In the Horseshoe and later on from Helper to Provo in Soldier Summit (not finished this one).
I have taken many screenshots (some very nice) that can be found in my Steam profile (same name).
I am trying to learn to read the gauges and managing some controls in the cab but always with the help of the HUD.

I'm glad to see you're watching the gauges. When you do decide to go HUDless, my top tip is to look at the boiler pressure gauge frequently, zooming in so that you can detect even small movements of the needle. If it's going down, even slightly, it's a sign that you need to shorten the cutoff and/or that the fire needs to be tended to (you might have too little or too much coal). If the needle is rising, let it rise until it's close to 200psi, but lengthen the cutoff just enough to stop the needle from moving. That's how you get optimal performance from the engine. It's a bit like working the trim tabs in an aircraft. Basically, that needle gives you the same information as the steam usage and generation figures in the HUD. Similarly, the back pressure gauge gives the same kind of information as the (wrongly named) "steam chest pressure" in the F5 HUD.

[jalsina]

I'm glad to see you're watching the gauges. When you do decide to go HUDless, my top tip is to look at the boiler pressure gauge frequently, zooming in so that you can detect even small movements of the needle. If it's going down, even slightly, it's a sign that you need to shorten the cutoff and/or that the fire needs to be tended to (you might have too little or too much coal). If the needle is rising, let it rise until it's close to 200psi, but lengthen the cutoff just enough to stop the needle from moving. That's how you get optimal performance from the engine. It's a bit like working the trim tabs in an aircraft. Basically, that needle gives you the same information as the steam usage and generation figures in the HUD. Similarly, the back pressure gauge gives the same kind of information as the (wrongly named) "steam chest pressure" in the F5 HUD.

I use them mostly to watch the boiler and chest pressure. In those grades I had lots of problems and I was very close to stalling.
However, my major problem with ADV will be knowing exactly in what position do I have the regulator /reverser and braking the right way and learning to hold, all of this without entering in emergency.
There is also the problem with views. I would need the cab controls view in one monitor and the track in the other particularly when descending steep grades.

[mrennie]

I use them mostly to watch the boiler and chest pressure. In those grades I had lots of problems and I was very close to stalling.
However, my major problem with ADV will be knowing exactly in what position do I have the regulator /reverser and braking the right way and learning to hold, all of this without entering in emergency.
There is also the problem with views. I would need the cab controls view in one monitor and the track in the other particularly when descending steep grades.

Generally, I use the throttle for control at low speed - watching the steam chest pressure gauge, but at higher speed I open the throttle enough to get the steam chest pressure gauge needle to be oscillating around 200psi (slightly below) and then use the reverser. I also run at abpout 190psi boiler pressure so that if I need to shorten the cut-off to reduce speed, the safety valves won't lift when the boiler pressure rises.

For the grades, I sometimes use the F3 HUD, but I prefer to avoid even that. If you watch the speedometer and listen to the frequency of the chuffs, you can sense when the grade is changing. However, when I don't know the line too well and don't know what grade changes are approaching, it's handy to have the F3 HUD open so you have time to prepare for what lies ahead.

The very latest upgrade (the one with the smoke) will have a new wide-angle view on the engineer's side that lets you see more of the cab at once, making it much easier to use all the levers and watch the gauges and the fire, without needing to move the camera around.