User Guide

MICROSOFT TRAIN SIMULATOR ENGINEER’S HANDBOOK
HOW TO DRIVE A STEAM LOCOMOTIVE | 31
Cylinder Cocks: The cylinder cocks can be opened to allow steam that has condensed into water to
escape from the cylinders after the locomotive has been left standing. Water must be drained from
the cylinders because it is uncompressible and can blow out the seals of the cylinder if pressurized by
the pistons. When the train is in motion, the cocks should be closed, since steam can escape through
them. Also, the lubrication system does not work efficiently with the cocks open.
Sanders: Use the sanders to blow sand onto the track to increase traction. This helps you get a better
grip on the track when starting the train and on steep grades and wet track. There is a limited amount
of sand on the locomotive.
Speedometer: The speedometer shows your speed in miles or kilometers per hour, depending on the
locomotive. In the 1920s, many steam locomotives did not have speedometers, but Train Simulator
includes them to help you operate the locomotives.
Steam Heat Pressure Valve: With this valve you can shunt some steam into the steam heat line to
heat the passenger cars. It must be adjusted to suit the train length and pressure you want to deliver.
Steam Heat Pressure Gauge: When you are running a passenger train in cold temperatures, you will
use some of the steam to generate heat for the passenger cars. The Steam Heat Pressure Gauge
shows you how much steam you are using for this function. The longer the train, the more steam this
function uses. Steam heating can have a significant impact on the demands placed on the boiler.
You are never required to use steam heat for passenger cars in Train Simulator, but you can if you
want to make your run more realistic.
Whistle: Sound the whistle to warn passersby of your approach. For a more realistic experience, use
the proper whistle sequence. See the “Bells, Horns, Lights, and Whistles” section in Chapter 9,
Operations, for more information about specific whistle codes.
Headlights: You should keep the headlights on during regular operation. In Train Simulator, whenever
the headlights are turned on, the rear lights are illuminated, too.
For more information see the “Bells, Whistles, Horns, and Lights” section in Chapter 9, Operations.
Fireman’s controls
Note: You can delegate the role of the fireman to the computer, by choosing the Automatic
Fireman option from the General tab of the Options screen.
Exhaust Stack: Watch the smoke coming out of the exhaust stack to gauge how efficient your
fireman’s efforts are. Clear or very light gray smoke is ideal. Black smoke indicates that the coal is not
being effectively burned—this is like throwing the coal off the train rather than into the firebox! White
smoke indicates that there is too much air passing through the firebox or that the fire is too cold.