How does a person get SP&S 700 up to speed?

[Ericmopar]

I can't get the SP&S 700 up to speed with a 12 car consist.
I've tried opening the damper, but no luck there.
I can't get this loco over 70mph on a level or downhill grade.
I do fine with other steam locos like the Challenger and Black 5s.

[buzz456]

I assume you are running in expert mode?

[Ericmopar]

Always in expert mode.

[buzz456]

I try to run between 90-95% on the water and 70-75% on the fire with the damper wide open and the blower off. Mine gets there and I don't think the bin files are doctored but not certain. XDriver and I did a lot of messing around back a year or more.

[Ericmopar]

Thanks, I'll try that.
I've been taking a guess with the dampers. I think "on" = "open" but I'm not sure.

[mrennie]

Thanks, I'll try that.
I've been taking a guess with the dampers. I think "on" = "open" but I'm not sure.

Yes, on is open.

[buzz456]

I believe if you hold it down for a bit it gets more 'open'.

[buzz456]

OK, just ran 22 loaded hoppers and got her up to 68 mph between Whitefish and Columbia falls. 18% throttle with the johnson bar wide open. Pressure stayed up. Pretty certain this is a stock bin file and the rest of it other than the sound stock. Damper open blower off. Exhaust injector on.

[Ericmopar]

Okay.
I got it up to 80 with 10 G-Trax lightweights on relatively level ground, on Marias.
I did have to go to manual fireman and stoke the fire hotter. In auto mode, the water level is okay, and a person can still open and close the damper, but the fire never gets hot enough. At least that's what I think it is...

I figured out I can open the damper any amount by grabbing the handle in the cab.

Thanks again to both of you.