B4D auto-fireman settings

[gwgardner]

1) I can't really judge what setting to use on the auto-fireman, for the Clear Creek route B4D. The tutorials have us setting it at '4' or '5,' with heavy grades.

What are the conditions in which other settings would be used?

2) I have no clue what to do with the blower and damper on this engine. Anyone understand it?

thanks for any help.

[slick204]

The manual lists suggested settings for the scripted auto fireman based on the job being done. I'm only a few scenarios in and like you said, they use 4 or 5 so I haven't tried anything else.

The damper controls the amount of air going into the firebox (like opening a door). It's usually open. You would close it if you wanted to reduce the fire mass. The blower is used to increase the air flow through the firebox. I've only used it when not moving, when you don't get the draft from the exhaust.

Hopefully that makes sense.

[trev123]

I tried the scripted auto fireman and found I could drive it better doing it myself. Read my 3rd to last post in this thread. viewtopic.php?f=35&t=16188&start=195

[slick204]

Trev, when you say you're manually firing, are you using the F4 or F5 HUD? I've been manually firing with the F4 HUD. The manual says you can manually fire in the F5 HUD and they identify the injectors but I can't figure out how to adjust the stoking rate. It lists the "R" key for stoking (no indication of how to increase or decrease) but it doesn't seem to do anything.

Has anyone figured this out?

[trev123]

Yes I use the F4 hud. As far as I know I have never heard of being able to adjust the stoking rate. I have many steam locos.

[jalsina]

Yes I use the F4 hud. As far as I know I have never heard of being able to adjust the stoking rate. I have many steam locos.

It is in the manual. Stoking is an automatic way to shovel coal.

[slick204]

Yes, the manual sounds like you can set the water injector and stoking rate to match the usage rate instead of on/off. They just don't tell you how to do it!

[OldProf]

Full instructions for all types of firing (the term used in the manual) appear on p. 15, as follows (I cannot duplicate the line indentations here):

Firing the B4D
There are 4 distinct ways to fire the B4D:

1. Manually firing using the F5HUD;
2. Manually firing using the F4HUD;
3. Using the built-in automatic fireman;
4. Using the scripted automatic fireman.

These are separately enumerated because each has different implications for the firing process.

1. Manually firing with the F5HUD (or no HUD) is the best way to learn about how steam locomotives behave. The recommended ranges for the fire mass and water levels are given above. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the fireman must anticipate the demands for steam and have the boiler ready before reaching a grade or beginning to descend the grade. It is not possible on this route to play catchup once boiler pressure begins to seriously drop. When preparing for a change in steam demand, first get the fire and water levels to the desired levels and then try to replace both fuel and water at as close to use rates as possible, keeping levels fairly even.

2. The F4HUD forces both the stoking and injectors to function at either fully on or fully off. While it is possible to anticipate changes in demand this way, it is difficult to match use rates for replacement of fuel and water.

3. The built-in automatic fireman is a terrible fireman, doing things whenever it suits him. He is always responding after the fact and will make it difficult to maintain steam pressure under conditions of heavy use.
4. The scripted fireman is discussed in detail below.

The Scripted Automatic Fireman
This is available to users with certain limitations:
1. The built-in auto fireman must be off.
2. The F4 HUD must not be used.
3. F3 Display can be used without impact.

The scripted fireman has 5 levels of firing to simulate different rates of firing for different running conditions.
The E Key increases the rate; key shift-E decreases the rate. There is a gauge on the fireman’s side of the cab that will show the level.
Level 0 - The script does nothing allowing for one of the other firing options to control. If the built-in auto fireman or the use of the F5HUD is detected, the script will shut down if it has not already been set to zero.
Level 1 - Used if the locomotive is using steam mainly for appliances but not for moving.
Level 2 - Light movement in switching and other yard movement or drifting downgrade.
Level 3 - Light work on the mainline where upgrades are slight.
Level 4 - For running at speeds near the route limits or climbing shorter grades.
Level 5 - For climbing steep grades with tonnage trains.

For each level the auto fireman can be set to control just the fire (red) as well as the fire and water levels in the boiler (blue). You can go between red default setting and the blue setting be continuing to press the E key once you get to level 5 red will take you to level 1 blue. The colour of the needle on the fire rate dial changes colour. The key to getting the best from this option is to anticipate what level of demands will be required. For most of the route going upgrade from Golden, levels 4 and 5 will be the best options. When descending that same grade, levels 1 or 2 will be satisfactory.

[trev123]

Yes, the manual sounds like you can set the water injector and stoking rate to match the usage rate instead of on/off. They just don't tell you how to do it!

Yes they do. Using the scripted fireman as quoted by OldProf above.

[slick204]

No, what I was referring to was the last sentence in paragraph 1 where they are talking about manual firing.

1. Manually firing with the F5HUD (or no HUD) is the best way to learn about how steam locomotives behave. The recommended ranges for the fire mass and water levels are given above. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the fireman must anticipate the demands for steam and have the boiler ready before reaching a grade or beginning to descend the grade. It is not possible on this route to play catchup once boiler pressure begins to seriously drop. When preparing for a change in steam demand, first get the fire and water levels to the desired levels and then try to replace both fuel and water at as close to use rates as possible, keeping levels fairly even.

[trev123]

I actually found it easier to manually fill the boiler and stoke the fire. Yes I tried the scripted fireman.