Creating Steam Generator Cars

[NW_611]

Part of my Amtrak consist project mentioned in the General forum calls for some steam generator cars, made from F3Bs of the BN. Luckily, there appear to be some B-units available in Amtrak livery, so I now need to figure out how to make an inert steam generator unit.

I'm thinking that the most simple way to do it is to write a quick WAG file, so as to avoid any unpleasantness involved in deleting huge chunks of an ENG file. However, I don't have the foggiest as to what said WAG would look like. If anyone feels like chipping in on some information, please feel free to do so.

[Swissie]

Hi NW 611,

if you wanted to keep the diesel exhaust effects on your converted B-Unit, then you should leave it as an .eng file.

To avoid your steam generator offering traction effort and contributing to pulling your train, you'll need to have a look at the following lines in the .eng file (excerpt from Mark's v3.0 pro version of a Santa Fé F7B):

Original

MaxPower ( 1119kW )
MaxForce ( 229.4kN )
MaxContinuousForce ( 151.8kN )


Modified

MaxPower ( 11.2kW )
MaxForce ( 2.3kN )
MaxContinuousForce ( 1.5kN )

Make sure that you alter these three values proportionally, i.e. if you reduce the power setting to 0.01 of the original, apply the same factor to reduce MaxForce and MaxContinousForce. Failure to do so will distort the performance of your consist noticeably.

(Credits for this snippet of information: Wayne Campbell, who experimented around until the .eng files for his "unpowered" London&Port Stanley CabCars worked in synch with the .eng files of the motor supposed to push the train.)

Furthermore, you could delete the lighting section from the .eng file of your steam generator if you wished to make the file leaner. If you use an .eng file of one of Marc Nelson's Demo B-Units or one of its repaints floating around in the library, you will already have a good template to work with. These files already have the sections on CabViews and EngineControllers removed. This means they are already set up as AI-only engines, and the file is reduced to the minimum requirements needed for an .eng file.

If you want to use a simpler .wag file, take any one of the passenger .wag files (even default, if you want) and modify it as follows:

- Change all the references to whatever.wag to the proper file name of your steam generator
- Modify all the physical parameters regarding size, weight etc. to the proper values of a B-Unit turned into a steam generator (get the correct dimensions from the original .eng file!). That should present you with a working solution.
- Just double-check that the type line of your .wag file reads ( Carriage ) otherwise your Amtrak train will be bound to obey to the speed limits for freight trains (on routes with alternate limits for freight and passenger).
- Make sure that you also modify the .sd file, especially the bounding box line, to the proper dimensions, or you'll have a heck of a pain coupling up to the steam generator ;-)

Feel free to ask if you need more info, and have fun with your project
Lukas a.k.a Swissie

[NW_611]

Interesting information, Swissie! I appreciate the nuts-'n-bolts of this, which is apparently more complex than I was thinking. With regards to the diesel effects, does a steam generator car have them in reality?

[Swissie]

Sorry, can't answer that - I'm from across the pond, and when our trains need power to heat, they just raise the pantograph and pull some juice from the wires...

More seriously & just eduacted guessing from general experience: the generator inside the car is most certainly supposed to make diesel noises and produce some exhaust. Generator cars made from baggage cars (Alaska RR) have exhaust pipes on their roof, with some (but not much) exhaust visible. Anyone with more authority out there to give accurate information on F7B-rebuilt generators?

Lukas a.k.a Swissie

[mrmike]

NW611,

Gaetan has made a Steam Generator for the CNR. It only has 2 ACE,S.SD & a WAG. file.
My Computer specs are in my profile
Mike
" [Link Expired]
This smile says it all"

[Irondale]

Hey mrmike,
Thanks for the info, but where did you get that CNR car by Gaetan?
Checked the library and the "net", and I'm coming up empty.

[NW_611]

It came from the members' section at Mr. Belanger's site. A donation of a small amount gets you on that action; I'd say that it's eminently worth it.

Visit www.valleypass.com for more information.