SteamSim (sidescrolling steam engine game)

[sim_developer]

SteamSim is a 2D sidescrolling train game inspired by trainmaster 3. The locomotive performances are not derived using tables but each part is simulated, for example grate, firebox, tubes, steam chest, cylinders, blast pipes, boiler, water pump. It is harder but i think it is better long term because the simulation can be refined over time, is valid for all locomotives and is easier to expand.
In this game you start with a small locomotive and gain money by completing routes that can be used to buy better locomotives. You have to drive efficiently to reduce fuel use to increase money gained.
The game starts with very old steam engines. In this version i have added 3 routes and 1 locomotive, in total 9 routes and 3 locomotives:
040 Locomotion (1825)
022 Rocket (1829)
060 Royal George (1830)
Download
game_interface.jpg

Guide
To install extract the SteamSim directory from the zip file, go inside it and launch SteamSim.exe

Main Window
main_window.jpg
Here you can buy engines and select the next route.
On top left there are the the available credits and the game current date.
On left there is the list of owned engines and in bottom left the list of engines available to buy. If you just started the game is in the year 1825 and the only locomotive available is the "Locomotion 040". As you progress in the game other engines will be available. To visualize an engine data and image click on an owned or buyable engine.
On the center there is the available routes list and description. At the start of the game only the first route is available, when a route is completed the next one become available.
On the right there is the train composition and data. If you own many engines you can change the current one by clicking on it in the list on top left.
By clicking "add wagon" and "remove wagon" you can change the train composition to change the difficulty of the route. With more wagon the revenue is higher but the route is also more difficult, or impossible if the train can't climb grades.
Click the button "start" on right bottom to start the route.

[sim_developer]

Locomotive Gauges
From top right to left:

Water Gauge
water_gauge.jpg
The blue area is the level of the water in the boiler, from 90% to 110%, the horizontal black line in the center is 100%. When the locomotive is on grades it will give false readings. If the water level is too low or too high the locomotive will break. For “Locomotion 040 the safe range is 60%-115%.
If the boiler have less than 100% water at the end of the route there is a money penalty. Use the axle pump to refill water.

Pressure Gauge
pressure_gauge.PNG
The black dial is boiler pressure, the red dial is chest pressure. Try to stay below the maximum, if the pressure reach the limit the steam will exit through the safety valve wasting energy. At the end of the route if the boiler pressure is below the small green line there is a money penalty.

Speed Gauge
speed_gauge.PNG
The black dial is current speed, the red dial is the speed limit. The limit is the minimum of route speed and max engine speed. If you overspeed there is a money penalty.

Fire Airflow Gauge
airflow_gauge.PNG
The airflow should be kept in the green zone otherwise the coal is burned inefficiently and steam generation is reduced. The airflow is increased by the amount of steam exhausted from the pistons and the blower if available. It is decreased by closing the firebox door or the damper if available.

Pressure Change Gauge
press_change_gauge.PNG
It shows if the pressure in the boiler is increasing or decreasing.

Gradient Gauge
The current gradient on the track where the locomotive is.

Acceleration Gauge
It shows if the train is accelerating or decellerating

Locomotive Controls

Regulator
Control the flow of steam from the boiler to the cylinders. From 0% to 50% the increase of steam flow is from 0% to 5%.

Reverser
Control the proportion of the piston cycle where steam is admitted in the cylinders. With higher values the piston produce full force most of his cycle but steam is used inefficiently. Right is forward train motion and left backward.

Loco Brake
Engage the brakes of the locomotive (and the tender if brake available).

Firebox Door
Can be closed to reduce airflow to the fire. If below 50% coal can't be shoveled into the fire.

Axle Pump
Pump water from the tender to the boiler. The water flow is proportional to wheel speed. The cold water entering the boiler reduce the steam generation.

Desired Firemass Thickness
Control the thickeness of the coal on the grate. A low thickess reduce the air resistance and airflow requirements but reduce also maximum power output. High tickness require more air but can output more power.
If desired thickness is reduced it takes times for the coal to reach the new tickness. If it is increased too much in a short time the fire temperature is reduced by the new cold coal.

Damper (not available in Locomotion 040)
Can be closed to reduce airflow to the fire.

Blower (not available in Locomotion 040)
Uses steam to increase the airflow to the fire.

Sander (not available in Locomotion 040)
Uses steam to blow sand on the wheels to increase adhesion.

Buttons

Pause/1x/2x/4x
Pause the game or makes the game go faster

Quit
Quit the current route. If less than 120 game seconds have passed there are no costs.

Mouse Wheel
Zoom in/out

[sim_developer]

Route 1: Sunny Plains
Freight – Length 2.2 Km
The first route is short and easy. To start the train set the reverser to 90% and regulator to 100%, the “Locomotion 040” has not enough force to slip wheels on dry track. As the speed increase reduce the reverser to reduce steam use. Activate the axle pump to keep water level above 100%. This is a freight route, the objective is to drive efficiently to save fuel.

Route 2: Rainy Hills
Freight – Length 3.5 Km
This route is longer and has steeper gradients. Avoid overspeeding going downhill.

Route 3: Icy Mountains
Freight – Length 4.0 Km
In this route adhesion is reduced by ice. Set the reverser to 90% and increase the regulator slowly to avoid wheelslip. Wheelslip makes you lose speed and money. Gain speed to overcome the first mountain. With the default consist if you stop uphill you do not have enough adhesion to start moving. After the peak use brakes to avoid overspeeding. Cold temperatures increases bearing friction and decrease steam generation when pumping water in the boiler.

Route 4: Grassy Plains
Express – Length 5.5 Km
This is an express route. Final revenue depends from average speed. 040 Locomotion is too slow, buy and select a 022 Rocket locomotive. If you do not have enough credits redo one of the precedent routes.

Locomotives

040 Locomotion
Freight - Available from route 1
Slow, weak and inefficient but the only locomotive in 1825.

022 Rocket
Express - Available from route 4
Less tractive force than the 040 Locomotion but more powerful and faster. Has a variable damper to control airflow to the fire.

060 Royal George
Freight - Available from route 7
A heavier and more efficient locomotive than Locomotion.

[sim_developer]

Route 1: Sunny Plains
Freight – Length 2.2 Km
The first route is short and easy. To start the train set the reverser to 90% and regulator to 100%, the “Locomotion 040” has not enough force to slip wheels on dry track. As the speed increase reduce the reverser to reduce steam use. Activate the axle pump to keep water level above 100%. This is a freight route, the objective is to drive efficiently to save fuel.

Route 2: Rainy Hills
Freight – Length 3.5 Km
This route is longer and has steeper gradients. Avoid overspeeding going downhill.

Route 3: Icy Mountains
Freight – Length 4.0 Km
In this route adhesion is reduced by ice. Set the reverser to 90% and increase the regulator slowly to avoid wheelslip. Wheelslip makes you lose speed and money. Gain speed to overcome the first mountain. With the default consist if you stop uphill you do not have enough adhesion to start moving. After the peak use brakes to avoid overspeeding. Cold temperatures increases bearing friction and decrease steam generation when pumping water in the boiler.

Route 4: Grassy Plains
Express – Length 5.5 Km
This is an express route. Final revenue depends from average speed. 040 Locomotion is too slow, buy and select a 022 Rocket locomotive. If you do not have enough credits redo one of the precedent routes.

Locomotives

040 Locomotion
Freight - Available from route 1
Slow, weak and inefficient but the only locomotive in 1825.

022 Rocket
Express - Available from route 4
Less tractive force than the 040 Locomotion but more powerful and faster. Has a variable damper to control airflow to the fire.

060 Royal George
Freight - Available from route 7
A heavier and more efficient locomotive than Locomotion.

[CTarana45]

Excellent! Looks like Nostware's Steam Train 4!

Thanks!

Christopher Tarana

[CTarana45]

I have Windows 7 32 Bit and it's saying it's not compatible with My Operating System!

Thanks, SD!

Christopher Tarana

[sim_developer]

It is compiled for x86-64. Tomorrow i will try to create a 32 bit version.

[CTarana45]

Thanks, SD!

Christopher Tarana

[sim_developer]

Here is the 32 bit version
Download 32 bit
I haven't tested it on 32 bit system because i have none

[CTarana45]

It's requesting acsess, it says I need permission to download the file.

Thanks, SD!

Christopher Tarana