OR Steam Locomotive Model

Aim - This page aims to describe how the steam locomotive has been modeled within Open Rails.

If you wish to provide any feedback on this page, please use the contact page. It would be great to have some feedback as this helps to ensure the accuracy of the information and models.

Index

Introduction

Overview of Steam Model

Cylinder Mean Effective Pressure

Motive Force (Tractive Effort)

Steam Consumption

Boiler Heat

Fire Heat

Boiler Pressure

Steam Generation

Advanced Performance Tuning Flowchart


Introduction

Steam locomotives are in effect complex heat engines, and by virtue of this, their performance and design was very much an empirical (experimental) process. For example, a locomotive would be built, and then tested to see how it performed. Good features on the locomotive were often then incorporated into future new locomotive designs, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. A series of design formula were defined based upon the test results, and these were used as a starting point for future designs, however the performanace of a locomotive was never truely certain until it was tested.

Due to the empirical nature of steam locomotive design, and the variety of locomotives built over the years, it is very difficult to find detailed test reports, and in fact, any detailed information accurately specifying the locomotive performance. The lack of well defined formulas for most features has also created challenges in developing the model. Thus the OR steam model, has adopted a generic approach, and therefore whilst the model provides a reasonable representation of the different types of steam locomotive, some variations from 'reality' may be noticed. A number of test reports have been collected from different sources, and these have been used to validate the authenticity of the model as much as possible.

The steam model has been developed based upon the following desired outcomes:

  • Ease of Definition - ENG files can be created quickly and easily using standard information about the locomotive, which ideally should be readily available from the Internet. Some tuning parameters have been added to allow interested modellers to tune a locomotive based upon detailed test reports if available
  • Performance - should be able to maintain prototypical timetables under relevant operating conditions which will include route gradients, loads, etc.

It is recommended that the section on Steam Train Physics is read in conjunction with the description of the OR steam model below.

The following sections provide a brief description of the OR steam model which has been used within Open Rails to simulate the operation of a steam locomotive. It is important to have a reasonable knowledge of the Steam model, and how changing different parameters will impact locomotive performance.

Detailed Train Operation Information

Open Rails provides detailed information showing the operation of steam locomotives. This information is available in the Extended HUD, which can be accessed by pressing the F5 followed by the Shft+F5 key until the "Locomotive Information" HUD is reached. It is expected that this information would only be accessed if it is desired to debug train performance or see what is happenin in the steam model. Items found on this screen will be be highlighted as follows, HUD screen patameter.

Plotting of Key Performance Measures

To monitor the performance of the steam locomotive a number of key operational measurements are able to be plotted onto a graph at 5mph intervals. The resultant graphs allow comparison with relevant test data or curves. To use this tool:

The following test template spreadsheets have been developed to allow monitoring of key performance measures in OR. Two versions of the spreadsheet have been developed. One is more suitable for plotting British test report results, and the other is more suitable for plotting American test report results. The use of this tool requires either Microsoft Office or Open Office programs.

American Format - Test Results Excel Spreadsheet - v6 (Compatible with OR #3848 and later)

British Format - Test Results Excel Spreadsheet - v6 (Compatible with OR #3848 and later)

To use the above spreadsheets

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Overview of Steam Model

The following diagram and accompanying description provides an overview of the OR steam model, individual modules will be described in more detail within the sections below.

Steam Model Overview

The steam model consists of a number of interconnected program modules which calculate the key elements of the steam locomotive. The principal output of the steam model is the 'MotiveForce' (or in reality the Tractive Force). This force is passed to other modules within OR which use it to calculate whether there is sufficient force available to move the train, and the speed of operation etc. ( Principles for Steam Train Movement ). The other key element of the model is the boiler pressure, which impacts directly upon the MotiveForce. The boiler pressure is in turn directly impacted by the boiler heat, ie decreasing 'real time' boiler heat will reduce the boiler pressure, whilst increasing boiler heat will increase the boiler pressure.

A brief description of each module shown in the overview diagram is provided here, but a more detailed description will be provided in the sections below.

This diagram shows the ADVANCED performance tuning inputs (purple boxes) available in the model. Typically it is expected that only interested users will wish to explore these further. The basic parameters should provide a realistic performance for the locomotive.

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Cylinder Mean Effective Pressure

The mean effective pressure is mean value of the pressure applied within the cylinder and provides a measure of the work done in the cylinder by the steam. This work is translated into a tractive force, which in turn is applied to the wheels of the locomotive to move the train. The pressure in the cylinder also impacts the quantity of steam used by the locomotive.

The following diagram and accompanying text describes the key elements of the Clylinder Mean Effective Pressure calculation module within the OR Steam model.

Steam Model - MEP

Several pressure drops occur during the journey of the steam to the cylinder from the boiler, and these impact the final value of the MEP:

The MEP module calculates the pressure in the steam cylinder for various cutoffs, throttle settings, and speed. Typically for real locomotives the MEP was calculated by graphing the action of the steam cylinder with an indicator diagram. Different types of locomotives will produce different types of indicator diagrams. For example, note the difference between a simple locomotive Indicator Diagram and a compound locomotive Indicator Diagram. As described in these sections, the MEP will change based upon a number of factors, including changing boiler pressure, steam path restrictions (size of steam openings, etc), and locomotive speed, which also impacts the ability of the cylinder to exahaust steam from the cylinder in a timely manner.

Inputs to this OR module include the player controls (shown as dark green boxes) for throttle and reverser (cutoff), basic locomotive design parameters such as cylinder sizes (shown as light green boxes), the current boiler pressure and speed which is calculated by OR.

The module provides outputs to other modules within OR to facilitate the calculation of MotiveForce and steam usage.

Typically the Advanced setting parameters (shown as purple boxes) have the following effect on the MEP calculation:

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Motive Force (Tractive Effort)

Tractive Effort (or MotiveForce as it is known in OR) is calculated using the MEP, and typically the formula used for calculation of the tractive effort will vary depending upon the type of locomotive, for example simple or compound, etc.

The following diagram and accompanying text describes the Motive Force calculation module within the OR Steam model.

Steam Model - MEP

The Motive Force is used as an input by other modules within OR to calculate train movement.

For comparison with test report information, the following values are calculated by Open Rails:

Inputs to the module include the basic locomotive design parameters such as cylinder and wheel sizes, etc (shown as light green boxes), the current MEP pressure and speed which is calculated by OR.

Typically the Advanced setting parameters (shown as purple boxes) have the following effect on the MEP calculation:

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Steam Usage

Steam Usage is approximately equal to the volume of steam in the cylinder at cutoff exhaust pressure. The steam volume will be impacted in different ways depending upon whether the locomotive is a saturated or superheated model. A certain amount of steam will be left in the cylinder after compression, and this can be calculated by the volume space in the cylinder clearance (x2) and using a final compression pressure approx. equal to that of the initial pressure.

The following diagram and accompanying text describes the Steam usage calculation module within the OR Steam model.

Steam usage

Steam usage is calculated based upon the theoretical Indicator Diagram estimated for the locomotive. Typically the base steam usage is equal to the amount of steam in the cylinder at the point of cutoff pressure, minus the amount of steam that remains in the cylinder after the exhaust closes and the cylinder starts going through the compression stage. The base steam usage volume is then adjusted depending upon whether the locomotives is a Saturated or Superheated locomotive. As described in the following sections steam condensation or superheating can have a large impact upon the amount of steam used by the locomotive.

Saturated - When steam is injected into the cylinder, it comes into contact with the cylinder walls and some of the steam is condensed as water vapour. This means that extra steam is required to maintain sufficient pressure to drive the cylinder, and consequently causes higher steam consumption and fuel rates to be recorded. This will vary depending upon the cutoff value; with condensation being greater at longer values of cutoff. Typically condensation may increase steam consumption by up to 20% more, depending upon the level of cutoff.

Superheated - Superheated steam has a lot more heat energy in it then saturated steam, and consequently whilst some heat will be lost when it comes into contact with the cylinder walls, it is less likely to condense. It also has a higher volume and consequently less steam mass (lbs) is required to do the same amount of work in the cylinder. Consequently this makes the locomotive more efficient, with less steam and fuel consumption compared to a saturated locomotive. Typically superheating may reduce steam consumption by up to 40%, depending upon the level of superheating designed into the locomotive.

The steam usage module attempts to model both condensation for staurated locomotives or increased steam efficiencies for superheated locomotives. In the case of superheated locomotives, the module, calculates the superheat steam temperature based upon the size of the superheater heating area, determines the value of steam heat that is required to prevent cylinder condensation (varies with superheat temperature and cutoff), calculates current steam heat temp and steam volume increase over saturated steam, to finally reduce steam usage depending upon the steam volume increase calculated.

Cylinder Thermal Efficiency - The efficiency of the steam cylinder provides a measure of the amount of energy required (steam consumption) to produce the available power (IHP) for the locomotive. The efficiency will be different depending upon whether the locomotive is a saturated or superheated steam locomotive. For example a superheated locomotive will produce higher values of IHP (due to more work done in the cylinder) for a lower input of steam volume compared to a saturated locomotive.

Inputs to the module include the basic locomotive design parameters such as cylinder sizes, superheater heating elements, etc (shown as light green boxes), the current MEP pressure and speed which is calculated by OR.

Typically the Advanced setting parameters (shown as purple boxes) have the following effect on the MEP calculation:

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Boiler Heat

The boiler heat module compares the heat input into the boiler generated by the fuel source against the heat ouput associated with steam usage, loss of heat due to water input, etc. The summation of the heat inputs and outputs will either be a positive number, meaning that the overall water temperature in the boiler will rise, or alternatively be negative, in which case the temperature will decrease. The resulting water temperature is then passed to the Boiler Pressure module to allow calculation of the current boiler pressure of the locomotive.

Thus, in short the boiler steam pressure is related to burning of the fuel as follows: Fire Heat => Boiler Temperature => Boiler Steam Pressure. Excessive fire heat, when there is minimal steam usage, will cause excessive boiler pressure and increase the risk of blowing off, which wastes steam. Whilst insufficient fire heat, at times of high steam usage, will cause the boiler pressure to drop to critical levels whereby the locomotive may loose power. Thus managing of the boiler heat is critical to maintaining the optimal boiler pressure.

The following diagram describes the Boiler Heat calculation module within the OR Steam model. Each of the elements in this module are described below.

Boiler Heat

Boiler Efficiency - describes the relationship between the amount of heat inputted into the boiler(fuel burnt) versus the effective heat produced by the boiler(steam generation). Boiler efficiency depends on the design on boiler and firebox, the type of fuel, and the draughting system. In the case of coal-fired boilers, boiler efficiency declines linearly with rate of fuel feed.

Boiler Heat In is principally determined by burning of the fuel. The heat generated by the burning of the fuel is determined by the following relationship:

Heat 'In' = Fuel Burnt = Fuel Burnt x Fuel Calorific x Boiler Efficiency / (Specific Heat Fuel x Fire Mass)

Boiler Heat Out is the heat lost principally due to steam usage, water replacement, and peripheral equipment such as the generator, whistle, and other steam leakages.
Steam Usage - Heat required to required to replace steam used by the cylinders and other steam devices. Calculation is based upon the assumption that the water mass heat remains the same, thus the heat 'lost' will equal the amount of heat needed to raise temp from current boiler water temp to current boiler steam heat, for the amount of steam used. Water mass heat will change when water replacement occurs. The heat lost due to steam consumption is determined by the following relationship:

Heat 'Out' = Steam Used x (Boiler Steam Heat - Boiler Water Heat)

Water usage - Heat required to heat replacement water coming into boiler from injectors. This will be the amount of water times the heat required to rise temp from injector water temp to boiler water temperature. The heat lost due to water usage is determined by the following relationship:
Heat 'Out' = Water Input x (Boiler Water Heat - Injector Water Heat)

Boiler Heat Limitation - A boiler is only capable of holding a certain amount of heat; this will be determined by the volume of the boiler and the boiler operating pressure. Once this boiler heat value is exceeded, the boiler will start to exhaust steam through the safety valve in an effort to reduce the heat value. Typically the locomotive boiler works on the principle of 'heat transfer', ie heat put into the boiler is used by the cylinders straight away and therefore the boiler heat value should normally not be exceeded.

This module also generates a number of signals that are used to limit the operation of the AI fireman. For example, if the boiler heat exceeds

Typically the Advanced setting parameters (shown as purple boxes) have the following effect on the MEP calculation:

Extended HUD Interpretation

The following values displayed on the extended HUD are the key values of relevance in the Steam model in regard to the Boiler Heat module.

Displayed under Steam Production and Heat.

In - indicates the heat input to the boiler as a result of burning the locomotive fuel. This value is generated in the Fire Heat module.

Out - indicates the heat being used by the boiler. Though there is a small amount of heat loss due to heat radiation out of the boiler surface, the vast majority of heat loss is due to steam usage. The values shown in the Steam Usage figures indicate the approximate breakup of heat losses. The steam used by the cylinders is the single biggest heat loss, and for this reason its use should be minimised as much as possible, and certainly it should not exceed the maximum steam production of the boiler.

Stored - This is a real time indication of the amount of heat currently in the boiler. This value will increase and decrease as the heat summation of the boiler varies. It should also be remebered that heat looses and generation is not an instantaneous process, and therefore there are inherent delays as the boiler responds to change in boiler heat.

Max - This is the calculated value of the heat in the boiler at the rated boiler pressure of the boiler. As boiler voilume is one of the inputs to this calculation, it should be noted that it is important to attempt to set a realistic value for the the boiler volume. Too small a volume will result in wild boiler pressure fluctuations in short periods of time, and too large a value will mean that changes will in boiler pressure will only occur very slowly.

Safety - indicates the amount of heat that the boiler can hold before the safety valves will operate (blow).

Displayed under Steam Production and Temp.

Water - indicates the temperature of the water in the boiler. The boiler pressure is calculate off of this value so decreasing water temperature will result in decreasing boiler pressure, and vicer versa.

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Fire Heat

The following diagram and accompanying text describes the Boiler Heat calculation module within the OR Steam model.

Fire Heat

FireMass - Is dependent upon the amount of coal burnt and the coal feed rate. The firemass typically will be maintained around the ideal fire mass, which is determined by the grate area. Burning coal beyond the ability of the fireman to feed the fire will result in decreased firemass.

BurnRate - Is calculated by a curve relating steam consumption to lbs of coal burnt. BurnRate Limitation - The locomotive cannot exceed fuel firing rate indefinitely.

Grate Limit - Similarly exceeding the optimal amount of coal (thickness of layer) placed will reduce ability of fire to produce heat (modelled through the use of Boiler Efficiency)

Inputs to the module include the basic locomotive design parameters such as cylinder sizes, superheater heating elements, etc (shown as light green boxes), the current MEP pressure and speed which is calculated by OR.

Typically the Advanced setting parameters (shown as purple boxes) have the following effect on the MEP calculation:

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Boiler Pressure

Boiler Pressure

Locomotive pressures - To understand the operation of a locomotive, and its capability to do work, it is useful to understand the different pressure measurements, as these represent available forces. The following pressure measurements represent the force capability available at different stages of the steam cycle.

Boiler Pressure - pressure in the boiler, and represents the maximum available pressure to be provided to the cylinders.

Steam Chest Pressure - pressure in the steam chest on the input side of the cylinders, and represents the maximum steam pressure to the cylinders. Typically this would normally be the same as the boiler pressure.

Initial Pressure - is the pressure that is actually applied to the cylinder piston and will be less than the boiler and steam chest pressures due to losses through the steam pipes and openings.

Mean Effective Pressure (MEP) - represents the 'mean' pressure available to drive the piston in the cylinder. Typically this pressure is the one that is used for relevant tractive effort and horsepower calculations. MEP decreases with the increase in locomotive speed; due to the influences of the valve gear.

Back Pressure - is the pressure that is generated by the resistance to exhausting the steam form the cylinder. Typically it is desired to keep this as low as possible. i.e., MEP = Pressure into Cylinder - Back Pressure

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Steam Generation

The Steam Generation module calculates the amount of steam generated in the boiler by the locomotive.

The following diagram and accompanying text describes the Steam Generation calculation module within the OR Steam model.

Steam Generation

Steam Generation
The steam generation value is an "indicative" number only, and it therefore is not a hard limit for the maximum output of the boiler. It is possible to exceed the steam generation figure under certain circumstances for short periods of time. The figure is an average value over the hour.

The following factors will limit the steam generation output:

Inputs to the module include the basic locomotive design parameters such as cylinder sizes, superheater heating elements, etc (shown as light green boxes).

Typically the Advanced setting parameters (shown as purple boxes) have the following effect on the MEP calculation:

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Advanced Performance Tuning Flowchart

As indicated the steam model can be configured in BASIC mode whereby the player inserts the base design parameters into the ENG file, and OR uses standard default values to defiune the steam locomotive model. Alternatively if sufficient information is available then the model can be tuned by adjusting the ADVANCED setting parameters indicated by the purple boxes in the above sections of the steam model.

Steam Tuning Flowchart

The above flowchart shows the recommended order to test and tune the model. It indicates the section of the steam model to adjust if IHP (Tractive Effort) or Boiler Pressure is incorrect.

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