Traindude
02-14-2007, 02:29 AM
In addition to my cinder hoist and ash pit, I have another project up my sleeve.
Everyone knows coal wasn't the only fuel used by steam locomotives after the abandonment of wood in the 1880's. Many railroads in the SW and western US used oil. However, this isn't the case. MSTS deviates from reality in the decision to assume that all steamers burned coal. However, about a year after MSTS' debut, someone found the loophole in the system. To compensate for Microsoft/Kuju's oversight, all coal- and combustion-related values in engine physics files had to be altered. (In short, although "technically" the steamers burn coal, the coal acts like fuel oil.)
Although these phoney oil-burners can be refilled at any coaling tower, it is again another deviation from reality. So I investigated how oil-burners' tenders were refilled back in the day. I found what I was looking for in Kalmbach Publishing's The Model Railroader's Guide to Locomotive Servicing Terminals.
Following suggestions from the book, I am in the middle of construction of various components for modelling an oil-fired steam facility on your route--A pumphouse, various oil storage tanks, and a fuel standpipe. I am also considering including a trackside storage tank with a spout (as seen in smaller terminals), but the book doesn't provide a photo of one (contributions, anyone?).
The fuel column (obviously programmed to dispense coal) is based on the only commercial model available on the model railroading market today. That would be the one in HO scale by Creative Model Associates. <http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/363-1002> The tanks are based on various photos included in the book.
Hope this is to your liking (when it's released, of course).
Everyone knows coal wasn't the only fuel used by steam locomotives after the abandonment of wood in the 1880's. Many railroads in the SW and western US used oil. However, this isn't the case. MSTS deviates from reality in the decision to assume that all steamers burned coal. However, about a year after MSTS' debut, someone found the loophole in the system. To compensate for Microsoft/Kuju's oversight, all coal- and combustion-related values in engine physics files had to be altered. (In short, although "technically" the steamers burn coal, the coal acts like fuel oil.)
Although these phoney oil-burners can be refilled at any coaling tower, it is again another deviation from reality. So I investigated how oil-burners' tenders were refilled back in the day. I found what I was looking for in Kalmbach Publishing's The Model Railroader's Guide to Locomotive Servicing Terminals.
Following suggestions from the book, I am in the middle of construction of various components for modelling an oil-fired steam facility on your route--A pumphouse, various oil storage tanks, and a fuel standpipe. I am also considering including a trackside storage tank with a spout (as seen in smaller terminals), but the book doesn't provide a photo of one (contributions, anyone?).
The fuel column (obviously programmed to dispense coal) is based on the only commercial model available on the model railroading market today. That would be the one in HO scale by Creative Model Associates. <http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/363-1002> The tanks are based on various photos included in the book.
Hope this is to your liking (when it's released, of course).