The UI for Railroads Online isn't the cleanest, but all the controls we need to drive our engines are present.

Adding Fuel: Start by opening the firebox door. If you have firewood click a few times on the wood pile to grab a few logs, if coal click on your coal pile to get a shovel full of coal. Then look at or above the firebox until your interface says add fuel in the upper left corner. Then add the firewood one log at a time or the scoop of coal.

Boiler Pressure: You don't need to worry about your boiler exploding (yet). So dont worry about keeping your pressure within the margins, this usually maxes out between 110-150. You can start to operate your locomotive with as little as 35 pressure

Air Brake Pressure: If your train has air brakes this gives you an indication of the capacity of your air brakes. Turn on the compressor to generate air brake pressure.

Water temperature: As long as its at 110 you are fine.

Water level: Your train essentially has 2 water levels. This one and the reservoir that you fill from the water tower. All that matters within the game is that you have water to create steam. Exploding boilers is not yet implemented.

Fire Temperature: try to keep this maxed out.

Fuel: The amount of fuel in the firebox. As long as this value is above 0 your fire temperature will climb or stay maxed out.

Throttle: This controls the amount of power. 0 is none and 100 is max.

Reverser: This controls the direction and efficiency. -100 is reverse and 100 is forward. The reverser also controls the efficiency with which your engine operates. Setting reverser to 100 gives you maximum torque going forward and 1 gives you maximum efficiency going forward. Setting reverser to -100 gives you maximum torque going backwards and -1 gives you maximum efficiency going backwards.

Brake: This controls the amount of INDEPENDENT brake you apply. 0 is none and 100 is max. For the discerning reader who doesn't know what Independent means. It means that the brake only controls the braking power of the engine you are driving, not the cars. As of right now there is no train brake, or brake that is connected to all cars of the train, so if you want to apply more braking power across your train you will have to physically run down the length of the train and apply the brakes to each individual car.

Whistle: Controls the volume of the whistle essentially. 0 is off, 100 is max.

Generator: Not sure if this is currently implemented, but at 0 its off and 100 its on and allows you to take steam and spin a dynamo to generate electricity for accessories of your train such as the headlamp.

Compressor: This is currently implemented for some locomotives but not all. At 0 its off and 100 its on and allows you to take steam to power a compressor to compress air for air brakes.

Bell: Makes ding dong noises.

Sander: Dumps sand in front of the train wheels to give additional traction.

Cylinder c o c k s: These are currently only aesthetic, to use turn them on whenever you begin moving the locomotive, turn them off after 1-2 seconds of releasing condensation within cylinders.

Originally posted by Stockbridge Locomotive Works Website:

Cylinder ♥♥♥♥♥ are valves that release steam condensate (water) that occurs when cylinder temperatures are significantly cooler than that of the incoming steam, typically when the locomotive begins to move. As hot steam comes in contact with a colder surface, liquid water will form which does not compress! As the pistons move up and down, damage can occur if there is too much water in the “compression area”. As soon as the cylinder temperatures rise due to the continuance of incoming steam, the amount of condensate lowers at which point the valves can be closed. Cylinder ♥♥♥♥♥ have very small openings which allow just enough water to be expelled without a drastic reduction in steam pressure, allowing the engine to continue to create power until they are closed for normal running.

For most larger engines 30 degrees of curvature is where it starts to get sharp.

One of the most ridiculous curves ever built on 3' gauge was Moro Castle in the Uintah Railroad at 66 degrees on a 7.5% grade and required special 2-6-6-2 articulated locomotives and special draft gear.

The current limit in game for sharpness of curve is about 45 degrees.

Source at 25:21: https://youtu.be/WYmowwNA2CY?t=1522

Source for Uintah Railroad knowledge: https://youtu.be/KmfwQ7p4Vdk?t=227

Originally posted by Republic Locomotive Website:

The tractive effort required to move a train consists of numerous factors, but for most applications only four need to be considered. First, a force of 2 to 5 pounds per ton of train weight is required to move on straight level track. At very slow yard speeds only 2 to 3 pounds is needed while increasing to about 5 pounds at higher speeds. This force is required to overcome bearing friction, rail deflection, minor flange contact, etc. Years ago, the initial starting requirements were much higher when cars had friction bearings. Today, with all roller bearing journals, this is not much of a consideration. At speeds above 30 to 40 miles per hour, air resistance becomes significant but since this depends on the aerodynamics of specific trains, it is not addressed here.

The second factor to consider is track curvature. Cars in a curve require a good deal of tractive effort because the wheels are mounted on solid axles. Thus the wheels must slip and slide through the curve because of the difference in radius of the inside and outside rails. Wheel flange contact adds additional friction.

For the cars in the curve, the tractive effort required is 0.8 pounds per ton per degree of curvature, where curvature is defined as the number of degrees the track curves per 100 feet. Degree of curvature can be calculated if the curve radius is known by dividing 5730 feet by the radius. For instance, track with a 573 foot radius would have 10° of curvature. Curvature can also be directly measured by the following method: Stretch a cord or tape tight across two points on the rail which are 62 feet apart. Measure the distance from the midpoint of the cord to the rail. This distance in inches is equal to the degrees of curvature.

Good engineering practice limits maximum curvature to about 12°. However, curvature may exceed 20° in an industrial yard with limited real estate, but excessive wheel and rail wear will likely result.

The percent of grade is perhaps the most important factor governing tractive effort. For every ton of train weight in a grade, 20 pounds of tractive effort is needed for each 1% of slope. (One percent of a ton or 2000 pounds equals 20 pounds.) A 1% grade is defined as a vertical increase of one foot for each 100 feet of horizontal distance. A 1% grade is considered steep; a 2% grade is unusually steep.

For the purposes of weight capacity per grade in this guide we use 8 pounds per ton of train weight * 2000 minus the weight of the locomotive for 0% grade and 8+20*percent grade per ton of train weight * 2000 minus the weight of the locomotive (and tender where applicable) for all other grades.

Note: The article says 2-5 lbs why are we using 8?
This is because the 5 lbs was made with the assumption of roller bearings, the figure of 8 is more accurate for the plane bearings (also called friction bearings) modeled in game.

This is a generic handcart. It is useful for getting from point a to b without hauling any cargo.

Tier: 1
Base Price: $150
Weight: 2,200
Tractive Effort: 112 LBf
Fuel Type: Manpower

Common historically used for shunting and light freight.

Tier: 1
Base Price: $1900.00
Weight: 15,965 lbs
Tractive Effort: 2,870.00 LBf
Fuel Type: Firewood

Common historically used for shunting and light freight.This version of the porter is slightly heavier, but has a higher capacity for firewood.

Tier: 1
Base Price: $2,000.00
Weight: 17,956 lbs
Tractive Effort: 2,870.00 LBf
Fuel Type: Firewood

Also known as Class A15-2 Shay, Used by the Michigan-California Lumber Co. 2
Geared locomotive
Slow
Common use - logging railroads

Tier: 1
Base Price: $2,500.00
Weight: 47,960 lbs
Tractive Effort: 5,896.00 LBf
Fuel Type: Firewood

Also known as the D&RG Class 25
Fast
Best used for passenger service

Tier: 2
Base Price: $2,500.00
Weight: 33,000 lbs
Tender Weight: 8000 lbs
Tractive Effort: 3,650.00 LBf
Fuel Type: Firewood

Also known as the D&RG Class 38
Fast
Best used for passenger service

Tier: 2
Base Price: $2,900.00
Weight: 37,840 lbs
Tender Weight: 27,573 lbs
Tractive Effort: 5,620.00 LBf
Fuel Type: Firewood

Historical Use - 2 built as log haulers for the Carson and Tahoe Logging and Fluming Company (C&TL&FCo.)

Tier: 2
Base Price: $3,100.00
Weight: 37,760 lbs
Tender Weight: 27,573 lbs
Tractive Effort: 7,663.00 LBf
Fuel Type: Firewood

Tier: 2
Base Price: $3,400.00
Weight: 43,758 lbs
Tender Weight: 0 lbs
Tractive Effort: 8,470 LBf
Fuel Type: Coal

Common historically used for shunting and light freight.

Tier: 3
Base Price: $3,500.00
Weight: 33,000 lbs
Tractive Effort: 9,368.00 LBf
Fuel Type: Firewood

General use locomotive.

Tier: 3
Base Price: $3,600.00
Weight: 55,882 lbs
Tender Weight (approximate*): 42,000
Tractive Effort: 8,611 LBf
Fuel Type: Firewood
*See credits and sources for more information about this number.

General use- used for everything from freight to passenger trains

Tier: 4
Base Price: $4,300.00
Weight: 58,176 lbs
Tender Weight: 45,000 lbs
Tractive Effort: 11,872.00 LBf
Fuel Type: Firewood

General use- used for everything from freight to passenger trains

Tier: 4
Base Price: $4,300.00
Weight: 58,176 lbs
Tender Weight (approximate*): 45,000 lbs
Tractive Effort: 11,872.00 LBf
Fuel Type: Coal

Also known as Class 37-8-36 “Armill” Heisler, used by West Side Lumber Co. 3
Faster than any other geared design at cost of power
Logging engine
Basically a big v twin motorcycle engine powered by steam connected to the drive shaft that drives the locomotive


Tier: 5
Base Price: $5,650.00
Weight: 61,870 lbs
Tractive Effort: 13,010.00 LBf
Fuel Type: Firewood

General use- used for everything from freight to passenger trains

Tier: 5
Base Price: $4,900.00
Weight: 58,876 lbs
Tender Weight (approximate*): 45,000 lbs
Tractive Effort: 13,467.00 LBf
Fuel Type: Firewood
*See credits and sources for more information about this number.

Tier: 5
Base Price: $4,600.00
Weight: 72,846 lbs
Tender Weight: 0 lbs
Tractive Effort: 13,512 LBf
Fuel Type: Coal

Also known as Class B-28 Climax
Compared to shays are cheaper, but 1-2 mph slower
Would commonly “shake themselves to death”
As a result of this a big part of Climax's business was repair parts

Tier: 6
Base Price: $5,650.00
Weight: 53,339 lbs
Tractive Effort: 17,210.00 LBf
Fuel Type: Firewood

General use- used for everything from freight to passenger trains

Tier: 6
Base Price: $5,600.00
Weight: 74,104 lbs
Tender Weight: 53,000 lbs
Tractive Effort: 15,468.00 LBf
Fuel Type: Firewood

General use- used for everything from freight to passenger trains

Tier: 6
Base Price: $7,000
Weight: 72,846 lbs
Tender Weight (approximate*): 53,000 lbs
Tractive Effort: 16545.00 LBf
Fuel Type: Coal

Skeleton Car: Tier 1
Base weight: 6,600 lbs
With logs (5 units): 28,646 lbs

Flatcar tier 1
Base weight: 8,360 lbs
With logs (6 units): 34,815 lbs
With steel pipe (9 units): 44,074 lbs

Flatcar tier 2
Base weight: 8,800 lbs
With lumber (6 units): 26,657 lbs
With raw iron (3 units): 18654 lbs
With rail (10 units): 28,641 lbs
With beam (3 units): 18,125 lbs

Flatcar tier 3
Base weight: 9,020 lbs
With cordwood (8 units): 30,184 lbs
With oil barrels (46 units): 22,913 lbs

Hopper
Base weight: 13,200 lbs
With iron ore (10 units): 35,246 lbs
With coal (10 units): 35,246 lbs

EBT Hopper
Base Weight: 13,200 lbs
With iron ore (8 units): 30,836 lbs
With coal (10 units): 35,246 lbs

Tanker
Base weight: 30,135 lbs
With crude oil (12 units): 56,590 lbs

Coffin Tank Car
Base weight: 31,350 lbs
With crude oil (8 units): 40,168 lbs

Boxcar
Base weight: 17,463 lbs
With tools (32 units): 24,517 lbs

Stock Car
Base weight: 17,600 lbs
With tools (32 units): 24,654 lbs

Bobber Caboose: 11,880 lbs

DSP&P Waycar: 11,000 lbs

Snow Plow: 13,200lbs

Version 1.
Created November 6, 2022.

Version 2.
-Updated guide to add new locomotive: Mosca.
December 10, 2022

Version 3.
-Updated Tractive effort and weight Class 48 can pull up grades to new values.
December 14, 2022

Version 4:
-Added curve radius conversion.
December 17, 2022.

Version 5:
-Updated reverser explanation in driving interface explanation for accuracy.
-Updated boiler pressure explanation to provide additional information.
-Added Cooke 2-8-0.
-Added Snow plow.
December 23, 2022

Version 6:
- Porter 1 price updated to $1,900
- Porter 2 price updated to $2,000
- Porter 2 tier updated to 1
- D&RGW Class 48 tractive effort updated to 9,348
- D&RGW Class 48 weight per grade values updated
- Glenbrook weight updated to 37,760
- Glenbrook tractive effort updated to 7,663
- Glenbrook weight per grade values updated
- Climax tier updated to 6
- Heisler tier updated to 5
- Shay tier updated to 1
- Shay price updated to $2,500
- Cooke Mogul (2-6-0) tier updated to 4
- D&RG Class 70 Tier updated to 6
- D&RG Class 70 price updated to $5,600
- Mosca tier updated to 3
- Mosca weight updated to 55,882
- Mosca tractice effort updated to 8,611
- Mosca weight per grade values updated
- Ordered train appearance in guide by tier
- Made changelog more readable
December 30, 2022

Version 7:
- Tractive Effort Calculation overhaul
--Adjusted calculations to take into account for the fact that the cars modeled in game use plane bearings instead of roller bearings and thus require 8lbs of force to start moving instead of the previously assumed 5lbs of force
--Adjusted calculations to take into account tender weight for engines with tenders
- Added number of units each car can take of each good type.
- Added Fuel Type
January 28, 2023

Version 8:
- Updated Image for curve guide
- Updated Image for Class 48
- Updated Image for Class 70
February 5, 2023

Version 9:
- Added Tenmile
- Added Ruby Basin
- Added Cooke 2-6-0 Coal
- Added EN&WNC 2-8-0
- Added base values for the following cars
-- Skeleton Car
-- EBT Hopper
-- Coffin Tank Car
-- Stock Car
March 10, 2023

Version 10:
- Added loaded values for:
-- Skeleton Car
-- EBT Hopper
-- Coffin Tank Car
March 13, 2023

This guide is made by me.

If you have additional historical information about the locomotives, please drop a comment below. I would love to include it in the next iteration of the guide and you will be added to this section for you generous contribution.

Tractive effort calculations by me:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oemU3WQ0Dl2I23fFCJX6fJ65jCy5sgX3fjTChH1XZHk/edit?usp=sharing

Historical information about these locomotives is from the following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1llQGZ1hV8

Tender Weights are from the following video:
https://youtu.be/PF9-k5IbdVI?t=840

**Tender Weight approximations**:
The average tender weighs between 78% - 71% of the weight of the engine (with the exception of the Montezuma which is 24%). Any tender marked (approximation) uses 78% of the engine's weight in lieu of real accurate information.

Car unit storage capacity:
What Goes Where (Steam Guide)
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2635351591

Other sources have inline citation.