Turning to my area of special interest: LCO files. I seem to remember that the elusive "Value 1" and "Value 2" were determined to be "Weight of train that can be pulled" and "traction", respectively. Does this still hold, or have we come to new insight?
After much frustration (
![frustration !hairpull!](./images/smilies/hairpull.gif)
Essentially it involves first calculating cylinder horsepower:
((Cylinder diameter^2 * Cylinder stroke * boiler pressure * speed) / (driver diameter/375))/4
For articulated/compounds multiply this by 2 (i.e. the big boy and challenger).
Actually, speed will end up being irrelevant to the final number.
Then calculating power:
(cylinder horsepower*375)/speed
Divide that by 1000 (probably for easier numbers). Call this "Value X"
I have include an automatic correction factor:
Value X * ((Value X/300)+1)
Essentially this adds a percentage to make it come out a little better. If you fill in the numbers for the Big Boy:
Cylinder diameter: 23.75
Cylinder stroke: 32
Boiler pressure: 300
Driver diameter: 68
Speed (irrelevant, enter any number)
Result: 45.1, right on the money. Game is 45.
For the H10, use the H6 (which was actually started in 1918; the H10 is a little later. So strictly the in game 2-8-2 is a H6). Result: 16.95. Game is 17.
Sounds plausible? If anyone wants the spreadsheet, drop me a line. Any errors, serious mistakes of logic (entirely possible), please let me know.
Regards, Chris