Rainhill trials simulation in Java

THE GEAR SELECTOR

Forward or reverse drive is selected by clicking on the gear change lever in the floor, while moving.

THE FIRE DOOR

Click on the fire door to open and close it. When it is open you can click on the coal to add fuel.

THE SAFETY VALVE

The safety valve dead weight swings to indicate the engine's acceleration and deceleration.

THE RELIEF STEAM

Steam is released automatically when the pressure exceeds the relief valve setting. Steam lost is wasted coal.

THE WATER PUMP

Clicking on the water pump lever starts to transfer water from the tender to the boiler. Lever down is open.

THE COAL

Each click on the coal enters another 4 kg although it takes time to heat up. The size of the coal indicates the coal remaining in the tender.

THE JOURNEY

The journey is shown by the track line. The gradient is shown by the height of the line, not the slope.

THE DISTANCE

The small locomotive shows your position on the track. The engine must pass the 'slow' post before turning.

THE POSTS

The post indicates when you should slow down to make the return journey.

THE WATER LEVEL

The amount of water in the boiler is shown by the water level gauge on the side of the boiler.

THE PRESSURE LEVEL

The steam pressure is shown by the height of the red manometer gauge.

THE REGULATOR

Click and drag the regulator handle or click the right or left side of the pivot.

WATER IN TENDER

The turquoise scale on the right hand side indicates the quantity of water that remains in the tender.

COAL ALIGHT IN FIRE

The orange scale indicates the amount of coal that is alight in the fire. New coal takes a little time before it will provide heat.

BOILER HEAT TRANSFER

The red scale indicates how quickly the boiler is being heated by the coal . The light blue scales show when the boiler is losing more heat than the coal is providing.