@@ -1224,12 +1224,34 @@ options:
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controls, such as blower, injector, fuel rate, are available to the
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player, and can be adjusted accordingly.
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+ Use the keys ``<Crtl+F> `` to switch between Manual and Automatic firing
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+ modes.
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+
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A full listing of the keyboard controls for use when in manual mode is
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provided on the *Keyboard * tab of the Open Rails :ref: `Options <options >`
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panel.
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- Use the keys ``<Crtl+F> `` to switch between Manual and Automatic firing
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- modes.
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+ Boiler Management
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+ '''''''''''''''''
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+ In Open Rails, the safe operating range for the boiler water level is 75-90%
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+ and this is maintained automatically by the AI Fireman.
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+ (Note: this is not the reading of the boiler water glass gauge but the %age full of the boiler.)
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+
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+ In manual mode, you must keep the boiler water level below 90%.
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+ A level of 91% or more drags water into the steam pipes and,
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+ being incompressible, the water will damage the cylinders.
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+ Open Rails does not model the damage but issues confirmation messages:
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+ "Boiler overfull and priming" and "Boiler no longer priming" on rising to 91% and falling below 90%
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+
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+ In manual mode, you must keep the boiler water level above 70%.
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+ A level below 70% uncovers the firebox crown. In real life, this is a catastrophic failure
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+ which melts the fusible plugs in the crown and that releases steam into the firebox
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+ and from there onto the footplate.
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+
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+ Open Rails does not model the steam but drops the boiler pressure and the fire
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+ and issues a confirmation message:
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+ "Water level dropped too far. Plug has fused and loco has failed."
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+ Basically the loco is coasting thereafter and nothing can be done to recover.
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Hot or Cold Start
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.................
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