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(0.7) 4-8-4 'Thunderbolt' Heavy Express Locomotive (165 km/h, 250 t)

IMPORTANT - this blueprint is affected with the workshop bug - it doesn't appear in the menu ingame. Please use this updated version instead:
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1713922217

The cars seen on the pictures can be found here:
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1691687874

Other locomotives from us can be found here:
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1692456187

Please join our discord dedicated to engineering discussions in ME:
https://discord.gg/VUMmkQe

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The 4-8-4 'Thunderbolt' Class Heavy Express Steam Locomotive

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Technical data:

- max width: 12 blocks (3 m)
- max height: 15 blocks (3.75 m)
- max lenght: 105 blocks (26.25 m)
- number of engines: 5x large (500 HP)
- driving wheel size: 8.1 (large)
- number of driving wheels: 8
- number of weighting chests: 3
- suspension: X-RAI spring suspension mk I
- max speed with no load: 165 km/h (102 mph)*
- average speed with no load: 155 km/h (96 mph)*
- max speed with 4 coaches: 125 km/h (78 mph)*
- average speed with 4 coaches: 105 km/h (65 mph)*
- max cargo load: 250 t @ 5° (59 full stone stockpiles)
- max weighting needed: 7.5 t

* Measured during several laps on track meeting high speed standards.
Max slope on that track: +/- 5°
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Description and warning:

With the dawn of the 0.7 update so much more has been made possible. X-RAI (Xaerthus's Rail & Air Industries) proudly present the first engine developed and build fully in 0.7. This is a heavy express engine capable of going faster than anything yet! And, contrary to earlier express designs, it is also capable of hauling some serious cargo.

Now, high speeds (50+ km/h) in Medieval Engineers are dangerous. They get exponentially more dangerous, the faster you are going. If you hit anything at 60-70 (even a single loose plank) or get hanging at anything, you are going to have a very bad and explosive day. This loco IS safe and works perfectly as long as you follow some important rules:
- you need to have proper high speed track, not looking like a rollercoaster. That means:
---no sharp curves, make them as shallow as you can. You can and you will be thrown out of a too sharp curve.
---no sharp slopes. Try to keep them around the 5° mark. It can do more, just don't go too sharp into it.
---tunnels should be possibly straight. Going fast on a curve makes your cars lean a bit. You catch on anything = you die.
---tunnels and valleys should be dug out carefully to not omit any voxel. The default size is generally enough, just dont forget anything (ceiling is also important)
- periodically check your driving wheels for damage (look at them with hammer in hand) and if there is any, repair it immedeatly. The wheels can get slightly damaged by normal use, the more the faster you are going. But normally they require just 1-3 hammer strikes after going a quarter around the planet. Better to check it regularly, than to lose a wheel at 160 km/h.
- always keep you track clean of any debris. Seriously, one small piece of anything will destroy your guiding bogie and you can imagine what happens next. Better check one more time than end up thrown around in a 200 m radius.
- if you have to have a sharper curve or some difficult piece of track, put a sign before it, so you don't forget to break
- switches CAN be used at full speed, but they also have to be very shallow (and look out for some wierd track bendiness that happens sometimes)

I could do some tutorial or at least some tips and tricks on how to build such track if there is such need. Just let me know.

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Setup instructions:

Place blueprint on straight piece of track and you are ready to go!

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Operating hints:

- The engines can be reached for switching/grabbing throttle by climbing on the front of the engine and walking on the sideskirts.
- The engines can be refueled by clicking on the down-rear part of the side of the engine from over the sideskirts. It is a bit tricky at the beginning but once you know where to click, its easy to use.
- If the wheels slip throttle down a bit until they 'catch' again. Slipping wheels have almost no grip, so you will be going slower. Good throttle balance is especially important when getting up too speed.
- If the wheels slip and the engine wont move, place weights the weighting barrels between the wheels (crouch down and look under the sideskirts to access them).
- Clanging and crackling noises are normal and should not be worried about.
- The engine has no breaks. To slow down, just decrease the throttle. If more stopping power is needed, throttling up in reverse works great.
- Do not stand freely in your cab while going fast. Bad things may happen otherwise. For better visibility use spectator cam. For slow and delicate manouvres you can also just stand outside.

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