@@ -1224,12 +1224,33 @@ options:
12241224 controls, such as blower, injector, fuel rate, are available to the
12251225 player, and can be adjusted accordingly.
12261226
1227+ Use the keys ``<Crtl+F> `` to switch between Manual and Automatic firing
1228+ modes.
1229+
12271230A full listing of the keyboard controls for use when in manual mode is
12281231provided on the *Keyboard * tab of the Open Rails :ref: `Options <options >`
12291232panel.
12301233
1231- Use the keys ``<Crtl+F> `` to switch between Manual and Automatic firing
1232- modes.
1234+ Boiler Management
1235+ '''''''''''''''''
1236+ In Open Rails, the safe operating range for the boiler water level is 75-90%
1237+ and this is maintained automatically by the AI Fireman.
1238+
1239+ In manual mode, you must keep the boiler water level below 90%.
1240+ A level of 91% or more pulls water into the steam pipes and,
1241+ being incompressible, will damage the cylinders.
1242+ Open Rails does not model the damage but issues confirmation messages:
1243+ "Boiler overfull and priming" and "Boiler no longer priming" on rising to 91% and falling below 90%
1244+
1245+ In manual mode, you must keep the boiler water level above 70%.
1246+ A level below 70% uncovers the firebox crown. In real life, this is a catastrophic failure
1247+ which melts the fusible plugs in the crown and that releases steam into the firebox
1248+ and from there onto the footplate.
1249+
1250+ Open Rails does not model the steam but drops the boiler pressure and the fire
1251+ and issues a confirmation message:
1252+ "Water level dropped too far. Plug has fused and loco has failed."
1253+ Basically the loco is coasting thereafter and nothing can be done to recover.
12331254
12341255Hot or Cold Start
12351256.................
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