Empire Water Works

THE STEAM ENGINE IS YOURS TO CONTROL!

You control the speed (RPM) of the engine, fine-tune the valve gear duration and ensure that lubrication is up to snuff! Running low on bearing oil can cause power loss and bearing damage; running out of steam cylinder oil can damage the cylinder walls, resulting in massive steam leaks and power loss.

PUMP WATER RELENTLESSLY!

Your steam engine exists to pump as much water as possible to the town's three reservoirs: Residential, Municipal and Industrial, with the help of your two massive water pumps downstairs. 

Check the reservoir pressures and pump water to maintain their water pressure within the prescribed pressure thresholds.

But be careful! Trying to push too much water flow through the system can cause your water pumps to moan, groan, hammer and experience bolt failures...such failures will need attention ASAP, otherwise critical events such as flooding can occur.

PERFORM 'COLD AND DARK' STARTS

At the beginning of each shift, you'll need to raise boiler pressure and warm-up the massive steam engine's cylinders and clear them of condensate before you can turn it over! You'll also have the opportunity to keep the engine warm overnight by following certain procedures before locking-up the night before...saving you time the next morning!

KEEP EVERYTHING OILED

The main bearings, valve gear linkages, and cylinders all require oil. Do your rounds and don't forget to check the levels frequently!

LOOK AFTER YOUR BOILER

The boiler is the heart of your pumping station...it supplies precious steam pressure to your steam engine! Make sure you clean out the fire tubes and keep it topped-up with water - you don't want an unscheduled explosion...

YOUR TELEPHONE IS YOUR LIFELINE

The phone will be ringing off the hook! Receive over 40 unique telephone calls, everything from reservoir pressure issues and leaks/fixes, to prank/joke/'foamer' calls and 'advisory' calls based on your current situation.

You'll also use your telephone to order supplies such as coal and steam oil, to keep your pumping operation buoyant!

FULFILL CONTRACTS AND MAKE MONEY TO STAY AFLOAT

Don't let that phone ring-out...you might miss a lucrative contract! Successfully pump the required 'contracted gallons' and score funding, reputation boost, and merit points which you can use to apply upgrades!

FEATURES

• Faithful depiction of a 1920s-era steam-powered water pumping station

• Operate and maintain a massive double-expansion steam engine from the bygone era, pumping water to the town's residential, municipal and industrial water reservoirs, to maintain sufficient water pressure

• Perform realistic 'cold and dark' startup procedures such as warming cylinder jackets and filling oil lubricators to ensure minimal wear on cylinder liners, main bearings and other components

• Interact with vintage machinery like boilers, generators, water pumps and bilge pumps

• Fine-tune your steam engine's operation, by adjusting the steam regulator, valve gears and boiler water feed

• Operate advanced steam equipment such as a jet condenser

• Perform maintenance on equipment such as cleaning boiler fire tubes and monitoring lubrication levels

• Monitor supply levels such as coal and steam oil and place orders in advance to replenish these before they deplete

• Complete event-based 'contract' challenges to supply reservoirs with a given amount of water and receive funding and reputation bonuses in return

• Earn 'merit' points which can be used to apply a range of upgrades to the pumping station

• Experience realistic audio recorded from a real vintage stationary steam engine

• Deal with critical events such as varying levels of reservoir leaks, steam leaks, flooding and machinery damage, including cylinder wear and boiler explosions

• Work a realistic day or night shift with a moving day and night cycle over 24 in-game hours

• Deal with ever-changing 'edicts' from the Mayor's office which impose variable conditions on how much water you can pump (whilst still dealing with water demands from the township!)

• Keep records about the running of the pumping station in your ledger - but be careful to ensure the records are accurate!