Friday 29 April 2016

GWR Saint: Modelling Progress 2

Just a quick update today with some more WIP images of the Saint.

More rivets added and the boiler hand rails, along with the fittings unique to the right hand side: exhaust injector steam pipe, pump arm and air pump and reversing rod (from the lever reverser on this variant).


Next we added the drag box and rear steps and that's all of the main model complete for the square frame variant.


We then went back to the shared model parts and started to build the curved frame version. I'm afraid we forgot to take any WIP images during most of the work so here it is in a near finished state with the new curved front and cab.


The rear steps are still to be added, as are the outside steam pipes on the smokebox.
Next week's update should see these finished and the start of work on the tender.

Friday 22 April 2016

GWR Saint: Modelling Progress 1

Modelling work has been progressing well with the Saint so here is a quick update.

Adding the chimney and splashers and it starts to take shape. The chimney is a standard pattern GWR chimney as used on Stars, Saints, Halls, Counties and Granges.
On the note of Stars and Counties, we have gathered a lot of research on these locomotives as well while researching the Saint and it would seem sensible to pencil them in for a release some day in the future.


Next we added the slide bars and crosshead and on the right hand side the pump arm, air pump and rod.


The driving rods were added and all of the motion wired to animate, including the internal eccentrics and arms which is just visible through the frames under the boiler. Also the safety bonnet and the side feed pipes have been built along with the basic shape of the cab for this square framed version.


With all the driving rods and gear added we can go, so the next step was to add the brakes so we can stop! We also added the nameplate to the centre splasher.


Adding rivets is always a favourite job as it really brings out the shapes of the locomotive. Also a lot of detailing work was done to the front of the loco with the buffers, brake pipes, smokebox darts and the front lubricator box all being added, as well as the cylinder cocks on the bottom of the cylinders.


Next week we'll move to the right hand side where the reverser and exhaust injector are mounted and then work on the drag box and steps at the rear of the locomotive.

Friday 15 April 2016

GWR Saint and TPO: Let's get started

With the S160 now in testing and after a refreshing break we have embarked on our next voyage of creation. Something a little more familiar this time from Brunel's Great Western Railway, the GWR 29xx Saint class.
The 29xx class was built from a series of 3 prototypes at the start of the 20th century and a total of 77 were produced in 4 distinct groups - Scotts, Ladies, Saints and Courts. The initial batch being built as 4-4-2 they were all converted to (and the later versions built as) 4-6-0 by 1913. The original square frame design was also changed to a curved frame for the Saints and Courts, with many of the earlier locomotives being converted as well. Outside steam pipes were another modification made to some members from 1930 onwards.
With it's 6 ft 8 12 in wheels the "29's" (as they were known to their crews) were designed for express passenger work and excelled at this task during the golden age of steam but were limited in their freight duties. In fact when Charles Collett needed a mixed traffic locomotive he decided that a smaller-wheeled version of the Saint class could perform well and he modified No. 2925 Saint Martin with 6 ft driving wheels which become the prototype of the very successful Hall Class. It's not unreasonable to say that the 2900 class became a template for all later 2-cylinder GWR 4-6-0 classes which include the Manor, Grange, and County classes.
Although no Saints survived into preservation one is currently being built at Didcot using Maindy Hall as a basis and you can read about the fascinating work at the Lady of Legend website.

The intention at Victory Works is to create all of the non-prototype 29xx class (74 in total) in 4-6-0 configuration in both square and curved frame versions, as appropriate, with the GWR Standard No. 1 boiler which most ran with for a majority of their working lives.

Normally at VW we like to start with the wheels but this time around we thought we'd start on the boiler.


Then we added the large wheels, creating a somewhat unbalanced "cannon" like effect!


The bogie is quite complex but the detail needs to be there even though much of it will be hidden by the cylinders and frame.


Speaking of cylinders, now was a good time to add them to help with scaling of the other parts and make sure that the overall appearance is correct.


The cylinders completed and the beginnings of the square frame and she's starting to look rather Saint'like.


We'll continue to have regular updates as we build the 29xx class.

During this time, and whilst waiting for some reference books to arrive, we also wanted to test the concept of the working TPO - Travelling Post Office. For those who are unaware of the system, railway companies in Britain used coaches fitted with arms and nets along with line-side equipment with similar fittings to allow the collection and drop off of mail packets without having to stop the train.
Here is a video of the equipment being demonstrated at Didcot.


Before we launched into building the coaches we had to make sure that Train Simulator could replicate the effect. I've had working TPO's on my list of wants since building the 56xx back in 2010 and I've gone through half a dozen different ideas on how to do it, all of which failed in some way due to a lack of script calls or non-communication between in-game objects.
However 9 months ago I came up with a new solution for it and I'm pleased to say that it has worked as expected.

This is the first video checking if a pick up and drop off is even possible.
Note: These are proof of concept videos - the K1 is standing in for the as yet unbuilt Saint, the coach is a simple block, the packages are red cubes. The animations are also very rough and simply to test the concept. Obviously the final version will be to our usual modelling standards and the animations will carry the full weight of the real packages - this is simply a technical test to see if the transfer is possible.



Shortly after this test the reference material arrived and after taking it all in it became clear that the transfer process is not simultaneous. The "drop-offs" are from either side of the 2 doorways, the "pickups" in the net at the rear of the coach.


Further reading also revealed that the number of drop-offs and pickups varied by location. From 0 to 4 drop-offs (2 doorways with 2 traductor arms each) and from 0 to 3 pick-ups from the line-side equipment and we hope to allow these choices via a setting on the equipment.
The line-side equipment placement will be scenario based, meaning it requires no route modification and can used anywhere.
Included scenarios are planned for the "Riviera Line In the Fifties" route which has 5 confirmed TPO line-side equipment locations, and full instructions on set-up will be included in the manual for using the equipment in your own scenarios.

So that's it for this week. There will be lots more WIP images as the work progresses.

Monday 11 April 2016

USATC S160: Features Preview

Apologies for the long delay - this post was supposed to come a week after the last one however the Easter holidays sneaked up on us!
The time off was relaxing and productive and as well as everyone taking a break I was able to visit no less than 4 preserved railways over a 10 day period - the Bodmin and Wenford Railway, the Helston Railway, the South Devon Railway and the Swanage Railway.
Three of those are probably familiar to most UK readers however the Helston Railway may not be. Started in 2005 and with none of the original track-work or infrastructure in place, a small group of volunteers have re-laid a mile of track of this classic GWR branch line and now run regular trips in their restored brake van to raise money to extend the line further. They also have the obligatory second hand book shop which is full of bargains and they serve some excellent toasted tea cakes! They are a very committed and friendly group of enthusiasts and if you go on holiday to Cornwall, or are lucky enough to live there, I highly recommend a visit and if you can volunteer you'll be able to join something rather special.

Ok, enough of the holiday reminiscing.. the USATC S160 add-on feature list.
Note: As it's currently in testing it may be subject to minor changes.

  • USATC S160 Locomotive and Tender in 10 authentic liveries and 15 base variants – listed below with the included coupling and brake types
    • USATC Black
        • Wartime
          • Hook/Vacuum (UK)
          • Hook/Air (Europe)
          • Buckeye/Air (USA)
          • Willison/Air (USSR)
        • French 140U
          • Hook/Air (Europe)
        • Polish Tr201
          • Hook/Air (Europe)
        • USSR 
          • Willison/Air (USSR)
    • USATC Grey
      • Hook/Vacuum (UK)
      • Hook/Air (Europe)
      • Buckeye/Air (USA)
      • Willison/Air (USSR)
    • UK Longmoor Military Railway
      • Hook/Vacuum (UK)
    • UK British Railways preservation livery
      • Hook/Vacuum (UK)
    • USSR  Post-War
      • Willison/Air (USSR)
    • USA Alaska Railroad
      • Early livery
        • Buckeye/Air (USA)
      • Late livery
        • Buckeye/Air (USA)
    • USA Army
      • Buckeye/Air (USA)
    • Polish Post-War
      • Tr201
        • Hook/Air (Europe)
      • Tr203
        • Hook/Air (Europe)
    • USATC Black – 11th Dec 1942 handing over ceremony
      • Hook/Vacuum (UK)
    • USATC Black Wartime Delivery
      • Static non-driveable version as delivered overseas
  • Numerous optional parts relevant to each livery and country of use for locomotives, cabs and tenders
  • Up to 4 different types of tender facing relevant to each livery type
  • USSR fitted locomotives available with standard and 1520mm gauge wheels
  • Custom sound sets inside and out recorded from preserved S160’s with two different sets of chuffs, crafted by the experts at Steam Sounds Supreme
  • Dynamic whistle control, even outside of the cab – the more you “pull” the whistle, the more steam is passed through it
  • Realistic cab with multiple views including integrated head out view and a fully modelled firebox and coal level
  • Fully operable tender controls including stoking
  • Custom, realistic wheel slip physics and effects with auto detection of weather conditions
  • Simulated steam chest
  • Cylinder cock management (now with much requested, non-terminal damage)
  • Boiler management with priming damage possible
  • Realistic injector control
  • Dynamic steam and smoke colour and quantity
  • Realistic boiler water gauges effected by gradient, acceleration and speed and with blow down test
  • Visual priming effect from chimney when overfilling the boiler
  • Opening windows with rain effects, and roof hatch
  • Dynamic lamp setting on both locomotive and tender for every country
  • Cab light effects including firebox glow, cab light and tender light (where fitted)

  • Wartime period rolling stock
    • Rich and detailed sound sets created by Steam Sounds Supreme
    • Animated handbrakes with sound
    • Passenger views for all brake vans
    • USSR fitted rolling stock available with standard and 1520mm gauge wheels

    • USATC 56 Ton Flat Car
      • Empty
        • Hook/Vacuum (UK)
        • Hook/Air (Europe)
        • Buckeye/Air (USA)
        • Willison/Air (USSR)
      • T34-76 (USSR)
        • Willison/Air (USSR)
      • T34-85 (USSR)
        • Willison/Air (USSR)
      • T34-76 (Poland)
        • Hook/Air (Europe)
      • M10 Tank Destroyer
        • Hook/Vacuum (UK)
        • Hook/Air (Europe)
        • Buckeye/Air (USA)
      • Cromwell
        • Hook/Vacuum (UK)
      • Char B1
        • Hook/Air (Europe)
      • US6 Military Truck
        • Loaded as single or double, with 5 random variations of truck
        • Hook/Vacuum (UK)
        • Hook/Air (Europe)
        • Buckeye/Air (USA)
        • Willison/Air (USSR)
      • 40ft Flat Car
        • USSR  locomotive (1520mm gauge) delivery
          • Willison/Air (USSR)
      • USSR  tender (1520mm gauge) delivery
        • Willison/Air (USSR)
      • USATC 9900 Gallon Tank
        • 3 random logo variations
        • Hook/Air (Europe)
        • Buckeye/Air (USA)
      • USATC Caboose
        • Hook/Air (Europe)
        • Buckeye/Air (USA)
      • Warwell
        • Empty
          • Hook/Vacuum (UK)
        • Cromwell
          • Hook/Vacuum (UK)
        • M10
          • Hook/Vacuum (UK)
        • LMS Brake Van
          • Hook/Vacuum (UK)
      • USSR 20 Ton Flat Car
        • Empty
          • Willison/Air (USSR)
        • Katyusha
          • Willison/Air (USSR)
        • ZIS-3 75mm Anti-tank gun
          • With random cloth cover
          • Willison/Air (USSR)
      • USSR Brake Van
        • Green or brown
        • Willison/Air (USSR)

  • 3 scenarios for the West Somerset Railway Route Add-On
  • 3 scenarios for the Riviera Line in the Fifties Route Add-On
  • 4 scenarios for the Horseshoe Curve Route Add-On
  • 68 Quick Drive consists with appropriate stock


So that about wraps things up for the S160, which hopefully will be cleared for release on Steam in the near future. We'll keep you posted as we work with DTG to pass testing.

Coming next on the blog, some early proof of concept videos of the GWR TPO and WIP pictures of the GWR Saint(s) under construction.