Friday 29 March 2019

LNER J21 (NER Class C): Cab WIP

Today we have a look at the cab of the NER Class C / LNER J21. This was quite a project as the class underwent a lot of changes, including a mix of 4 different types of brakes all of which are available as options with appropriate gauges, and in advanced mode they will have totally different methods of operation.

First off, a majority of the class were built with just a steam engine brake. Here you can also see the twin whistles and boiler gauge in the centre and near the roof on the fireman's side is a Raven Cab Signalling Repeater which shows the state of the next signal. Sadly TS doesn't support reading the next signal state if it is green but you can check the next red/yellow signal and the distance to it so the current plan is to show on the repeater if a signal in the next 500m is at danger or warning.


Some Class C's had Westinghouse brakes instead of steam brakes (and some had both) which is seen here. Also this engine has had steam heating fitted for keeping those passengers warm.


Now out of the NER era and into the LNER: the Raven repeater is gone, a vacuum brake has been added to go with the engine steam brake and a different regulator lever has been fitted (these don't appear to be era specific and were quite random based on what was available during major refits). Another significant change is that the injectors which were originally mounted on the sides of the boiler are now inside the cab, a change which is also reflected on the outside model (see previous blog post).


Finally a much later version. Another style of regulator lever has been fitted and the braking is now operated by a Dreadnought ejector. The twin whistles on the roof have been removed and replaced by a single LNER style whistle on top of the boiler in front of the cab sheet and a pull lever mounted on the roof.


All appropriate parts will be available for the relevant eras and will be selected using the scenario loco number - and of course we will be providing data to the Locomotive Number Generator to make it all as simple as possible to get exactly the set up that you want.

So that is all of the modelling completed. After unwrapping and texturing everything we'll be back soon with some in game pictures.

Friday 15 March 2019

LNER J21 (NER Class C): Tender WIP

Work continues with the J21, this time on the tender.


In 1915 the D shaped holes in the frames were changed to oval shapes. Sometimes wooden planking was added around the upper area to stop smaller pieces of coal from slipping through the bars.


To increase capacity some tenders had 2 extra bars added and the planking was also raised to match.



Vacuum, air and heating pipes are available options and will be automatically synchronised with the attached engine.




Next week we'll bring you some more work in progress, this time from the driver and fireman's office.

Friday 8 March 2019

LNER J21 (NER Class C): Continuing WIP

Works continues on the NER Class C/LNER J21 and here a few WIP images.

An early saturated boiler version sporting a safety valve bonnet with Ramsbottom valve, dual whistles, injectors on the outside of the boiler and a smokebox wheel handle.


This version has slide valves rather than piston valves, hence the altered smokebox front. Note that the safety bonnet has gone and been replaced with a platform mounting two Ross safety valves and the brake gear is now mounted outside of the driving wheels.


Finally the extended smokebox and dome mounted further back shows that this version has a superheated boiler. Also seen is a Gresley anti-vacuum valve along with a "wind jabber" behind and on top of the chimney respectively. A mechanical lubricator has been fitted on the right hand side, driven externally by the centre wheels, these were also driven between the frames on some versions which will also be an available option. Finally the safety valves are now mounted directly to the boiler and the whistles on the roof have been replaced by a single whistle in front of the cab sheet.


More work in progress to come next week.

Thursday 7 March 2019

Steam March Madness Sale 2019

Hey it's been a whole month so it must be time for another sale!

The GWR County is at it's lowest ever price with 50% off, the highly rated LNER Peppercorn K1 is 60% off as are the GWR Small Prairies. Many other add-ons are half price.

Click this link to see all of our DLC on Steam or click on an image below to view a particular pack.

Note: As usual in the first few hours of any sale Steam will have a complete meltdown as so many people try to access it with some sale prices not showing or the site being completely unavailable - you may need to refresh the page if it doesn't show some of the offers or maybe wait for tomorrow when it's settled down.

GWR 1000 County Class - 50% off
LNER Peppercorn K1 - 60% off
GWR Small Prairies - 60% off
LNER Raven Q6 - 50% off
GWR Large Prairies Lined Liveries (Requires GWR Large Prairies Pack) - 50% off
Stroudley A1/A1X Class 'Terrier' - 50% off
BR Saint & Travelling Post Office Livery (Requires GWR Saint Pack) - 50% off
USATC S160 - 50% off
GT3 Gas Turbine Prototype - 50% off
GWR Steam Railmotor - 50% off
Southern Bulleid Q1 - 50% off