Friday 14 December 2012

Brake Van Variety

Fastline Simulation - HBA/HEA Coal Hoppers: Two dia 1/506 brake vans from lot 3129 wait for the next duty. Although both from the same lot time has produced some differences with the left hand van losing its vacuum through pipe and becoming unfitted with a variation in livery to reflect this. These vans will be included in our forthcoming HBA/HEA hopper wagon pack for Train Simulator 2013
Been hanging on to this little shot of the completed brake van shapes for a bit and didn't get round to posting them!

These are both from lot 3129 and built to dia 1/506 with the right hand one being as constructed with a through vacuum pipe. The van on the left has had it's vacuum pipe removed as gained (like some other vans but by no means all) a grey end when this happened to signify that it is now effectively unfitted.

Once the HBA and HEA hoppers have finished being kicked around to make them look dirty and used it will be the turn of the brake vans which are looking way too clean!

Saturday 1 December 2012

HBA/HEA Hoppers: Brake Van first spin.

Fastline Simulation - HBA/HEA Coal Hoppers: A dia 1/506 brake van from lot 3129 takes its first spin in Train Simulator 2013.
A first peak of a much too clean and sparkly dia 1/506 brake van from lot 3129 for use in the scenarios bundled with the HBA/HEA hoppers and other future packs as required. The default LMS van was looking a bit weird bring up the rear of partially fitted and unfitted trains in the late 1970s so we felt something a little different was required.

The model, originally produced as a CAR (through air and vacuum pipes) for inclusion in the VDA pack, has had a bit of an upgrade in a couple of areas along with the removal of the air pipes and visible controls inside the van.

It's safe to say that this has possibly been one of the biggest minefields yet and there is almost a picture to prove everything. Lot 3129 should (according to the diagram book) have been built with plain bearings and spindle buffers but every picture shows them with roller bearings and hydraulic buffers, just like dia 1/507 which covered the final two lots produced by British Railways and the subject of the CAR model.

Many of the vans had their through pipes removed towards the end of their careers with a subsequent change of TOPS code from CAP to CAO and these will be produced too, once the last little issues are sorted with this model.

Monday 26 November 2012

HBA/HEA Hoppers: Scenario TSR

Fastline Simulation - HBA/HEA Coal Hoppers: With a Class 37/0 providing the power and some of the new fangled HBA hoppers providing the fitted head 8N98 1032 Healey Mills - Tyne Yard enters a 20mph TSR during it's journey north along the ECML.
This little gem came from the scenario builder showing a class 37 8N98 1032 Healey Mills - Tyne Yard as it enters a 20mph temporary speed restriction during its journey north.

This service forms one of the two scenarios to be included in the HBA/HEA Hoppers add-on under development for Train Simulator 2013.

Saturday 24 November 2012

HBA/HEA Hoppers: Darlington 1976?

Fastline Simulation - HBA/HEA Coal Hoppers: HBA hopper wagons, newly built at Shildon and ready for their first revenue earning trip.
Could this have been the scene at Darlington in 1976?

A class 08 shunts a train containing six brand new HBA hoppers recently released from Darlington ready for their first revenue earning trip. Part of a VDA van with experimental suspension can also be glimpsed at the left of the picture.

All the parts of the HBA/HEA hoppers for Train Simulator 2013 are in place and the base colours for both the maroon and Railfreight liveries are now complete ready for testing before having LODs created, individual versions created and weathered ready for release of the add-on towards the end of the year.

Wednesday 21 November 2012

PEC-04: Railfreight Hoppers in Game

Fastline Simulation - HBA/HEA Coal Hoppers: In Train Simulator 2013 shot of HBA and HEA hoppers in Railfreight Flame and Grey livery testing numbering and lettering arrangements. Still some texture work to complete before the master versions are finished along with making the maroon versions
After quite a lot of tinkering to get just the right effect the (almost complete) master versions of the Railfright liveried HBA/HEA hoppers have made it into Train Simulator 2013. There's still a bit of texture work to complete, most notably on the wheels!

Each model sports five different variations of Railfreight logo and lettering which select randomly when placed in the game but can be further modified if required.

Thursday 11 October 2012

NSM: Fencing - The Second Batch

Fastline Simulation - Timber railed fencing for field boundaries.

Fastline Simulation - Timber paled fencing with concrete posts.

Another outbreak of fencing today.

The top picture shows three variations of timber railed fencing for field boundaries. The choice of 3, 4 or 5 rails depends on the kind of livestock likely to be kept in the field. While the four rail fence is suitable for larger livestock the five rail is required to keep sheep and especially lambs where they should be.

The second fence type is a fairly typical railway paled wooden fence with concrete posts. An all wood version to a slightly different design will follow in the next few days.

Wednesday 10 October 2012

NSM: Fencing - The First Batch

North Staffs Minerals: Five rail timber fencing for railway boundaries.



Just popping my head out of the bunker to show these fencing creations for North Staffs Minerals that have staggered into existence in the last few days.

The top picture is of some 5 rail timber fencing in a style used for railway boundaries.

Second down is some more familiar 5 wire fencing with timber posts complete with straining posts at each end of the run and some double sided straining posts that can be used along the length of the fence.

The final picture is three variants of fencing created from sleepers with pointed open and closed spaced versions and a flat top, close spaced version.

Thursday 2 August 2012

HBA/HEA Hoppers modelling complete

Well we live in hope that when the testers give the shapes the once over they don't find anything that needs a big rebuild!

As you can see from the renders below, the shape creating stage of the HBA/HEA air braked coal hoppers for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012 is complete. Once the testers have given them a quick visual check in the simulator they'll be back in the workshop for unwrapping and baking.

Fastline Simulation - HBA Hopper: Render of the completed HBA hopper shape for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012 before export and release for shape test. This configuration shows one of the early examples of HBA coal hopper with a central ladder, additional handrails and small extra supports to the hopper.

Fastline Simulation - HBA Hopper: Top view of the completed shape of the HBA coal hopper for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012 showing the interior of the hopper and a high view of the air tank and associated pipework.

Fastline Simulation - HEA Hopper:  Three-quarter view of the completed shape for a HEA coal hopper before shape testing in RailWorks Train Simulator 2012 from the air tank end showing the offset access ladder fitted to later build vehicles and Bruninghaus springs.


I have been quite surprised by these as a model (especially as they're a recycling of a previous project) by the amount of subtle and half hidden detail that's been needed to really get the feel of these wagons which look so deceptively simple at the first glance.

Friday 29 June 2012

HBA/HEA Hopper Progress

A couple of progress renders of the HBA and HEA hoppers under development for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.

Fastline Simulation - HBA Hopper: Progress render of the HBA Hopper for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012. The wagon represents one of the considerably more numerous variants of the wagons in as built condition with an offset access ladder and two footsteps with long link suspension.
 A HBA hopper from the more numerous later produced examples with the offset access ladder.

Fastline Simulation - HEA Hopper: Progress render of the HEA Hopper for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012. The wagon represents one of the early wagons built as an HBA with a central access ladder and four footsteps after it has been converted to bruninghaus suspension.
What would become know as an HEA hopper after respringing with Bruninghaus springs and an increase in maximum speed to 75mph.

It should be remembered that the HEA TOPS code was introduced after modification work commenced and that early examples could be found lettered as HBA like their unmodified counterparts. Yet another variation in a model series to work in to the final product!

Friday 22 June 2012

HBA/HEA Hopper Progress

Fastline Simulation - HBA/HEA Hopper Wagon: Quick progress render of the HBA/HEA hopper wagon add-on under development for Railworks 2012.
If you've been following the Developers Notebook you'll know that the past few sessions have been spent upgrading, tweaking and rebuilding various parts of the HEA coal hopper we have under production for Railworks.

All the parts you can see in the render have been added, tweaked, improved by rechecking with sources or in some cases totally rebuilt to start and bring the model up to the standard of our other products.

The model looks slightly odd at the moment with no springs or brake gear making the underside look strangely open with the white background showing through.

Thursday 14 June 2012

Carflats: Early Mock-up

Fastline Simulation - Carflats: Quick mock-up render of one of the carflats for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012 converted from a mk1 carriage. A quick mock-up of the Carflat to see how it's coming together. There's a real mash-up of parts here so I'm not even going to attempt to claim it's a particular vehicle or diagram!

Saturday 26 May 2012

North Staffs Minerals:On the road with 7Z16

A series of screenshots of 7Z16 a special steel working from Etruria to Toton hauled by Class 44 44005.








Thursday 24 May 2012

North Staffs Minerals: Cheadle Yard

A couple of screenshots of Cheadle Yard where tipper lorries loaded wagons directly from a raised concrete pad.

Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: Cheadle Yard springs to life as a class 25 working 9T20 shunts the local traffic. North Staffs Minerals, a route for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.

Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: 9T20 is seen shunting traffic at Cheadle Yard in North Staffs Minerals, a route for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.

Tuesday 22 May 2012

North Staffs Minerals: Miscellaneous

A series of screenshots taken around North Staffs Minerals, our freight themed route for RailWorks set in 1970s Staffordshire.

Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: Busy times at Cliffe Vale as 2 Class 24s pass with 9H77 Trentham to Partington, a Class 105 DMU forms a Crewe to Lincoln St. Marks service and Class 44 44005 makes it's way to Toton with 7Z16 from Etruria. North Staffs Minerals, a route for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.

Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: 8G01 waits to depart Cockshute Yard in North Staffs Minerals, a route for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.

Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: A busy moment at Grange Junction in North Staffs Minerals, a route for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.

Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: Caverswell Bank Summit in North Staffs Minerals, a route for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.

Sunday 20 May 2012

North Staffs Minerals: Oakamoor Sand

A couple of screenshots of Sulzer Type 2s working Oakamoor sand traffic.

Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: 9T14 waits the road in Cockshute before departing with the first empties of the day to BIS Oakamoor. North Staffs Minerals, a route for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.

Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: Class 24 24054 departs Oakamoor with a loaded sand train to Leek Brook. Note the van included in the train to help protect the guard from sand blowing off of the wagons. North Staffs Minerals, a route for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.

Friday 18 May 2012

North Staffs Minerals: Etruria Traffic

A selection of screenshots showing traffic around the Etruria area.

Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: Etruria Yard on a rainy day in North Staffs Minerals a route for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.


Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: At the controls of a Peak passing Etruria Gas Works in North Staffs Minerals a route for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.

Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: A Cravens Class 105 DMU forming a local service runs along the Up Main at Etruria. North Staffs Minerals, a route for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.

Wednesday 16 May 2012

North Staffs Minerals: Route Map

Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: Route Map
A route map showing the progress of North Staffs Minerals in early May 2012. Only the lines running from Stone - Etruria and through Cresswell carried passenger services, all other lines are freight only with the branches to Florence and Cheadle being NCB internal lines.

Sunday 22 April 2012

North Staffs Minerals: Meaford Power Station

Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: 24T mineral wagons are discharged over the coal drops at Meaford Power Station in North Staffs Minerals a route for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.

Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: 24T mineral wagons are discharged over the coal drops at Meaford Power Station in North Staffs Minerals a route for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.

Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: 24T mineral wagons are discharged over the coal drops at Meaford Power Station in North Staffs Minerals a route for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.

Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: Double headed Sulzer Type 2s depart from Meaford Power Station with empty mineral wagons in North Staffs Minerals a route for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.

Fastline Simulation - North Staffs Minerals: Double headed Sulzer Type 2s depart from Meaford Power Station with empty mineral wagons in North Staffs Minerals a route for RailWorks Train Simulator 2012.
Please note: The mineral wagons in the pictures are not our product and merely used by the route builder as an illustration.

Wednesday 18 April 2012

Sunday 1 April 2012

Route X

Fastline Simulation - Route X: A new route under development for RailWorks 3 Train Simulator 2012.

Fastline Simulation - Route X: A new route under development for RailWorks 3 Train Simulator 2012.
A little something coming soon to RailWorks 3 Train Simulator 2012...