Brake Van Variety

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!

HBA/HEA Hoppers: Brake Van first spin.

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.

HBA/HEA Hoppers: Scenario TSR

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.

HBA/HEA Hoppers: Darlington 1976?

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.

PEC-04: Railfreight Hoppers in Game

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.

NSM: Fencing - The Second Batch

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.

NSM: Fencing - The First Batch

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.

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.

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.

HBA/HEA Hopper Progress

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

 A HBA hopper from the more numerous later produced examples with the offset access ladder.

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!

HBA/HEA Hopper Progress

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.

Carflats: Early Mock-up

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!

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.

North Staffs Minerals: Cheadle Yard

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

North Staffs Minerals: Miscellaneous

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

North Staffs Minerals: Oakamoor Sand

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

North Staffs Minerals: Etruria Traffic

A selection of screenshots showing traffic around the Etruria area.

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.

North Staffs Minerals: Meaford Power Station

Please note: The mineral wagons in the pictures are not our product and merely used by the route builder as an illustration.

North Staffs Minerals: Wedgwood Factory

North Staffs Minerals: Hem Heath Colliery

A couple of pictures of the south end head shunt at Hem Heath Colliery.

Route X

A little something coming soon to RailWorks 3 Train Simulator 2012...

North Staffs Minerals: Grange Sidings