VEA Vans: Railfreight Distribution ODA

Even though there were only 50 conversions of tube wagons to form the ODA air braked version, one of the wagons still managed to gain a coat of Railfreight Distribution livery.

Much like the VEA conversions the ODA looks pretty smart in a livery conceived some 30 years after it was originally built. This screen shot also includes a contemporary battery powered flashing tail lamp.

Let's Ride the Rails

A bit of an irresistible title I'm afraid!

A few weeks ago we were contacted by an experienced reskinner who expressed an interest in creating some reskins to form part of the scenarios we include with our Train Simulator expansions. With the scenarios for the Bullion Carriers under way the chance was taken to recreate one of Gateshead's allocation of Class 47s in the form of 47406 'Rail Riders' in original InterCity livery to use as the player locomotive.

The locomotive uses the class 47 included in the European Assets Pack/original routes and has a new texture, 3D nameplates and crest plus added ETH jumpers.

Although forming part of the scenario within the expansion pack the reskin will also be available to download from our website once the Bullion Carriers have been released. Don't take the screenshot as an example of the scenario though - it looks much different and you may have struggled to see the loco ....

VEA Vans: Railfreight Distribution VEA

One of the most exciting things about developing Train Simulator expansions is the little bits of history it can throw up. The story of the Vanwides and later VEA vans is no exception.

Not only did some 1950's built vans gain a new under-frame and air brakes to become the VEA vans featured in our expansion but at least six of them also managed to gain Railfreight Sector livery as the responsibility for Ministry of Defence trains passed to Railfreight Distribution.

Naturally, there was some variation in the way the livery was applied but the version we've chosen seems to have been the most prevalent judging by photographs. It must be said though that the VEA vans carried the livery well and it's a huge change from the all over brown they wore when originally built as Vanwides!