Rotary

[MadMike1024]

Is that the basic Lima? Powered by the shay three cylinder engine? If so, the one the UP had had a hostler drive for moving it in and out of storage. They would shift out the rotor and engage the truck gears to move it. It had nowhere enough power or traction for plowing, they relied on the pushers for that. Imagine a Big Boy pushing that. Looking good!

http://limalocomotiveworks.com/rotary_snow_plows.html a look inside at the engine and boiler.

[Ericmopar]

I'm somewhat familiar with this.
Like Buzz was saying...
In the steam era, the steam used to power the rotary mechanism also powered a whistle used to signal the pushing engine/s to slow, speed, or stop.
In the diesel era, the pushers are controlled from the cab of the rotary plow using MU connections.
They do have controls for speeding the the cutting head up or down, and angle the "wings". They also have electric or steam heated elements on the front windows, so they don't ice up. They also use steam to keep the chute from clogging up with packed snow, although that doesn't always work.
Note: The plow featured in this video is actually an old S.P. rotary.

[KCJones]

All this detail!!! I should have chosen something more obscure!!!!! I think this model will have to be "based on"

I will include a light Mikado with this pack as all the units need to be intigrated for it to work. If I get this to work to my satisfaction I can see two more on the hoizon. An older wood type and a diesel SP one.

Dick

[ChrisOnline]

I think this is slightly different, but you may know it - I took this at the Colorado Railroad Museum
(some wag obviously thought the dummy in the blades was amusing!)

(BTW, there's some amazing stuff there, for anyone who gets the chance to visit)

and more at
http://coloradorailroadmuseum.org/museu ... now-plows/

Chris

[Kali]

So let me see if this is right:

* Pushed by a diesel unit, drives from the plough as if it's a standard lashup. Presumably the horn is the plough
* Pushed by a steamer, driven from the steamer, controlled by by whistle code. Braked from the plough?

So you won't need to rescript the diesels at least...

Would you like to be able to run it in steam mode *using the whistle*? you'd have control of the brakes, but I reckon regulator-by-whistle-code is possible without nightmares. I don't know what the whistle codes are and I've no idea how they told the engine crew how much speed to add or take off or similar, but hey, would be fun to try.

[Ericmopar]

Sometimes diesel crews communicate with the rotary via horn signals, even thought the plow can control the lashup....
That plow is one of the S.P. ones featured in the first vid I posted.

[Chacal]

Keep it simple.
The rotary is just an animated wagon. Put it in front of a loco and put a passengier view inside its cab.
Hit "1" to drive from the loco and hit "5" to drive from the rotary's cab.

It's basically what I do with Dick's Russell plow.

[Ericmopar]

Keep it simple.
The rotary is just an animated wagon. Put it in front of a loco and put a passengier view inside its cab.
Hit "1" to drive from the loco and hit "5" to drive from the rotary's cab.

It's basically what I do with Dick's Russell plow.

I agree. I was just being the Devil's advocate...

[ozinoz]

If I get this to work to my satisfaction I can see two more on the horizon. An older wood type and a diesel SP one.

Dick

Consider an older wood type pre-sold to me

One of my biggest regrets in all my railfanning is not getting to see the ex DRG OY snow plow in operation on the C&TS in Colorado. Just could not get enough notice of the running to organise leave and flights to get there. At least there are numerous DVD's about.

[KCJones]

Next progress report.

RailWorks 2014-07-08 20-44-18-31.jpg

RailWorks 2014-07-08 20-43-28-12.jpg

RailWorks 2014-07-08 20-42-40-78.jpg

[conrail1]

AWESOME. Is this going to be freeware or payware?

[ozinoz]

AWESOME. Is this going to be freeware or payware?

I would like to think Payware. Given the amount of time and complexity involved in TS modelling, I personally think it would be unreasonable to expect this sort of work for nothing. Reskins maybe, but I think the least we can do for those that make the toys for us is to give them a few bucks for all their efforts. They are not that expensive. I have bought models I have never run, just to give the developers something so that they continue on and maybe someday there will be something I would really like

Thats my anyway, what Dick chooses to do is up to Dick...

[buzz456]

+100.

[artimrj]

I own everything of Michael Stephan's, just got the new route yesterday, the only thing I didn't have. And I own everything by Dick except the Shays, I don't really care for those locos. Anyway, there is no way I can use everything, I like to support the little guys as they are usually the most honest and energetic and buying their products makes them want to make more. We all want more, whatever it is...

[KCJones]

The snow, steam and smoke will be free.
I am afraid there will be a modest sum for the rest. (See my position statement at the head of the forum to see my view of freeware requests) The pack will also include one of my Mikados as a pusher engine and two tenders.