New York Division-Bergen Line - Part Deux!

[TheTeenageFoamer]

If you look at the car, you will see the marking “BLT-6–49”. This tells you that the car was built in June of 1949.

So if your picture was taken when the car was new, most likely it was taken either in 1949, or in the early 1950s.

[minerman146]

Foamer,
You have part of the story, but there is more information on the car that tells us interesting stuff. On the left you see the marking "O-8-62" The O means Oneonta, New York, August 1962. This is where the D&H had their shops. Thanks to the HO Modeling Community, they really research their stuff, so I can pass this on to you.

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In the example below, the unit was built in April of 1954, but then, on the left we see "MDV.1-74" This stands for Meadville, Pennsylvania, April 1974. Like the unite above - 20 years later this car got at least a repaint and was probably refurbished. Interesting no? I was messing around with streaking and colors on this car and washed out everything, I need rework it.

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My last shot, was to capture the light. The D&H unit on the end, I think, I modified the Alpha with 50% White and Black.

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I think these will look great running around in the 1960s early 70s for sure.
Carry on!

[RudiJaeger]

Excellent paintwork!

[minerman146]

Rudi, The topmost D&H is supposed to have the alpha fix. What would be a good shot or shots that would show you that its fixed?

[RudiJaeger]

Rudi, The topmost D&H is supposed to have the alpha fix. What would be a good shot or shots that would show you that its fixed?

Typically anything shot at an angle, e.g; 45 degrees or so. Sorta like when you look along an automobile's body to detect any Bondo, or in some cases, lead-fill for older cars. That should show a good example of how much (if any) shine remains. Here is a good example of a "no-shine" paint-job, if that's what you're going for: http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/d ... e-repaints The main texture file's alpha should be worth a look. But from what I can see in your screenshot, the door ribs appear to have a matte finish, so I think you may have already achieved "the look" you're after. Looks pretty good to me for sure.

[minerman146]

Rudi,
I did the 'bondo" bodyline check and we got no shine!

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I know this is subjective. Love it - hate it - fix it?

[AmericanSteam]

Looks good. It's been around for a while.

[TheTeenageFoamer]

Hey Minerman, about how far in each direction do you detail with scenery? Because I am making a route and i don’t know where to stop detailing in a certain direction.

[buzz456]

Hey Minerman, about how far in each direction do you detail with scenery? Because I am making a route and i don’t know where to stop detailing in a certain direction.

I know there will be different opinions on this however a lot of this depends on the topography. If there is a mountain right next to the tracks obviously there is no sense in putting scenery past the top of the mountain. Many think you need to be able to helicopter around at five hundred feet and still see detailed scenery. Bob and I on the Lafayette route said if you can't see if from the cab you don't need to do it and other than few places where yours truly screwed up forgetting in the Winter deciduous trees are transparent it seems to have worked out pretty good. It is amazing on flat farm land how far you can see certain objects like barns and silos however major detailing is not required for a farm waaay off in the distance but up close you want to add a lot of clutter to make it more realistic and interesting. The other consideration is whether your level of detail is going to choke everyone's computer. That is just a matter of trial and error to see what seems to work.....
Minermaster route builder....what say you?

[minerman146]

He he he. Buzz - your the best man!

Minermaster route builder....what say you?

Well, I am glad you asked Buzz.

Here is my updated XF box car:

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And here is the scenery pulled out to max in game.

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* I have written about this on many occasions. If you can see it from the train it goes in, even if your peeking through the bushes. Rule of thumb: 1500 feet each side and 6 blocks in town.

[RudiJaeger]

Rudi,I did the 'bondo" bodyline check and we got no shine! I know this is subjective. Love it - hate it - fix it?

Yes, it is very subjective indeed. Outside of personal preferences, I suppose it depends on the age / weathering of the rolling stock, and which road it belongs to. Conversely, I've seen some freshly painted prototype stock in matte finish, hence the comment about which road it belongs to, and quite possibly which shop did the paintwork. So disregarding any reference photos, I'd recommend going for whatever look suits your taste, as you're the first person that needs to be pleased with the final result. And if you're pleased with it, you'll likely keep painting things; which naturally makes everyone else happy when you share the results... well, except for the "noid" lurking in the library who enjoys clicking the one-star rating on certain contributors' files; but that's another topic.

Personally, I like just a hint of shine on all but the most road-worn rusty hulks; if nothing more than to take advantage of the sim's lighting dynamics, which can lend a sense of 3-dimensional appearance to the car's features. That, and they to to blend-in better with everything else in the consist. We've probably all seen something similar when mixing photo-real stock with hand-painted stock; in many cases, they just don't fit together visually. But again; personal preference. Although you said "no shine" for the cars in your screenshots, and I prefer just a little shine; I still think your paintwork looks great. So if there are any preferential differences, they are certainly subtle. All I know is, I'd be quite happy to run them just as they are.

Anyway, I didn't intend to ramble-on so much, as it's apparent from your screenshots that you certainly know what you're doing; but I always like to consider that there are folks who are new to the "painting world" and could benefit from the insight.

Regarding the scenery question: Buzz brought up some great points. Although admittedly, I'm one of those folks who spends most of their sim-time outside the cab; "model railroad mode" if you will. I enjoy putting the train on "auto-pilot", then going into free-camera mode and racing ahead to find just the right spot for a screenshot. So I always keep the rail-fanning aspect in mind while I'm route building. This is something I particularly enjoy about running the Bergen; I can just sit back and watch the trains run over the route, taking screenshots to my heart's content, and not be distracted by any glitches with the scenery. So indeed, the Bergen is a great route to observe the strategic placement of scenery and the distances from the tracks. Actually, I think I've learned more about route-building, simply by "touring" other folks' work, than I have by reading the manuals. And with that, I'll sign-off with one of my favorite photo-op locations on the Bergen:

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Yeah, I know it's not prototypical, but I get homesick sometimes. Cheers!

[minerman146]

Rudi, that was amazingly thoughtful and true. You picked a good spot, I was hopin you guys would hit Route 32 there in Highland Mills an enjoy. I drive by that all that time and rode over it a few times too.

As you know, I am legend in my own mind and believe I am a funny guy. So, for the rest of you lugs here, have a cuppa-joe on me!

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[TheTeenageFoamer]

Great tips! Thanks Buzz and Minerman!

[minerman146]

Great tips! Thanks Buzz and Minerman!

One more thing Foamer, make my tip a hard rule. It will force you to measure and think."Do I really need to go this far? The 3000 feet should fill your screen if you pull the view all the way out. The point of distance is field of view and to create depth. Your very good scenery should extend 500 feet. After that it's your choice. One more thing lay 5 miles of track, then do the scenery and repeat. Its will keep you disciplined.

[minerman146]

Finally - I have been after this affect for 3 days. Now I can hit the other cars. If you were wondering - what the heck is up. You know, I never got around to doing this in HO scale. I like the big XF on it.

So instead of working on test units - I did all my stuff on this one. This is the 17th interation. Rudi will approve as it has the kind of light shine on it. You know it is kinda like the moistness left on your cheek when Ann Margaret kisses you. Yeah.... ohhhh... yeaahh.

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