Union Pacific FEF-3 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotive, by Smokebox

[mrennie]

By his own admission, it is already done and as perfect as it will be.

Which isn't to say that it's as perfect as it could ever be; rather that it's as perfect as I can be bothered to make it. There are still more things that I could add, but I've drawn a line under this one (otherwise it could go on forever). I've actually been taking advantage of the obvious delays in the last few months to keep on adding (and correcting) things anyway, so it's now even better as a result of the delays.

That said IMHO its not a bad thing to let him know that his hard work and dedication is appreciated and that his creation will be well received. A lot of anticipation on this one.

I do appreciate the appreciation and want to thank everyone who's encouraged and helped me with this project. Now all I need is to get it released and hope that it reaches a good position in the top 10

[XDriver]

Now all I need is to get it released and hope that it reaches a good position in the top 10

It's already number one in the anticipation list! |oo-OOOO-oo>

[bpetit]

Top 10, more like #1 for this year and next year.

[FourEightFour]

I do not think anything else has demanded 72 pages on the board...


Popular would be an understatement.

[bpetit]

2014-10-12_00003.jpg

[mrennie]

2014-10-12_00003.jpg

That's the wide-angle cab camera view from the seat behind the engineer's seat, with the gauge lights on and the cab light off

[ozinoz]

That is a great cab view That is one of my greatest bugbears - having to zoom around with the mouse when you want to see a bit more of the backhead. To me the standard drivers fov is just too tight in all steam cabs.

still

[mrennie]

This is one my favourite screenshots ...

2014-10-16_00016.jpg

[bpetit]

UP 844 makes an emergency stop after a discovering one of its axle box covers is gone.

2014-10-18_00001.jpg

Mike knows about it and 3D Crafter ate it for lunch.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

UP 844 makes an emergency stop after a discovering one of its axle box covers is gone.


Mike knows about it and 3D Crafter ate it for lunch.

DTG knows as well and is holding back the release?

[mrennie]

It was me who spotted it, fortunately. I don't think it'll be long now, but pretty sure it won't be ready for release next week. We all have to continue to be patient.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

It was me who spotted it, fortunately. I don't think it'll be long now, but pretty sure it won't be ready for release next week. We all have to continue to be patient.

How many parts are in the loco?

It is that cap is shiny, otherwise it wouldn't have been spotted so easily. DTG don't have the keenest of eyes as has been proven many times before when it comes to locomotive details.

Anyways, I and probably hundreds of other RWA members are looking forward to this loco. It makes Uncle Pete's Big Three of Steam complete.

Now we should convince DTG or a third party to provide Big Blow and the other gas turbine electrics.

UP 65, GTEL 4500 Veranda style carbody,

UP 52, GTEL 4500 Grille style carbody,

UP 22, GTEL 8500, the "Big Blow".
All of these were at home on Sherman Hill.
Wonder what these giants sounded like, probably a very loud jet engine sound?

For steam locomotives, ATSF 2926 currently being restored to operating condition in Albuquerque, NM, would be a nice addition too. This class, the largest 4-8-4's, sometimes ran over Cajon Pass.

[mrennie]

How many parts are in the loco?

I lost count, but there are several hundred (or probably several thousand), spread over dozens of child objects (the complete model is too large for 3DC to handle, so I had to split it many times).

It is that cap is shiny, otherwise it wouldn't have been spotted so easily. DTG don't have the keenest of eyes as has been proven many times before when it comes to locomotive details.

It happened very recently, after I touched up the texturing on the inside of the toolbox doors (that's right, something completely unrelated to the tender truck) on the black, high-detail versions of the tender. I didn't notice it myself before submitting it, so I certainly can't criticize anyone else for not spotting it.

Anyways, I and probably hundreds of other RWA members are looking forward to this loco. It makes Uncle Pete's Big Three of Steam complete.

Good to know

Now we should convince DTG or a third party to provide Big Blow and the other gas turbine electrics.
...
All of these were at home on Sherman Hill.
Wonder what these giants sounded like, probably a very loud jet engine sound?

On YouTube, there's a very good video of the gas turbines (it might have been made by UP, can't remember). I'll have to search for it again.

For steam locomotives, ATSF 2926 currently being restored to operating condition in Albuquerque, NM, would be a nice addition too. This class, the largest 4-8-4's, sometimes ran over Cajon Pass.

The problem, as always, is about getting hold of the set of detailed engineering drawings for the locos. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing a model mostly by eye, so the choice of subject does depend greatly on the availability and quality of the drawings.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

For steam locomotives, ATSF 2926 currently being restored to operating condition in Albuquerque, NM, would be a nice addition too. This class, the largest 4-8-4's, sometimes ran over Cajon Pass.

The problem, as always, is about getting hold of the set of detailed engineering drawings for the locos. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing a model mostly by eye, so the choice of subject does depend greatly on the availability and quality of the drawings.

You prefer to work from erection blueprints, right? Like builing a scale live steam version, as true to the prototype as possible?

These are available (at a price) from http://www.livesteamlocomotives.com/drawings/atsf_2900_4-8-4.htm

It is a completely different engine from the FEF3, Baldwin built with very large 16 wheel tenders. With huge cylinder blocks because of the Wagner drifting valves
80" Baldwin disc drivers at first, partially replaced with Boxpok drivers later in service, they looked brutish and were as powerful as they looked.
They had a slightly longer service live than the FEF's, and went through several upgrades. At the end of their careers, they had dual sealed beam headlights, domeless boilers, roller bearing rods, but still kept the rather old fashioned looking boiler tube pilots. Most curious was the telescopic stack extension and the incredibly long passenger train runs, up to LA-KC, Ks./La Junta, Co., Santa Fe got out of them. After the premier Super Chief were dieselized, the big 4-8-4's handled the heaviest fast mail expresses, secondary name trains like the Scout and many others all over the western network of Santa Fe.


I suppose the guys from Albuquerque http://www.nmslrhs.org couldn't possibly object to the creation of a great model to go along their restoration of the original. You might even strike an endorsement deal with some of the proceeds going towards the restoration. (If DTG allows of course.)

[mrennie]

You prefer to work from erection blueprints, right? Like builing a scale live steam version, as true to the prototype as possible?

These are available (at a price) from http://www.livesteamlocomotives.com/drawings/atsf_2900_4-8-4.htm

Yes, they are pricey, especially when you add on the shipping charge from the USA and the import duties. I know because that's where I purchased the set of diagrams to build the Consolidation and the FEF-3

Unfortunately, with the exception of the Big Boy and Challenger, the rest of the sets are very incomplete. I didn't find anything else that would be suitable.

It is a completely different engine from the FEF3, Baldwin built with very large 16 wheel tenders. With huge cylinder blocks because of the Wagner drifting valves
80" Baldwin disc drivers at first, partially replaced with Boxpok drivers later in service, they looked brutish and were as powerful as they looked.
They had a slightly longer service live than the FEF's, and went through several upgrades. At the end of their careers, they had dual sealed beam headlights, domeless boilers, roller bearing rods, but still kept the rather old fashioned looking boiler tube pilots. Most curious was the telescopic stack extension and the incredibly long passenger train runs, up to LA-KC, Ks./La Junta, Co., Santa Fe got out of them. After the premier Super Chief were dieselized, the big 4-8-4's handled the heaviest fast mail expresses, secondary name trains like the Scout and many others all over the western network of Santa Fe.

I suppose the guys from Albuquerque http://www.nmslrhs.org couldn't possibly object to the creation of a great model to go along their restoration of the original. You might even strike an endorsement deal with some of the proceeds going towards the restoration. (If DTG allows of course.)

Interesting idea, although it's one that's been suggested before.