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

[mrennie]

I posted this notice, about the upcoming FEF-3 patch/upgrade, on Facebook, but here it is again for the non-facebookers among us:

This is the list of fixes and improvements that I've so far included in the patch:

1. Stack smoke is more dense.
2. Mars light can now be removed from the HUD version.
3. Missing bump-map texture recovered on the main drivers.
4. Two FEF-3 can now be double-headed (AI helper must be a HUD version).
5. Improved the graphic equalisation (bass versus treble) of the chuff sounds.
6. Overland striping is now correct when the smoke deflectors are removed.
7. Fixed the association of blowdown valves to sight glasses in the HUD version.
8. Whistle sound now fades out properly when the cord is released from inside the cab.
9. Removed the embossed shield ("Union Pacific 844") from the cab floor of all except the striped, white-walled version of 844.
10. It's now possible to put blanks in the train board slots (# means a blank).
11. HUD version of FEF-3 can now be used for AI-only consists, without the driving wheels locking up.
12. Halved the time for the back pressure to drop (so it's easier to shut off steam).
13. Increased the clanking sound at low speed.


Number 12 also had the very nice side-effect of making the flickering up and down of the back pressure needle more pronounced and realistic (IMHO).

[ozinoz]

Thanks Mike, you are a star...

I on the other hand haven't found the time to unpack it, try it or even buy the new liveries.

[gtw5812]

Do you know when this patch will be deployed?

Thanks,

Galen

[buzz456]

How could he when dealing with both DTG and Steam?

[mrennie]

How could he when dealing with both DTG and Steam?

What Buzz said.

Anyway, I sent it to them a couple of hours ago.

[gtw5812]

How could he when dealing with both DTG and Steam?

What Buzz said.

Anyway, I sent it to them a couple of hours ago.

LOL! I hear you guys!! Just curious! Thanks for the quick response. I am guessing that this will be one of those "patches" that will deploy upon start up.

Take care!

[mrennie]

I am guessing that this will be one of those "patches" that will deploy upon start up.

Yes, an automatic update

[gtw5812]

I am guessing that this will be one of those "patches" that will deploy upon start up.

Yes, an automatic update

I just hope I know "when"! I haven't ran an ES44...or a Dash-9 in over 3 weeks!....... You have "taken over" my sim! I will be double heading soon!! With drifting and clanking rods!!

R/
Galen

[mrennie]

I am guessing that this will be one of those "patches" that will deploy upon start up.

Yes, an automatic update

I just hope I know "when"! I haven't ran an ES44...or a Dash-9 in over 3 weeks!....... You have "taken over" my sim! I will be double heading soon!! With drifting and clanking rods!!

R/
Galen

You've been bitten by the steam bug and there's no known antidote, sorry

I'll post here again as soon as I have confirmation that the patch has gone live.

[XDriver]

First a toot!
Then a hoot!
Steam is churning,
Wheels are turning!

More slowly - than turtles - with freight - on their - backs,
The drowsy - steam engine - sets off - down the tracks.
She chugs and she tugs at her wagons with strain,
As wheel after wheel slowly turns on the train.
She doubles her effort and quickens her pace,
And rambles and scrambles to keep up the race.
Oh whither, oh whither? go forward at will,
And chug along over the bridge, up the hill,
Through mountains and tunnels and meadows and woods,
Now hurry, now hurry, deliver your goods.
Keep up your tempo, now push along, push along,
Chug along, tug along, tug along, chug along
Lightly and sprightly she carries her freight
Like a ping-pong ball bouncing without any weight,
Not heavy equipment exhausted to death,
But a little tin toy, just a light puff of breath.
Oh whither, oh whither, you'll tell me, I trust,
What is it, what is it that gives you your thrust?
What gives you momentum to roll down the track?
It's hot steam that gives me my clickety-clack.
Hot steam from the boiler through tubes to the pistons,
The pistons then push at the wheels from short distance,
They drive and they push, and the train starts a-swooshin'
'Cuz steam on the pistons keeps pushin' and pushin';
The wheels start a rattlin', clatterin', chatterin'
Chug along, tug along, chug along, tug along! . . .

Written by Julian Tuwim As far as I know...

[mrennie]

First a toot!
Then a hoot!

Nice

[ErikGorbiHamilton]

First a toot!
Then a hoot!

Sounds like a "Hooters " to me

[OpenRailer90]

I read the manual. I have no idea on how to make this go 80+ mph.

[buzz456]

I guess you need to read some more.

[mrennie]

On DTG's Facebook page, they're asking which is the best loco of 2014. The FEF-3 has been mostly ignored by DTG (it hasn't had any advertising whatsoever since before the Thanksgiving sale), but at least now there's an opportunity to get it a bit more attention (by the back door, as it were). I hate asking so blatantly, but you'd be doing me a big favour by posting a comment in reply to their "best loco" post.

Many thanks,

Mike