Railworks America

If our old friend Ivor appears confused, it's because that's not really a Milwaukee caboose he's puzzling at. It's actually the SP C40-7 caboose from the DTM SD45T-2 Pack, available at the Steam Store. I was going to wait until I finished everything before I posted any pics; but since the required SD45T-2 pack is currently on sale for 60% off, I thought it best to post this now for anyone who doesn't have it yet:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/6219 ... stid=43424

The recently released DTM UP F3 Pack appears to include the same model, so my repaints might work there as well, with some bin-file edits to account for folder relocation. I don't have the F3 Pack yet, so can't say for sure.

Anyways, after a bit of editing with the normals-file, we now have a rib-sided version that won't ding our resources like my previous rendition that relied on checking the assets block for the entire Feather River Route, just to access the WP bay-window caboose. Now, we'll only need to load a loco-pack. Unfortunately, the SP model lacks a crewman or even a seat in the bay-window; in fact, it's completely empty. But all considered, I just wanted something for the end of our Milwaukee consists that looks the part. Of course there's the issue with incorrect trucks, but every bay-window model in the sim sports the same trucks; none of which are prototypical for the Milwaukee rib-sides. Of course there's a UP CA-5 caboose with outside swing hanger trucks that would be passable, but then I don't know of a way to alias them to a repaint; AFAIK, it's not even possible.

So this will have to do, until someone can come up with a better solution. I'm still tweaking a few things, like that round object on the bay window side-panel, beneath the window (it's too bright); which I assume is some sort of push-pull air-ventilator for the crewman (?). I've only seen these things on SP cabs, but there's no way to remove it from the model; so all I can do is try to make it less conspicuous. Not sure how many of these I'll complete, but I'm hoping to do a set of six, featuring schemes from the 60's and 70's; basically, orange ends and yellow ends, with and without the KarTrak ACI panels. Nothing definite on when they'll be released; real-life stuff has priority, so have to paint when the opportunity arises and the mood strikes. Cheers!

Heck of a lot better than what is available elsewhere, good on you.

Thanks John!


Submitted for your approval (once posted to the RWA Library):

Seven individually weathered Milwaukee Road rib-side bay-window caboose repaints inspired by color photos, featuring the 1960's all-orange scheme which initiated the mounting of the Milwaukee placard beneath the bay window; the early 70's scheme with Federal Yellow car-ends and KarTrak ACI panels; and a Maintenance of Way crew-car.

Okay, all you old-timers; how many of you just read all the above text using Rod Serling's voice-over based solely on the intro-line? I caught myself doing it while I was typing, so I had to ask.

Repaints include winter textures, darker truck frames, axles and wheels; rusty hose and coupler textures, along with the originals if you prefer to swap them out without opening the .ap-file. The few decals used from the SP version were de-saturated and weathered. Auto-numbering was not an option due to their target-location, so all numbers were alpha'd-out and painted-on versions were used. Most of the Milwaukee placards were derived from actual photos, as I think they eliminate a lot of the stair-casing that can occur when resizing a graphically generated image containing angles; plus they come pre-weathered and feature tiny mounting-rivets at each corner.

The ACI panel is also from a photo, and I liked it so much that it's one of the few items shared amongst repaints; other than the data panel script which I could find only one readable example, and used fonts to replicate. The ACI panels are mounted in different locations as per the prototype. Initially, the lower-mounted panels quickly became unreadable by the KarTrak system due to all the grime that accumulated from the road-bed, so they were mounted increasingly higher to counter this problem; eventually the KarTrak system was phased-out all together.

I also purchased the recently released DTM F3 package, and it does indeed contain the same model used by my repaints, although some of the texture files have been shifted around to different folders; so it's not quite as easy as doing a few bin-file edits to get my repaints working for it. So once I get time to dig a little deeper, I might do another pack specifically for the caboose in the F3 pack; but I'll use a little artistic license in the numbering, so anyone possessing both DTM products can fill their yards without any duplicates.

So why do all this stuff for free? Well firstly, I love railroading, and I would imagine everyone else in this community feels the same; but if my work garners a little more support for DTM, or any other developer for that matter, then I'm happy. These folks could just as easily support some other platform with their efforts; but I'm thankful they chose ours.

Cracking job.
For what its worth I have started a route based on Portage, WI. I intend to do the Portage Yard and immediate area plus a run out to Wisconsin Dells to the West, about 10-15 miles East to Wyocena (maybe I'll go to Columbus) plus the former branch to Pardeeville (maybe to Cambria) plus the Madison line as far as to include the Wisconsin Power & Light Plant (coal trains!). The line from Wyocena to Wisconsin Dells (about 27 miles) is now partly double/single track it will be all double track as per Milwaukee days. Main track is laid, yard and Power plant plus all scenics to do so don't hold your breath. Should give something to run the SD45s on at least.

Now available in the file library.
Rudi, I named it "Milwaukee Bay Window Caboose Pack 2 " because you already published a "Milwaukee Bay Window Caboose Pack" in November 2017.

Chacal wrote:Now available in the file library.
Rudi, I named it "Milwaukee Bay Window Caboose Pack 2 " because you already published a "Milwaukee Bay Window Caboose Pack" in November 2017.

No problem; thanks for getting them settled in. Looking forward to seeing some screens of that route John is working on.