Building a late 19th Century streetcar.

[brucedell]

Hello i'm back and out of college for the summer. i'm currently building a Streetcar for Train sim based off of the most primitive, and early generation of streetcars which appeared to simply just be horse pulled wagons with traction motors installed into them.
I'm currently creating the wagon to complement my interurban route called southern corridor. viewtopic.php?f=7&t=20428
I intend to have this trolley serve as the local streetcar for the route. only running in the towns, and not traveling on interurban lines due to voltage differences with i don't think the game can simulate.
I plan to work on this project over the summer in small portions, and will have to face a number of difference challenges through out its production. i plan to upload it here, and on my site when completed, and functional.
https://railsim-us.wixsite.com/electo-america

These are all the images of the streetcar production as of 5/19/2019 (10 am central)

Early Body

Body, roof, door , and interior, and lower body details completed.

Interior view.

Test export model in game.
Current things i have to do.
1. remodel some parts to a lower poly due to performance problems. the wheels are too high poly.
2. relearn how to make LOD for train sim.
3. add electrical, and other equipment such as the trolley pole, motor control box, and handbrake along with coupling hook.
4. maybe add tertiary elements such as hang lamps, bags, and stuff. no intention of having human models as of yet.
5. UV unwrap all the elements, and began the texture painting process in substance painter.
6. after that, and other test visual test. programming of the model will began.
I know how to make basic roiling stock up to 2 bogies, but i'm very confused about actually building an engine for a wagon, and turning it into a locomotive. The most i was able to manage was the creation of a simple electric engine, with a working handbrake, but i do not know how to create actual brake sub system.
my last rolling stock creation experience was here: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=20715

It's possible that for the time period these type of trolleys only had handbrakes.
sounds: gonna have to cross that bridge when i come to it, and i'm not competent with the sound system, and barley understand its workings.
Animation: for now i wish to keep it simple, but i would prefer to attempt a basic trolley pole animation, but it can be static like the trams made by Richard Scott.
My last animation experience is here: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=20417

Finally i'll need to research more about this trolley type when i start creating the engine. for now i only have a rough observation that these streetcars could really only run a speed of at least maybe 20-30 Mph or lesser. i'm also going to have to learn the horse power of traction motors of the time. this wagon only feature one traction motor on one axle.

Well i thank you for taking the time to read through my production page. it's you have any questions, or tips in making content. I'll be glad to answer them, and will also find your tips invaluable in my production journey. However my birthday coming up so i'll have to lessen production for the rest of the month.

Fixed the title from 18th to 19th century Thanks mindenjohn

[mindenjohn]

Sorry to be pedantic but late 18th century means about 1780-1799, I think you mean late 19th century as traction motors had not been invented in the 18th century.
(Nits picked for the day)

[Chacal]

This is a nice project and you seen to have everything under control. Good luck, and make frequent backups.

[brucedell]

Now on the 5th day of production. The streetcar has successfully made it to train simulator. as a semi controllable engine.




View 3d model online: https://skfb.ly/6KFYJ
Other details such as the control box, and the poles have been added.
However. even though the streetcar in now in a state where it can roll. The wagon still lacks a working brake system, and also lacks proper performance from the engine.
i also need to fix the collision numbers so it can connect with other wagons, and i also need to create its coupling hooks.
also for some other reason the engine only operates backwards. i think i need to flip the model.
Other than that let me know what you think of the project so far.

[ozinoz]

The ingenuity and ability of people never ceases to amaze me.

Very nicely done.

[brucedell]

After 6 days of production. I can now say that My streetcar is now ready for a Beta Release.
which is now open for download on my site: https://railsim-us.wixsite.com/electo-america
While the Streetcar is still a little rough around the edges programming wise however, The streetcar is now functional enough to drive as long as you don't mind having weak brakes.
The streetcar can top out at speeds of 40 or more when single, or 30 and less when pulling extra wagons.

The weak nature of this streetcar air brakes requires this streetcar to use of the handbrake, and to throw the traction motors in reverse in order to stop at a reasonable time.
This streetcar features wooden bar couplers to connect to other wagons.

This streetcar in it's current state can also sever as an excellent AI, or Background asset for your scenarios.

The streetcar also features a simple sound system. with a Bell along with simple traction motor and wind sounds.
The car lacks a true Cab view or deck view at the moment. However it does feature a primitive rear deck view which looks nice when traveling at speed.



This streetcar While with all of it's early flaws. i feel has achieved more than another project i attempted, and in the shortest amount of time as well. I now understand the workings of train simulator much more than i did before.
being only 5 days away from my birthday I can say that this was a nice present i constructed for myself, and i have every intention of expanding on this streetcar in the future with added versatility. I also wish to create other unique locomotives as well. With my eye on the Market Revolution, Early through mid 1900's, and even some modern additions as well.

for now i'll continue to expand on this streetcar for the time being. As this streetcar still needs to be finalized.
I need to create additional child assets such as Signs for the body, An actual Bell, maybe if possible rope animations for the trolley poles, A lower finder for public protection, and even possibly a motor man.

Overall i really hope you enjoy the Beta Release of this version, and i Thank you for following the production of my first Train simulator Rail Vehicle so far.

[mindenjohn]

Well done, rocks and rolls!

[Chacal]

The best projects are those you make for yourself, and you just publish them to spread the joy.