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

[CSX2057]

HAHA OH WOW! This is what I want to drive this baby! GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMMEEEEEE!!!!!!!

[5292nate]

I'm very illiterate when it comes to steam. Are those drive rods finished? They don't look it. Maybe I'm missing something. Anyway, fantastic work, Mike! You make a non-steam fan, really want this!

[mrennie]

I'm very illiterate when it comes to steam. Are those drive rods finished? They don't look it. Maybe I'm missing something. Anyway, fantastic work, Mike! You make a non-steam fan, really want this!

There's just a multi-key nut missing on the side rod, but other than that, all finished.

[hertsbob]

There's just a multi-key nut missing on the side rod

Shoddy!

Actually, I'm already dreading (as it were) watching you creating all that gubbins along the side!!

[mrennie]

Amazing, only small detail i may add in is to have it lighter up front then it is in the rear, this is something that is easily overlooked and just thought id toss in there. the pic of the challenger is a good example of this.

I'm leaving that until the elephant ears are on, because the shadows they cast will affect the colouring and shading on the smokebox anyway.

[mrennie]

Shoddy!

I knew somebody would spot that ... the perils of posting work in progress shots.

Actually, I'm already dreading (as it were) watching you creating all that gubbins along the side!!

I'm dreading doing it! Seriously, some of it can get really tedious, but when it's done. somehow it feels like it was worth the bother.

[bpetit]

Your doing great Mike.

[buzz456]

I'm very illiterate when it comes to steam. Are those drive rods finished? They don't look it. Maybe I'm missing something. Anyway, fantastic work, Mike! You make a non-steam fan, really want this!

Some times it is better to keep silence and be thought a fool than open your mouth and leave no doubt.

[bpetit]

I'm curious to know how tall is 844?

[FourEightFour]

I'm curious to know how tall is 844?

She is 16' 2'' tall, 114' 2 5/8'' long, and 11' 1 1/4'' wide.

[hertsbob]

I'm dreading doing it!

I can well imagine! How do you even begin addressing an area like that? Surely you're not planning on modelling each separate component and bolting them all together as you have done with the drivetrain?

Actually, don't answer that! I'll sit back and enjoy the screenshots as and when you're ready for us to see them.

[mrennie]

I'm dreading doing it!

I can well imagine! How do you even begin addressing an area like that? Surely you're not planning on modelling each separate component and bolting them all together as you have done with the drivetrain?

Actually, don't answer that! I'll sit back and enjoy the screenshots as and when you're ready for us to see them.

That's right, piece by piece. I lost count of how many there were in the Consolidation, but at one point I counted over 1000 separate parts, and that was after merging some parts into a single object to keep the hierarchy manageable.

Something I find really satisfying, especially with the frame and running gear, is when I bring the parts together, according to the original drawings, and they fit perfectly (by this, I mean to within a scale 1/64th of an inch!). I've said this before, somewhere ... it also gives a real appreciation for the skill of the people who designed and built the real life locomotives.

I'll save the next screenshot for when the valve gear is done. I'm now working my way up to the lubricator, which is something I'm looking forward to doing, especially the animation.

[bpetit]

Can't wait to count rivets, nuts and bolts.

[FourEightFour]

Something I find really satisfying, especially with the frame and running gear, is when I bring the parts together, according to the original drawings, and they fit perfectly (by this, I mean to within a scale 1/64th of an inch!). I've said this before, somewhere ... it also gives a real appreciation for the skill of the people who designed and built the real life locomotives.

With slide rules and mostly hand tools none the less

especially the animation

Yay! Are you considering animating the mechanical lubricator handle too?

[mrennie]

With slide rules and mostly hand tools none the less

Exactly! That's what makes it all the more impressive - they didn't have CAD tools or pocket calculators.

Yay! Are you considering animating the mechanical lubricator handle too?

Do you mean the little red handle that rotates a bit each time the combination lever pulls a small connecting rod downwards? If so, yes. Or is there another handle I should look at?