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

[mrennie]

I'd buy it, but the only steam loco I can run is the Halloween special one.

The HUD versions of the FEF-3 can be run in Simple mode.

[ArcticCatZRT]

I'd buy it, but the only steam loco I can run is the Halloween special one.

The FEF is extremely easy to run in HUD mode with the automatic fireman turned on, probably the easiest steam locomotive for me to run actually. I personally want to sit back and enjoy the locomotive/sim, not work another job, the FEF satifies this urge.

[ozinoz]

Sorry but Ia m going to air my ignorance here. With the Greyhound add on, does this include the updated passenger car livery or are the ones seen in the posted screenies the old G-Trax ones? I understand the FEF comes with an updated passenger car set but are those ones only Armour Gold?

I am about to become a "gentleman of leisure" after 30+ years in the workforce and 7 with my current employer, so once I have life tidied up, I hope to have some time to myself to cruise the rails. At least I dont have a mortgage round my neck like so many, but it is still a scary place both physically and mentally to be...

[mrennie]

Sorry but Ia m going to air my ignorance here. With the Greyhound add on, does this include the updated passenger car livery or are the ones seen in the posted screenies the old G-Trax ones? I understand the FEF comes with an updated passenger car set but are those ones only Armour Gold?

The ones that come with the FEF-3 are only in armour yellow - the reskin is for the locomotive only.

I am about to become a "gentleman of leisure" after 30+ years in the workforce and 7 with my current employer, so once I have life tidied up, I hope to have some time to myself to cruise the rails. At least I dont have a mortgage round my neck like so many, but it is still a scary place both physically and mentally to be...

Scary at first, yes, but you'll soon get used to it. What you need is a hobby that'll keep your mind alert, such as ... making model engines! Seems to have worked for me so far

Anyway, I hope you have a very happy retirement and always find plenty to do.

[ozinoz]

Anyway, I hope you have a very happy retirement and always find plenty to do.

Thanks for the passenger car info. Not a retirement unfortunately (I still had another 10-15 years for that) but a "put out to pasture" Doesn't do your mental health much good being considered "past it" at 50

That said, I am looking forward to some "me" time...

[mrennie]

Anyway, I hope you have a very happy retirement and always find plenty to do.

Thanks for the passenger car info. Not a retirement unfortunately (I still had another 10-15 years for that) but a "put out to pasture" Doesn't do your mental health much good being considered "past it" at 50

That said, I am looking forward to some "me" time...

If it makes you feel any better, the same thing happened to me last year, when I was 51, which is what gave me so much time to spend making the FEF-3

[MadMike1024]

Sorry but Ia m going to air my ignorance here. With the Greyhound add on, does this include the updated passenger car livery or are the ones seen in the posted screenies the old G-Trax ones? I understand the FEF comes with an updated passenger car set but are those ones only Armour Gold?

I am about to become a "gentleman of leisure" after 30+ years in the workforce and 7 with my current employer, so once I have life tidied up, I hope to have some time to myself to cruise the rails. At least I dont have a mortgage round my neck like so many, but it is still a scary place both physically and mentally to be...

The Overland set shown is the Gtrax repaint set I did. The observation is the giveaway. In the back of the shop is a repaint project that will try to duplicate the excursion train including the machine shop car and the flag baggage on the Gtrax models. As always, it will be limited by the available models.

[UP3985]

How heavy are those G-Trax cars a piece?

[bpetit]

I hope to do video soon maybe friday if I have some time. Sadly just haven't had the time.

[MadMike1024]

How heavy are those G-Trax cars a piece?

Here's the real deal:
UP ACF 1953 44-seat Chair Car: 136000
UP Budd 1961 44-seat Chair Car: 129000
UP StLC 1960 44-seat Chair Car: 135000
UP P-S 1950 44-seat Chair Car: 127000
UP ACF 1954 5-2-2 Sleeper: 149000
UP ACF 1954 14-Sect Sleeper: 144000
UP ACF 1955 LC Diner: 146000
UP StLC 1959 LC Diner Lge: 143000
CB&Q Budd 1948 48-seat Chair Car: 143000
CB&Q Budd 1948 40-seat Dining Car: 159000
CB&Q Budd 1948 10-6 Sleeper: 149000
CB&Q Budd 1952 5-6 Sleeper: 148000

the G-Trax .bin lists them as 78k pounds, so they are a tad light.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

This thread sort of shows the need for more prototype streamline passenger cars that aren't MSTS conversions or of simplified ancient Kuju design.
A beautiful engine like Mike's FEF-3 needs beautiful cars to pull.

Especially signature cars like streeamlined observation cars, closed square end or with chromium railings open air balcony. Or one of those UP theater cars with the full height glass end window.




a heavyweight monster

Just got me the Overland repaint from the Marketplace, doesn't she look regal in that scheme? Bright weather is a requirement, however.

[kris120]

I have a problem with the HUD-version: The Locomotive brake is always at 10%.
Hope this is not yet mentioned here.
Thanks
kris

[mrennie]

I have a problem with the HUD-version: The Locomotive brake is always at 10%.
Hope this is not yet mentioned here.
Thanks
kris

That's the way it's supposed to work with this model. It's because of the bail-off ("release") region of the engine brake handle, which goes from 0% to just below 10% and is spring-loaded. You can drag the lever down to 0% but have to hold it there to bail-off (to release the engine/independent brakes while keeping the train brakes set). As soon as you let go, the spring returns the handle to the 10% position ("running"). See page 38 of the manual.

[gtw5812]

More photos of the BEAUTIFUL Locomotive!

R/
Galen

[UP3985]

Sherman Hill seriously needs to be backdated to the mid 50s.