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

[TheTeenageFoamer]

Update has been rolled out: http://www.engine-driver.com/article/sh ... e-released

Smokebox has today released an update for their incredible FEF-3 as part of their ongoing commitment to develop and improve the locomotive. Please see the extensive list of fixes and enhancements below.

Here's a list of what's been fixed:

Numerous fixes to save and resume
Activation of locomotive brake cylinder piston animations corrected
When switching from the #5 view to the #2 view, the FEF-3 cab windows no longer have a mirror effect
Pilot coupler hood can now be removed in the HUD version
Here's a list of what's been enhanced:

Feedwater pump gauge needle now pulsates each time the pump's piston performs one stroke.
Updated brake simulation for the Advanced version, adapted from the Soldier Summit advanced brakes (including scripted auxiliary and quick service reservoirs, selectable brake difficulty level and reporting of the handle detents).
Increased condensation in winter (Advanced version).
Enhanced smoke and steam effects.
Cylinder cocks now emit steam only when the admission valves are open and there is steam in the cylinders (Advanced version).
Improved clanking sounds, especially when coasting.
Added impact and coupling sounds.
Added fire noise (audible when the firebox peephole is open).
Smoke emanates from firebox peephole when smokebox draft is low.
Cab background rumble noise added.
Modified soot calculations.
Performance report gives the weight of the consist in US short tons.
Animated bell clapper.
Darkened texturing of lightweight car tyres.
Harmonized "External forces factor" so that steam and smoke all drift in the same direction.
AI FEF-3s now mimic many operations of the player-driven locomotive in the same consist - for example, they will open their doors and windows when the player does.
The track conditions (dry, wet, snow or leaves) are initialised automatically at the start of a scenario, according to the season and weather.
Tender cargo trigger boxes increased in size for easier refuelling.
Tender coupling pin added.
Additional Quick Drive consists for the all-black liveried FEF-3 have been added.
If you own the FEF-3, the update will download automatically from Steam. If you have any problems/queries with regard to the update, leave a comment below or submit a ticket to our support site where we will be ready to help.

The FEF-3 update will be approximately 173MB in size.

And an amazing update it is

[mrennie]

I hope you all enjoy the update! It involved a lot of work, and time, but I honestly believe it was worth it.

There's a lot in the update, but of particular note are:

The smoke effects are based on the updated Consolidation (although without the sparks, since the FEF-3 is an oil-burner and doesn't produce sparks from the stack).

The advanced brakes are now like those in the updated Consolidation (so they too incorporate the simulation of overcharging the brake pipe), but are even more advanced, because they also include the automatic full service brake application if you don't acknowledge the CCS alert promptly, and the position of the brake handles is reported in the top right-hand corner of the screen, making it much easier to use the brakes in outside view.

[TheTeenageFoamer]

I hope you all enjoy the update! It involved a lot of work, and time, but I honestly believe it was worth it.

There's a lot in the update, but of particular note are:

The smoke effects are based on the updated Consolidation (although without the sparks, since the FEF-3 is an oil-burner and doesn't produce sparks from the stack).

The advanced brakes are now like those in the updated Consolidation (so they too incorporate the simulation of overcharging the brake pipe), but are even more advanced, because they also include the automatic full service brake application if you don't acknowledge the CCS alert promptly, and the position of the brake handles is reported in the top right-hand corner of the screen, making it much easier to use the brakes in outside view.

I love the update but the animated bell clapper caught my eye the most

[ozinoz]

Many thanks for your continued love of your creations and for makling the US scene of TS what it is, cos it would look VERY different without your sterling efforts.

Waiting now to watch the genisys of your next creation

Have a great Festive Season and all the best for 2016

[mrennie]

I love the update but the animated bell clapper caught my eye the most

I knew that one would be popular

[mrennie]

Many thanks for your continued love of your creations and for makling the US scene of TS what it is, cos it would look VERY different without your sterling efforts.

Waiting now to watch the genisys of your next creation

Thanks Grant, I appreciate that

I've started on the next project and I'll soon be starting, in parallel, on yet another. with two more soon after that if I can still squeeze some hours into the day (and night). All for the US scene.

Have a great Festive Season and all the best for 2016

I hope the same for you and yours,



Mike

[JohnS]

Mike you have defiantly raised the bar to an amazing level of realism. I love running the conny and the FEF. I'm excited to see the next Smokebox creation!

[mrennie]

Mike you have defiantly raised the bar to an amazing level of realism. I love running the conny and the FEF. I'm excited to see the next Smokebox creation!

Thanks very much John

The next projects are very exciting - more news about those next year sometime.

[TheTeenageFoamer]

Many thanks for your continued love of your creations and for makling the US scene of TS what it is, cos it would look VERY different without your sterling efforts.

Waiting now to watch the genisys of your next creation

Thanks Grant, I appreciate that

I've started on the next project and I'll soon be starting, in parallel, on yet another. with two more soon after that if I can still squeeze some hours into the day (and night). All for the US scene.

Can we maybe have a little hint to what it is I love your work, some of the best work I've ever seen for TS I think

[mrennie]

Many thanks for your continued love of your creations and for makling the US scene of TS what it is, cos it would look VERY different without your sterling efforts.

Waiting now to watch the genisys of your next creation

Thanks Grant, I appreciate that

I've started on the next project and I'll soon be starting, in parallel, on yet another. with two more soon after that if I can still squeeze some hours into the day (and night). All for the US scene.

Can we maybe have a little hint to what it is I love your work, some of the best work I've ever seen for TS I think

No hints just yet, except to say that it's American steam.

[TheTeenageFoamer]

Many thanks for your continued love of your creations and for makling the US scene of TS what it is, cos it would look VERY different without your sterling efforts.

Waiting now to watch the genisys of your next creation

Thanks Grant, I appreciate that

I've started on the next project and I'll soon be starting, in parallel, on yet another. with two more soon after that if I can still squeeze some hours into the day (and night). All for the US scene.

Can we maybe have a little hint to what it is I love your work, some of the best work I've ever seen for TS I think

No hints just yet, except to say that it's American steam.

Ooh American steam, my favorite I'm sure I'll end up buying when it comes out

[ozinoz]

Not 1, not 2 but 4 new US steam projects

What a great time to be train simming...

[ErikGorbiHamilton]

!*drool*!

Not 1, not 2 but 4 new US steam projects

What a great time to be train simming...

I can hope for a 2-8-2, 4-8-2, 4-6-2, and a 2-6-0!

[TheTeenageFoamer]

!*drool*!

Not 1, not 2 but 4 new US steam projects

What a great time to be train simming...

I can hope for a 2-8-2, 4-8-2, 4-6-2, and a 2-6-0!

If a 2-8-2 I hope for a nickel Plate road 587 repaint

[ozinoz]

!*drool*!

Not 1, not 2 but 4 new US steam projects

What a great time to be train simming...

I can hope for a 2-8-2, 4-8-2, 4-6-2, and a 2-6-0!

As important and as the prospect seems, they need somewhere apropriate to run. Steam on modern traction routes just does not cut it. Maybe its a fleet of New Haven steam for Michael & Bob's VNHRR (I say tongue in cheek as I know that is not West Coast)