Cargo weight revamping
Re: Cargo weight revamping
Ah yes. I though it might have been something like that. Cool.
Gumbootz Lokomotivfabrik und Bierkeller
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
Re: Cargo weight revamping
I've been thinking about the express cars. I want to get on with the Latvia map, and the current express car set defaults to PopTop models and skins in 1925. This is no good, and bugs me when playing Latvia, so I gotta fix them.
I had been planning on nicking an old B&O livery for the E era just because I like it, but after thinking about it some more I've realised it doesn't fit with most locomotive colour schemes. It's a cool livery, but it really needs a matching loco to look right.
So, I reckon the best option is to use a variation of the classic "Tuscan red with gold lining" colour scheme that was used for pax coaches by umpteen companies. PRR and N&W were examples from the US, NSWGR used it in Australia, and some UK companies had similar schemes. I'm sure there were examples from other countries too. It's a practical livery that will survive railway crud and still look ok, and it was easy to do with durable old pigments back in the day. It also has the advantage of looking pretty good no matter which locomotive you throw in front of it, and it will make a good progression from the similar colour scheme of the B to D era coaches.
I had been planning on nicking an old B&O livery for the E era just because I like it, but after thinking about it some more I've realised it doesn't fit with most locomotive colour schemes. It's a cool livery, but it really needs a matching loco to look right.
So, I reckon the best option is to use a variation of the classic "Tuscan red with gold lining" colour scheme that was used for pax coaches by umpteen companies. PRR and N&W were examples from the US, NSWGR used it in Australia, and some UK companies had similar schemes. I'm sure there were examples from other countries too. It's a practical livery that will survive railway crud and still look ok, and it was easy to do with durable old pigments back in the day. It also has the advantage of looking pretty good no matter which locomotive you throw in front of it, and it will make a good progression from the similar colour scheme of the B to D era coaches.
Gumbootz Lokomotivfabrik und Bierkeller
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
Re: Cargo weight revamping
You can never go wrong with PRR livery.
Re: Cargo weight revamping
Ok, I think I've changed my mind again. 
I was messing around in Photoshop and Blender, and came up with an express car colour scheme that I really like. This kinda fits the 1925-1950 period pretty well, since greyish express cars were used by quite a few companies in that period. The dining car looks like this when running in the game.
It seems to go pretty well with most locomotives in the game, and looks good as a full consist in Blender, so I'll get the pax and mail cars running next. I'll eventually get around to doing something else for the late 20th and the 21st century cars (G and H eras), but I think this scheme will do for getting the last four express eras running with proper models.
I was messing around in Photoshop and Blender, and came up with an express car colour scheme that I really like. This kinda fits the 1925-1950 period pretty well, since greyish express cars were used by quite a few companies in that period. The dining car looks like this when running in the game.
It seems to go pretty well with most locomotives in the game, and looks good as a full consist in Blender, so I'll get the pax and mail cars running next. I'll eventually get around to doing something else for the late 20th and the 21st century cars (G and H eras), but I think this scheme will do for getting the last four express eras running with proper models.
Gumbootz Lokomotivfabrik und Bierkeller
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
Re: Cargo weight revamping
Got them detailed up a bit more, with doors and some end framing, etc.
Shots show the F era (1950-1974) Passengers and Mail cars, along with an alternative blue livery for the dining car. The blue livery is very close to the post-WW2 Baltimore & Ohio livery. I kinda like it, so the current plan is to use the grey for the E era and the blue for the F era. They're easy to change anyway. I have three PSD's set up for mail, pax and dining cars, and these can do either the F or E eras, and changing the livery is just a matter of switching a few layers on or off.
Not sure what I'll do for the G era. Possibly corrugated stainless steel. It's not one of my favourite looks, but it's not hard to do and would fit the late 20th century pretty well.
Edit: OK, not corrugated stainless. Tried a few things, and I can't get it to look good in DDS format. Will use something else.
Shots show the F era (1950-1974) Passengers and Mail cars, along with an alternative blue livery for the dining car. The blue livery is very close to the post-WW2 Baltimore & Ohio livery. I kinda like it, so the current plan is to use the grey for the E era and the blue for the F era. They're easy to change anyway. I have three PSD's set up for mail, pax and dining cars, and these can do either the F or E eras, and changing the livery is just a matter of switching a few layers on or off.
Not sure what I'll do for the G era. Possibly corrugated stainless steel. It's not one of my favourite looks, but it's not hard to do and would fit the late 20th century pretty well.
Edit: OK, not corrugated stainless. Tried a few things, and I can't get it to look good in DDS format. Will use something else.
Gumbootz Lokomotivfabrik und Bierkeller
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
Re: Cargo weight revamping
Ok, back to making trucks again. Same deal as with the Andrews and Bettendorf ones. No point grumbling about the lack of trucks I want. Might as well make them and save on grumbling. These are N&W T56 units, a basic pre-WW2 8 foot wheelbase express truck. Pretty similar to lots of others, and I found a drawing of these, so they'll do for a generic set. Still need more detailing or course, but are shaping up well with not a lot of work. 
Edit: Made some more progress. Should be ready for use soon.
Edit: Made some more progress. Should be ready for use soon.
Gumbootz Lokomotivfabrik und Bierkeller
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
Re: Cargo weight revamping
Hmm. Chucked them on the model in Blender and they look pretty good. Only real catch is the brakes. They really need an extra layer to bring them in next to the wheels. Not a big deal to sort that, so I'll take a look at it.
Gumbootz Lokomotivfabrik und Bierkeller
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
Re: Cargo weight revamping
Got 'em done. The brakes and other bits now look right from just about any angle. 
I have decided that making trucks is kinda fun. I've got my Photoshop skills sorted to the point where I can whip up skinning for just about any truck without much trouble.
I have decided that making trucks is kinda fun. I've got my Photoshop skills sorted to the point where I can whip up skinning for just about any truck without much trouble.
Gumbootz Lokomotivfabrik und Bierkeller
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
Re: Cargo weight revamping
Got the ones for the F era (and later) sorted. These are longer wheelbase (9 feet instead of 8 feet) with various nifty doohickeys. Some of this style are still in service for various things (rebuilt Budd cars, etc) so they'll do for the remaining eras for the moment. They look kinda cool too.
I didn't go full-on Photoshoppery with these. I was lucky enough to find a really good high-res profile shot, which once rendered out of the background and scaled down is good enough to use. So I'll use it.
I didn't go full-on Photoshoppery with these. I was lucky enough to find a really good high-res profile shot, which once rendered out of the background and scaled down is good enough to use. So I'll use it.
Gumbootz Lokomotivfabrik und Bierkeller
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
Re: Cargo weight revamping
A bit more progress.
The dining car is actually the same length as the pax cars, but looks shorter in the shot due to the tail end curving away from the viewpoint. The mesh is the same for both eras, except that the F era mesh is 12 units longer (10 feet at full scale). Scale body lengths are 72 feet for E era and 82 feet for F era, which is about right.
The models set up so that the same PSD can be used for both eras. The majority of the pax and dining car layers are the same (different at the rear end, obviously). This should make for easy changes of livery or style.
Oh yeah and the mail cars now have the proper mail bag hooks on the doors. I always wondered what they were, but hadn't checked before.
The dining car is actually the same length as the pax cars, but looks shorter in the shot due to the tail end curving away from the viewpoint. The mesh is the same for both eras, except that the F era mesh is 12 units longer (10 feet at full scale). Scale body lengths are 72 feet for E era and 82 feet for F era, which is about right.
The models set up so that the same PSD can be used for both eras. The majority of the pax and dining car layers are the same (different at the rear end, obviously). This should make for easy changes of livery or style.
Oh yeah and the mail cars now have the proper mail bag hooks on the doors. I always wondered what they were, but hadn't checked before.
Gumbootz Lokomotivfabrik und Bierkeller
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set
LMR Samson 0-4-0 - Pennsy H3 Consolidation - Custom double tank cars set