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

[mrennie]

There's a new video on facebook showing the various cab controls being twiddled.

[ozinoz]

Words fail me. Its like trying to describe the Mona Lisa.

Phenomenal...

[mrennie]

Words fail me. Its like trying to describe the Mona Lisa.

Phenomenal...

[ozinoz]

In my eyes at least, they were a better looking beast without the smoke lifters. That will be a great option.

A truly wonderful job....

[mrennie]

In my eyes at least, they were a better looking beast without the smoke lifters. That will be a great option.

A truly wonderful job....

Thanks Oz

By the way, I accidentally deleted the compressor exhaust pipes (they're missing in those screenshots) - I only noticed it when the wind wings were removed

[bpetit]

Latest image

gauge light 844.jpg

[mrennie]

Thats,. Just. Amazing.

Great work!!!

Right now, I'm working on all the electrical cabling, junction boxes, switches, cab lights etc. on the cab ceiling and rear inside wall. I'll have some more screenshots soon.

[UP3985]

You use what version of 3DC?

[bpetit]

10313080_286772341484748_365885334549504653_n.jpg

[mrennie]

You use what version of 3DC?

Version 9.2.2. (Build 1546), Pro edition.

[mrennie]

I've just about finished the modern equipment for the cab:

2014-05-24_00001.jpg

2014-05-24_00002.jpg

[Ericmopar]

Looks great Mike.
I'm waiting patiently.
In the mean time, I've been playing with the RW&A.

[mrennie]

Here's a selection of screenies showing the displays that are implemented on the Head Of Train device.

The first one is the acceleration/deceleration in MPH per second (I find this one particularly useful):

2014-05-28_00006.jpg

You can also see the pressure in the train line.

The next one shows the length of the consist (in feet):

2014-05-28_00008.jpg

Lastly, there's a test button to check the displays (not all of them yet):

2014-05-28_00009.jpg

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Nice work, those read outs. Are the values taken from the sim proper or calculated/guesstimated by a script?

Will it also simulate a EOTD or provide some info on the m.u-ed Diesels that usually are in the excursion consist for protection? Operating steam and Diesel locomotives in Railworks simultaneously is a bit awkward as the steam locomotive's analogue throttle setting and reverser position don't correspond with the Diesel's discrete digital notches.
Perhaps a clever script can pass control messages to m.u.-ed Diesels independent of the steam locomotive?

Does the FEF still have the original ALCO Valve Pilot? An instrument to measure cylinder pressure/steam chest (back-) pressure and showing the resulting efficiency of steam's expansive properties?
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?10,1893740 tells the instruments were a little troublesome.
http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=91&t=69855&start=15 this thread says the Valve Pilot had a recorder inside, much like a speed recorder. Were the recordings analysed and for what purpose?

[mrennie]

Nice work, those read outs. Are the values taken from the sim proper or calculated/guesstimated by a script?

Will it also simulate a EOTD or provide some info on the m.u-ed Diesels that usually are in the excursion consist for protection? Operating steam and Diesel locomotives in Railworks simultaneously is a bit awkward as the steam locomotive's analogue throttle setting and reverser position don't correspond with the Diesel's discrete digital notches.
Perhaps a clever script can pass control messages to m.u.-ed Diesels independent of the steam locomotive?

Does the FEF still have the original ALCO Valve Pilot? An instrument to measure cylinder pressure/steam chest pressure and showing the resulting efficiency of steam's expansive properties?

The distance and acceleration values come directly from LUA functions that give visibility of internal core code variables, but there's quite a bit of scripting to format the values into what you see on the readouts. The pressure value is taken from the "AirBrakePipePressurePSI" control value, but I implemented a delay that is directly proportional to the length of the consist, so that the value on the readout takes some time to change w.r.t. the reading on the brake gauges - this simulates the value on the readout coming from the EOTD (FRED) at the rear of the train, assuming that the air pressure changes propagate at 920 feet per second.

The HOT/HTD/Wilma doesn't give information from the m.u.-ed diesel, but from the FRED (via a radio comms link that can also be tested with the "Communications Test" button on the right). However, there is a working MU controller that will work with a specially scripted diesel. When you select the notch on the MU control box, you hear the sound of the diesel behind you changing notch accordingly.

The FEF-3 has a back pressure gauge that shows back pressure and (when the throttle is closed) vacuum in the cylinders - it's much more useful than a steam chest pressure gauge.