A sort of 1890s version of the "CEO's pet project". But in many ways it was an admirable period, a time of engineering curiosity and ingenuity, before the dreary weight of "purely for profit" made itself felt.
Everyone was experimenting really, as the steam era was full of technological advancement, and then we hit the diesel, a design so basic we have basically little to contribute now in terms of something ingenious.
An early CSX coal train is led by a variety of locomotives in a variety of paint schemes. A New Brunswick Southern SD70M-2 leads a Pan Am Railways freight northbound A Kansas City Southern SD70MAC and Union Pacific C44-9W lead an empty coal train bound for the Powder River Basin. A pair of CSX C40-8Ws lead elephant style on a manifest train. A CSX AC44CW and SD70MAC lead an autorack train full of cars bound for southeastern car dealers
A new EMR Intercity liveried Class 180 powers through East Midlands Parkway Station under tthe shadow of the Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station cooling towers.
Another new kettle courtesy of the Caledonian Works guys - The GWR 3000 / LNER GCR 8K Loving It .........................
I broke down and bought the GCR class 8K during CW's recent sale. It is indeed a fine loco. Here's mine, in GWR Green Livery, climbing out of Kingswear on its maiden voyage:
Couldn't agree more it is a cracking piece of kit. I also raided BMG for this Rebuilt Merchant Navy Class.
A Bevvy of BMG beauties on parade. (L-R) Black 5, Rebuilt Light Pacific, Jubilee Class, Rebuilt Merchant Navy, Rebuilt Royal Scot, Rebuilt Patriot.
1) An Amtrak P42DC duo takes a Southwest Chief through Cajon Pass 2) A trio of DB 151s rest between assignments at Finnentrop 3) An NJT GP40PH-2B works under the wires on the North Jersey Coast Line 4) An ALCO RS-11 duo traverses the Pennsylvanian hillsides with a manifest for nearby townships 5) A Western Pacific U30B awaits a clear signal with its string of boxcars
Was aiming more for a children's book page. But yeah, came out a bit like a postcard. Dagnabit and tarnation! I'm gonna have to go back and fix that. EDIT: Fixed. While I was at it, I adjusted the proportions to be a bit better.
At Hastings, I'm not the only one getting a cheeky snap of a pair of CEPs as some slightly concerning storm clouds start to roll in. Tyseley's unparalleled Castle, no. 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe pauses at Liskeard on a railtour. Half an hour later, she rumbles across Brunel's masterpiece and leaves the Duchy.
1) Union Pacific SD70M and ES44ACs lead an autorack on the #3 track on a hazy fall morning 2) Union Pacific GP35-DD35 quartet crossing valleys with its manifest 3) A blue-grey BR 101 enters the tunnel shortly after Petersfield towards Portsmouth 4) NJ Transit GP40PH-2B sprints down the Northeast Corridor towards distant Bay Head, nearing Elizabeth 5) Pennsylvania Railroad's Alco RS-11 duo descends from a mountain pass with a manifest
Conwy valley route: the first time I played it in the Spring season and I got to tell you - it looks much better in Summer.
Maerdy in snow. A rainy version of pretty much the same image can be found in this weeks competition thread
NOTE: I know this is a primarily frieght engine, but wanted to have some fun with these SSS coaches I bought in the last sale.
I have had a week trying to master these DT kettles, challenging but very rewarding. Digital Traction LNER N2 + Quad Art Coaches Digital Traction 2MT Digital Traction GWR Dean Goods Digital Traction L&Y A Class
And to finish my kettle challenge week ....... Take everything you know about driving steam locos and then reverse it. Welcome to the Mesh Tools LNWR G2. The reverser & regulator keys are opposite to every other loco on TS Talk about a challenge:- Key Features Accurate regulator and reverser operation Regulator that can freely move, sometimes even shut itself! Braking can cause the wheels to lock up, and is less effective at higher speeds Realistic Brake fade effect Water level gauge glass simulation Overfilling the boiler can cause carry over Gravity and steam-powered, front and rear, finite sanding Advanced adhesion simulation
1) GE P42DC in Amtrak Phase V Blue-Grey descends westbound with its hereabouts unusual consist from Cajon Pass summit 2) Class 43 HST in BR Blue-White speeding from London towards Peterborough 3) Class 55 in BR Blue about halfway of its journey with a fast passenger service from Peterborough to London Kings Cross 4) Class 33 in Engineering Dutch takes a loaded consist of Sealions to Grangemouth 5) Class 33 in EWS Maroon takes a string of PCA hoppers from Carlisle to Settle, overlooking the valleys (Repost of the weekly)
A UK Bank Holiday meant a long weekend with an extra day off work. Decided to spend it in an office ....... In Advance mode this Mesh Tools 3F 0-6-0 Jinty is incredible. Not for the novice or those that like an out of cab ride, but as a driver challenge, this is up there with the best. Must admit the very detailed manual was accessed at regular intervals, but managed to make it from Stranraer to Newton Stewart without blowing it up.
I've been messing around on my backdated version of the Bedford Junction Branch as of late and seeing how it looks as a Pennsylvania Railroad line. Here's a few shots of some yard activity at the Bedford Junction Yard and Roundhouse. And here's a color shot of a mixed freight rolling through the Diamond/Interchange near Mitchell. (Ignore the fact that the depot says Adkins)
Don't you just love a sale, this DT "Double Johnson" Spinner with coaches for less than £5 and this cracking GWR 3300 Bulldog for £2 and finished with this beautiful LMS Compound 4-4-0 + coaches for £3.20
I own the Bulldog. It's a winner for sure! I too took advantage of DT's sale. Here's one of my two purchases, a GWR "Dukedog" on Western Branch Lines (Steam Workshop Route): My chief gripe with the Dukedog is that whoever made this for DT gave it only the two traditional out-the-front-window cameras. No custom cab 'lean-outs'. That's always a demerit for me. Sometimes a lease-breaker. However, the sales price made it an acceptable buy for me, and lean-outs aside it's quite a nice loco. I captured footage of the drive seen above. Some baffling screwiness occurred near one of the line's stations that might keep me from creating a YT video from it, depending on if I can edit out the screwiness without ruining continuity.
Totally with you on that one. Ever since I got into steam locos, I think my first was the BMG Royal Scot, I found the 'Lean Out' view the perfect way to drive, but as you say for the price paid for these DT sale dudes, can't really complain too hard, certainly tick the box for stunning eye candy on any route.
So many (great) steam shots, I'm almost happy I bring something else 1) A DB BR 442 (Talent 2) on an early morning Trier to Koblenz stopping service 2) A PRR GP7 takes a long passenger train to Johnstown while my RS-11 works the branch behind us on the other side 3) An Amtrak P42DC enjoys a pretty Summer day on the Pacific Surfliner 4) A BR Blue Class 101 runs between Settle and Carlisle during historic times 5) EWS 33030 takes a short railtour from Settle towards Carlisle
Some from me the lovely ATS Cambridge to Peterborough Route with Class 37 and Class 66 doing some freight services
Time for my weekly! (Also, skipping this next weekend as I'll be on holidays.) 1) Class 33 in NSE Revised livery works the PDL on a Summer afternoon 2) Class 67 with a short Royal Train meets a Class 365 while speeding on the East Coast Main Line 3) A BR 442 on the Semmeringbahn 4) A BR 189 duo takes hoppers across the picturesque Mosel Valley 5) A BR 628-928 set on its local service to Traben-Trarbach during an early Autumn snow shower
Have been playing with reflections for this weeks unofficial screenshot comp ..... https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/unofficial-screenshot-competition-week-24.45101/ Chuffed to bits with this one, possibly the best screenshot I have taken.
Thank you Love the Autumn, heat is my enemy and this has the best colors as well. The next month. Nice reflections shots. The last one is certainly deserving a Michelangelo award.