'Victorian Lad', the owner and chief creator of the very proficient Caledonia Works is almost done with his LNER A4 Class express 4-6-2 streamlined passenger locomotive. And it is a beauty to behold. About 40 other variations have been created, spanning the whole life of these iconic locomotives. Check the progress out on GAD's Discord.
Streaks have been available for some time. Both DTG and JT have made versions And one is included with the Fife Circle pack
The Just Trains version was one of my first purchases for Train Sim many years ago, and sadly is rather dated looking now. The RSC/DTG pack includes only the six preserved examples of the class IIRC.
Caledonia Works stuff is AWESOME. I love the both popular and obscure steam locomotives they cover in their DLC. The only reason I don’t own their stuff is that I’m rarely ever a Quick Drive player; I usually only like to play scenarios as they give you direct instructions (usually) based off a real life situation. Quick Drive is too indirect to me and sometimes I don’t know what I’m doing is close to authentic or not. Anyway to get to the point CW rarely ever sells their DLC with scenarios for routes it seems; which puts me off from buying them unfortunately. If they did I would love to get lots of their steam locos! I would especially love to see them do a DLC for the LMS Coronation Class; specifically the streamlined variants. I absolutely love those things; especially the one in the LMS Streamlined Blue livery a few of them wore. All we have in TSC for these at the moment is very old Just Trains DLC; and a DTG DLC that only portrays the preserved example ‘6229’ ‘Duchess of Hamilton’.
I don't have much Caledonian Works content, but I'm very pleased with what I do have. The LMS Princess Royal has become a favourite of mine very quickly, though I do think the point about the lack of scenarios is valid.
I have never even heard of a "Big Lizzie", but here is a list of their intended projects: https://caledoniaworks.com/future-dlc/ J
I have their A3 pack. My immediate thought is that the locos are nicely modelled, but they seem to be poor steamers, though this could be because I need to read the manual more and get more practice.
The "Coronation/Duchess" class were originally referred to as Big Lizzies as they were a development of the Princess Elizabeth class.
I can't see it in that list under any name. I have never heard of a A4s described as Streaks either. Caledonia Works don't seem to be using that word. I'm obviously not privy to enthusiast-speak. John
If the A3 is anything like the Princess Royal, you have to allow the firebox to warm up a little before starting. Also, unlike most TSC models, the dampers are off initially.
According to his latest postings on GAD's Discord, Victorian Lad has to back off a little from his Caledonia Works. Personal life comes first and although CW seems to be his main source of income, life's other demands take preference.
What does this actually offer over the DTG effort? Caledonian Works tend to not really go above what the later DTG steam locos offer.
Significantly better modelling, textures, sounds, and functionality. While the older CW locos weren't great beyond visuals, their recent releases including the A3 are top of the line steam trains in TS. Not to the standard of MeshTools, Victory Works or Bossman Games, but still very good.
For me, ability to set correct headlamps and a full range of names on their more recent more models are good selling points. J
From the looks of things this will represent the full class with liveries from throughout their working lives and into preservation. The DTG version is a very fine model but only represents the six preserved members of the class. I would expect them to have a bit more functionality in terms of the driving experience too.
When I was standing on the South end of the down (island) platform at Grantham in the summer of '61 (I was 13) you could see a streak (A4) at the top of the rise as the sun shone on the areas below the chimney. It was a unique sight and they were always called streaks then. Later folks got older and more posh and called them A4s.
Superior model and physics More accurate simulation (steam chest simulation for example) All members of the class and all liveries Better sounds by default Far better texturework Detail variations between class members and time periods (valances, speed recorder, sunken buffers, multiple chimney variants and more) Also a massive variety of headboards and selectable lamp codes for ai
The same things the A4 does over the ancient DTG version. Better in every way. Plus, it isn't just a Flying Scotsman pack. Every A3 is represented, and there is an upcoming A1 pack too.
Not sure I understand. Why would you be interested in any product if you didn't want to drive that particular type of train?
If you are talking about the A4 it has not been released but you know it will be good based on other peoples opinions? If you are not interested in the product why bother?
As a kid living almost next to the engine shed at Grantham on the ECML, I can confirm that the A4s were always referred to as 'Streaks'. When I was trainspotting in the late 1950s and early 1960's, the A4s where the 'rock-stars' of the era. They generated a frisson of excitement as the first kid to spot an approaching A4-hauled express at speed would yell out 'Streak!' to us others... Happy Days!!
It's out, £23. A fair price I think. I'm planning to get it in the next few days - has anyone else here got it yet? How good is it?
Got mine, now looking for a LNER-era appropriate route Here is the manual for your perusal and the QD demands
Seven types of whistles is a very nice thing to have. No doubt I'll be trying all of them to find my favourite one.
There is a common misconception that all A4s had the corridor tender especially in BR days. The Gateshead A4s never had a corridor tender fitted during service days (of the preserved engines 60019 was always a Gateshead (or Heaton) loco). Not all of the Kings Cross engines had them all of the time. Kings X used to swop tenders such that those in best nick had the corridor tender so that they were ready to be used on the non-stop Elizabethan service - those not with corridors were used mainly on the Newcastle and Leeds services (usually with an engine change at Grantham). I think that all of the Haymarket engines had corridor tenders until 1965/66 when there was a mass exodus from English sheds and those still serviceable were sent to Glasgow Eastfield and Aberdeen Ferryhill. During that period A4s were seen on shed minus tender or with any tender that still functioned and didn't need money spent on them! Hope this helps.
Streaks, Peaks, Rats / Spluts, Spoons, Hymeks, Warships, Choppers... just love the nicknames you've given your locos...
Duck 6 (Fowler 4F) Duck 8 (exLNWR G2A), DubDee (WD 2-8-0), Semi (Duchess) we talked a different language then. The "Duck" was because of the pronounced waddle at any speed over 20mph.
"Sheds" Class 66 are ruling the British rails, "Tractors" Class 37 are still in service Regarding the "Streaks", is there a LNER/BR(E) era route with a turntable and many stalls, to pose a large portion of the fleet?
Weardale? Specifically Darlington, though I don't remember off hand if there's a turntable there (must be, surely?). Neil Cunningham's Cambridge and ECML should have a suitable location.
Perhaps I'll change the other six. One could be an lift beep, another could be James May saying 'bother', and one could be the scream from the Spirit of Halloween train. Newcastle to York may have one, although I don't recommend spending any time on that route if you value the gift of sight.
Just wondering if anybody with experience of this locomotive can confirm the AWS bell works correctly? I haven't managed to get it working on any earlier AWS-fitted locomotives produced by this developer. John
My experience is limited to the Princess Royal loco, but in that case I have found that the bell for clear does not sound, but the buzzer for caution does. I had assumed that to be by design, but it was only an assumption on my part.
Thanks, Steve, that is my experience with a number of locomotives from this developer - I am comforted it isn't just me. Even if "by design" it isn't true to prototype. I have repeatedly tried to contact Caledonia Works about this over time, but never had a response. I'm in no rush to buy this A4 if they haven't put this right. John
CW seem to not like responding to any support requests. Ive tried multiple times to contact them, only to be greeted with radio silence. Shame as their products look quite good, but i am not going to hand over my money to someone that doesnt provide support.
