Light at the end of the tunnel

[tuna1957]

just keeps getting better

[Bryan K]

Absolutely amazing, stunning detail.

How many hours have put into this already?

[LA_RR_Architect]

Hello,

Thanks one and all for looking and for your comments.

These things have become something of a hobby for me. Originally intended as simple entourage or background for models of historic railway buildings, these railroad pieces have grown into a project on their own.

I certainly put a fair amount of research into them but don't think they quite rise to the level of museum pieces yet.

This is definitely my most complicated locomotive to date. I suspect the project will take a couple weeks of on and off effort.

...but thanks for looking and for the encouragement.

Jim

[LA_RR_Architect]

I've made a bit more progress at the front and around the cab where the gap between cab and tender is gradually being filled. At the front we now have a bell and headlight to complement the whistle. Added a good sprinkling of bolts and rivets as well.

Hope you enjoy... the process is fun but I'm afraid a bit slow.

Jim

[ely862me]

Gotta' love it !

[Bryan K]

Weeks? This would take me months! My most complicated projects take me an average of 180+ hours.

It's why I don't post a lot.

[LA_RR_Architect]

Hello Guys, thanks for the encouragement.

Last couple days I've started adding the final few systems... I'm down to brakes and the power reverse gear, then it's piping, handrails and finishing up. With luck another week has the modeling phase done then I can look at a bit of rendering. I'll post more in a day or so when the progress is enough to see the difference.

Jim

[LA_RR_Architect]

Hi,

With luck, the final update before completion. I'm still missing the brake system and a fair amount of plumbing but otherwise, all major systems (external only) are represented.

I've added a fair amount of detail, but as the grain gets smaller, it is a bit hard to see.

With luck the modeling portion of the effort will be done this week.

So again, without further ado, the pictures...

Enjoy, and as usual comments and suggestions are appreciated.

Jim

[Bryan K]

I'm going to have to take your word that brakes and some piping are missing, because I would never notice in a million years.

Excellent model. Astonishing detail. Are you going to render it?

[LA_RR_Architect]

That's the thing about these machines... a huge part of the detail is hanging on the outside. The challenge is figuring out how to represent the important bits and what can be left out (there is a lot that's been simplified or omitted) and to still get a realistic model in the end.

Yes, I'll render it in a bit. I have a couple location models where it will fit nicely.

Thanks for the encouragement.

Jim

[LA_RR_Architect]

Fellow SU fans.

It's my pleasure (or relief) to announce that the white phase of my locomotive is done.

Perhaps more accurately, I've decided to stop embellishing the model as I can certainly find many additional features to add or refine.

The craziness needs to end somewhere.

Next will be a thin veneer of color and texture. Afterall, in the end, it's mostly black.

Here's how she looks now...

Hope you all enjoy...

Jim

[tuna1957]

Simply amazing work !

[LA_RR_Architect]

Hello Tuna... thanks for the comment. Been staring at the screen long enough... maybe I'll head to the beach.

Here she is in color.

These are generally the correct colors but not exactly what I want. The colors and textures assigned here will be used to set up renderings in a bit.

...still, looks pretty much like a locomotive...

More once the renders begin to come in.

Jim

[alvis]

[Daniel]

Incredible bit of modeling.

[LA_RR_Architect]

Hey everybody, thanks for looking and for the encouragement!

Here are a couple of my first rendering "rushes"

And here's how the B & M 4115 fits into my growing fleet of railroad rolling stock models...

She's definitely the biggest and most complex to date.

I hope you enjoy

Jim

[deaneau]

Jim, really awesome work. next project the Big Boy?

[LA_RR_Architect]

Hi,

Thanks for the comments.

Next project? Too many choices.

I hadn't thought the Big Boy possible, but maybe...

And if that, well, I'm a bit of a Pennsylvania fan... perhaps if I can find drawings a T1 or even a GG1 - that would be a change. Then again perhaps an SP cab forward or a DMIR Yellowstone.

I'm also on the look out for plans for a refrigerator car and a flat car and as always, interesting railroad structures.

Too many choices, too little time.

I'll leave you with a final image for now. This is generally what I build these models for.

Then again, I think my laptop is dying... maybe a new computer first.

Jim

[deaneau]

hi jim could be its the right what you are looking for.

about Big Boy. i was joking

what render engine you´re use?

(www.nwhs.org)

or this on

http://sarplans.steam4me.net/

on this site i have found only a 4 wheel refrigerator car

some times you can find anything on model rail road pages, too.

[LA_RR_Architect]

Hi, thanks for the suggestions...

about Big Boy. i was joking

• I understood that it was a joke, but then I got to thinking. Modeling a Big Boy would be only a bit more complicated than the B&M 4-8-2. Since the Big Boy is a 4-8-8-4, the two gangs of cylinders, rods and driving wheels are copies of each other. The model would be bigger but all I would really need to add is the extra pair of wheels in the trailing truck and a bit more piping. As an added bonus, the centipede tender used on the B&M locomotive is nearly identical to that used on the Big Boy.

what render engine you´re use?

A few years ago I bought AutoCAD and Revit licenses. 3D Max came with them... so that's what I use. Like all AutoDesk products it's too big and bulky but produces pretty good results.

*https://www.nwhs.org/archivesdb/selectd ... x=co&id=69

or this on

http://sarplans.steam4me.net/

on this site i have found only a 4 wheel refrigerator car

some times you can find anything on model rail road pages, too.*

Thanks for the pointers to on-line drawings... Right now my problem is getting on top of the failing graphics card in my lap top. Once that's beaten, I can look at more modeling.

...and by the way, those were two pretty nice water colors!