Andy's Workshop

Thanks for your help Ged. I believe I have the correct Blue Tinge now in the centre of the disc???



Oh and something else I am working on for a long way down the line; Can anyone guess what it will be???



Cheers

Andy

Hi Andy,
Could it be a 4 Vep Emu
Mike

mikehendle wrote:Hi Andy,
Could it be a 4 Vep Emu
Mike

Hi Mike,
It's not I'm afraid..... Think of wooden looking 4 car unit that is currently around the Dorset/Hampshire way currently....   
Cheers
Andy

Wouldn't be a VEP, Mike, too few doors.

I'd guess myself at a 4TC, perhaps unit 428.

Hi Niall,

Yep it is going to be a 4TC Unit. It's going to be that of the one that is used with Sarah Siddons on the London Underground/Above-Ground. I am currently away from my Laptop, so I can't show what I did to the texture files in the early hours of this morning..... But some more work has been done and I plan on making a good start on this soon. It's just a case of getting a wooden texture file together to put across the BMP file....
Anyway the list is as follows of my work I am working on so far to date;

Act - Clanline on the VSOE Luncheon around the Surrey Hills.
Models - Merchant Navy Pacifics to finish off - 2/3 left to do.
Class 144 Unit
444 Desiro
4TC Unit

Cheers

Andy

Yay, I was right!

The markings around the cab were the giveaway.

Your LT liveried 4TC is a combination of coaches from different units Andy
DTSO 76324 is ex 8028
TFK 71163 is ex 8030
TBSK 70824 is ex 8013
DTSO 76297 is ex 8015
These were eventualy formed into 6 REP units which contained a single REP power car, which was formed in the middle of the sets.
There were five of these combinations, four in service and one spare.
They worked the 1730 M-F Waterloo Bournemouth/Fareham dividing at Eastleigh.
1756 M-F Waterloo Bournemouth/Portsmouth Harbour also dividing at Eastleigh.
The corosponding up workings were a 0630 Bournemouth Waterloo and 0750 Eastleigh Waterloo.
They did not last long, eight TC coaches being sold to London Transport.
Cheers
Andy

Hi everyone,
Today I have spent a bit of time on the start of the 4TC Set (LT). Here it is so far;



A bit of work to do to the cab front of the unit and also to the Underframe. But at least it is a workable unit.   

Cheers

Andy

Hi Andy.
Looking absolutly great(apart from the livery) must admit I perfered the LT red.
I did a lot of work on those sets during the mid to late seventies and through the eighties both with 4Rep units and
Push Pull class 33/1s, At Eastleigh we had an hourly Portsmouth Harbour to Reading Sunday service.
So they are close to my heart, If you know what I mean.
Cheers
Andy (recently retired Guard)

Thanks Andy! If you will excuse the Pun; I am well "Chuffed" with you that you finally got there in the end....   
Anyway back to work more texture work has been done to the TC Unit. Loads still left to do!! You might be lucky Andy - I might even treat you to one in Red if you have any pictures?!    
Here is the coach after some more texture work as well as a shot to the cab....





Remember loads of work still left to do...   

Cheers

Andy

Hi Everyone,
Also have just finished off Merchant Navy 35021 'New Zealand Line' today as well....
Looks pretty good if I do say so myself after texturing the Nameplate from scratch!    - Only 2 left do......



Cheers

Andy

35018 'British India Lines' Nameplate and Re-Texture and Renumbering work has now been done as well. Just one more to go!!   



Cheers

Andy

35005CP wrote:You might be lucky Andy - I might even treat you to one in Red if you have any pictures?!    

Sadly not Andy  
But I do have several slides of the last surviving TC units in Blue   My last trip on TC stock was a marathon. We releived
Weymouth men at Oxley carrige sidings and after taking 33116 light to Bescot and back we propelled the two 4TCs 410 and 417
to Welshpool via Cosford and the Shrewsbury avoiding loop to Welshpool ECS and then Welshpool to Shrewsbury and pushed back
via Wolverhampton,Bescot,Coventry, Oxford, Basingstoke and got relief at Eastleigh, the train going onto Weymouth.

Back to the LT set, I was Harmans Cross signalman last Friday during the Diesel Gala and for me, the High light was seeing the
TC being pushed by the Electro Diesel and then 33111.
Cheers
Andy

andrew moody wrote:

35005CP wrote:You might be lucky Andy - I might even treat you to one in Red if you have any pictures?!    

Sadly not Andy  
But I do have several slides of the last surviving TC units in Blue   My last trip on TC stock was a marathon. We releived
Weymouth men at Oxley carrige sidings and after taking 33116 light to Bescot and back we propelled the two 4TCs 410 and 417
to Welshpool via Cosford and the Shrewsbury avoiding loop to Welshpool ECS and then Welshpool to Shrewsbury and pushed back
via Wolverhampton,Bescot,Coventry, Oxford, Basingstoke and got relief at Eastleigh, the train going onto Weymouth.

Back to the LT set, I was Harmans Cross signalman last Friday during the Diesel Gala and for me, the High light was seeing the
TC being pushed by the Electro Diesel and then 33111.
Cheers
Andy

Ths

Hi Andy,
Do you know/remember if it was a maroon or a Red colour on the TC sets? For a Diesel those Cromptons have certainly done their work over the years!!
Cheers
Andy

["][quote="Hi Andy,
Do you know/remember if it was a maroon or a Red colour on the TC sets? For a Diesel those Cromptons have certainly done their work over the years!!
Cheers
Andy[/quote]

Hi Andy.
I am back to having trouble I tryed to send you a Nikon shot of the rear of the TC passing Shawford but it dropped out of the
Host a Image box as soon as it downloaded. This happened three times.
Anyway its Maroon, You actually have it on the end of your DTC you have done today.
Cheers
Andy

Hi everyone,
Not a lot has been done over the weekend. Although I have managed to get the last Merchant Navy done!! Number 35024 'East Asiatic Company' - I now need to package and test them and get a screenshot and do the Readme.... I hope they are okay and that you've all been following it as they have all been done, except 1 that Danny will be doing with his route.   
Here are a few shots of the final one from me.... This has been a bit of a task, but I believe I have got there in the end and achieved what I set out to do;







Cheers

Andy

Hi Andy,

Thank you for all the MN's you have done,now could you do the Lord Nelsons(only joking),they were my favorites after the spam cans.

Mike

Hi everyone,
Ha ha thanks Mike.... Here a few screenshots for the up and coming pack of 13 Merchants;







Enjoy!

Cheers

Andy

Hi everyone,
These Merchants have been tested and packaged and all readme's etc have been completed along with a screenshot ready to post come the beginning of June...  
I've done some Internal work to the 4TC coach today and will be playing around with it to get it right with the texture work most probably tomorrow.
Cheers
Andy

Looking forward to them.

Hi Andy.
If you are doing 4TCs is there any chance of doing a blue version as well please?
I note that both the Blue units 410 and 417 also had the same window bars fitted as the London Transport units.
Looking forward to the Merchant navies as well.
Cheers
Andy

Hi guys,

More progress on the Met 4TC over the past week after re-decorating our place.....

Internal and External view's;





Cheers

Andy

Developing well, and looking good.

rufuskins wrote:Developing well, and looking good.

Yes indeed it is! That interior is as perfect as you are going to get Andy.
I prefered to ride in the TC units because the seating was far more comfortable than the 4Reps.

Cheers
Andy

Thanks Andy,
Do you know why the 4TC's were more comfortable compared to the REP's? Was it down to the ride; as in the springs?
I remember the CEPS, VEPS and CIGS as well and I always found the CIGS more comfortable.... Strange how these units were based on the same design; yet we have our own favourites.
I have done some more work today on the Internal and External work and also made a start on the TFK, but am hoping Justin can have a look at a couple of things.....
For some reason the seating I have done in PolyMaster is wayyyy to high!
This, I think is knocking out the External and Internal Views as far as the walls are concerned.
Anyway a couple of shots to shown what I mean;

You can see straight through the windows and no wall showing; yet this hasn't always been the case;



Internal Walls and Panelling have been done with see-thru windows - Trouble is Walls the other side are missing;



These things are sent to try us I guess.... But I would like to get some things uploaded for MSTS to keep the ole girl alive.... I also have an idea after this.... Trouble is Ideas are good, but best to stick to 1 project at a time first! Get that uploaded and concentrate on the next one.... Still need to resolve the 444 Desiro wrap around to get this one going as well.

Cheers

Andy

35005CP wrote:
Do you know why the 4TC's were more comfortable compared to the REP's? Was it down to the ride; as in the springs?
I remember the CEPS, VEPS and CIGS as well and I always found the CIGS more comfortable.... Strange how these units were based on the same design; yet we have our own favourites.

Quite simply it was the seating, the cushions on the TCs were far deeper than the 4Reps and again the Cigs were far more comfortable
than the Veps and Beps/Ceps.
Cheers
Andy

Hi all,
Here is the other model I am working on to go with my 4TC Unit! It shouldn't be too hard to work out? (I hope???)   



Cheers

Andy

Hi Andy,
London Overground Class 20
Mike

Hi Mike,
I knew someone would get it!!  
It's going to be 20189 and also I will endeavour to do a re-texture for 20227 in the other livery.
I am aiming to do this as a pack.
Cheers
Andy

There ain't no stopping you now! Another good looking model!

Thanks Alec,
Even for this small model there is a lot of work to do - For a starters I need to make the buffers bigger, then there are all the side and Cab Textures and even all the fiddly pipework! I have sent my 4-TC Unit off for further Inspection (Not over the pits as per the norm)
But lets hope I can produce a really Interesting pack available for us MSTS geeks to download! Apologies, not a lot is going to be done this weekend as busy gardening for my Inlaws and nurturing my new David Austin Rose to my collection!   
Cheers
Andy

I've managed to do some re-work on the LT Class 20 most of this evening with reshaping and trying some temporary Re-Textures. A lot of work to do, but gradually getting there. Might even try some of what I have done this evening on the 444 Desiro Unit that is a WIP (work-In-Progress)
I have checked the measurements and they are near enough to the real thing. So here is a shot;



Please ignore that some of it is back to front and that some of the textures aren't yet done on the blue part..... Hard to imagine I know. But I think it goes to show that nothing is straight forward.

Cheers

Andy

35005CP wrote:But I think it goes to show that nothing is straight forward.

Cheers

Andy

Tell me about it!!!!         

Well obviously it is a day for painting and getting textures just right!!
Today I have sanded down the door frames and Undercoated and then on to the glossing and painting the kitchen tomorrow. Also have been working on 20189 with painting and attempting to get the textures near enough right. Have checked the size of the loco up against another Class 20 as well as the 4TC Unit I am doing and it is coming along.... Here is a shot;



Cheers

Andy

Looking good.

Hi all,

The 2nd and Final pack of the finished Merchant Navies have now been uploaded to UKTS; http://members.uktrainsim.com/filelib-info.php?form_fileid=33044 (Currently awaiting approval) In conjunction with June/July is MSTS Month   

Enjoy!

Cheers

Andy

35005CP wrote:Hi all,

The 2nd and Final pack of the finished Merchant Navies have now been uploaded to UKTS; http://members.uktrainsim.com/filelib-info.php?form_fileid=33044 (Currently awaiting approval) In conjunction with June/July is MSTS Month   

Enjoy!

Cheers

Andy

Sadly has not arrived on the UKTS site this morning, but really looking forward to them when they eventually arrive Andy.
I put 35012 and elven of Ian Macmillans Green Bullied Coaches on Rick loaders "Up Speedy" activity on the New Forest route.
My performance was to say the least very disapointing, I was using more steam than I was generating, Had a job to get to 60MPH
at any time and had difficulty braking and indeed stopping, Every even gentle brake application Destroyed all the Vacuum but the train
took ages to slow down.
Im not sure how I am going to fair with Dannys Kent coast route if I cannot do better than this.
Cheers
Andy

Hi Andy,
I haven't got that route installed and I'm not sure of the real name for that activity, but I set up a consist of 35012 and 11 of Ian's new green coaches and run it on the default Settle - Carlisle route.

I had no problem getting up to speed - after 5 mins 69mph with 163psi - 10 mins 76mph with the boiler at 180psi.  It's a case of juggling the regulator and cut-off until you find the best combination - for this run, at this point, mine were 57% regulator and 8% cut-off (Reverser) and I was still accelerating.

Regarding the brakes - you are absolutely correct!!  There aren't any!!!  Sorry, Andy (other one), but the tender has air brakes; the loco has vacuum, as have the coaches.  It's odd that this wasn't picked up during testing??!

Cheers,
Ged

EDIT : To prove everything else is OK, I created a consist using 35012 with 11 of the new MEP coaches - the brakes worked VERY well!! (Yes, I know the couplings don't match, but Conbuilder only gives a warning and doesn't object!)

slipperman12 wrote:Regarding the brakes - you are absolutely correct!!  There aren't any!!!  Sorry, Andy (other one), but the tender has air brakes; the loco has vacuum, as have the coaches.  It's odd that this wasn't picked up during testing??!

Cheers,
Ged

Hi Ged,
I haven't made any changes to the .eng or .wag files. This is Danny's model that I have swapped numbers and nameplates from.
Hope this helps.
With regards to the upload it was rejected as there was an issue during the upload apparently!   - Will endeavour to try either this evening or tomorrow.
Cheers
Andy

Hi Andy,
Yes,
I've just re-checked Danny's original 35005 and you are right, not that I expected anything else

I'm sure I remember reading somewhere, a long time ago, that if a loco had one braking system and its tender, the other one, then both would work. I never got around to checking it out, but from this experience, it would seem to be a fallacy.
As you can see from the edit I made to my post, using air braked stock works perfectly.

Cheers,
Ged

Oh...Dear....Thats rather embarrasing   Probally caused by my late braking approaching Southampton which did not help
by the fact that the "Bobby" had not cleared the Platform one up starter.   thus causing a SPAD  
In fairness I perhaps should have reduced speed a bit sooner but was endevouring to not lose anymore time.  
My boiler pressure remained constant at 163, No matter how I juggled the regulator or cut off I could not get Steam useage
lower than the steam generaration without drastically loosing speed.
Will have a look at altering the tender from Air to Vac and see if that makes any difference.
Cheers
Andy

Update:
Have had a bit of a play
The table below is based on the BATS version of 35005 Can Pacs tender.
I have played with the Max brake force and Max HandbrakeForce, hence the ** shown on each side. these are of course for my own use,Certainly the braking is far more authentic had no problem reducing speed or stopping at Brockenhurst


BrakeEquipmentType ( "Handbrake, Triple_valve, Auxilary_reservoir, Emergency_brake_reservoir" )
BrakeSystemType ( "Air_single_pipe" )
**MaxBrakeForce( 500kN )**

**MaxHandbrakeForce( 500kN )**
NumberOfHandbrakeLeverSteps( 100 )

TripleValveRatio( 2.5 )
MaxReleaseRate( 15 )
MaxApplicationRate( 25 )
MaxAuxilaryChargingRate( 5 )
EmergencyResCapacity( 7 )
EmergencyResChargingRate( 5 )
EmergencyBrakeResMaxPressure( 90 )
BrakeCylinderPressureForMaxBrakeBrakeForce( 50 )

Sound ( "..\\..\\Common.Sound\\Bulleid_LightPacific\\blp-engpas01.sms" )

these are of course for my own use, but thought they might be of help to someone else.
Certainly the braking is far more authentic had no problem reducing speed or stopping at Brockenhurst .
I spent the last 40 years wanting my trains to be able to stop so I guess it has rubbed off in MSTS.
Cheers
Andy

Hi Andy M,
I found that the loco is quite thirsty and it's when the boiler is being replenished that the steam usage is higher than the generation rate.  Try using a slightly higher regulator setting; from memory, I think the usage at 57% was quite a bit lower than it was at 50%, but it still needs careful and constant juggling between regulator and reverser.  I feel it's quite an achievement when the generation rate is higher than the usage rate AND the loco is accelerating!!

Changing the brakes on the tender won't make any difference to the above, but it will help you to stop - rather too quickly if you're not careful; that's a juggle between Apply, Running and Release.

To put it in a nutshell, to be an MSTS (and probably a real steam loco) driver, you have to be good at juggling  

Cheers,
Ged

EDIT : I'd like to clarify one point I made earlier. When I said there were no brakes on the consist, it was a slight exaggeration!! The brakes on the loco and tender seem to be operative which contribute a little (relative) braking force.

Hi all,
Just to let you know that this pack of 13 Merchant Navy's have now been approved for download over on UKTS. File ID is 33049.
Enjoy
Cheers
Andy

andrew moody wrote:

Hi Andy.
If you are doing 4TCs is there any chance of doing a blue version as well please?
I note that both the Blue units 410 and 417 also had the same window bars fitted as the London Transport units.
Looking forward to the Merchant navies as well.
Cheers
Andy

Sorry for going off-topic but you do know there's a blue 4tc already in MSTS? Making Tracks have it on their site as a free expansion.


Back on topic. Glad to see Andy you have some variety. While I'm not a steam man, I follow progress of your units and 20 with great interest. Keep up the good work!

35005CP wrote:Hi all,
Just to let you know that this pack of 13 Merchant Navy's have now been approved for download over on UKTS. File ID is 33049.
Enjoy
Cheers
Andy

Sorry Andy.
There are serious problems wirh File 33049, Basically, Loco 35020 has a broken ace file.
When trying to open the zip file There is a Data error message as follows:-
Data error ID Trainset\AAC_DEE_MNR_35020\Cabview\Taw Front.ace.
Locos 35004-35019 have downloaded complete, 35020 has Cabview. 8f.s, Eng file, S File, SD file, photo, tender S file, SD file, Wag file
and one blank ace file.
Locos 35021-35026 do not download at all.
Cheers
Andy
Update:
Just to confirm, have steamed 35004,08.10,16,18 and 35019, and they all work just fine.
Cheers
Andy

Hi Andy,
Before I go ahead and re-pack it again, please can you confirm that you have opened the AAC_Merchant_Navy_Pack2,zip file and extracted them to your MSTS folder?
Cheers
Andy

Hi Andy,
I can confirm Andy M's comments.
There is a problem with the Tawfront.ace file in 35020's CABVIEW folder which results in the next 3 files ( Tawleft.ace, Tawright.ace and Water.ace) being omitted, together with the following 6 locos (35021 - 35026).

My usual unzipper is 7Zip, but the same problem occurs with the Windows Explorer de-archiver.

Cheers,
Ged

Hi Andy & Ged,
I have re-Packaged the .zip file and checked the files prior to packaging them up. Obviously the file will need to be re-approved once again. The file size should be 180.80MB, so if it isn't this size this or next time; then please let me know.
Cheers
Andy

35005CP wrote:Hi Andy,
Before I go ahead and re-pack it again, please can you confirm that you have opened the AAC_Merchant_Navy_Pack2,zip file and extracted them to your MSTS folder?
Cheers
Andy

Yes Andy, I did unpack then twice (Scrapped the first one) Sorry, I should have said Test runned and not steamed.  
But 35004 to 35019 run perfectly ITs 35020 that has the problem as I have already stated  appears to be TAW front ace.
Only around eight or nine files actually download and this blocks 35021-35026 from downloading.
As I am running Windows XP, it might of course be my computer so perhaps another opinion should be sought before you
attempt to reupload the file.
Cheers
Andy
Ah its told me that another message has been posted, So Geds post confirms there is defently a problem, Glad its not just me.  
Cheers
Andy

Hi Andy,

The file size should be 180.80MB

Is that the size of the zip file, or the size of the unpacked folders?
I ask because the zip file, as currently downloaded, is 75.9MB with an unpacked size of 143MB

Have you tried unpacking the zip file, before submitting it?

Cheers,
Ged

EDIT : May I just clarify Andy M's last comments? The zip file downloads without problem - it's the unpacking of the zip file which fails, at Tawfront.ace in 35020's Cabview folder, thus preventing any further unpacking.