Identify this Loco for me?

[tomikawaTT]

The N&W A is Plan 115 in Linn Westcott's Model Railroader Cyclopedia, Vol 1, STEAM LOCOMOTIVES (Kalmbach Publishing Co, our Forum hosts.) In addition to the HO broadside elevation, there are good broadside photos of both sides and one shot that shows the huge roller bearing siderods applied to the last locos of the class.

Not immediately obvious from the photos, but the circular 'thing' in the rear wall of the tender cistern is a recessed back-up light.

No question that the A was an awesome locomotive!

Chuck

[Arik_the_Red]

 $imon is a die-hard CG modeller that uses several programs. Since he's sharing it at anim8or.com's forum, I think he's using that program. anim8or is a small freeware program that's great for learning basic 3D model and animation techniques. I know that $imon also uses high end programs, but many 3D graphics hobbiests like to use anim8or for designing the basic form, before putting it into heavier duty programs such as 3DS-max (which costs several hundred dollars).

 He is posting the project at two sites:

http://www.anim8or.com/smf/index.php?topic=1949.0

...and also somewhere on the forum of www.cg-nation.com 

As far as I know, $imon models the train simply because he thinks "it's really awesome!" That, as much as anything, is what motivates $imon... to be able to just make it and look, and say, "yup, that's a really cool thing!"

I've seen a number of his projects, and he does nothing but topnotch work from beginning to end. Here's another bit that he made... at CG-Nation they have "speed-model" contest... and he made this lantern in 25 minutes: http://cg-nation.com/competitions/speed-modeling-competition-1-lantern/imons-lantern

I like to work with anim8or, and it would take me hours to make that!

[Anonymous]

Do you have any details on this engine:  why is it being made, what program is it in, will it be available for download when it's done, etc.

 

It looks really good.

[BigJim]

You need the book "The A, Norfolk and Western's Mercedes of Steam - revised and expanded edition" by Ed King.

[Beach Bill]

simonjaap

Wow thanks Arik for posting that..

I had already started a thread here:
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/150444/1665899.aspx#1665899
But that was probably int he wrong section.

Thanks for the replies so far! It was a bit unclear what it said on the side, but that makes more sense :)

I think it's an awesome locomotive! So I am trying to model it as precise as possible.
I'll see if I can find that book somewhere, Atlantic Central, thanks for the tip!

If someone else has an idea, they are very welcome !

Thanks :)

 

The 1218 is one of the most photographed steam locomotives in the United States, as it traveled extensively in excursion service.  A search for "N&W 1218" or "Norfolk & Western 1218" will bring up multiple sites with photos and some with attached video, including:

www.railpage.org.au/ausrail/00january/msg00126.html

I haven't checked all of those sites to see if scale plans are included on any of them.  There are multiple quality video productions available of this locomotive in action to help you get the sound "right".  Those were 70" drivers.  Total wheel base 108' 4".     N&W: Giant of Steam by Major Lewis Jeffries is another book that covers this locomotive, and I think it has just been re-released in an updated version.   A book retailer such as Ron's Books would be a source for both books and videos of this fine locomotive.  

Bill

[simonjaap]

Wow thanks Arik for posting that..

I had already started a thread here:
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/150444/1665899.aspx#1665899
But that was probably int he wrong section.

Thanks for the replies so far! It was a bit unclear what it said on the side, but that makes more sense :)

I think it's an awesome locomotive! So I am trying to model it as precise as possible.
I'll see if I can find that book somewhere, Atlantic Central, thanks for the tip!

If someone else has an idea, they are very welcome !

Thanks :)

[Arik_the_Red]

Great, I'll let the 3D guy see your feedback.  He's a young guy in Europe, and I don't know if he has access to the book in question. Does anyone have any ideas on other ways to come up with some decent diagrams of the engine?

 I'll forward the link to this thread on to Simon, and see if he can carry on with you guys from here.

[bubbajustin]

Yep a class A "Mally" as there are sometimes called. The ground literly shook when these loco's would thunder upgrade with a heavy coal load on the N&W many coal hauling lines.

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

The locomotive is N&W Class A, wheel arangement 2-6-6-4, #1218 This loco is on display at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, VA.

In your computer generated drawing, the leters on the side of the pilot bearing should say "TIMKEN" not TAKEN.

The drawings for this loco are published in the book - "The Locomotive Cyclopedia".

Sheldon

 

[Arik_the_Red]

 I have a friend that is creating a 3D computer image of the following... based on the pic shown below.

 Can anyone identify the exact engine, and direct to drawings of the actual loco? He really wants to make the engine as realistic as possible, but so far has only had the pic to go on... The green shows the areas he has re-created so far.

 

For those curious... here's what Simon has made so far:

http://simon.cg-nation.com/train/wip07.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/2923/wip11.jpg

http://simon.cg-nation.com/train/wip12.jpg

Not bad for eyeballing a photo of a model loco, eh?