“It” comes to life again

[Ryan NortonParticipant @ryannorton40317]

Nice work Dean, looking good.

A wagon for Tich sounds like a fine idea!

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

Typically, I would prefer to do an update every other day. However, today I achieved something I had yearned to figure out in CAD for quite some time- animating the Stephenson's link valve gear.

Do remember that the reversing assembly is not installed, the eccentrics are simply attached to the axles with no real regard for attempting to time this locomotive properly, and I had to remove parts in order to allow my computer to animate the lot of this smoothly.

The more I look at it the more I realize that there is going to be a fair amount of touching up for me to do- more to follow!

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

I must admit that I am still rather surprised that I was able to get the valve gear to work. I have smoothed it out considerably and make it behave in a more realistic fashion- alas it's still not perfect. Then again, that really isn't the point to what I am doing here- so I shall not fiddle about with it longer.

Here she is, with out the reach rod installed or anything of the sort that would go in the cab (which comes next).

Of course, the frames are removed for the purposes of this rendering.
I have decided on some proper colours for this locomotive- despite being a Hall class I do feel that Ivy Hall looks better in British Railways black. Ergo, I have decided when it comes time to add some colour (in a manner of speaking) to this project, I shall end up going with a darker scheme such as this:

I cannot stress enough that I am not entirely sure that this will turn out correctly, if I am not satisfied with it I am certain it wouldn't look all that poorly in green.

In other news, strange circumstances have come to pass that means that there will be potentially TWO small scale live steam tracks cropping up with people that I know at the heads of them. Both are interested in 2.5" gauge, so Mr. Redsetter might finally actually get his wish to come true.

However, there is one peculiar little locomotive for that gauge that was not designed by LBSC that strikes my fancy a little bit which I will end up drafting. I doubt that it would take long to draft, so it could end up an intermission of sorts for a larger drafting project.

I hope that everyone has enjoyed my renderings so far!

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Congratulations on the animation, Dean.

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

Thank you Neil, this is the first time I have been able to get this to work digitally for me.

I would greatly appreciate any input regarding my choice of colours for Ivy-from anyone who has bothered to read my posts.

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

The valve gear is now safely completed, I even started on the blast pipe, still have to do the nozzle.

The part I am still frankly a little amazed at is the reverser DOES function in CAD, as does the valve gear. The current video I have of it in action is really… bad. This model is incredibly demanding on my computer, as a result there is some hanging in the movement of the parts.

All the same, here is the reverser.

Being perfectly frank, I am not at all looking forward to the lubricator. I am just not feeling optimistic about getting it to work correctly, however, that is not going to stop me from making an attempt.

Before I take a pause from working on Ivy Hall, I will finish up one quick LBSC related item that I have been asked to draft-something very useful for anyone that owns a tank engine to say the least.

It's a little tender of sorts for Tich- made to look like a wagon. It would make an interesting basis for some simple, LBSC-esque rolling stock.

I have ran into a problem with a locomotive I worked on before, and I would like YOUR input if you would be so kind as people that might possible read what I write in here.

What colours would this little devil look best in?

Any input in this area would be outstanding!
Until next time!

[Perko7Participant @perko7]

Been following this thread with interest, even though unlikely to ever build an LBSC design. Your speed and accuracy in 3D cad are simply outstanding, makes my 2D efforts look like Prep school colouring-in.

Regarding colours, i like the look of Ivy Hall in black, makes a change from the usual GWR green and makes it look a more 'purposeful' loco.

As for the 'little devil', i assume it is intended for children so something bright and breezy, maybe post-box red boiler with maroon 'cab' and frame and with black wheels and motion? Chimney (sorry, funnel) could be polished brass to match the other boiler fittings?

Looking forward to further progress on the LBSC designs. You might even tempt me to build one (if i ever finish my current project that is )

Geoff P.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I'm a bit worried that you are running pixels of the same colour against each other. This is sure to lead to excessive wear and worn-out memory locations

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

The 'baby' needs old-fashioned colours, maybe black and yellow like 'Rocket'.

[Another JohnSParticipant @anotherjohns]

Dean, as others have said, well done.

Colours. I'm finishing up my 3-1/2" gauge Shay, and have a 3-1/2" gauge Brit "2MT" that in reality were black or green, lined or unlined. But, there is one in preservation that is in lined maroon, and looks quite interesting.

Whatever you do with your CAD model building, don't graffiti it!

John.

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

I remember the old GWR steam in the Chester-Shrewsbury area in the late 50s + early sixties – the GWR engines were still spotless and those in green + sparkling brass were a great treat for eyes more used to the dirty black engines of the old LMS (though there were exceptions eg the maroon Coronation Scots belting through an adjacent line at near 60mph was a sight to see and hear)

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

Posted by Perko7 on 12/01/2018 08:27:55:

Been following this thread with interest, even though unlikely to ever build an LBSC design. Your speed and accuracy in 3D cad are simply outstanding, makes my 2D efforts look like Prep school colouring-in.

Regarding colours, i like the look of Ivy Hall in black, makes a change from the usual GWR green and makes it look a more 'purposeful' loco.

As for the 'little devil', i assume it is intended for children so something bright and breezy, maybe post-box red boiler with maroon 'cab' and frame and with black wheels and motion? Chimney (sorry, funnel) could be polished brass to match the other boiler fittings?

Looking forward to further progress on the LBSC designs. You might even tempt me to build one (if i ever finish my current project that is )

Geoff P.

Thank you for your input and compliments sir!
I concur about it making the Hall class look more purposeful, and rather kind of dull too. Alas, when Curly designed this… creature, his intent was to make it appear to be a British Railways modernised Hall, so it would seem silly to me to leave it green.

Curiously, the one thing I was certain of was the wheels looking very nicely in red.

For what it's worth sir, I haven't even ordered the castings for my first locomotive yet! While this could be the more serious side of my work (CAD) watching my first locomotive unfold could almost rate the playing of the Benny Hill theme song whilst I attempt to piece it together.

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

Posted by John Alexander Stewart on 12/01/2018 13:31:29:

Dean, as others have said, well done.

Colours. I'm finishing up my 3-1/2" gauge Shay, and have a 3-1/2" gauge Brit "2MT" that in reality were black or green, lined or unlined. But, there is one in preservation that is in lined maroon, and looks quite interesting.

Whatever you do with your CAD model building, don't graffiti it!

John.

Thank you sir, a Kozo shay I'm guessing? The first experience I ever had with a running steam locomotive was in Roaring Camp- a narrow gauge heritage railway in California.

No no, no graffiti of any sorts shall occur

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

Posted by Frances IoM on 12/01/2018 15:33:35:
I remember the old GWR steam in the Chester-Shrewsbury area in the late 50s + early sixties – the GWR engines were still spotless and those in green + sparkling brass were a great treat for eyes more used to the dirty black engines of the old LMS (though there were exceptions eg the maroon Coronation Scots belting through an adjacent line at near 60mph was a sight to see and hear)

Frances, I must say that I envy you. I have never been to the UK before, let alone even seen a British locomotive up close and personal.

To me they have more beauty, elegance and character than their American counterparts by a large margin.
I have a particular fancy for GWR locomotives, in particular the tender engines they ran. Of course, I will always have a soft spot for narrow gauge locomotives though. I can honestly say I have had a fancy for GWR locomotives before I found out that the English part of my family is from an area that GWR serviced!

One of the most visually stunning locomotives I have ever had the chance to see was a three foot gauge mogul called Glenbrook.

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

It appears to be high time for an update!

I finished up the blower bits on Ivy, along with the drains.

I wish I could say that those were easy bits to draw, but they were not. The instructions for them were a little bit hard to discern, but I was able to make sense of them.

I also finished up this little bit for a friend who is building a Tich.

I really, really, really hope that the 2.5" gauge designs in general are more… forgiving than this one, if they are ALL this insane in terms of the number of parts that they have, I could find myself in a psychiatric institution very shortly.

The next piece of the puzzle coming up for this locomotive is the mechanical lubricator, I'm not looking forward to that bit at all. For some reason I have a love hate relationship with boilers, but I am certain that it will go better than I am expecting.

Until next time!
-Dean

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Nice work Dean

IanT

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Dean da Silva on 13/01/2018 07:48:50:

I will probably get roasted alive for saying this, but why do some of those US locos dress up like a children's birthday party…

Neil

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Dean da Silva on 13/01/2018 07:48:50:

Posted by Frances IoM on 12/01/2018 15:33:35:

…

I have never … seen a British locomotive up close and personal.

To me they have more beauty, elegance and character than their American counterparts by a large margin.
…

 

The reasons for that elegance lie in history of railways in Britain.

Firstly the country is densely populated. For perhaps two hundred years before the Stockton and Darlington Railway opened many areas of the UK were criss-crossed by Wagonways, Dramways and Tramways. They were used to shift clay, iron-ore, coal and limestone from mines and quarries to ironworks, potteries, sea-ports or the canal system. There was much slaughter resulting from running unfenced industrial transport through towns and villages. When public railways opened they were obliged to fence the tracks.

Secondly, land is expensive. This meant there were strong financial reasons to minimise the gauge, in this sense the maximum width of the carriages. Tunnels, bridges and curves all conspired to limit the width and height of a train. Also, to attract rich passengers, they put considerable effort into stations – they had platforms and roofs. Fat trains not welcome.

The effect of this is that British engines tend to have all their ugly gubbins hidden away on the inside. At the same time fenced off lines remove the need for British engines to have a bell, headlamp, and cow-catcher. All this leads to a clean good-looking exterior where the designer can indulge his aesthetic talents. It also leads to high maintenance costs – everything is hard to get at.

In the USA and many other countries, land was cheap and there was less concern about mowing down livestock or civilians. Stations didn't have platforms. Having more gauge space made it possible to put the works on the outside of engines making them easier to maintain. On the downside lack of fencing meant the driver needed a headlamp, and a bell, and a cow-catcher to prevent collisions damaging the train.

This is Death Avenue, New York. Here the locomotive has been covered to stop it scaring the horses and a horseman rides in front warning people to get out of the way.

Health and Safety gone mad!

Dave

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 14/01/2018 14:52:36

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 14/01/2018 13:37:36:

Posted by Dean da Silva on 13/01/2018 07:48:50:

I will probably get roasted alive for saying this, but why do some of those US locos dress up like a children's birthday party…

Neil

I would roast you if I could have stopped laughing at that!

I dunno, I guess they got rather happy with the pin striping?

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

This bit will be brief:
I hate this damn lubricator so much its absurd. I am 100% sure that the dimensions on this one are either wrong or I am misreading it. I'm actually debating not even doing the outside bits to it, simply placing the arm on the outside and calling it a day. 

Edited By Dean da Silva on 16/01/2018 02:34:30

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

This adventure with Ivy Hall has recently identified some serious design issues with the mechanical lubricator.
I am so grateful for the fact that I have a set of drawings from Betty to refer to, which DOES use the same design of mechanical lubricator- however the drawings are more… correct.

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 14/01/2018 13:37:36:

Posted by Dean da Silva on 13/01/2018 07:48:50:

 

I will probably get roasted alive for saying this, but why do some of those US locos dress up like a children's birthday party…

Neil

 

 

 

Yes! It's like Rowland Emett designs a railway engine!

 

(with apologies to Dean, your work is excellent)

 

 

 

 

Edited By David Standing 1 on 16/01/2018 09:42:01

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

Posted by David Standing 1 on 16/01/2018 09:40:13:

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 14/01/2018 13:37:36:

Posted by Dean da Silva on 13/01/2018 07:48:50:

I will probably get roasted alive for saying this, but why do some of those US locos dress up like a children's birthday party…

Neil

Yes! It's like Rowland Emett designs a railway engine!

(with apologies to Dean, your work is excellent)

Edited By David Standing 1 on 16/01/2018 09:42:01

What has been seen cannot be unseen

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

Little update:

I have found the straw that has broken the proverbial camel's back so to speak.
There is LITERALLY too much going on in the assembly file for Ivy Hall. Which unfortunately means that I have to kill off the animated portion. Too many joints, too many parts, too many position calculations. My computer just can't handle it I'm afraid.

The next update will at least look nice?

[Chris_CParticipant @chris_c]

Hi Dean,

I'm not used to Fusion, but use Inventor. If they are anything like similar, if you keep number of components in an assembly low, but use more nested assemblies, you make life easier for the program. I'll keep the links as text so as not to disturb your thread.

I have Stephensons working (2 versions in my case, as two authors have had a go, with reverser position and suspension height adjustable) and whilst the version in this video (**LINK**) doesn't have a huge number of components the assembly is now as per this photo (**LINK**) and it still runs fine. I do render the animations rather than run them in real time though, I wonder if that makes the difference?

For what its worth, my assembly tree (not sure of how that should be named) is roughly

• Main Assembly
  • Frames with cylinders. tanks, bunker, smokebox
  • Axle
  • Crank axle
  • Pisons, rods, big ends
  • Valve assembly

That way, the program only has to deal with a few components during the animation phase, even if underneath the individual assemblies are complicated in themselves.

Really enjoying this and your previous locos, all the best!

[Author]

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