Elvas Tower: Northern Pacific 2-8-0's Nos.485&487 - Elvas Tower

MSTS NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY F-1 CLASS 2-8-0 CONSOLIDATION.
1890's Link and Pin Coupler Configuration, for mainline and way freight duties.
3D Models and textures ©2011,2012 by Tim Muir
EXTREMELY HIGH POLYGON COUNTS but MSTS FRIENDLY.
svry16 Cabview by Steve Thompson and Rick Grout (Original Readme Doc in Cabview Folder).
Basic sounds by Brandon Smith with additional audio material and .sms files by Derek Miller.
Whistle sounds provided by Chris Signorelli & Bill Hobbs.

The Helper Engine Files Included in this Archive Were Compiled and Are Offered by Andre Ming.

Background history:

The following information, credit the NPRHA Mainstreeter Magazine Volume 8-1:

The Northern Pacific's first 2-8-0s were the class F's, built in the early
1880's. Unfortunately, although built for the heavy grades in the mountains,
they had too low a factor of adhesion, only 3.85, making them very slippery
and next to useless for their intended service. NP went to Baldwin for a
better mountain loco, and the F-1's were the result, the Hogs had a much
better factor, 4.15 and a tractive effort of 34,500 pounds. They were among
the largest engines in the world at the time. In service, they could
handle 20 loads on a 2.2% grade, a huge improvement over former power.
Throughout their life, they were known system wide as "Hogs", even on train
orders!

They were delivered in 4 groups from 1888-1891 and numbered 470 to 497,
650 to 652 and 10,000. This was Baldwin's 10,000th engine and carried this
number for several years. It later became 460 and finally 55. One was built
as a Vauclain compound, and 2 more were converted in 1896. These proved to
be considerably more efficient in coal and water usage than their simple
sisters, but required more and specialized maintanance. They were simpled in
1903.

As delivered they carried Eames Vacuum brakes on the engine and tender.
These were removed in the 90's, and standard air brake equipment was
fitted.

Models created in Abacus Train Sim Modeler Pro. These are high in polygon counts: The 485 is 28,734 for the main shape and 5831 for the parts shape. The tender weighs in at 14,173 polys.

The crew figures are by Tom Werb, used with his permission and modified to fit in the 485 and 487 FA and tender shapes. Many thanks, Tom!

More Credits and thank yous:

Steve Thompson for supplying the drawings, photos, data and anecdotes.

Allen Norton for allowing me the use of his 3D driving wheel TSM files, and building excellent steam locos in TSM as a catalyst to get me to try my hand at one.

Jon Davis, Barry (Captain Bazza) Munroe, Bill Pratt and Tom Werb for further incentives towards building steam locomotives through much study of their models.

John Frum, inspiration.

Chris Van Wagoner for his help with the initial locomotive physics, which made these locos come to life as true mountain hogs.

Jim Bebenroth and Steve Thompson for testing, suggestions and positive input.

Herb Kelsey for engine file work, sounds and testing on initial F-1 model.

Andre Ming for the helper engine files.

Derek Miller for testing, additional sound embellishments and sound management file editing.

Brandon Smith for his permission to use his sound files.

Whistle sounds furnished by Chris Signorelli & Bill Hobbs.

There's probably someone else I'm forgetting, please forgive me for it.

Thank you.

Tim Muir
Railroad Earth
September the 19th, 2012