3D Version of Central Pacific #173, and Shapeways.

[nathanielandia]

Hello everybody!

I'm new here as a user, although I've been lurking around for years now.

In the past 2-3 years, I've dedicated much of my free time to researching Central Pacific #173, and have modeled it in HO 5 times so far (with varying levels of success). Throughout this quest, I have learned many things, made connections with historians and modelers I never thought I'd contact, but most notably, I've begun work on an entirely 3D version of the locomotive and subsequent 12 sisters.

I know some of you are also aware of my Shapeways listing, where I have available my first version of the Central Pacific / Stevens Style Detail pack available in HO.
https://www.shapeways.com/product/MC3PL ... er-profile

These pieces serve as a way to model the 1880s era #173, as well as to serve any Disney modelers. However, my recent attempts at 3D recreation have been to recreate the 12 sister locomotives as built, and I will then adapt this model for the #173 as well once completed.



I'll be documenting progress here, but also, if anybody has things they'd like me to modify or make available in a scale they would like on my Shapeways store, I am making that service available to users on this forum.

[Steve DeGaetano]

Beautiful render, Nathanial! Welcome to the boards and definitely post your progress here. Thanks also for offering your services for detail modifications.

[nathanielandia]

Thanks Steve! I definitely will be.

[jayo]

This model's going to be in Trainz, right?

[nathanielandia]

I, unfortunately, do not know how to prepare a model for Trainz, nor do I currently have the time. Once it is finished I would happily pass it off to somebody who does know how to collaborate on it, but I would also ask to have it be prepared for Train Simulator as well.

[nathanielandia]

Erm..... surprise!

https://www.shapeways.com/product/37AFE ... d=64805419

A client contacted me asking for more C.K. Holliday styled domes to be made available with just the stack, and so....here you go! It's available too!

[Locoboy5150]

This is just a general question. I noticed that on the Shapeways website they refer to the stack on CP 173 as a "Stevens." I've always heard and read that shape spark arrestor as a balloon. This is the first time that I've ever seen it called a "Stevens." Just curious, where did that name come from?

[Artist794]

nathanielandia, What program are you using to create models? They are beautiful and I'm curious what you are using to get such smooth details. Also depending on the the program and the file type you can get plugin to convert the models into engines for Trainz simulator.

[Steve DeGaetano]

This is just a general question. I noticed that on the Shapeways website they refer to the stack on CP 173 as a "Stevens." I've always heard and read that shape spark arrestor as a balloon. This is the first time that I've ever seen it called a "Stevens." Just curious, where did that name come from?

Probably just a shorthand reference for detail parts for an A.J. Stevens engine.

[nathanielandia]

This is just a general question. I noticed that on the Shapeways website they refer to the stack on CP 173 as a "Stevens." I've always heard and read that shape spark arrestor as a balloon. This is the first time that I've ever seen it called a "Stevens." Just curious, where did that name come from?

As Steve said, it's shorthand for A.J. Stevens! To state it simply, this specific balloon design, when drawn off Central Pacific locomotives, is a Stevens Stack, as it's a design pioneered by the C.P. shops when Stevens was the Master Mechanic there.

nathanielandia, What program are you using to create models? They are beautiful and I'm curious what you are using to get such smooth details. Also depending on the the program and the file type you can get plugin to convert the models into engines for Trainz simulator.

I'm using Autodesk Maya 2018. I'll be using 3DCoat to texture the model of the locomotive.