Just a little update to say that V1.1 of the ‘Z’ class add-on has been released. Customers should receive an email informing you that the update is available within 24 hours.
A big thank you to everyone who has sent in feedback, it really does help.
The full change list is:
Manual references corrected
AWS script modified
Cab AO corrected
Cab windows now animate externally
The small ejector handle now animates externally
Water/Gauge glass texture altered
Wheels on AI locomotives now animate
AI locomotives now emit smoke
Pre-set dynamic numbers corrected
Lamps/Headcodes modified and retextured
New lamp variants added
Lamps now have emissive options.
As a note, the ‘Z’ class has been developed without the use of third-party enhancers which modify the shaders in Train Simulator, Therefore, if you use an enhancer program you may see decal, glass or texture issues, depending on your settings. These issues can be resolved by disabling the enhancer while using the ‘Z’ class or possibly by modifying the settings in the enhancer.
Hi everyone, I hope you’re all well. It certainly has been a while since the last update. I’m pleased to say that the ‘Z’ class add-on is now finished and is available to purchase from this link. https://steamlococollection.co.uk/sr-maunsell-z-0-8-0t/
It’s fair to say that the ‘Z’ has been a challenging add-on. I’ve hit several issues along the way which has slowed my progress, I’ve also been taking my time to improve on the texturing. I’m aware that texturing has been a weak point on SLC models, and I hope that in the ‘Z’ class I’ve made some big steps forward. This is why your feedback is so important.
One of the main reasons for the lack of updates is that I’ve had a major change in my circumstances which means that I’m not spending as much time on SLC as I have done in the past. Now to be clear, this isn’t a preamble to me saying that SLC will be closing down, far from it. I have some exciting projects lined up, it just might take me a bit longer to get to them and get them finished. So from this point onward, if I’ve not announced that I’m actively working on something assume that it’s not an active project.
So what is next? Well that would be telling, see you in 2025.
It’s certainly been a while since I last posted anything. December 2022 marked ten years since the release of the first SLC model. A lot has happened in that time.
So what’s happening in the SLC Works.
Z CLASS
The ‘Z’ is progressing well. The base model is in-game and I’m gradually adding all of the features and scripting to this base model first, before proceeding to create the other liveries.
As I’ve mentioned before in other blog posts, despite the small size of the ‘Z’ class, only 8 members, the number of variations I’ve observed in photographs and drawings is quite surprising. I was unable to find any reference to several of the variations in published material, making the ‘Z’ class add-on the first time they will have been identified/highlighted.
So how about some screenshots?
Of course, the add-on is still very much WIP, so textures etc may change between now and the release.
SECR Trio ‘B’ COACHES
I’ve decided to combine packs 3 & 4 together as there wasn’t a clear distinction in time period like there is between packs 1 & 2. This is progressing slowly, but will be the next release after the ‘Z’. Released alongside pack 3 will be an update to packs 1 & 2.
LORD NELSON
Because of various issues, the ‘Lord Nelson’ add-on has been on the back burner for a while now. Once the ‘Z’ and Trio ‘B’ coaches are out, work on the ‘Lord Nelson’ will recommence.
SCHOOLS
Because the ‘Lord Nelson’ and the ‘Schools’ classes share several components, it made sense to develop both locomotives together. I have tie-in DLC planned for both locomotives so there’s much to look forward to.
And that just about completes this long overdue update. Until next time…
Hi everyone, hope you’re all doing well. Time for an update on the Z class.
With most of the main components modelled, the past month has mainly been spent creating, bending and getting frustrated at times with the myriad number of pipes required for the locomotive.
While not essential for a Train Simulator Classic model, I find there is something very satisfying about being able to follow a pipe from origin to destination, rather than it just simply disappearing.
For those not familiar, the inside valve gear on the ‘Z’ class was rather unusual as it employed a second eccentric to give the movement usually given through a combination lever. In the past valve gear animation has been something I dread doing but I was extremely pleased to find a much more efficient way of rigging the valve gear for the ‘Z’ though there won’t be a visible difference for you as the end-user.
I was surprised that as I added more components to the cab, it didn’t feel crowded like on some locomotives. One of the more novel features of the ‘Z’ class was the fitting of a steam brake alongside a Gresham and Craven ‘Dreadnought’ vacuum ejector. The Maunsell moguls and ‘W’ class, at least when they were built, were fitted with a Davies and Metcalfe ejector and steam brake valve.
A few years ago, when researching another locomotive at the Railway Museum’s Search Engine a few years ago, I came across a drawing of a couple of steam brake valves. My hope that these might come in useful in the future proved true when I started researching the ‘Z’. One of the brake valves looked remarkably similar to that shown in the General Arrangement drawing.
Sometimes though having a drawing of a component isn’t enough and you can’t beat being able to photograph and inspect the actual component. Unfortunately in the case of the type of steam brake fitted to the ‘Z’, there doesn’t appear to be an example that has survived. As a result, it’s very much a case of “make your best guess”. Overall though I’m pleased with how the steam brake is coming together and it will be another first for me as I’ve never simulated a steam brake on a model before.
There’s still a lot to get done, one of the biggest jobs on the to-do list is to finish modelling the AWS system, you can just see the completed stretcher for the receiver and junction box near the rear bufferbeam. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before all the outstanding modelling is completed and I can start getting the model textured and into the game.
Apologies for the lack of updates over the past few months. April was a hectic month outside of SLC work, and due to various decisions that I have taken it would have been premature to reveal what I’ve been working on. A couple of weeks ago I posted a clue on the ‘In Development’ page, and I am now able to reveal what that secret project is.
It’s easy to think that producing a pack of coaches is a simple matter, but in many respects, building coaches is more complicated and involved than locomotives. As I mentioned in a previous blog post I now have several projects on the go at any one time, including the remaining two Trio ‘B’ packs, allowing me to adapt to circumstances and changing interests. Consequently, I may have projects underway that I have announced. One of which is…
The SR Maunsell ‘Z’ class!
While the ‘Z’ class engines were a small class, only 8 being built, they have a fascinating history and I’m looking forward to revealing some of that history in the add-on and the accompanying manual.
Modelling work is progressing well and scripting, as well as sound setup, has already started. Keep an eye on the blog for more information.
