The 1893 Empire State Express Bundle

Hello everyone, we are finally bringing you a big update on the No.999 New York Central & Hudson River Railroad project coming to Train Simulator Classic very soon!

After almost 3 months of hard work on this project, we completed not only the locomotive but the complete composition of the Empire State Express at that time. With the locomotive ready, we decided to focus entirely on the passenger cars for the Empire State Express, which comprise the Combine car, Parlor car, and Observatory car. Getting references to build these models was a big challenge, so we appreciate Malcolm Kramp for their kindness in collaborating on this project, David Staplin directly from the New York Central Historical Society and also Anthony Williams; they all collaborated with object references, colors, dimensions and technical drawings.

The No.999 at full steam with the Empire State Express

Combine Car

All the cars in our Empire State Express have similar characteristics to each other such as camera positions, and textures; since its base is the same for both models and that includes its chassis, bogies and all lower detailing.

Some details inside the Combine car can be seen in high definition as flyers illustrating events or advertisements of the time.

In the baggage section of the Combine car, some objects have been carefully added such as suitcases, wooden crates, a wheelbarrow, axes and also a complete map of N.Y.C. & H.R.R.R. in high definition. In addition to all the texture in the purest wood and art deco details on the roof.

Then, in the passenger section of the Combine car, he continues his detailing inside the Parlor Car.

The Combine car will be available in closed and opened version.

Above, inside appearance of the Combine car open, below outside appearance.

Parlor Car

This is the Parlor Car, a car built entirely from the most beautiful wood, inside and out.

Throughout its length the art deco is visible, on the sides, roof, and floor; the nicest and most comfortably positioned seats also have two cameras available, one at each end of the car.

Above, the long corridor of the Parlor Car, and below an aspect of its bogie that is present in all the cars of our Empire State Express. It is worth noting that 5 units of the Parlor Car are available separately, numbers #989, #992, #995, #997 and #999.

Observatory Car

This is without a doubt the most beautiful car of the entire composition. The Observatory car was the greatest symbol of luxury on that train.

This is the view from one of the four internal cameras that are configured for this car.

Inside this car you will be able to notice many small details, which go beyond the posters pasted on the wall, even small cards and matchboxes.

A quiet place for you to enjoy a good drink and smoke your good quality cigar; while watching the landscape through the window.

All the ornaments details of the Observatory car have been carefully added, thinking exactly of its exclusive refinement. Including the roof, sides, floor, and other small details.

One of the four cameras added exclusively for the Observatory car will take you straight to the bathroom when you abuse your drink too much.

And at night, you can have an even more pleasant trip.

The No.999

Finally, the star of our Empire State Express, the beautiful machine #999 built in 1893 by West Albany Shops, a unique locomotive that was specially built to exceed its own speed limits

Above, top view of the cab interior of no.999

No.999 became a big challenge for our team from the moment we needed the best references to finish its smallest details and its painting. Therefore we would like to thank John Ott very much for taking his time to help us understand and complete these details of No.999 exclusively for Train Simulator Classic.

And before finalizing it, on behalf of the Machine Rail™ team, I would like to especially thank to to our researcher and designer Jonas Martins for the historical, technical and design research to manufacture the No.999, and also a very special thanks to to the 3D artist João Marcos Cury who dedicated his time daily for two weeks to build and refine the Empire State Express cars. The Combine Car, Parlor Car and Observatory Car, all of them carefully well modeled exclusively to offer this product with the highest quality.

And if you've read this post this far, thank you very much; stay tuned for our blog posts and also facebook about The 1893 Empire State Express Bundle, we will be announcing its release very soon.

Greetings.

N.Y.C.&.H.R. Railroad •1893• No.999

In 1893, this locomotive which was built by West Albany Shops for the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad, broke the speed record above 112 miles per hour. We at Machine Rail have agreed to rebuild it in its original form as in 1893, a beautiful and large American 4-4-0 respecting as and every possible detail of this beautiful machine.

At the moment the locomotive has its mesh practically complete, some details can still be added or removed during the mapping process and textures of all its parts. Many of them are bolted, others are riveted, and most of them are cast as a single piece in the lower frame.

This locomotive employs a complex air brake system, it was designed to be fast, and as a fast machine, it would need very efficient brakes. And that's why its designers assigned this machine a set of brakes on the front bogie, common brakes on the driving wheels; and for the wheels of the tender the same system as the front brakes; although this is not very visible, underneath this machine there is a lot of complexity.

The last step of the mesh modeling process was the interior of the cabin and all its controls visible. As mentioned earlier, during the process of mapping these parts, some things may change for improvements that will definitely be present in the final version.

Front view of the no.999 seen from the ground by a normal person. We notice the majesty of this machine, and its height due to the large driving wheels.

For a genuine American high-speed steam locomotive, the no.999 was designed with aerodynamics in mind; and certainly this locomotive in its original condition must have attracted a lot of attention from everyone around it. We hope to make the same impression when you take control of this powerful 4-4-0 in your Train Simulator Classic.

Next steps:

•Review and mapping of all parts

•Creation of all textures for complete locomotive (machine and tender)

•Create all animations for this machine, including external and internal animations

•First look at exporting to TSC and general texture tweaks in the process

•Operational scripting and visible particles, animations, sounds and driving.

After these main processes and features are completed, we will have a first look at No.999 in TSC and we will certainly have another update closer to its release.

Thanks for your attention,

Greetings.

BLW Western Maryland H-9 Weathered

We can finally release to you the dirty or weathered version of the Western Maryland H-9. I apologize on behalf of Machine Rail for the delay, but I got sick last weekend, and I'm still recovering, but much better than before.

However, this version of the H-9 not only features dirty clothes, but you will notice other different characteristics, such as a damaged whistle sound and a slightly inferior performance compared to the others.

Watch the video, and good driving with your grimy H-9!

Enjoy,

Carlos.