Okay, we're getting close to the end of yet another massive project! Our Western Maryland H-9 is in the last stage before being officially launched; for which he is currently undergoing several revisions and tests by our team. But, how about we know a little about how was the construction of this new model for your Train Simulator Classic?
As usual, we never start building our locomotives without first obtaining a technical drawing that is faithful to its original measurements. As usual, we never start building our locomotives without first obtaining a technical drawing that is faithful to its original measurements. This is a little tricky to achieve depending on which locomotive it is, the logic is that the older the locomotive, the harder it becomes to get any information.
When we got the commission from Jacob S. to build a Western Maryland H-9, we soon imagined how interesting and fun it would be to have it in its original factory condition as it left the BLW workshops in 1921. So our designer Jonas , offered to delve further into this series of 40 locomotives (801-840) from WM; and looking at all the period photos and a lot of literature we were able to recreate the H-9 as made by BLW in 1921. And of course, after the BLW version was finished, we looked directly at all the notable modifications the H-9 underwent by Western Maryland itself.
Here you can see its main differences between the version that came out of the factory, and the version that WM modified. We believe that the H-9s did not last long with their original appearance, and soon after their acquisition WM began to modify them, and it is interesting to note that the modifications were never the same on all locomotives.
A lovely detail that is present in the modified model WM, is the automatic oil valve (or oil pump), which is connected to the valve gear of the machine, so as the locomotive moves, these connected rods make the movement that automatically lubricates the valve system.
Another detail that we are very proud of having managed to achieve this result was the effect of ashes and embers under the firebox. This can be seen in both versions of the H-9, both the original BLW and the modified WM. Taking advantage of this image, if you are a keen observer, you will see that the main rod still remains as original, with the bronze bushing. In most of the modifications made by WM, the bronze bushing was replaced by a bearing one, and the main rod itself was reinforced for this. But, as we saw in several images some H-9s still using the original main rod, we decided to keep it in our model.
Here we can see all the details of the cabin interior of the original H-9 BLW. The main difference between the original BLW and the modified WM will be the boiler paintwork, and in the case of the modified WM you will get a nice steam box gauge mounted next to the boiler gauge on the engineer's side. If you decide to operate the H-9's stoker, simply sit on the fireman's side, and open the valve as needed; the gauge will show two needles to guide you as you do this.
The cab's walls remain green in both versions, and here you look inside the modified H-9 WM's cab, and a highlight is the illuminated steam chest gauge. The model will be accompanied by a complete and well-illustrated manual, so you can patiently view it before, or while operating the Western Maryland H-9. In the manual you will find tips such as keyboard shortcuts, technical specifications of the locomotive and many other very important information.
View of the tail of a long train in the following formation on the CSX Hanover Subdivision route: 2xH9 + 39cars + 3xH9 + 39cars + 2xH9 + caboose.
This is a purely illustrative image, which we published on our Facebook page, simultaneously with this update on our blog. With that being said, we are very happy to inform you that we have a predicted launch date for the Western Maryland H-9, this Friday (24/06). Any unforeseen events we will update first on our Facebook page, so please consider following our page as well.
Our sincere greetings to all readers and a special thanks to Jacob Strosnider, the original commissioner of the Western Maryland H-9 for Train Simulator Classic.