Stay, Just a Little Bit Longer.

The GP40 project that you have heard and read so much about has actually been around for much longer than you might think. It was originally started in August 2012 as a follow-up to the SMMD C39-8 locomotive. In that humble iteration it was a freeware project, and was intended to carry the NS flag as a companion to the already-released RPE4D slug. But, things happen, and after the initial build and unwraps were finished, the project was shelved.

Thanks to PapaXpress, the NS GP40-2  didn't completely die, although for a while it was in a holding pattern. By April, the project had been revived by the group of railroad simulator enthusiasts that came to be known as VRC. But soon after the resurrection of the project, it became clear that the model was inadequate for the more sophisticated tastes of Train Simulator users. Many new parts were added, and  new paint wraps had to be done. By May, the idea of being the first model in Railworks to carry the officially licensed CSX logo had came about. After licensing was acquired, it was decided that instead of one logo, five would be done. Then freight cars were added. By the time it is all done, this locomotive package will little resemble the humble slug-mother that it was to be.

So the question of the day is, "where is it"? Well, operationally, all five locomotives, four sub-liveries, and nine CSX and predecessor liveried freight cars are locked, cocked, and ready to rock. You can start them up, couple up, and pull on any route you desire. They have sound, they have power, and they have all of the comforts that a spartan-cab 1970's era locomotive can afford. But, there are still a few things we need to add - mostly electrical work for the Expert mode, and a few bits of animation here and there. Then we have to give it a thorough going over to be sure it performs to our own standards (we are quite picky).

So be patient just a little longer. Freight trains don't run on schedule, but this train is still a-comin!

Its like getting the key to Dad's car...

So thats what it looks like from here...

Are We There Yet?

After a slight delay to add more features to the cab views, primary construction on the first GP40/-2 pack is complete! No more hickey-doogers or thing-a-ma-jigs to add. Now it's on to dialing in the locomotive functions and sounds.

"Well that's a switch!"

Slogging it out.

Again, I apologize for the lack of updates, but everyone has been very busy trying to move this project forward. I'm happy to report that we are nearing the end of the primary building cycle and the locomotives are very close to being feature complete - that is two steps shy of Beta testing. We have also decided on a possible release date, and while I will say it's closer than Christmas (  :)   ), I won't say exactly when that release will be.

 In the mean time, have a look at this photo, taken at Wauhatchie yard of the Seaboard GP40-2 and the L&N GP40. They are finished shapewise, but awaiting Yard Foreman Dan's final inspection.

Click on the photo to view a larger image.

Update ... or teasing?

Approximately 1658 lines of LUA per locomotive model... currently.