Re-sculpting the Company B train in Zbrush Z8

[bollix]

I have your old train set and I re-gauged it to HO scale, since I was using the Fleischmann pre-ballasted sectional track.

I would definitely like to get the HO scaled truck components (and any other parts) from Shapeways, please do post them there when ready. I will definitely purchase the new locomotive, and likely the other re-worked components as well.

Here is a photo of the Fleischmann pre-ballasted HO track: https://www.eurorailhobbies.com/item_pics/Fleischmann/900_FL-6116.jpg



There is a complete variety of track types in the Fleischmann line, various radii curves, turnouts (switches) etc.

I personally like the HO scale track even with 28mm figures. The track seems more in scale to me with the rest of the battlefield. Just my .02, YMMV.

Cary

[FramFramson]

I like S gauge a lot because it's wide enough for a figure on a small-to-medium base to stand between the tracks, just as a person might anywhere! Figures are wider than HO track and that just looks so wrong to me! Also the scale of the railroad ties seems to look much better at S. And of course the trains themselves are about as close to 1:56th as you can get among "common" scales.

But the thing is, wargaming is diverse and there are so many different sources of track and different preferences. Some might go S, OO, HO, even O, and others might even have plastic track from holiday sets or MDF kits or whatever have you. Separately mounded wheels with variable spacers allows the same model to work for (and be sold to!) as many different gamers as possible! Which makes the whole venture much more feasible from a business point of view.

[Michi]

I like S gauge a lot because it's wide enough for a figure on a small-to-medium base to stand between the tracks, just as a person might anywhere! Figures are wider than HO track and that just looks so wrong to me! Also the scale of the railroad ties seems to look much better at S. And of course the trains themselves are about as close to 1:56th as you can get among "common" scales.

From a modelers point of view I'd prefer S gauge too, but I can hardly get that sort of track in continental Europe. I bet the H0 Fleischmann track mentioned by Cary is not the cheapest choice for an American though!
Therefore I went with 0n30 which is 1/45 scale narrow gauge on H0 gauge tracks. I have converted the ties/sleepers however...

[CompanyB]

More fiddling.  I converted the model into something resembling a French built 030



More fiddling with the Chicago Style Engine:


And now the two engines side by side.



I'm going to start a third Engine as well..why not.  Maybe we'll just release all three, have a boring contest, or do a pre-order on all of them.  Please stop me before I do a fourth though...we do need passenger and box cars.

And yes variable width trucks/wheels, I'll incorporate that.

[dampfpanzerwagon]

From a modelers point of view I'd prefer S gauge too, but I can hardly get that sort of track in continental Europe. I bet the H0 Fleischmann track mentioned by Cary is not the cheapest choice for an American though!
Therefore I went with 0n30 which is 1/45 scale narrow gauge on H0 gauge tracks. I have converted the ties/sleepers however...

A fantastic gaming board.

Tony

[Michi]

More fiddling.  I converted the model into something resembling a French built 030

Good start! However you wouldn't necessarily have to change the cylinders. Consider that European standard gauge engines have buffers instead of central couplings! I'd change the side panels of the cab (still looking rather Baldwin/American to me).
With a somewhat generic cab like that you could make it a convincing generic early European engine:

Leave the rear wall optional/separate and add a short tender for variation

[Vanvlak]

Good start! However you wouldn't necessarily have to change the cylinders. Consider that European standard gauge engines have buffers instead of central couplings! I'd change the side panels of the cab (still looking rather Baldwin/American to me).
With a somewhat generic cab like that you could make it a convincing generic early European engine:

Leave the rear wall optional/separate and add a short tender for variation

That green 0-6-0 looks a bit like the first four locomotives on the Malta Railway (1883-1931) with all the potential of this single line running from Valletta to Mtarfa barracks (almost - it stopped some metres short)  featuring in what if scenarios: revolt against the British (extrapolating the 1919 trouble); VBCW Malta edition; and extending its life by a decade to WWII and giving it a role in an Italian invasion.

From Wikipedia:


Now I'm starting to drool...

[FramFramson]

Another idea is to also offer wheel/truck sets separately for those who want to scratchbuild their own specialized carriages (or engines, if the wheel parts incorporate the front pistons).

[CompanyB]

More refinements on Engine Number 2

[FramFramson]

Oh fuck that looks aces! Very nearly the platonic ideal of a middleweight, late 19th/early 20th century European engine.

[marianas_gamer]

I like what I am seeing. I have a strong feeling that one or more of these is going to be winging their way to Guam in the near future.
LB

[Michi]

Oh fuck that looks aces! Very nearly the platonic ideal of a middleweight, late 19th/early 20th century European engine.

Exactly what I think too - you nailed it!

[Vanvlak]

It does fit more than one bill I think 

[Michi]

Now it looks very similar to my Victorian conversions...