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The following sections detail some of the features of the class 58 model to give you a feel for what you get for your money. To "Try before you buy" and experience the model first hand you can go to the main class 58 page and click on the download link for one of the models. You will be able to download and run the actual model, with some of the features disabled, on your own machine. If you then decide to purchase you will only need to install the supplied license to immediately activate the full range of the models features.
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The Class 58 model has been built using a range of information sources and drawings to create a reasonably accurate model that provides the "feel" of the prototype. As with all models compromises have to be made in order to create something that is usable by the majority of people and computer systems. We hope you will agree that the compromises made do not detract from the distinct appearance of the class 58.
The major parts of class 58 model, main body mesh and bogies, support three levels of detail (LOD) to allow the modelling of details without impacting performance adversely. Other parts of the model attached at runtime, couplers, hoses, and cables, provide two levels of detail. As a guide to the impact on your system performance, the model with all attachments and bogies at maximum level of detail is in the region of 11,500 polygons and when viewed at a distance this reduces to approximately 4,900. The main texture file is 1024 x 512 and there are a couple of smaller textures as well. The model should be usable on pretty much any system capable of running TRS 2004.
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The models represent all 50 of the class which were built in two batches with minor differences between them. The first 35 locos were built with small sandboxes and a simple open handrail near the side cab doors. The second batch were built with much larger sandboxes and an extended and plated over handrail. The larger sandboxes were due to the class 58's achilles heel, wheelslip. The modified handrails were added to discourage crew members from walking along the side plates to get from one cab to the other these side plates never having been designed for end to end access.
The correct sandboxes and handrails are automatically deployed on the model depending on the running number of the loco. The running number can be specifically selected in Surveyor or will be randomly selected by the NumberIt script library. On later livery variants nameplates are automatically selected based on the running number.
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Each class 58 model is delivered in one of the liveries that the class carried in real life but with a range of weathering and dirt effects. The textures of the model are controlled using the Chameleon script library to allow random selection or selection by the user. In addition to the main body mesh textures, the bogie textures automatically switch to match the main textures.
| CoupleStar "bluestar" coupling support
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The class 58 uses the CoupleStar library to provide full support for PikkaBird's "bluestar" coupling standard. Couplings and brake hoses adjust position to couple with other vehicles as required. In addition the class 58 model has support for the prototypes red diamond coupling standard and deploys multiple working hoses, cables and air reservoir hoses to appropriately equipped other vehicles.
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Some of the class 58 locos were named and the packs that deliver the later variant liveries provide nameplates as appropriate. The nameplates used varied in shape, size and style and the appropriate style is used for each loco. The nameplates are automatically added to the model when a particular running number is selected either randomly or by the user.
Additional logos or crests are automatically added to complete the scheme based on the loco running number and livery.
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The main radiator cooling fans of class 58 are animated and start and stop when the main engine is started or stopped. Don't expect the fans to stop immediately though as they are driven by a hydrostatic pump and thus will take a little while to coast down to a stop!
The windscreen wipers are animated and will turn themselves on and off automatically depending on the weather if you are driving from outside the cab. The wipers for the driver and 2nd man are independantly switched in the prototype so you may find that on occasions the 2nd man's wiper is not turned on. If you are driving in cab mode from within the cab then turning the wipers on is your responsibility and you may find it difficult to see properly if you don't turn the wipers on.
If you are driving from outside the cab and happen to get some fine weather you may find that the driver will pull down the sunvisor!
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The class 58 model is supplied with custom engine and hornsound assets. These sounds are based on actual recordings of class 58 locos in the wild and have been chosen to try and convey the particular style of these locos. The sounds include extra clips to cover the starting and stopping of the main engine and to permit use of the in cab horn control as well as the normal sound effects you would expect from a Trainz model.
| Start up, shutdown, and fuel consumption
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The class 58 model can optionally be configured to consume diesel fuel. The loco is configured with a product queue which accepts the Auran standard diesel fuel product plus some 3rd party equivalents. You can load up with fuel in Surveyor or rely on taking the loco to a fuel point in Driver. By default fuel consumption is turned off so that the model behaves exactly like a normal Auran supplied vehicle.
The individual locos can be configured in Surveyor to be running or shutdown at the start of a Driver session, the default is running just like the standard game locos. When in Driver you can start and stop the locos main diesel engine from inside the cab or from the head up display (HUD). If you are outside the loco when you bring up the "view details" panel (Ctrl + right click) an extra control panel will appear with start and stop buttons. If you have fuel consumption enabled a fuel gauge will also de displayed though this, like any good British fuel gauge, is wildly inaccurate so don't rely on it!
When the loco is started and stopped it will execute custom sound and smoke effects...
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The custom cab provided with the class 58 has a wide range of working controls and provides prototypical operation of the braking system. Direct brake, auto train brake (PBL) and parking brake controls are all operational.
The master control and power levers are mounted on the distinctive central control stand and again provide prototypical operation. Also mounted on the central pedestal is the AWS reset button.
Independant controls for the windscreen wipers for both the driver and 2nd man are provided along with push buttons for engine start and engine stop. All gauges except the slow speed speedometer are operational.
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The rendering of the cab is affected by the exterior lighting conditions and the dials are correctly illuminated for operation during darkness. Warning lights are provided for wheelslip, AWS off, parking brake on, and engine stop and these are illuminated yellow normally, red when on and correctly dim at night as per the prototype.
The horn lever works in a similar manner to the prototype, pushing forward for high tone back for low, but there are limitations due to the audio capabilities of TRS.
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