NZR Ka & K STEAM LOCOMOTIVES

by Bill Fock & Caleb Scott

The K & Ka class NZR locomotive models in 42" NG have been built by Bill Fock (a.k.a Billegulla) and are compatible with TRS2004 and TRS2006

HISTORY

In 1930 R.J. Gard designed a powerful successor to the Ab locomotive to meet the requirements of the Locomotive Superintendent (later Chief Mechanical Engineer) P.R. Angus. To accommodate a large boiler and at the same time meet the weight restrictions imposed by the civil engineers, the K class used a 4-8-4 wheel arrangement. 

Thirty Ks were built in the Hutt workshop between 1932 and 1936.  They were followed by thirty-five of an improved version (Ka) between 1939 and 1950. 

In terms of power, the K and Ka were the ultimate development of the steam railway locomotive in New Zealand. 

NZGR Ab STEAM LOCOMOTIVES

 Now available for TS2009 with specular textures

by Bill Fock

HISTORY

Originally 141 of these locomotives were built, not including the two lost on the wreck of the Wiltshire in 1922.

The Ab class was introduced in 1915 and was designed to the requirements of H. H. Jackson by the Chief Draughtsman, S. H. Jenkinson. It was a simple, superheated “Pacific” featuring the cylindrical Vanderbilt tender. Jackson had been impressed with these tenders on a visit to America and it was adopted because of its light weight and economy of construction.

Originally the Ab handled all principal express services and main-line freight services, until the advent of the “K’s” and “J’s” when they were relegated to freight haulage on branch and secondary lines. They were rated to haul 700 - 750 tons on easy grades. Every district, except Wellington, had a quota of Ab’s. Both the North and South Island had the Ab.

SPECIFICATIONS

RM56 VULCAN RAILCAR

by Barry Munroe and Trevor Burt

This RM56 model is Ex MSTS and was originally built by Barry Munro a.k.a. “Captain Bazza”, who kindly allowed Trevor Burt to convert it for use in Trainz 2006. Trevor has also added a typical cab module.

HISTORY

New Zealand Railways ordered 10 rail motors from the Vulcan foundry works, Great Britain, in the early 1940’s. Several shipments were made to New Zealand as each unit was completed, but one, which was to be RM59, was lost at sea when its transporting ship was torpedoed during W.W.2.
All 9 RM’s were assigned to duties in the South Island N.Z. As far as I know, they were not used in the North Island N.Z., but I could be corrected on this. The diesel motor/transmission was located at the lead end behind the forward driving cab . In its time, this railcar held the railcar top speed record ( N.Z.) of 75m.p.h. , recorded on the Midland line.
Some examples of this railcar still exist. One, RM 50, is preserved at The Plains Railway, Timwald, Ashburton, N.Z. and RM56 , RM57 are preserved at Ferrymead, Christchurch, N.Z.
Trevor created the cab module for the RM56 using photographs of the actual RM56 cab, so must thank the staff at Ferrymead for allowing me to crawl around inside RM56, presently undergoing a flash new re-paint.



RM 56 ready to depart Ferrymead Station, Christchurch, New Zealand.

DRIVING IN TRS2006

The driving choices are DCC or Cab mode. To change cabs forward - rear, press Alt - C.
The speedo does not work in the rear cab when going forwards. This is not a fault, but just one of those things in the sim.
There are multiple views in cab, outside cab/H.O.W. and passenger views by pressing [ … ] keys

Cheers, I hope you enjoy this model in Trainz 2006.

Both  S.G. and NZR 42” versions available.
 

Trevor Burt aka. “Fender”.

N.Z.R. Articulated twinset 88 seater railcar RM109

by Trevor Burt Copyright © 2008

History

The railcar is modelled on RM109 in the Coronation red with silver/white cheatstripes livery.

RM 109 was placed into service with N.Z.R. in February 1956 and withdrawn in December 1971.

These railcars were built by the Birmingham Railway carriage and Wagon Co. Ltd., Smethwick Works, to a Drewry design. They were fitted with two horizontal Fiat diesel engines of pre W.W.2 naval design which were never specifically designed to drive a railcar via a multispeed drive.

Throughout their life, they gave many troubles and were very costly to run and maintain, mostly due to engine problems. However, these railcars were popular with the commuting public and the mention of Fiat engines had the masses calling them Fiat railcars.
 

Later on , around 1968 some were refurbished and repainted in a new livery of blue with a violet waistband/striping and intended for a plush new life as the “Blue Streaks” service. However, due to low patronage, this service was short lived and by 1978, all drewry railcars were withdrawn or scrapped. Some did ponder on for a bit longer as engine-less, loco drawn coaches or “grass grubs” as they were called due to their green colour scheme, but come 1985, these too were scrapped.

Someone did think to preserve one or two of these railcars and the Pahiatua Railcar Society, Wairarapa, New Zealand is busy presently restoring at least one of these twinsets. I recommend a visit to their website : http://railcar.netfirms.com/

 

DRIVING IN TRS2006

These models are similar set up to the DM units, i.e. run in pairs of one “A” unit connected back to back with one “A2” unit. When placing in surveyor, the A2 car will be facing the same direction as the A (lead/ driver) car. If you click on the A2 and “rotate train” it will then face back to back, as it should and line up correctly at the central articulated bogie. They can then be connected as one or two pairs. Each unit is driveable by clicking on it and pressing button 1. In cab and HOW and passenger views by pressing [ …… ] buttons.

Note, the cab module is not the actual cab, but I have created something very similar using artistic license.

Both  S.G. and NZR 42” versions available.
 

Trevor Burt aka. “Fender”
 

N.Z.R English Electric class DM UNITS

by Trevor Burt a.k.a. Fender

Trevor Burt a.k.a. Fender originally built these DM models for MSTS, but has converted them for use in Trainz 2006.
They are basic and have no passenger functionality, but they really do look the part in the N.Z. routes

HISTORY

In 1937, New Zealand Railways ordered 6 x class DM units from the English Electric Co. The initial batch were painted in royal blue with a silver side cheatstripe. These units proved very popular and in 1942, further units were placed on order. A few years later, 40 more DM units and 71 D trailers were ordered to cater for expanded services to the Hutt Valley and Paekakariki. Many of these robust units have now been scrapped, but 10 x DM-D sets have been refurbished and kept going to service the Johnsonville line, in fact, they are still running to this day.

On the old numbering system, units DM 1 to 6 ( blue with silver cheatstripe) put into service in 1938,
Units DM 7 to 9 (red) put into service 1946 and units DM 10 to 49 (red) put into service between 1949 and 1954.

Trevor Burt aka. “Fender”.




SPECIFICATIONS

NZ TRANZRAIL GANZ MAVAG MULTIPLE ELECTRIC UNITS

by Trevor Burt a.k.a. Fender

N.Z. TranzRail Ganz Mavag Multiple electric units
Models for Trainz 2006 by Trevor Burt a.k.a. Fender. Copyright © 2008

HISTORY

Forty four of these Hungarian, Budapest built units were introduced to Wellington, N.Z. over 1982 - 1983 to replace some of the loco-carriage consists which plied the Wellington suburban areas. They were built by the Ganz Mavag Co. and equipped with G.E.C. electrical traction gear from the U.K. Due to size constraints, they were not granted running rights on the Johnsonville line and to this day, the older DM units still service the Johnsonville line. After having said that, these models can be run on the Johnsonville line in the Trainz sim, where the tunnels ARE big enough - this makes for a unique experience.

SPECIFICATIONS

HISTORY

The DCP loco’s are a sub-class of the mainstay DC fleet of loco’s used in New Zealand and are used for passenger services by Tranz Scenic. The DC’s were rebuilt from the older DA class during 1978 – 1981 by Clyde Engineering, Australia. They were re-powered at that time, with GM 12-645c engines, which develop 1650h.p. The older DA was 1420h.p. There are 16 loco’s in the DCP class, the running numbers range between 4277 and 4945. This particular model of DCP4755 was rebuilt from DA1496 and is currently one of the lead loco’s on the Tranz Alpine train which runs daily between Christchurch and Greymouth, South Island, New Zealand.
 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

DRIVING IN TRS2006 / TS2009*

The loco is driveable by clicking on it and pressing button 1. In-cab and outside views by pressing [ …… ] buttons.
Front and rear coupler views for yard sessions – zoom in and the letter “F” is on the front coupler, of course, the letter “R” for rear coupler. This helps so you don’t lose sense of which end of the loco is being viewed. Lights = shift + L for dim and L for full. Press “ ; “ key for flashing ditch lights, main lights on first. (TRS2009 only)
Best driving performance is obtained in “Cab mode”. Best sounds are in TRS2009. Loco uses sounds by “Wulf 9” , < kuid2:104722:53438:1> on DLS if you don’t already have it. Thanks to Wulf 9 for the sounds.
While in the cab, the row of switches and corresponding neons do work, but have no actual function – for the thrills only!


RUNNING NUMBERS:

To activate the running numbers in TRS2006 and TRS2009, after placing your loco in “Surveyor”, click on the “ ? “ icon and in the sub panel enter the running numbers. The correct numbers for Tranz Rail blue DCP’s are: 4513, 4611, 4628, 4634, 4755, 4761. 4559 is another, but has recently been refurbished and painted in the new Kiwi Rail scheme. Of course, you can select any number you like, but this would not be politically correct.

This model is available in S.G. and 42” versions. The 42” version sits correctly on track kuid’s 47439:38001 and 44640:38003.
I present these models in weathered and “battle scarred” condition.
 

NOTE:

I have found that TRS2009 cab FOV visual appearance is a bit weird and the cab looks stretched and distorts when the camera is panned. I would recommend to change the setting in “trainzoptions” file to < -cabviewfov=40 > ( default is 60 ). This view in TRS2006 is fine and requires no attention.
Also, my own personal preference is to adjust the gamma setting, TRS2009, to 1.25, but the choice is yours.

*Note, this model is aimed at TRS2009/TRS2010, but will work in TRS2006, minus “pull lever” horn function ( use keyboard “H” for horn sound) and no flashing ditch lights.

Trevor Burt a.k.a. Fender.


 

NZGR Aa 50' COACHES

by Bill Fock (a.k.a Billegulla)