Narrow gauge cabs and sounds

[Tonysmedley]

One of the disadvantages of using narrow gauge locos with MSTS is that very many of the locos modelled use cab views based on the standard gauge defaults and sound sets also devised for standard gauge prototypes. In the majority of actual narrow gauge locos the firebox top is quite low so that the driver looks out along the top of the boiler barrel rather than along-side it In addition the actual back-head is relatively simply equipped compared with main line prototypes. There are few cabs available to MSTS users.which reflect this situation
. . I have found that what there are tend to be too simple, reflecting the fact that producing a cabview is not a simple task. There is also a limited choice of spectacle plates which reflect what is seen in the external view of the loco. Circular and rectangular shaped front windows are available but not the more rectangular or rounded shapes found on some NG locos.
I now tend to use a cabview based on the HRPT tank.which has round windows or from the “GenericNG cabs” which have a choice of two sizes of circular window or a square shape but a rather stark backhead layout. If you know of better examples please let me know!.
For sounds I have used the 2.cyl generic series with settings chosen to reproduce as far as possible with this series to give a realistic narrow gauge sound, but I think that the “Blanche Linda Sound Set”, is the best available source for a more realistic sound. I am not sure whether that sound set is still available. Again, please say if you have a better solution for narrow gauge sounds.

[maxtedrw]

Click the image to zoom in


The cab that I built but not for public release yet as it uses some gauges that I think ar commercial etc

I use the engine sounds 2 cylinder but modified. A copy of the .sms file are in the latest crossfell realease but I could upload them seperately

[Tonysmedley]

The cab certainly looks good. As you say there is always a problem with highly detailed items which are hard to produce but may have copyright issues.

I have the latest CrossFell downloads and use Cross Fell for testing out ng locos, but I have not looked in detail at your sound files.

[CaptainBazza]

Making new cabviews and sound sets always has been a rather specialised aspect of MSTS.

British locomotives, with their flush backheads, are much easier to make than US or NZ (etc) narrow gauge locomotives, with their myriad pipework, gauges and controls, and protruding backhead.

Whether 2d or 3d cabviews, it's a specialist field of interest that hasn't grabbed many people who build steam locomotives.

It can take from 3 to 6 months to produce a highly detailed model and textures, plus associated tuning and tweaking, let alone look at authoring soundFx or cabviews. This applies to any train sim, not just MSTS.

Cheers Bazza