Trains at Work

I like trains and so can you!

[sparkletrainsstuff]

Hey everyone, I mainly came here to post screenshots of train sim world. I love trains out in the wild, in sim games, and in model form. Unless otherwise noted, all train pics i post are screenshots from Train Sim World (currently tsw3 but one day will be able to get tsw4) taken on my PS4. I will credit any custom liveries (paint/design for those outside of railfanning) that get displayed; I do not take any credit for any custom content, all props will be given to the talented creators. If you happen to be the one who I mention in livery credits and would like your Tumblr mentioned/credited, feel free to contact me.

Other main interests are My Little Pony, Star Trek, and consumption/regurigtation of advertisement slogans and jingles. I am trans (she/her), Vulcan/autistic, and Jewish (though don't be put off, while I'm very spiritual myself, any and all religions/beliefs are valid and awesome. Have witch sibling so I'm down with all of it).

Edit: In light of recent events in Israel, I feel I should say that while I am Jewish and proud of my faith, I am by no means an Israeli apologist. I love the idea of the land of Israel (mainly from a spirtual perspective. My religious feelings shouldn't dictate who owns land. The land can still be part of my spiritual experience regardless of what flag is flying) being Jewish, but the current state/government of Israel annexes/occupies regions and that is not cool. Like honestly I would be totally okay if the land itself was owned by Palestine and maybe Palestine would be okay with me being buried there as well as being allowed to visit holy sites (while being respectful to the importance it has to the Mulslim world as well). What I want is for all peoples that want to live and/or worship in The Holy Land to be able to do so peacefully. So please don't see that I'm Jewish and think that I am in anyway pleased by seeing Israel launch attacks, especially with the amount of non combatants that get hurt and killed. G-d never wanted us to have a king of Israel, and They definitely don't want blood shed (Source: Isa. 2. [4] ....nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.). Sorry Netanyahu, but I feel missile strikes and tank columns count as swords.

At the end of the day, Judaism is supposed to be about Life, not ending it.

Live long and prosper,

Sparkles

[sparkletrainsstuff]

I am, surprisingly, alive. So things got even worse at work and had to quit for my own safety and mental health (though I have vehicle again and am doing grocery delivery in meantime so I'm alright). Now that I'm not working at a job I feel like might die at, I decided to break out my train set. Working on a couple building sets at the moment. I have a locomotive shed up towards top of layout, to the right of it is a freight depot. I need to get some windows for the roof. Bought the kit for 5 bucks opened as is and was just missing the ventilation hood to attach to roof. I'm thinking if I can't find a piece that fits for it in a model shops miscellaneous building stuff, I might just grab windows to put in and call it a skylight. The building on the right is a house being built. The kit has 3 houses in various states of being built. Still have to affix all the scaffolding (so many pieces to cut out!!). But I like the charm of having houses in middle of construction being displayed as I feel it will add to the layout looking alive as opposed to a static moment in time.

Set displayed is just simple DC starter set from Bachmann using a Norfolk Southern F7 for locomotive. The track is 2 colors because the set came with the black track which is stainless steel, the gray sections I found are nickel plated silver and conduct electricity way better than stainless steel. Eventually it will all be that gray roadbed.

[sparkletrainsstuff]

Some Union Pacific SD70ACE locomotives (UP 8659 leading) come down a diverging track. The whine of the turbochargers can be heard as these locomotives prepare to haul a long unit train of ethanol from Laramie, WY to Cheyenne, WY over some steep grades.

Choo Choo! Here comes the knowledge train. So when a locomotive is going through a turnout (the split in tracks) the speed limit is often different than what posted speed will show. The location and associated speed limits of turnouts will be known to engineer and conductors through an employee timetable. So if a train has a clear signal in an area authorized for 40 mph but goes through a turnout, the train must slow to turnout speed if lower, until the rear of the train has passed through the turnout and then may start accelerating to authorized speed. If you do some poking around you can find some older revisions of timetables on internet. Shows lots of fun information that engineers and conductors need to know about the route.

I really love this shot. One of my favorite things about this game is some of the amazing views of the train you can get that just would not be safe to do out in the wild. So getting pics of train coming right at you is doable with simulators.

Screenshot is of Train Sim World Sherman Hill Cheyenne, WY to Laramie, WY taken on my PS5. No custom content is displayed.

[sparkletrainsstuff]

Here's a couple fun bonus pics. I made these when it looked like rail workers were going to strike here in the US. Nothing fancy and not at all aligned correctly, but it was a cheeky thing I did in solidarity with fellow workers. Even letters are different sizes. Doing custom livery work on console is definitely not my forte.

This is actually one of my creations (monstrosities lol) so for once credit (unfortunately) goes to me.

[sparkletrainsstuff]

A trio of BNSF's ES44C4 locomotives (BNSF 3288 leading) pulling this intermodal consist into Victorville, CA on its way to San Bernardino, CA (ultimately this consist is taking containers all the way to San Diego but Train Sim World usually does about 1-2 hour routes/portions of routes) on a late spring afternoon.

The cement plant in Victorville (CEMEX) has a lot going on around it. There is an intermodal consist getting ready to head to Barstow in the middle track. Off on the right track, a pair of SD40-2s are idling ready to sort any traffic coming in or out of the plant. The massive cement plant is dwarfed only by the San Bernardino mountains in the background. The moderate cloud cover casts a shadow over one of the mountains.

No custom content is displayed, all shown is in Train Sim World 4 on my PS5. The route is Cajon Pass from San Bernardino, CA to Barstow, CA.

Edit: Oops, when I was looking at my photos on the train sim world gallery I noticed the train symbol and realized I messed up couple things. I have fixed them now but I had my orientation backwards. Train symbol used for service in TSW is Z-ELPSDG5-07 so El Paso, TX to San Diego, CA my bad.

[sparkletrainsstuff]

A mixed manifest train hauled by an AC4400CW (CSX 161 leading) and an SD 40-2 (CSX 2802 trailing) is sauntering out of the Sand Patch Tunnel ready to put the dynamic brakes in set-up and start the descent down into Cumberland, MD.

Choo Choo, here comes the knowledge train! Curious as to why that sign (a speed limit marker) has 2 speeds (in mph) listed? The top number is for passenger trains and the bottom is for freight (or mixed) trains. This freight train will be authorized a maximum speed (unless further restricted by signals) of 30 mph. Speed limit increases take effect after the entire train has passed that sign. Speed limit decreases take effect immediately as the front of the train passes the sign.

This screenshot was taken by myself on PS5 playing Train Sim World 4. The route is Sand Patch Grade from Rockwood, PA to Cumberland, MD. All locomotives shown are in the original liveries provide in the game, no custom content to credit.

[sparkletrainsstuff]

Screenshot of me pulling AV221 (SCAX 922 leading in operation lifesaver livery) out of Union Station. It's a cloudy day so I chose the Operation Lifesaver livery to use to help people stay alert and stay alive around the tracks. This train will be going to Lancaster, CA.

This screenshot was taken from Train Sim World 4 Antelope Valley on my PS5 and the custom livery displayed is not my creation but that of barefeedbob#2060 (dovetail account name)! Hats off for the outstanding work. I love seeing trains sporting the Operation Lifesaver message so thanks for bringing that to the EMD F125.

Edit: had Amtrak (AMTK) reporting mark instead of Metrolink (SCAX).

[sparkletrainsstuff]

Teamwork makes the Dreamwork! UP 8657 with the help of NS 1000 (both SD70ACEs) haul these internodal stacks out from LA bound for Seattle. It's a bright, sunny afternoon and not a cloud in sight.

This screenshot is from TSW4 Antelope Valley Line from LA to Lancaster, California. Note that NS would not be operating here, the game randomly substitutes liveries. I can only specifically choose custom livery for lead locomotive. Only alternative is to delete all liveries and only download as I want them and remove after. Too much work lol.

In other news, the driver of that blue station wagon has found a way to never hit a pothole by engaging repulsorlift technology to float above the roads.

And shout out to WaveyDavey#3057 for their TSW creator club livery of NS 1000 shown in above screenshot.

[sparkletrainsstuff]

SorryI have been super busy with work (including being attacked at work, so dealing with legal proceedings) and am very much in burnout right now.

I did manage to get Train Sim World 4 deluxe edition for the holidays though! Here is an EMD F125 (Metrolink 909) pulling into Sylmar/San Fernando station. I forgot to pulse the auxiliary/ditch lights 😂. And so much for a "sunny SoCal day", it's the middle of the day but visibility is crap with a dense fog settled in the valley.

This route is Antelope Valley which runs in California from LA Union Station to Lancaster. I spent 12 years homeless in LA so being able to go back to Union Station and watch the trains go by is really cool throwback to years past.

Hopefully will have a bit more energy to post semi occasionally, until next time remember what Operation Lifesaver says: "See tracks, think Trains!"

[sparkletrainsstuff]

UP 8457 (SD70ACE locomotive) is chugging through the rain to bring this mixed manifest train to Cheyenne Yard in Cheyenne Wyoming, US. Not sure what kind of industrial building 🏭 that is in the background (feel free to comment and let me know). Ever wonder what trains haul in those yellow cars immediately behind the locomotives? Automobiles. They may make the cars Ford tough, but they are hauled Union Pacific strong.

No custom content displayed. Screenshot was taken in Train Sim World 3 on my PS4. Route/DLC is Sherman Hill Cheyenne-Laramie. Locomotives displayed are SD70ACEs in Union Pacific livery.

[sparkletrainsstuff]

Ever wanted to see inside a locomotive's cab? Here's a screenshot of the interior of an ES44C4. You can see all the different buttons, switches, levers, and screens that go into operating the locomotive.

Screenshot taken in Train Sim World 3 on my PS4. No custom content is displayed.

[sparkletrainsstuff]

Here's a better shot to properly showcase Brian#5362's work on the repainting of an ES44C4 into a Wabtec FLXdrive. Again, it's just an ES44C4 painted to look like the FLXdrive but that's due to limitations of the game.

[sparkletrainsstuff]

First off, props to Brian#5362 (that is username on Dovetail Games/Train Sim World creator club ID) for their amazing work on Wabtec 3000 FLXDrive (due to being limited to locomotives in game already, this is actually an ES44C4 painted to look like the FLXDrive.).

BNSF 3284 leads a mixed manifest out of San Bernadino, California; ready to test out the Wabtec test unit 3000 along the Cajon Pass. Note that what is shown in game having oil tanker car right behind locomotives is not correct as standard procedure is to have at least 1 buffer car (like a hopper half filled with sand) between locomotive and tanker car. Think it happens due to the game randomly assigning cars for a mixed manifest. It's a bright late morning with just a little bit of cloud cover.

Nerd Alert! If you don't want to read my ramblings on the Wabtec FLXDrive feel free to stop here 🛑. So the Wabtec FLXDrive is super cool. It's an all battery powered locomotive that is able to charge the batteries utilizing regenerative braking. Dynamic brakes work by converting the mechanical energy of wheels spinning into heat by running the generated current through a bank of resistors. Regenerative braking puts that current back into a bank of batteries instead. So a FLXDrive can generate 4400 horsepower for 30-40 minutes (battery bank capacity is 2.4 Megawatt hours). After that, when the locomotive uses regenerative braking, these batteries will charge (have not been able to find a recharge time listed anywhere yet, feel free to let me know below in comments). This makes the FLXDrive ideal for being a helper locomotive. It can switch on its power to help a train up a steep grade, then switch off when not needed charging batteries during braking. This will be a huge step for green locomotives in the US. We are severely lagging in the amount of electrified lines we have, but these battery locomotives can couple up to and eventually (when battery capacity improves enough) take over the diesels running on same track with no infrastructure changes necessary.

Side note: if anyone could paint/3d print an HO scale locomotive shell with the FLXDrive markings/livery for sale let me know and I'd be stoked. I don't possess the painting skills (yet!) to feel like I'd get an acceptable result.

[sparkletrainsstuff]

Wow, got super lucky on the timing with this one! Especially since there is a pretty significant delay between pressing screenshot on ps4 and the actual capture of screen.

CSX 490 is pulling an intermodal consist through a torrential mid Summer downpour. Lightning is striking what appears to be one of the cars behind the locomotive.

This was taken in Train Sim World 3 on my ps4. The route/DLC is Sand Patch Grade Rockwood to Cumberland. Locomotives featured are GE AC4400CWs and they are displayed with original livery. No custom creations displayed.

[sparkletrainsstuff]

I like trains and I like ponies. Norfolk Southern is my favorite current operator for simple fact that has ponies in their livery.

NS 8033 (an ES44AC diesel-electric locomotive) is leading a unit train of coal hoppers through the Horeshoe Curve between Altoona and Johnstown, Pennsylvania. It's a late afternoon and the autumn leaves are just starting to appear.

No custom liveries displayed. This screenshot is from Train Sim World 3. The route/dlc is Horseshoe Curve Altoona-Johnstown.