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Project Title: HTO/HTV 21t Coal Hoppers
Status: Complete
Start Date: May 2006
Completion: July 2006
Prototype: The 21ton coal hopper wagon was built in the thousands by BR, and lasted in revenue use until the late 1980s.
Models: A HTV hopper was among the models I built during my first phase of Trainz content creation back in 2003/2004. This was extensively reworked in May 2006, with features like LOD, chameleon and couplestar being added. The most complex task was animating the load, as the hopper is tapered both longitudinally and transversely, at different heights. The initial model was modified to represent the HTO variant while later models were backdated to earlier designs. The fact that the hopper shape remained the same made this task easier, the differences being confined to the hopper ribs and supports and the brake gear. Further variants are possible but the 7 models released to date allow for fairly varied trains, especially as all include 4 chameleon textures.

Some more HTVs were released in July 2007 as part of the Low-Poly Wagons project.

This project also covered a set of coal hopper wagons in National Coal Board livery. The hopper shape and details were modified and liveries created for 9 different colliery systems from the North East.

Releases - Main

Item Name: BR HTV Coal Hopper Wagon
Base KUID: 92263:13002
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 12th June 2006
Links: DLS Prototype info Project info
Notes:

Item Name: BR HTO Coal Hopper Wagon
Base KUID: 92263:13003
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 12th June 2006
Links: DLS Prototype info Project info
Notes:

Item Name: BR HTV Hopper (dia 1/146)
Base KUID: 92263:13004
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 18th July 2006
Links: DLS Prototype info Project info
Notes:

Item Name: BR HTO Hopper (dia 1/146)
Base KUID: 92263:13005
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 18th July 2006
Links: DLS Prototype info Project info
Notes:

Item Name: BR HTO Hopper (dia 1/143)
Base KUID: 92263:13006
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 18th July 2006
Links: DLS Prototype info Project info
Notes:

Item Name: BR HTO Hopper (dia 1/141)
Base KUID: 92263:13008
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 18th July 2006
Links: DLS Prototype info Project info
Notes:

Item Name: BR HTO Hopper (rebodied dia 1/141)
Base KUID: 92263:13009
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 18th July 2006
Links: DLS Prototype info Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hopper East Hetton
Base KUID: 92263:13041
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 17th December 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hopper Seaham
Base KUID: 92263:13042
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 17th December 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hopper Bowes
Base KUID: 92263:13043
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 17th December 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hopper Harton
Base KUID: 92263:13044
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 17th December 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hopper Monkton
Base KUID: 92263:13045
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 17th December 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hopper Hawthorn
Base KUID: 92263:13046
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 17th December 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hopper South Hetton
Base KUID: 92263:13047
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 17th December 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hopper Derwenthaugh
Base KUID: 92263:13048
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 17th December 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hopper Lambton
Base KUID: 92263:13049
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 17th December 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: BR HTV LP01
Base KUID: 92263:13101
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 27th August 2007
Links: CDP DLS Prototype info Project info
Notes: Low poly version of HTV hopper

Item Name: BR HTV LP02
Base KUID: 92263:13102
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 27th August 2007
Links: CDP DLS Prototype info Project info
Notes: Low poly version of HTV hopper

Item Name: BR HTV LP03
Base KUID: 92263:13103
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 27th August 2007
Links: CDP DLS Prototype info Project info
Notes: Low poly version of HTV hopper

Item Name: BR HTV LP04
Base KUID: 92263:13104
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 27th August 2007
Links: CDP DLS Prototype info Project info
Notes: Low poly version of HTV hopper

Item Name: BR HTV LP05
Base KUID: 92263:13105
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 27th August 2007
Links: CDP DLS Prototype info Project info
Notes: Low poly version of HTV hopper
Releases - Related and Dependencies

Item Name: BR HTV Textures
Base KUID: 92263:130021
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 12th June 2006
Links: DLS
Notes: Chameleon textures for HTV wagon

Item Name: BR HTO Textures
Base KUID: 92263:130031
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 12th June 2006
Links: DLS
Notes: Chameleon textures for HTO wagon

Item Name: BR HTV Textures
Base KUID: 92263:130041
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 18th July 2006
Links: DLS
Notes: Chameleon textures for HTV wagon

Item Name: BR HTO Textures
Base KUID: 92263:130051
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 18th July 2006
Links: DLS
Notes: Chameleon textures for HTO wagon

Item Name: BR HTO Textures
Base KUID: 92263:130061
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 18th July 2006
Links: DLS
Notes: Chameleon textures for HTO wagon

Item Name: BR HTO Textures
Base KUID: 92263:130081
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 18th July 2006
Links: DLS
Notes: Chameleon textures for HTO wagon

Item Name: BR HTO Textures
Base KUID: 92263:130091
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 18th July 2006
Links: DLS
Notes: Chameleon textures for HTO wagon

Item Name: NCB 21t Hop East Hetton textures
Base KUID: 92263:130411
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 30th November 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hop Seaham textures
Base KUID: 92263:130421
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 30th November 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hop Bowes textures
Base KUID: 92263:130431
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 30th November 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hop Harton textures
Base KUID: 92263:130441
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 30th November 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hop Monkton textures
Base KUID: 92263:130451
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 30th November 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hop Hawthorn textures
Base KUID: 92263:130461
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 30th November 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hop South Hetton textures
Base KUID: 92263:130471
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 30th November 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hop Derwenthaugh textures
Base KUID: 92263:130481
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 30th November 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: NCB 21t Hop Lambton textures
Base KUID: 92263:130491
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 30th November 2008
Links: CDP DLS Project info
Notes:

Item Name: Vacuum Brake Hose (hanging)
Base KUID: 92263:29001
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 9th June 2006
Links: DLS
Notes: Vacuum brake hose for use with Couplestar

Item Name: Vacuum Brake Hose (coupled)
Base KUID: 92263:29002
Trainz Version: 2.4
Release Date: 9th June 2006
Links: DLS
Notes: Vacuum brake hose for use with Couplestar

Item Name: BR WagonWheelset 3hole2
Base KUID: 92263:50030
Trainz Version: 2
Release Date: 1st June 2006
Links: DLS
Notes:
Updates
15/05/2006

HTO/HTV Hoppers
A model of the HTV hopper had been made back in 2003 and this was tested in TRS2006. Although the mesh was fairly good, the poor texturing was very apparent, paticularly on the underframe. The model also lacked LOD, shadows and industry compatability.
21/05/2006

HTO/HTV Hoppers
After tidying up the mesh and creating LOD variants, new textures were created to provide more detail on the underframe. The project was then put to one side while work progressed with the derivative Clam and Rudd ballast wagons.
10/06/2006

HTO/HTV Hoppers
With the Clam and Rudd wagons finished, I returned to the HTO/HTV hoppers and started work on the load animation and Chameleon textures. Four variants of the latter were planned, and shown here is a rusty and patched HTV on test.
A HTO was produced by removing the vacuum cylinder and pipes and creating textures based on a grey livery matched to the TRS built-in 16t Mineral wagons. The first two wagons were released on 12th June.
13/06/2006

HTO/HTV Hoppers
The initial models of the HTO/HTV hopper were based on those rebodied in the 1970s with two-rib bodies. The next development was to back-date this to produce the 5-rib wagons as originally built to BR diagram 1/146. Once again, both HTO and HTV variants were produced (note the differences in the end hopper supports) and the earlier Chameleon textures were slightly modified to provide further variety.
03/07/2006

HTO/HTV Hoppers
The earliest 21t hopper wagons had an LNER-derived underframe, featuring clasp brakes on one side only (instead of push brakes on both sides) and the characteristic tall brake handle. Many of these wagons were rebodied with later body styles during their lifetime, and the next model created was of a diagram 1/141 wagon rebodied with a diagram 1/146 hopper. This view shows both sides of the wagon. Note the brake differences, and the way the hopper supports were modified to clear the brake handle.
14/07/2006

HTO/HTV Hoppers
The natural progression for this model was to produce an as-built diagram 1/141 hopper. This had the LNER underframe, clasp brakes, and a different style of hopper side supports.
The tail-lamp attachment was removed from the second batch of hoppers before they were released. It was felt that the standard battery lamp featured would look out of place on these older wagons.
15/07/2006

HTO/HTV Hoppers
The final variant produced (for now) was the diagram 1/143 hopper. These featured hoppers that were rivetted rather than welded. To represent this, narrow planes were placed along the relevant joints and textured with rows of rivet heads. The hopper side supports were again different.
18/07/2006

HTO/HTV Hoppers
The second batch of models (comprising the five back-dated wagons) was released on 18th July after testing in TRS2006. This line-up shows all the HTO/HTV wagons displaying their various chameleon textures. The wagons to the front are the Clam and Rudd ballast wagons which utilised the same underframe.
01/07/2007


Low-Poly Wagons
My first low-poly wagons to be released were a set of 5 HTV hoppers. These used opacity maps rather than the mesh to represent the underframe detail, and the body had a lot of the detail stripped out, with some of the features (such as the hopper side ribs) added to the texture instead. Any functions that would add to the processing overhead were removed, these including Chameleon, Couplestar and Industry compatability. In a sense, these were therefore similar to my first wagon models!
The 5 models had slight variations in weathering and colouring and, as the lower picture shows, allow a yard to be filled with wagons that appear quite individual.
19/11/2008

HTO/HTV Hoppers
While I was on a roll with content creation, I decided to revisit another long-neglected item, the NCB coal hoppers. Originally just to have been a reskin of the HTO, the texture mapping had to be changed so I took the opportunity to modify the hopper shape to be more accurate (steeper end slopes and no discharge chutes). Still to be changed are the handrails and supports at each end plus more texture mapping.
23/11/2008

HTO/HTV Hoppers
The new end supports and handrails were added, along with an extra LOD mesh and new load animation. The model was then cloned for each of the 9 colliery names to be featured. Each texture will have different running numbers and varying amounts of weathering. Making up the 36 required images may take a while!
28/11/2008

HTO/HTV Hoppers
The 36 unique textures were produced by making a slight tonal variation for each of the four skins on each wagon, then spraying various dirt colours on a new layer which was then blurred and merged. The art files were also created and the completed models were submitted to the DLS.
Key

Features: Industry compatible Level of Detail reduction meshes
Chameleon (or equivalent) texture switching Couplestar (or equivalent) working couplings
Animated parts (other than wheels and loads)

Star ratings: These are my own personal appraisals of each model, based on the quality of the mesh and texture, the features, and the realism/accuracy of the complete model.
1 star. Poor. Inaccurate mesh and/or texture 4 stars. Almost perfect
2 stars. Adequate 5 stars. Unimprovable!
3 stars. Good Not rated. Applies to my own models!

Trainz versions: These indicate the lowest version of Trainz that an item will work with. For example, an item with version number 2.0 will work in any version of Trainz from 2004 onwards. Note that the version numbers are taken from the config file of the main item. The version numbers for dependencies may be different, resulting in the item having a higher requirement.
0.9Beta 1.4CE+language 2.3TRS2004+SP3 2.8TC3
1.0Community Edition 1.5Ultimate Trainz Collection 2.4TRS2004+SP4 2.92009WBE
1.1CE+SP1 2.0TRS2004 2.5TRS2006 3.02009WBE+SP1
1.2CE+SP2 2.1TRS2004+SP1 2.6TRS2006+SP1 3.12009WBE+SP2
1.3CE+SP3 2.2TRS2004+SP2 2.7TC1/TC2 3.22010EE


Page added: 01/10/2007 Spotted an error? Got some comments?
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Last edited: 28/11/2008