Coming Soon… Amtrak Switchers

I've been working on reskining a set of five Amtrak switchers. They will all have customized sounds, lights, and modifed cabviews. These are my first reskins. Expect to see these in the file library soon.
Matt "The Amtrak Switcher"

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/fdoti/index.html

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RE: Coming Soon....Amtrak Switchers, James, Nov-28-04, 10:18 PM, (1) RE: Coming Soon....Amtrak Switchers, Texas Eagle 550, Nov-28-04, 10:52 PM, (2) RE: Coming Soon....Amtrak Switchers, SouthwestChief, Nov-29-04, 00:58 AM, (3) RE: Coming Soon....Amtrak Switchers, FURX, Nov-29-04, 01:23 AM, (4) RE: Coming Soon....Amtrak Switchers, SouthwestChief, Nov-29-04, 02:39 AM, (5) RE: Coming Soon....Amtrak Switchers, Macster, Nov-29-04, 04:02 PM, (6) RE: Coming Soon....Amtrak Switchers, SouthwestChief, Nov-29-04, 04:35 PM, (7) RE: Coming Soon....Amtrak Switchers, asamtrak911, Nov-29-04, 07:50 PM, (8) RE: Coming Soon....Amtrak Switchers, SouthwestChief, Nov-29-04, 10:24 PM, (9) RE: Coming Soon....Amtrak Switchers, imprezzed, Dec-02-04, 04:04 PM, (10) RE: Coming Soon....Amtrak Switchers, ssw, Dec-02-04, 05:32 PM, (11) RE: Coming Soon....Amtrak Switchers, SouthwestChief, Dec-02-04, 09:32 PM, (12) RE: Coming Soon....Amtrak Switchers, sstyrnol, Dec-03-04, 04:12 AM, (13) RE: Coming Soon....Amtrak Switchers, asamtrak911, Dec-03-04, 10:39 AM, (14)

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<Faints> OMG!!!!!Check out my Website http://www.freewebs.com/marias-pass/

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LAST EDITED ON Nov-28-04 AT 10:53 PM (EST)

Coming from a true Amtrak fan... Those are FANTASTIC . I Have so many activities in mind for thos units Chris

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OK they have been uploaded, so they should appear soon. Look for the files named:AmSw551.zip
AmSw554.zip
AmSw555.zip
AmSw556.zip
AmSw795.zip
Matt "The Amtrak Switcher"

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/fdoti/index.html

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WHOA!!!!!!-Jeffrey

Courteous Future Engineer
NKP 2-8-4 #765. www.765.org
Chessie System Historical Society. http://moosevalley.org/cshs/
My Website; www.xanga.com/csxd765
MY Pics;
www.picturetrail.com/gp30rdmt

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Also look for the file named:AmSw795f.zip There was a minor spelling mistake in #795's AI version .sms file causing one sound to not play. This file fixes that. Oops
Matt "The Amtrak Switcher"

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/fdoti/index.html

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Heh Matt, I should have got you pictures of Amtrak 565 up here in Seattle.

______________________
http://Evergreentracks.tk

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LAST EDITED ON Nov-29-04 AT 04:37 PM (EST)

Maybe in the next set, just maybe Yes please if anyone has pics of more SSB1200's (Amtrak Switchers) you'd like to see in a future set please send them to me at doti102@chapman.edu or at SouthwestChief@gmail.comAnd be sure to look for another file called:
amswlf.zipThis will upgrade the lights of the switchers so the rear lights will be on for AI trains.

Matt "The Amtrak Switcher"

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/fdoti/index.html

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Hey, just downloaded these and I like them, but I have a couple suggestions for future reference. First, if you're going to do a pack of several nearly-identical (i.e. same base model) locomotives, it's best to try to share as many files between them as possible. You didn't need to include all the custom cabview and sound files in each zip file; you could have had most of those files unzip into the Common.Cab and Common.Snd folders and then aliased them from the individual .eng files. If you don't know what all this means, try reading some of the forum posts and studying other multi-packs that have been released.You could also place all five of your switchers into the same folder if you rename the .ace and .s files for each one, which also means you need to edit the .sd files and use Shape File Manager to uncompress the .s files so you can rename the internal references to the .ace files. Part of making a good download is knowing how to arrange and package your files for the convenience of those who download them.If I remember correctly you said this was your first reskin, right? So keep in mind I'm not nitpicking, just pointing out a few things you might want to try doing differently in the future. It would be great to see some other Amtrak switchers like SW1500s, MP15s, and CF7s - I've always sort of wanted to skin a few but don't really have the time.Alex Stroshane
http://www.trainweb.org/asamtrak911

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You are right. I probably should have done it the way you suggest. My way wastes space. Part of the problem was I could not for some reason get the shape files to uncompress for renaming, oh well there is always next time. I was actually thinking of using one of those auto installers (like you usually see for the bigger packs)for these too. The way you describe is how I have them on my system (aliased). The only reason I did them this way was I didn't think people would download every single switcher, so giving all the features in one folder seemed easier. In fact I'll rarely if ever use two or more of them (the eastern switchers were done by special request). I intended to only do 551, 554, and 795, but as is typical once you do one the rest are easier.Yep this was my first reskin.One issue though, don't change them (like renaming stuff) because I intend to use them as is for several Pacific Surfliner Activities latter on. So I'll have to keep them the way they are because they have obviously already been released.
Matt "The Amtrak Switcher"

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/fdoti/index.html

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It's a small request, since we're on the topic of Passenger rail owned switchers, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind having a go at these...VIA Rail SW1000 # 201, and #202http://www.railpictures.net/images/a/AMT_-_Taschereau_Yd_-_Mars_24-2003_149.jpg.47414http://www.railpictures.net/images/v/VIA201f.jpg.88034

Mile 0.0 CN Bedford Sub
Location:
44 29.6 N
063 30.3 W
Reminiscing VIA LRC's in their Glory Days.

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Those are SW1000, which have numerous differences from the SW1200, Cab not as round, different hood/hood config, less stacks, different radiators.

Brad

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Unfortunately just way too many differences between the units to make them look right. Plus, I'm not much into VIA. Don't hate me for that, I just want to stick with Amtrak for the time being. You might want to give reskining a try. You could be the VIA switcher man I was a long hold out to reskining, but since no one was making Amtrak switchers I decided to try and learn how to do it. Took some time, trial and error, but there are so many helpful online tutorials and tips that it is really quite easy after you get used to it. And once you get the hang of it you are hooked.
Matt "The Amtrak Switcher"

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/fdoti/index.html

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Have you ever thought about reskinning one of these?http://www.railpictures.net/images/a/Amt_520.JPG.82938Cheers!Sebastian

Visit my "sebastian's trains pages" at http://www.freewebs.com/sstyrnol ...

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That's a GP40H (formerly GP40TC) and no model exists for that. It's basically an extended GP40 with a second diesel engine for providing HEP to passenger cars. It looks pretty different since the wheelbase is as long as a Dash 8. Maybe someone with a GP40 model could stretch it to the appropriate length and add a few more details?Amtrak did lease some GP40s in the early '90s. They were numbered in the 650 series and wore Phase III. They also currently have some GP38s for switching duties in Philadelphia.Alex
http://www.trainweb.org/asamtrak911

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