BNSF Ac4400

How 'bout some more BNSF AC power? I origially started this skin months ago, but never got around to finishing it until now. I still have a few details to work out, but it it's almost done. I also have two other road numbers.
BTW I know that Justin Cornell's Dash 9 model isn't the best shape for an AC4400, but hey! Bill Hemb did it for his KCS/TFM units, and nobody complained. Jonathan Nikiforovs.
Milepost 180, CP Belleville Sub.

Repainter for Yonder Locomotive Works.

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http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/User_files/3ea607ca4d67a6a9.jpg

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RE: BNSF AC4400, Knarf, Apr-23-03, 00:04 AM, (1) RE: BNSF AC4400, yellowdog, Apr-23-03, 01:14 AM, (2) Why I don't like NALW's GE freight units, JonN, Apr-23-03, 10:50 AM, (3) RE: Why I don't like NALW's GE freight units, chucksc, Apr-23-03, 11:44 AM, (4) RE: Why I don't like NALW's GE freight units, yellowdog, Apr-23-03, 01:35 PM, (5) RE: BNSF AC4400, TrainFreak, Apr-24-03, 02:43 AM, (6) RE: BNSF AC4400, Claude350, Apr-24-03, 09:37 PM, (7) RE: BNSF AC4400, BNSF4999, Apr-25-03, 11:45 AM, (8) RE: BNSF AC4400, BN_9402, Apr-26-03, 00:15 AM, (9) RE: BNSF AC4400, TrainFreak, Apr-26-03, 03:25 AM, (10) RE: BNSF AC4400, BN_9402, Apr-26-03, 09:50 PM, (11) RE: BNSF AC4400, JonN, Apr-29-03, 01:43 PM, (12)

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Looks good to me

Frank Schwalbach, Jr.

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Why not just use NALW's AC44?

Clayton

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LAST EDITED ON Apr-23-03 AT 10:54 AM (EDT)

Several reasons:
(1)NALW's models are so friggin' hard to reskin! This is due to their large number of texture files per unit. Makes me wonder if they did that on purpose, to discourage reskinners.
For comparison, NALW's GE megapack engines have 4 512x512, and 1 256x256 .ace files. Justin cornell's Dash 9 has 2 512x512 and 1 128x128 .ace, TA's SD40-2 has 2 512x512 and 1 256x256. 3DTrains F-unit has 1 1024x1024, 4 256x256, 1 128x128, 2 64x64 and 1 32x32. For the 3Dtrains unit the it should be noted however that in most cases, several of these files need not be touched when reskinning, and besides, 3dtrains offers a grayscale reshinning template for the F-units.
(2)Some of the detailing on the NALW GE units do not meet with my aproval. Many of the proportions on the models are way off. Here are my list of faults
Cab. proportions of front windows and nose are wrong
Trucks: no 3D rendering on truck surfaces, no spinning axle ends
(makes them look like the trucks on the default Kuju Dash 9)
Radiator: Intakes too large on C44-9/AC44 models, "wings" are too thin.
Fuel tank. No gap between gangway and tank(not prototypical)
Justin's C44-9 model may be far from perfect (there are some flaws I can point out on that model as well), but I prefer it to NALW's model. In all fairness, however, this was one of NALW's early works, and their later efforts have been far better. For instance, their Genesis locos are truly excellent, and are one of my favorites, and their UP steam megapack was also of high quality. I also saw the pics for their upcoming EMD megapack, and those units look very close to the prototype to me. These models are much more faithful to their prototypes than the GE megapack units. I realy think that sometime NALW sould completely redo their GE freight units to match the quality of their later releases.
(3) I already had had this texture for months, so why waste time adapting it for another model?
(4)As stated in my first post, Bill Hemb used Justin's model for his KCS/TFM AC44's and nobody complained.BTW Im not trying to start any flames here, this is just the way I see things.
Jonathan Nikiforovs.
Milepost 180, CP Belleville Sub.

Repainter for Yonder Locomotive Works.

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Thanks for the constructive criticism Jon.
I have forwarded it to Jay-C for comment/action...Chuck Schneider
(Virtual) CEO
North American (Virtual) Locomotive Works

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"(1)NALW's models are so friggin' hard to reskin! This is due to their large number of texture files per unit. Makes me wonder if they did that on purpose, to discourage reskinners."Actually, I would say just the opposite. I think Jens did it to ENCOURAGE reskinning. Several of the models you mention have texture flaws because more than one area on the model is mapped to the same area on the skin, i.e. if you paint the hood red, you end up with the nose red, too (this is a generic example that is probably not true for any models you mentioned). JC's skins are very repaintable b/c each area on the model has it's own separate area on the ace file. Is it more difficult to figure out what's mapped to what? Yes it is. Is the product more conducive to almost any paint scheme imaginable because of this? In my opinion, yes. But, as you say, nothing's perfect in this 3D world and we all weigh out the pros and cons before (and sometimes right in the model of) reskinning.

Clayton

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There is also an alternative AC4400CW model available. It is by James Hunt (the guy behind the new Superliners) and comes in Southern Pacific and Canadian Pacific liveries.

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Looks good to me.Go ahead and put it out there for use.

Claude350

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If you want to make a BNSF AC4400 shouldnt you use a 4400 model and not a dash 9?? because the one in the pic has the BNSF # right, but the model is a C44-9W.

Kevin V.

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If you noted in his first post, he commented on the fact of using Justin Cornell's C44-9CW model like Bill Hemb did on the KCS and TFM AC4400CW. It looks good, I wish someone would have a decent BNSF AC4400CW model (made from scratch, not modified from the M$TS default loco) somewhere out there.Austin S.

A Milwaukee Road Fan Forever!!
http://milwmsts.netfirms.com/

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NALW has an AC4000CW in UP livery. It has also been reskinned to Canadian Pacific and I think Chicago Northwestern and CSX livery. James Hunt also has an AC4400CW available in Canadian Pacific and Southern Pacific livery. So there are at least two models to choose from for someone wanting to make a BNSF AC4400CW

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>NALW has an AC4000CW in UP livery. It has also been
>reskinned to Canadian Pacific and I think Chicago
>Northwestern and CSX livery. James Hunt also has an AC4400CW
>available in Canadian Pacific and Southern Pacific livery.
>So there are at least two models to choose from for someone
>wanting to make a BNSF AC4400CW The closest thing to a BNSF AC4400CW is James Hunts' SP AC4400CW (which I totally forgot about). The NALW version would be incorrect for a BNSF version since the ditchlight and numberboard placement is wrong on the units. Austin S.

A Milwaukee Road Fan Forever!!
http://milwmsts.netfirms.com/

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>The closest thing to a BNSF AC4400CW is James Hunts' SP
>AC4400CW (which I totally forgot about). The NALW version
>would be incorrect for a BNSF version since the ditchlight
>and numberboard placement is wrong on the units. There is also one detail that may make both models inapropriate: BNSF's unique "gull wing" roof on all their GE widecabs. This cab-roof was designed by ATSF in order for their Dash 8-40CWs and Dash 9-44CWs to have proper clearance at the York Canyon coal loadout.BTW I think I'll put this reskin on hold for now. Jonathan Nikiforovs.
Milepost 180, CP Belleville Sub.

Repainter for Yonder Locomotive Works.

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