CBH's Trains n' Stuff: Work continues on the "shovel".

(UPDATE: I have done some more work on the LYR class 27/28 and the cab is now done. Just need to do valve gearing and the such, and I can texture it and get it out. But this isn't my focus as of right now.)

I took a couple days off of working on the models I am making. Generally couldn't focus, and that's a thing I need to get stuff done, we all need it.

I put quotes around shovel because it is no longer just a shovel, I have moved forth into making other attachments. If you are a fan of older equipment, you'd probably notice that what I am modeling is a bit similar to Bucyrus-Erie's 15b/22b line of "shovels". Though entirely my design when I am modeling, I do look at them for some points on how they would function. You wont find internals in my models or extreme detail, after-all, these are just map props. But I do my best in creating with what I know, and putting my own wist on things, and for the most part, these should work mechanically, if they were to be replicated in real life.

Back to the "shovel" thing, there is now going to be the following attachments:
• Face-Shovel
• Crane
• Clam-shell
• Drag-Line
• Backhoe

These attachments as I call them, were quite common for many pieces of equipment, and could be changed out with one another, without needed a dedicated main machine. This allowed for a good amount of versatility in work with what they had. Nowadays this really isn't done anymore, there is either dedicated machines for the task, or the use of an excavator which can do a large variety of tasks, is used. The modern day equivalents would be quick-changing buckets/attachments we see on wheel-loaders and excavators. Hydraulics really changed the game as far as how machines worked, and the ways they were designed.

However hydraulics are new(well, not really, around the 50's they came into use for machinery.) and I am focusing on the old currently. So far, I only have the Face-Shovel and Crane modeled and texture mapped, and most of the Clam-Shell modeled. What's left is the Drag-Line and the Backhoe attachments.

Currently I have 6-8 ideas for fictional companies to be textured, and I am thinking of doing a few simple animations. Remember that this is for map makers mostly, to be placed on a map as a prop, these aren't scripted, nor are they operational vehicles like my trains. They can be placed in game though, for scene making and such. And have bones.

Here are some pictures I have so far. Remember, the textures aren't complete right now.