General Motors Electo-Motive Division began production of the GP-35 in
October 1963. This series of four axle road switchers proved popular,
with some 1250 units being produced for U.S. railroads before production
ended in January 1966. The 16 cylinder 567D3A engine produced 2500 hp.The classic styling of the GP-35 should also be familiar to American rail fans, as the basic layout is quite similar to other EMD models such as the follow-on GP-40.
Dekosoft Design offers a number of EMD units. This review takes a
closer look at their Western Pacific GP-35 Collector's Edition, which
includes three locomotives in an attractive orange, black and gray
paint scheme. The three locomotives are #3007, #3014 and #3017,
feature various amounts of weathering and slightly different liveries.
Features:
Designers Chip Buchanan and Nalle Centergran have obviously put a lot of care into the visual model of these locomotives. The overall shape is appealing and the extra details make it stand out from the default models. The trucks and hoses are true 3D and so are noticeably more realistic. Unlike many models the wipers really do move when turned on.
Other little details are noticed, such as roof fans that turn and vary in speed with the engine's speed along the track. All the details make for a train that is fun to watch operating.
The description says that two cabs are included, but I am unable to detect the difference between them. In any event, the cab is also nicely done, given the design trade-offs that are necessary. Airplane panels are much easier to create accurately, since they are mostly a flat surface. Locomotives, on the other hand, have free standing consoles, gauges mounted at various locations, levers sticking out in various directions...recreating all this on a 2D screen is quite a challenge for sim designers.
The GP-35 cab handles these challenges well. The operator viewpoint is
far enough back that you feel you are sitting inside the locomotive. Three
different windows are in view. The console with the throttle controls and
gauges is angled much as it would be in the real unit but everything is
still quite readable. All in all, this is an effective way of simulating
a diesel cab of this era. Possibly the only complaint is that it's too
clean, especially when paired with one of the locomotives that is quite
weathered on the outside.
When reviewing aircraft I have some basis to judge the flight model, since I've been in various planes and even have a pilots license. With trains, I don't have this experience so I really cannot accurately judge the physics. I'll leave it to say that I do not see anything obviously wrong with the way the GP-35 operates and in general it operates similar to the default GP-38 and other comparable MSTS diesels that I've operated.
For the rest, I'll let the screen shots tell the story...
In conclusion, I've enjoyed my time operating the GP-35 and would recommend it to anyone who finds this locomotive type appealing. It is a payware add-on, but at the low package price of $2.99 it's hardly prohibitive.
Nels Anderson
Visit Dekosoft at:
nels@train-sim.com
www.dekosoft.com
Copyright © 2002 by
Nels Anderson.
All Rights Reserved.